The very first dust jackets (or dust wrappers) appeared in 1832 with the sole purpose of protecting books during transport between the printer and the bookstore. The dust jackets themselves were worthless and the plain paper was discarded when the books were unwrapped for display in bookstores. At the end of 1800s publishers began making pictorial dust jackets, but the wrappers were still disposed of more often than not. In the decades that followed, dust jackets became marketing tools that featured beautiful illustrations as well as promotional text about the book and its author. Booksellers began to leave the jackets on for display as they were often more appealing than the plain cloth cover underneath. In the 1920s there was a resurgence of collecting modern first editions, and a widespread insistence on a high standard of condition made the dust jacket more vital than ever. A recent book described as 'mint' or 'as new' was expected to be in its original jacket. Because dust jackets were disposable for so long, today they are considered to be one of the most valuable aspects of a collectable modern book.
Vintage Dust Jacket Collections From Our Sellers BROWSE THE COLLECTIONS
Beyond protecting the condition of book, the jackets might offer something unavailable in the book itself. You might find a blurb by T.S. Eliot on the wrapper of an old Faber and Faber poetry book, or an original illustration by a renowned artist. Many of the most recognisable dust jackets were designed by artists handpicked by the author or their publisher. Bloomsbury Group member Vanessa Bell gave her sister Virginia Woolf’s books a distinct modern style. Bell used no more than two or three colours for her book designs, but the dust jackets remain some of the most beautiful in literature. Illustrator Virgil Finlay was a pillar in the pulp science fiction world, and was awarded two Hugo Awards for his illustrations in science fiction books. Finlay designed the stunning cover of H.P. Lovecraft's sci-fi classic, The Outsiders and Others. Renowned children's book illustrator Garth Williams lent his style to countless stories, including Laura Ingalls Wilder's Little House series and E.B. White's Stuart Little and Charlotte's Web.
Other times the dust jacket designer is a nameless employee at a publishing house. In the case of Go Tell it on the Mountain, author James Baldwin despised the publisher's original design and demanded it be changed before going to print. A few copies of the original design do exist - in fact, it made our list. Some authors aren’t willing to leave the design up to someone else. Evelyn Waugh illustrated a rare edition of Vile Bodies, and Ian Fleming tried his hand at design with a 1955 edition of Moonraker.
We scoured our vast selection of vintage books for the most beautiful dust jackets, and soon discovered that selecting just 30 was a nearly impossible task. This selection ranges from 1917 to 1969, and really is just a drop in the bucket. From abstract design to detailed illustrations, enjoy these gorgeous vintage dust jackets.
Find vintage books with beautiful dust jackets
Vintage Dust Jackets
Appointment in Samarra
John O'Hara
A classic dust jacket designed by Alfred Maurer. Published in 1934 by Harcourt Brace & Company.
A classic dust jacket designed by Alfred Maurer. Published in 1934 by Harcourt Brace & Company.
Jungle Girl
Edgar Rice Burroughs
Published by Burroughs Inc. in 1932, this dust jacket was illustrated by the author's nephew, Studley O. Burroughs.
Published by Burroughs Inc. in 1932, this dust jacket was illustrated by the author's nephew, Studley O. Burroughs.
The Bridge of San Luis Rey
Thornton Wilder
This Pulitzer Prize-winning book was published by Albert & Charles Boni in 1927. Illustrated by Amy Drevenstedt.
This Pulitzer Prize-winning book was published by Albert & Charles Boni in 1927. Illustrated by Amy Drevenstedt.
Call it Sleep
Henry Roth
This edition from 1934 was published by Robert M. Ballou. The dust jacket was illustrated by Stuyvesant Van Veen.
This edition from 1934 was published by Robert M. Ballou. The dust jacket was illustrated by Stuyvesant Van Veen.
The Drought
J.G. Ballard
A first edition designed by David Fawcett and published by Jonathan Cape, London in 1965.
A first edition designed by David Fawcett and published by Jonathan Cape, London in 1965.
Walt Disney's Fantasia
Deems Taylor
This Simon and Schuster publication from 1940 depicts some of Disney's earliest colour animations.
This Simon and Schuster publication from 1940 depicts some of Disney's earliest colour animations.
Fer-de-Lance
Rex Stout
The first Nero Wolfe mystery was published by Farrar & Rinehart in 1934. Its stunning dust jacket inspired facsimile editions in the '60s and '90s.
The first Nero Wolfe mystery was published by Farrar & Rinehart in 1934. Its stunning dust jacket inspired facsimile editions in the '60s and '90s.
