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BookScans |
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Go to the Scans (Database Index)
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Graphically illustrating the evolution of Vintage American Paperbacks - 1939 through 1959 (and beyond)
Thousands of .jpg images, arranged
numerically, by publisher. Click "Go to the Scans" to go to
the Database Index Page for easy navigation to the various secti
Trying to find a particular vintage paperback? There are plenty of resources to help you find a title (see "Reference Library"). BookScans is designed to let you see what the book looks like.
Included in the BookScans database are images of significant back-cover artwork. This technique was especially prevalent with early Dell and later Popular Library books, as well as Bantam, Lion, and other publishers.
Artistic Interpretations Also included in BookScans is a section that is made up of different covers for the same title. There are more than 2,000 entries in the "Interpretations" folder.
And there's a big section showing duplicate cover art. Check out "Twins" at the bottom of the Database Index Page.
I need collectors to help me fill in the blanks. Please help complete the BookScans Project by sending me scans of your vintage books. I'll be sure to give you credit for your contributions. Click the "About BookScans" link to learn more.
BookScans is NOT an adult-oriented web site. However, the inclusion of these books is vital for an accurate study of vintage paperback history and marketing techniques. While the covers for the 50's and 60's "Sleaze/GGA" section are pretty tame compared to today's adult standards, some viewer discretion is advised.
UPDATE!
More than
1,200
scans added in
June!
Many thanks to contributors over the
Alan Moore, Benjamin Clark, Bob Gaines, Gunnar Olsen, Jerry Wisneski, Jerry Yeager, Jon Storey, Kenneth R. Johnson, Mike Haldeman, Paul Eng, Todd Manefski, Tom Daniels, and Vernon Baumgartner. Look for the new Update on the Database page under Update 11. The total number of unique images is now over 27,700*.
* (That figure ONLY includes scans of vintage paperbacks and reference books. It does not include the 7,000+ pictures in the Interpretations, Twins, Oddities, Special Groups, Pulps & Mags, the Update Folders or any other part of the web site that contains duplicate images or magazine cover scans.)
I will update the BookScans web site three times a year: in February, June and October.
Other changes:
Notice: The size of the database
has grown beyond my capability to easily reproduce it. Sorry, but I no
longer offer the BookScans CD for sale. If you are a student
or literary researcher, you may contact me and request a copy. Another 100 old magazine covers. More Books from the 1960's: Check out the "Other Publishers" folder. Another large chapter added to Kenneth R. Johnson's on-line reference book The Digest Index. One more "Most Valuable Author" (Clyde Allison) added to my article on vintage paperbacks. I am still running dramatically behind. I am working on hundreds of scans contributed by Bob Gaines and Tom Daniels (plus hundreds more of my own). Check back for the October Update. Many thanks to vintage paperback enthusiasts who have pointed out errors on the web site. I strive to keep the information as accurate as possible. Please keep emailing me your comments and criticisms.
Thanks to a huge donation of scans and commentary by Bob Gaines, I have added more than a HUNDRED new books to The BookScans Reference Library, and I still have HUNDREDS more to go! I will be working continuously to update each of the ten sections, so check back often.
Strange! Odd! Weird! Even more items in the section about
And more LINKS!
This page was updated in June, 2008 |
