Series Introduction

In the late 1980s The First Edition Library (FEL) began publishing high quality facsimiles of unique first editions of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries based upon literary importance, historical significance and author recognition. Sold via subscription offerings and by phone order at an initial price of $29,95. They researched, locating and published 6 to 8 new titles a year. Sold to Easton Press in the year 2000. First Edition Library eventually produced, under that name, one hundred eleven titles and discontinued production 2005.

~Attention to Detail~
The degree of accuracy maintained in the duplication of original first editions was nothing less than extraordinary. FEL facsimiles had the same weight, size, typeface, art, dust-jacket, finish and texture as the originals. Even mistakes, known as first edition points, were duplicated as erroneously printed– ie – In Fitzgerald’s THE GREAT GABSBY was identified by two unique issue points. The first printing of the dust jacket contained a typographical error: the first letter of Jay Gatsby’s name was printed with a lower case “j”. Rather than reprint the entire run Scribners overprinted an upper case “J”. Both are visible. The second occurs on page 205 of the text with “sickantired” printed as “We’re getting sick and tired of it”. (FEL Publisher’s Card)

~Identification of the Facsimile~ The only alteration to the original was to include "FEL" on the rear dust jacket flap. And the book itself contained a block of text appearing on the copyright page identifying the printing as a facsimile reprint of the original.


~Improvements to the original~
The First Edition Library did, however, make improvements to the originals. Acid free paper was used, together with a slipcase attractively decorated with pastedowns of the dust jacket. Furthermore, they included a Publishers Lay-In Card which contained statements about Author’s birth & death, Publisher and Date, Original Retail Price, and Original Copies Printed, together with facts about ‘The Author’, “The Writing’, ”Dedication”, ‘ Issue Points’, ’Target Copy’, ‘The Book and its Audience’, Pen Name’, ‘Publisher’ or ‘History’.


~History ~ With a broad brush stroke ~
Henry Reath, president of Doubleday Publishing for over a decade, conceived of the idea of reproducing exact facsimiles of original and very expensive first editions. Most people had never owned an original or for that matter ever seen what the original looks like. Additionally, the dust-jackets, in most cases, required extensive artistic repair to duplicate the original. The First Edition Library legally owned by Collector Reprint Inc., began to produce the replica books in 1987. Most of the ‘original’ books were purchased by FEL underwent an innovated Offset process for coping the book without breaking it’s back.FEL sold its publishing rights to Easton Press in the 1990s. (Citation requested as to exact date). Easton Press had the right to produce 49 books, but have published only 35 { Stan Shelley} including the fourteen James Bond titles and eventually comprised one hundred eleven titles. Easton retained the right to use FEL name in marketing and therefore all characteristics remained identical and Easton is not identified in any manner in the publishing of the FEL books. {legacybooks-pesmen}
All FEL titles do not include their facsimile printing date and thus any printing priority could only be identified by inclusion of the Publishers Lay-In Card and slipcase as provided by early FEL distributions. Easton Press has eliminated the slip-case to avoid increasing the price of the books. Finally, Easton Press had in 2005 has discontinued production of the FEL brand altogether.

Further Book Narrative and pictures: www.ReidMooreBooks.com