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Artwork on the Paperback
Books
by Erle Stanley Gardner.
From the Erle Stanley Gardner
Collection of John Anthony Miller
Images are used courtesy of the John
Anthony-Zane Edward - Phyllis D. Miller Trust.
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Shown at the left is the first paperback edition of
Uncle Erle's first Mason book that was written in Ventura, California-just across
the street from where I am authoring this. The first Mason title.
It was published in September of 1940 by Pocket Books. The first edition
was published in March of 1933.
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The book shown here was published in November 1947,
and had already gone through 26 printings.
Gardner was and
still is the King of paperback mystery authors. Not bad for a dead man. |
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The book shown here was published in April of 1963
and had now gone through 32 printings. This is the
first of the so called "narrow silver spine" editions. The artwork is typically
from the 60's. My favourite period. |
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The book shown here was published in July 1953, and
had already gone through 28 printings. Note the facsimile
Erle Stanley Gardner signature on the silver spine.
I get e-mails and calls all the time from excited folks saying
that they have signed paperback-and 'how much is it worth?'. Looks very real, but it's
not. Gardner did, in fact, sign a few paperback editions of his books. They are rare, and
he usually signed them across the cover in his flambouyant style. An example of a real
signature on a paperback is shown on this web site elsewhere. |
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The book shown here was published in November of
1970, and had gone through 34 printings. A new look for the 70's |
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The book shown here was published in May of 1941 and
was the first paperback edition of Sulky Girl. It had been
published in 7 hardback editions since the book first appeared in February of 1934.
Originally written in Ventura, California. Again, it was also published by Pocket Books.
The second Mason book. |
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The book shown here was published in October of 1958
and has the terrific look of the period. This was also
published by Pocket Books but under their "Cardinal Edition" brand. |
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The book shown here was published in November of
1962 and has the terrific 60's look. By this time, the book was in the 30th paperback
printing. |
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The book shown here was published in May of
1941 and was the first paperback edition of this title. The
book had gone through 6 hardback printings since the book first appeared in February 1934.
The book was started or outlined in Ventura, California. The third Mason book to be
published. |
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