See the image for an example using jean auels clan of the cave bear. There is a prior owners book plate tippedin on the first free end page. Editionillustrated and signedby henri matissejoyce, james. It gives you a complete list of all the lec books and a very handy list by author as well that i cant find anywhere else. This book is a must have if you are even considering starting a collection of limited editions club books. With an introduction by leo gurko and illustrations by robert shore. A guide to collecting books by the limited editions club abebooks. After enlisting founding subscribers and collaborators and preparing the initial series of 12 titles, the first book shipped during the week of the stock market collapse. Books press museums collections order contact home. These books have been presented to the libraries since 1984 by frederick w. A book club copy will always be a book club copy, even though it states first edition. The limited editions club the limited editions club was founded in 1929 by george macy 19001956 to publish finely made and finely illustrated limited editions of the classics of literature and of a few carefully selected contemporary titles, such as the grapes of wrath by john steinbeck. Limited editions club penn state university libraries.
It was a book club that allowed members to pay a subscription fee to receive publications on a regular basis. The limited editions clubfounded in 1929 by george macy 19001956published fine, illustrated books in limited numbers for member subscribers. In 1935 macy founded the heritage club, which together with the heritage press, created and distributed more affordable and unlimited reprints of the great books previously published by the limited editions club. John bunyans religious masterpiece paired with william blake.
When i read a book i seem to read it with my eyes only, but now and then i come across a passage, perhaps only a phrase, which has a meaning for me and it becomes part of me. Limited editions club one of the unique book collections in the purdue university archives and special collections is the limited editions club books. Apr 27, 2018 limited editions club one of the unique book collections in the purdue university archives and special collections is the limited editions club books. This is a great resource when looking for lec books to add to your collection. Published as part of our jane austen series, this sparkling edition is introduced by fay weldon. Even though not issued on strictly a monthly basis, most of the letters were titled, the monthly letter of the limited editions club.
In 1929, he founded the limited editions club, publishing finely illustrated books that were limited to 1500 copies and signed by the author or artist. Book of job, the limited editions club, arthur szyk, bible. The history of the limited editions club by carol p grossman book. Each text was produced in 1,500 copies and signed by the illustrator before being sent to. In fact, some book club editions will have a blank box where the bar code normally goes. The limited editions club of new york was started in 1929 by george macy. Jun 26, 2012 the limited editions club of new york, was founded in 1929 by george macy. A first printing of the first book club edition as opposed to, say, later sk library book club editions is a consolation prize.
But surely thats in part because there isnt good information on how to differentiate those copies. The wellknown artist, roger duvoisin, spent much of the summer of 1955 in cevennes, following stevensons route, then he produced many delicate intext illustrations for the book, some with colors laid on. The limited editions club fine printing carleton college. Fine in patterned cloth covered boards with a paper label on the spine which is very slightly. It was a book club that allowed members to pay a subscription fee to. Members of the club receive a thoughtfully selected book delivered to them each month. When limited editions club founder and publisher george macy decided to commission henri matisse to illustrate his edition of james joyces ulysses, he was boldly moving into difficult territory. With the limited editions club monthly letter number 77, october 1935, loosely laidin. The limited editions club was founded by george macy in 1929. Between 1929 and 1985, 10 to 12 titles featuring 1,500. Books by the limited editions club towns end books. Heart of darkness joseph conrad color etchings by sean. Contributing to lec books were the foremost illustrators of the day, as well as such artists as picasso, matisse, rodin, george grosz, edward steichen, and edward weston, and.
Signed by benson and also by cowley on the limitation page. Heart of darkness joseph conrad color etchings by sean scully. At 29yearsold, he was an avid reader who wanted to make his living from books. Founded in 1929 in new york city by george macy, the club consisted of a select group of book enthusiasts limited in number to 2,000. In 1929, george macy founded the limited editions club and began publishing illustrated books in limited numbers usually 1500 copies for subscription members. The limited editions club was founded in 1929 by george macy 19001956 to publish finely made and finely illustrated limited editions of the classics of. George macy was born in new york city in 1900 in 1926, he founded macymasius, which was sold to the vanguard press in 1928 in 1929, he founded the limited editions club, publishing finely illustrated books that were limited to 1500 copies and signed by the author or artist. A brief history of the limited editions club by bill r.
The signed first editions club is the ultimate way to build a personal library and will please true collectors and lovers of the written word. With an introduction by stuart gilbert and illustrations by henri matisse. Often printed on lesserquality paper or in a noticeably smaller trim size see image above. The limited editions club of new york, was founded in 1929 by george macy. A quarto measuring 11 14 tall by 6 34 deep containing 143 pages of wove paper followed by the limitation page and three blank leaves. Make offer russian folk tales limited editions club 11500 signed etchemendy treasure island 1941 robert louis stevenson limited editions club,ny,colorful.
The limited editions club, much as its title suggests, was a subscriptionbased book club intent on circulating limited edition copies of classic titles to its members. I also agree that book club editions are not priced uniquely. The book of job from the translation prepared at cambridge in 1611 for king james 1 with a preface by mary ellen chase. Watermark draws its selections from the best new fiction and nonfiction titles, choosing them for their literary. Three large 8vo volumes in gilt slipcase, original blue and gilt spines. We can help you find the limited editions club books you are looking for. Printed for the members of the limited editions club at the plantin press. George macy started the limited editions club with backing from investors in the heyday of the stock market of 1929.
