DESCRIPTION: Armed Services Edition

F-175  The Essays of Charles Lamb

Please see my other auctions to see other Armed Services Editions for sale.

Condition: very good or better. General wear, creasing. See images.

Please see images for condition and titles/authors.

Armed services editions were published by the Council on Books In Wartime, Inc. during World War 2 from 1943 until 1946.  The books were printed on inexpensive paper using presses idled by the war effort.  A variety of reading material was provided in this manner to troops and sailors overseas or in veterans’ hospitals.  Mysteries, sports, westerns, horror, self-help, travel and adventure provided a respite from the stress and boredom of World War II.

The books were not intended for sale.  In fact, they were purposely made in a less than durable manner to reduce costs as well as to reduce the chance of the free books flooding the post war market.  These pocket-size paperbacks were the largest literature giveaway in the history of the published word.  More than 120 million copies were distributed, but only a fraction survived the rigors of wartime. 1,322 titles were published over 4 years from 1943 until 1946.

No overseas customers. Sorry.

Grading used: Fine, very good+ (vg+), very good, good, fair

If you have any questions, please ask before bidding. I try to grade accurately so that everybody is happy with the transaction.

thanks and enjoy

peace