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Pictorial wrappers. 12mo. These unprepossessing specimens marked the birth of the mass-market paperback in the United States on the eve of World Warr II (the collection lacks but four titles). Strikingly-illustrated cover art and a low published price (25 cents) stimulated potential readers to purchase copies that would come to number in the millions. Subjects covered in the series included classic novels, bestsellers, mysteries, westerns, poetry, history, general non-fiction, philosophy, games and puzzles, self-help books, reference works. In other words -- a literary mirroring of a particular era in American life.
The homely paperback, printed on cheap paper with glued rather than sewn covers, seemingly invites the reader to scribble in or dog-ear his copy and then unceremoniously cram it into a purse or back pocket. Or discard it entirely. Consequently, pristine examples are fated to metamorphose into an endangered species in the fullness of time. The copies that comprise this collection, many of them having been upgraded for finer examples, mirror the care more costly books are traditionally given and like any accomplished and unified work of art deserves to be kept together.
A inventory of the collection is available upon request. Photographs of the books may be viewed on our website (ralphsipperbooks@cox.net).
Pictorial wrappers. 12mo. These unprepossessing specimens marked the birth of the mass-market paperback in the United States on the eve of World Warr II (the collection lacks but four titles). Strikingly-illustrated cover art and a low published price (25 cents) stimulated potential readers to purchase copies that would come to number in the millions. Subjects covered in the series included classic novels, bestsellers, mysteries, westerns, poetry, history, general non-fiction, philosophy, games and puzzles, self-help books, reference works. In other words -- a literary mirroring of a particular era in American life.
The homely paperback, printed on cheap paper with glued rather than sewn covers, seemingly invites the reader to scribble in or dog-ear his copy and then unceremoniously cram it into a purse or back pocket. Or discard it entirely. Consequently, pristine examples are fated to metamorphose into an endangered species in the fullness of time. The copies that comprise this collection, many of them having been upgraded for finer examples, mirror the care more costly books are traditionally given and like any accomplished and unified work of art deserves to be kept together.
A inventory of the collection is available upon request. Photographs of the books may be viewed on our website (ralphsipperbooks@cox.net).