From 1929 to 1985, the limited editions club published 548 titles. Limited to 1500 numbered copies signed by the illustrator and also by the designerprinter, ward ritchie lec 446. Many of the books in eiches library were published by the limited editions club, which was founded in 1929. Feb, 2008 another heritage press book not published by the limited editions club is leaves of grass by walt whitman, illustrated by rockwell kent. It was published by heritage in a signed limited edition of. Paperback book club editions are often a little larger than the trade paperbacks. Spine creases, wear to binding and pages from reading. The club printed approximately twelve editions of classic literature each year in small runs limited to 1500 subscribers. Limited editions clubheritage press the decameron by giovanni boccaccio 19301940 april 12, 2020 limited editions club. It published fine books, usually classics and illustrated by leading artists of the day, for its membersubscribers.
Each text was produced in 1,500 copies and signed by the illustrator before being sent to club members twelve times per year. The history of the limited editions club was designed by jerry kelly in the spirit of the lec and is embellished with over 90 illustrations in color showing bindings, title and text page designs, artwork, sketches, notes, and ephemera. Limited editions club, bibliography of the fine books published by the limited editions club, 184. Limited editions club new, used and rare books and. Another heritage press book not published by the limited editions club is leaves of grass by walt whitman, illustrated by rockwell kent. A guide to collecting books by the limited editions club. Today, the limited editions club lec is an important part of the rare book business and the books are adored by collectors. When collecting fine print books, little can be said without mentioning one of the bestcherished names in collectible history. Macys mission was to produce beautiful, illustrated editions of classic pieces of literature. Limited editions club, bibliography of the fine books published by the limited editions club, 19291985, 49. The limited editions club was founded in 1929 by george macy 19001956 to publish finely made and finely illustrated limited editions of the classics of literature and of a few carefully selected contemporary titles, such as the grapes of wrath by john steinbeck. As the worlds largest independent marketplace for new, used and rare books, you always get the best in service and value when you buy from, and all of your purchases are backed by our return guarantee.
His business revolved around publishing beautifully illustrated classic titles in relatively small quantities with club members paying a subscription. Limited editions club collection an inventory of the. Hardcover book club editions may be a little smaller than a trade hardcover, and may feel lighter. The story of how the limited editions club survived as a combination book club and fine presspublishing house through more than 80 years of ups and downs is a fascinating one, and it has not been properly told until now. The limited editions club is famous for original illustrations by the best book illustrators and artists. George macy 19001956 was an american publisher career. It was published by heritage in a signed limited edition of copies. George passed away in 1956 but his widow, helen, ran the company until the early 1970s when she retired and sold to boise cascade who sold the firm again. Designed and illustrated on fine paper by leading figures in the graphic arts, most titles were classics, limited to 1500 copies.
The wellknown artist, roger duvoisin, spent much of the summer of 1955 in cevennes, following stevensons route, then he produced many delicate intext. May contain limited notes, underlining or highlighting that does affect the text. Limited editions club new, used and rare books and ephemera. The limited editions club was founded in 1929 by publisher and book lover, george macy. Limited editions club first edition identification and publisher. Limited editions club zadig by voltaire 1952 the george. Binding as above, in the original gold foilcovered slipcase. The history of the limited editions club oak knoll. The limited editions club, much as its title suggests, was a subscriptionbased book club intent on circulating limited edition copies of classic. The limited editions club dedicated this to sauvage for his incredible input to the george macy company, and this is a lovely tribute to a grand artist.
Get cozy and expand your home library with a large online selection of books at. Sep 10, 2011 the limited editions club dedicated this to sauvage for his incredible input to the george macy company, and this is a lovely tribute to a grand artist. Mar 28, 2017 the limited editions club, much as its title suggests, was a subscriptionbased book club intent on circulating limited edition copies of classic titles to its members. As the above definition makes clear, book club editions are reprints of books for a defined audience. Book clubs frequently neglect to remove edition indicators from the plates before printing their copies.
First openly published american edition, limited to 1500 numbered copies. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. Books by the limited editions club rare book dealer. Financed by subscriptions from its members, the club published fine editions of the classics of world literature. The limited editions club was founded in 1929 by george macy 19001956. Easton press, the first edition society of the franklin library, the limited editions club, the book club of california have all produced some high quality books, signed editions, and first edition, first printing of titles that have become valuable.
Some cracking along the top edges and spine of the slipcase, which is still sturdy. Contributing to lec books were the foremost illustrators of the day, as well as such artists as picasso, matisse, rodin, george grosz, edward steichen, and. Beautifully illustrated hardcover books folio society. Limited editions club book arts library guides at purdue. A limited editions club letter was issued with each book, containing detailed notes from the publisher about the book with which it was issued.
Fine in green and purple cloth covered boards with gilt text on the spine and gilt decorations around the authors initials on the front board. In 1935 macy founded the heritage club, which together with the heritage press, created and distributed more affordable and unlimited reprints of the great books previously published by the limited. The books issued by the limited editions club were designed by leading book designers, such as john fass and bruce rogers, and were printed at a variety of small presses. The book contains an introduction by williams and a foreword by jessica tandy, who first played blanche dubois. Between 1929 and 1985, 10 to 12 titles featuring 1,500 numbered copies each were published annually although the print run expanded to 2,000 numbered copies in later years. Ulysses limited editions club, james joyce, henri matisse. A few small faint stains at front board of clamshell. Many paperback originals pbos exist in hardcover only in a book club edition.
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