We can help you find the limited editions club books you are looking for. Today, the limited editions club lec is an important part of the rare book business and the books are adored by collectors. Ulysses limited editions club, james joyce, henri matisse. The limited editions clubfounded in 1929 by george macy 19001956published fine, illustrated books in limited numbers for member subscribers.
These books have been presented to the libraries since 1984 by frederick w. Financed by subscriptions from its members, the club published fine editions of the classics of world literature. A few small faint stains at front board of clamshell. There is a prior owners book plate tippedin on the first free end page. Limited editions club, bibliography of the fine books published by the limited editions club, 19291985, 49. The history of the limited editions club oak knoll. 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. The limited editions club was founded by george macy in 1929. In 1929, george macy founded the limited editions club and began publishing illustrated books in limited numbers usually 1500 copies for subscription members. Limited editions club new, used and rare books and ephemera. It was a book club that allowed members to pay a subscription fee to. Limited editions club book arts library guides at purdue. 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.
A brief history of the limited editions club by bill r. Each text was produced in 1,500 copies and signed by the illustrator before being sent to. 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. In fact, some book club editions will have a blank box where the bar code normally goes. 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. Limited editions club penn state university libraries. 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. Limited editions clubheritage press the decameron by giovanni boccaccio 19301940 april 12, 2020 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. This is a great resource when looking for lec books to add to your collection. Many paperback originals pbos exist in hardcover only in a book club edition. Published as part of our jane austen series, this sparkling edition is introduced by fay weldon.
A first printing of the first book club edition as opposed to, say, later sk library book club editions is a consolation prize. John bunyans religious masterpiece paired with william blake. A limited editions club letter was issued with each book, containing detailed notes from the publisher about the book with which it was issued. The history of the limited editions club by carol p grossman book.
Members of the club receive a thoughtfully selected book delivered to them each month. Fine in patterned cloth covered boards with a paper label on the spine which is very slightly. 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. This book is a must have if you are even considering starting a collection of limited editions club books. The limited editions club was founded in 1929 by george macy 19001956. When collecting fine print books, little can be said without mentioning one of the bestcherished names in collectible history. Book of job, the limited editions club, arthur szyk. Some cracking along the top edges and spine of the slipcase, which is still sturdy. Editionillustrated and signedby henri matissejoyce, james. Limited to 1500 numbered copies signed by the illustrator and also by the designerprinter, ward ritchie lec 446. 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. Books press museums collections order contact home. Paperback book club editions are often a little larger than the trade paperbacks. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets.
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. 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. It published fine books, usually classics and illustrated by leading artists of the day, for its membersubscribers. At 29yearsold, he was an avid reader who wanted to make his living from books. A guide to collecting books by the limited editions club. Between 1929 and 1985, 10 to 12 titles featuring 1,500. Limited editions club zadig by voltaire 1952 the george. His business revolved around publishing beautifully illustrated classic titles in relatively small quantities with club members paying a subscription. The book of job from the translation prepared at cambridge in 1611 for king james 1 with a preface by mary ellen chase. It was published by heritage in a signed limited edition of. Hardcover book club editions may be a little smaller than a trade hardcover, and may feel lighter. Macys mission was to produce beautiful, illustrated editions of classic pieces of literature. Books by the limited editions club towns end books. With the limited editions club monthly letter number 77, october 1935, loosely laidin.
With an introduction by leo gurko and illustrations by robert shore. Feb, 2008 another heritage press book not published by the limited editions club is leaves of grass by walt whitman, illustrated by rockwell kent. George macy 19001956 was an american publisher career. The book contains an introduction by williams and a foreword by jessica tandy, who first played blanche dubois. Make offer russian folk tales limited editions club 11500 signed etchemendy treasure island 1941 robert louis stevenson limited editions club,ny,colorful. 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. 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. 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.
Jun 26, 2012 the limited editions club of new york, was founded in 1929 by george macy. Three large 8vo volumes in gilt slipcase, original blue and gilt spines. 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. 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. Another heritage press book not published by the limited editions club is leaves of grass by walt whitman, illustrated by rockwell kent. George macy started the limited editions club with backing from investors in the heyday of the stock market of 1929.
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. Book of job, the limited editions club, arthur szyk, bible. Limited editions club first edition identification and publisher. But surely thats in part because there isnt good information on how to differentiate those copies. I also agree that book club editions are not priced uniquely. Books by the limited editions club rare book dealer. May contain limited notes, underlining or highlighting that does affect the text. 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 guide to collecting books by the limited editions club abebooks.
It was published by heritage in a signed limited edition of copies. 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. Limited editions club collection an inventory of the. Each text was produced in 1,500 copies and signed by the illustrator before being sent to club members twelve times per year. Limited editions club, bibliography of the fine books published by the limited editions club, 184. 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. Signed by benson and also by cowley on the limitation page.
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. Often printed on lesserquality paper or in a noticeably smaller trim size see image above. The limited editions club is famous for original illustrations by the best book illustrators and artists. It was a book club that allowed members to pay a subscription fee to receive publications on a regular basis. Heart of darkness joseph conrad color etchings by sean scully. The club printed approximately twelve editions of classic literature each year in small runs limited to 1500 subscribers. 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. From 1929 to 1985, the limited editions club published 548 titles. Printed for the members of the limited editions club at the plantin press. 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.
Watermark draws its selections from the best new fiction and nonfiction titles, choosing them for their literary. 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. Heart of darkness joseph conrad color etchings by sean. The wellknown artist, roger duvoisin, spent much of the summer of 1955 in cevennes, following stevensons route, then he produced many delicate intext.
The limited editions club of new york, was founded in 1929 by george macy. The limited editions club fine printing carleton college. Beautifully illustrated hardcover books folio society. See the image for an example using jean auels clan of the cave bear. Many of the books in eiches library were published by the limited editions club, which was founded in 1929. 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. Even though not issued on strictly a monthly basis, most of the letters were titled, the monthly letter of the limited editions club. Get cozy and expand your home library with a large online selection of books at. The limited editions club was founded in 1929 by publisher and book lover, george macy. Limited editions club one of the unique book collections in the purdue university archives and special collections is the limited editions club books. Binding as above, in the original gold foilcovered slipcase. Spine creases, wear to binding and pages from reading.
As the above definition makes clear, book club editions are reprints of books for a defined audience. Limited editions club new, used and rare books and. 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. 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. A book club copy will always be a book club copy, even though it states first edition. With an introduction by stuart gilbert and illustrations by henri matisse. 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. 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 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. 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. The limited editions club of new york was started in 1929 by george macy. Designed and illustrated on fine paper by leading figures in the graphic arts, most titles were classics, limited to 1500 copies.
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