The Rise Of Silas Lapham By William Dean Howells - Limited Editions Club - 1961
Item History & Price
The Limited Editions Club (LEC) was founded in 1929 by George Macy. Its purpose was to create very high quality versions of the classics that were also illustrated by the finest contemporary artists. All Limited Edition Club books are hand signed by the illustrators with a short description of the making of the book on the colophon in the rear of the volume. Only a few were published without a signature because the illustrator had passed away before publication. All LEC books came with a fine de...corative slipcase and the great majority of them contain original fine art within. They are finely constructed books printed by the best printers and on fine paper. They are highly collectible.The Limited Editions Club is famous for original illustrations by the best book illustrators and artists. 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.Each title was unique, using special papers, special cover material including many in leather, almost all came in a slipcase or clamshell box, many of the titles were already regarded as classics and produced by private small presses throughout the world, almost all were signed by either the illustrator, author, publisher or designer. Sometimes three signatures can be found on the colophon page.Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, Edward Ardizonne, Thomas Hart Benton, Rockwell Kent, Reginald Marsh, Edmund Dulac, Arthur Rackham, Norman Rockwell, Edward Steichen and Grant Wood are just a few of the artists connected with the Limited Editions Club.Today, the Limited Editions Club is an important part of the rare book business and the books are adored by collectors. From 1929 to 1985, the Limited Editions Club published 548 titles. 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 in 1978.Limited Editions Club books are very collectible for their beauty alone but many famous authors have been published over the years. Their typography is also exceptional and involved masters of the age. Each book is a work of art in its own right.
