A book’s construction can tell you about historical events or economic conditions during the t

A book’s construction can tell you about historical events or economic conditions during the time period of its publication. William Somerset Maugham was a British author who wrote his novel, The Razor’s Edge, in 1944. The Noel Collection has several editions of this work that were published in the United States during or immediately after World War II. One edition was published by the Editions for the Armed Services. This publication is 12 cm by 17 cm and was created so that American soldiers could carry small, lightweight novels as they served in the military during World War II. Three other editions published for civilians include statements about book cloth shortage or government regulation on paper on their title page versos.

Here are the statements about each publication’s construction and/or purpose:

Editions for the Armed Services copyright 1944 edition: “This book…is intended for exclusive distribution to members of the American Armed Forces and is not to be resold or made available to civilians. In this way the best books of the present and the past are supplied to members of our Armed Forces in small, convenient, and economical form…”

1944 Doubleday, Doran, & Co. publication: “This book has not been condensed. Its bulk is less because government regulations prohibit use of heavier paper.”

1944 Doubleday, Doran, & Co. publication, Book Club Edition: “This book is standard length, complete and unabridged. Manufactured under wartime conditions in conformity with all government regulations controlling the use of paper and other materials”

1946 Triangle Books publication: “Because of the acute shortage of regular book cloth, this book is bound in sturdy leatherette especially designed for this purpose”

Images from:

Editions for the Armed Services copyright 1944 edition

Call Number: AC5 .A6 no. Q-31

Catalog Record: https://bit.ly/3BNtyZ3

1944 Doubleday, Doran, & Co. publication

Call Number: PR6025 .A86 R3

Catalog Record: https://bit.ly/36ETPgU

1944 Doubleday, Doran, & Co. publication, Book Club Edition

Call Number: PR6025 .A86 R3 1944B

Catalog Record: https://bit.ly/35oX63p

1946 Triangle Books publication

Call Number: PR6025 .A86 R3 1946

Catalog Record: https://bit.ly/3JOINnr