Vile Bodies
Evelyn Waugh
This extremely rare dust jacket was designed by Waugh himself. Published in 1930 by Chapman & Hall, London.
This extremely rare dust jacket was designed by Waugh himself. Published in 1930 by Chapman & Hall, London.
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
Betty Smith
The first edition of Betty Smith's iconic novel was published in 1943 by Harper & Brothers.
The first edition of Betty Smith's iconic novel was published in 1943 by Harper & Brothers.
Travels with my Aunt
Graham Greene
A 1969 first edition published by Bodley Head and illustrated by Stephen Russ.
A 1969 first edition published by Bodley Head and illustrated by Stephen Russ.
The Front Page
Ben Hecht & Charles MacArthur
This hit Broadway play graced the stage (and shelves) in 1928. Published by Covici Friede.
This hit Broadway play graced the stage (and shelves) in 1928. Published by Covici Friede.
Go Tell it on the Mountain
James Baldwin
A rare Advanced Reading Copy with artwork that Baldwin did not approve of. The final copy was published with a completely different cover design.
A rare Advanced Reading Copy with artwork that Baldwin did not approve of. The final copy was published with a completely different cover design.
The Years
Virginia Woolf
Published by Hogarth Press, London in 1937. Many Virginia Woolf first editions, including this one, were illustrated by Vanessa Bell.
Published by Hogarth Press, London in 1937. Many Virginia Woolf first editions, including this one, were illustrated by Vanessa Bell.
The Moving Target
John Macdonald
A simple mid-century design by Bill English. Published in 1949 by Alfred A. Knopf, New York.
A simple mid-century design by Bill English. Published in 1949 by Alfred A. Knopf, New York.
At Lady Molly's
Anthony Powell
A first edition published in 1957 by Heinemann, London. Dust jacket by Broome Lynne.
A first edition published in 1957 by Heinemann, London. Dust jacket by Broome Lynne.
Look Homeward, Angel
Thomas Wolfe
A simple, colourful design adorns this 1929 first edition published by Scribner's.
A simple, colourful design adorns this 1929 first edition published by Scribner's.
Tender is the Night
F. Scott Fitzgerald
The first edition of the 1934 classic published by Scribner's depicts the book's setting, the French Riviera.
The first edition of the 1934 classic published by Scribner's depicts the book's setting, the French Riviera.
The Loom of Youth
Alec Waugh
A rare first edition of the first book by Evelyn Waugh's older brother. The semi-autbiographical work was published in 1917 by Grant Richard's Limited.
A rare first edition of the first book by Evelyn Waugh's older brother. The semi-autbiographical work was published in 1917 by Grant Richard's Limited.
Metropolis
Thea von Harbou
Published by The Readers Library Publishiung Co. in London, this 1927 edition is cased in a dust jacket illustrated by Aubrey Hammond.
Published by The Readers Library Publishiung Co. in London, this 1927 edition is cased in a dust jacket illustrated by Aubrey Hammond.
Moonraker
Ian Fleming
Flemming himself designed the dust jacket for this Jonathan Cape first edition from 1955.
Flemming himself designed the dust jacket for this Jonathan Cape first edition from 1955.
Stuart Little
E.B. White
Garth Williams illustrated the dust jacket and pages of this 1945 first edition published by Harper and Brothers.
Garth Williams illustrated the dust jacket and pages of this 1945 first edition published by Harper and Brothers.
The Old Man and the Sea
Ernest Hemingway
This UK edition published by Jonathan Cape in 1953 is far more beautiful than the first US edition.
This UK edition published by Jonathan Cape in 1953 is far more beautiful than the first US edition.
The Outsiders and Others
H.P. Lovecraft
Stunning dust jacket illustrated by Virgil Finlay. Published in 1939 by Arkham House.
Stunning dust jacket illustrated by Virgil Finlay. Published in 1939 by Arkham House.
Star Maker
Olaf Stapledon
Published in 1937 by Methuen & Co., London. Dust jacket designed by Bip Pares.
Published in 1937 by Methuen & Co., London. Dust jacket designed by Bip Pares.
Foundation
Isaac Asimov
The first book in the Foundation trilogy was published by Gnome in 1951. Dust jacket designed and illustrated by David Kyle.
The first book in the Foundation trilogy was published by Gnome in 1951. Dust jacket designed and illustrated by David Kyle.
To the Lighthouse
Virginia Woolf
Another beautiful Vanessa Bell dust jacket adorns this first edition published by Hogarth Press in 1927.
Another beautiful Vanessa Bell dust jacket adorns this first edition published by Hogarth Press in 1927.
No comments:
Post a Comment