This trivial fact just popped up in my research, and seems worthy of a post because these details are so hard to find when you actually want them for some project:

Zion’s Printing and Publishing Co., with headquarters at Independence, Missouri, was run by the Central States Mission in the early 20th century. They published Liahona: The Elder’s Journal, and printed all the standard tracts and reporting forms used by missionaries. All of the missions in the United States used Zion’s for their mission-related printing.  Most importantly, they published the Book of Mormon for proselyting purposes (in distinction to the Deseret News Press, which published the Book of Mormon in nicer paper and better bindings for use by Church members).

Zion’s had to pay its own way, without subsidies from the central Church, but they were not in business to make a profit and so kept prices as low as possible. That made it easier for missionaries to sell copies of tracts and books to investigators, and was easier on their budgets when missionaries had to purchase materials out of their own pockets.

In 1915, Zion’s decided they could afford to sell the Book of Mormon more cheaply than had previously been the case. Samuel O. Bennion, president of the Central States Mission and representing other mission presidents in the United States, discussed the matter with at least one member of the First Presidency at October Conference, 1915, and the question was decided.

Beginning January 1, 1916, you could buy a copy of the Book of Mormon for 35¢, down from the 50¢ price of previous years.