Bookseller's Log - Book Pedigree

You wouldn’t think so, but there is a book pedigree in the world of books. I claim no expertise, but over the years a pattern has emerged. I am sure that the book people in-the-know would argue the point but I think the pedigree flows something like this.

First editions (or as the new Amazon sellers refer to them as additions.).(First additions.) The first editions of icon titles, in jackets, signed reign supreme.

There are many authors in this category Mark Twain, Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, John Steinbeck and Henry Miller to name a few of the hundreds of authors whose first editions are still coveted. A shelf full of these author's important titles trumps everything else.

Then the Limited Edition Club titles hold rank. Founded in 1929 by George Macy these publications are sought after for their quality and they are usually signed by the author or illustrator. They often have a run of 1500 copies. A 1935 Limited Edition Club publication of James Joyce’s Ulysses, illustrated by Henri Matisse demands an asking price of $30,000. Where a 1934 Limited Edition Club of Lysistrata, with 6 etchings by Picasso is marked $7,500. Many classic titles were picked for publication and an elite set of willing buyers waited patiently for new releases.

A step child of the Limited Edition Club is the Heritage Press moniker. And although these tiles are well made, nicely illustrated and are shipped in publishers slipcases they are frowned upon by collectors. There are exceptions, but most Heritage titles can be found on the market for under $20.00.

Easton Press Books through a long trail of accusations now owns reprint publication rights to many of the Limited Edition Club titles. Easton Press has earned a place in the collectors heart, through the quality of design, titles and illustrators These great books contain the classic moire silk endleaves, distinctive cover design , spine and cover art in 22-K gold, gilded pages on 3 sides, long-lasting, acid-neutral paper , smythe-sewn binding for strength and durability, generally beautiful illustrations and a satin ribbon marker. They are pretty. Publishing both the classic titles and the Hundred Greatest Books. There are also nature and hunting titles. A deluxe set of the Harvard Classics is even available. There is no mistaking these titles from any other publishers work.

A full leather bound collector’s edition of Easton Press’ title a Long Walk To Freedom, signed by Nelson Mandela has an asking price north of $8,000.

　

 

Franklin Press Books, distributed Franklin Library editions. They stopped publication in the year 2000. They too published their ‘100 Greatest Books ever written’ and are sought by collectors. The Franklin Library had a tiered quality system. They published leather bound books but also leatherette and clothbound titles. The top tier leather bound books have a good aftermarket following. The lower tiered items do not seem to have found an appreciative audience.

　

 

Fine Press are usually small publication houses. These houses carry on the tradition of printing. They search for talented writers and illustrators and combine the talents in the art-of-the-book.

The Old-Stile-Press, in Catchmays Court, Llandogo, Monmouthshire, United Kingdom is a Fine Press House. The photographs of their shop could be from the nineteenth century. Their combination of design, font selection and graphic layout lead to many a unique and sought after creation.

The Fine Press Book Association publishes a list of Fine Press Houses around the world.

A collector could have quiet an adventure following the trail given by The Fine Press Book Association.

 

Leather bound books have always held great favor with collectors. One of the many reasons is that the leather bound book was made more hearty due to it’s binding and has survived the ravages of time better than lesser bound items. An old leather bound atlas with hand tinted maps offered for sale generally brings a happy buyer.

A well preserved copy of First Footsteps in East Africa, or, An Exploration of Harar by Richard F. Burton is a prize to be cherished by any rich collector  A leather bound set of Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night, translated from the Arabic by Captain Sir R.F. Burton is also prized.

 

Novelty Books, such as Pop-Up Books, Die-cut books, and Big-Little Books also hold a place on the collectors bookshelf.

The general Publishing world has a harder time drawing the collector. There are specialty items in every genre. Early Photography books by now famous photographers are scarce and sought. Early ‘Fill-in-Genre’ by now famous ‘fill-in-author’ may find homes in the limited number of collectors homes. Authors that fall short of the heights of Icons, perhaps fall into this category.

There are many fine authors who have captured the hearts of their followers. These titles may not ever make a ‘100 Greatest Books’ list but are sought none the less. For this piece I’ll stay away from genre preference of which there are many.

 

Reader's Digest Condensed Books, published short versions of popular fiction for 47 years. There are thousands of them in homes all over the country. Sold by subscription two to four a month these were the lazy mans way to keep up with reading or to obtain a library. I am sure many a book report was generated from skimming a 30-40 page version of an assigned title. To my knowledge no one collects these. Quite often these become the mainstay of some bookcraft. If you see a book at an antique store that is glued open, spray painted gold and with a stiff ribbon or stuffed bird as decoration, it may well be built upon a Reader’s Digest Condensed Book.

There are other Mass Production Publishers: Book-of-the-Month-Club, Time-Life, Newsweek, National Geographic Society that have their place. Generally these never become scarce and never become sought after.

I have stayed away from the National Treasures category. These types of items are out of reach for most of the population.