E. C. Allen was indeed a real book publisher during the time period in which the show is set.
The "So right?" exchange between Bartok and Ramos, is from a popular exchange the late ventriloquist comedian Señor Wences used to do in his act.
Laura says that Ben has been compared to a "young Edwin Booth." Booth was the most famous and accomplished American actor of the nineteenth century, famous for his introspective portrayal of Hamlet. His brother was John Wilkes Booth.