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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 sections.
Trying to find a particular vintage paperback? There are plenty of resources to help you find a title (see "Reference Books"). BookScans is designed to let you see what the book looks like.
Back Covers 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.
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! Would you believe ...
More than
3,400
scans added in
February!
Many thanks to contributors over the
Tom Daniels, Bob Gaines, Gunnar Olsen, Chris McMillen, Kenneth R. Johnson, Hilary Brant, Vernon Baumgartner, Michael McQuarrie, Paul Eng, Jerry Yeager and Jim Fitzpatrick. Look for the new Update on the Database page under Update10. The total number of unique images is now over 26,500*. * (That figure ONLY includes scans of vintage paperbacks and reference books. It does not include the 8,000+ 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:
BookScans is proud to present Kenneth R. Johnson's The Digest Index, a major new on-line reference book, detailing never-before published data on digest-sized vintage paperbound books. Apology: Since I began accepting scans of books from the 1960's, I've fallen dramatically behind. I have already received in excess of 2,000 MORE scans, which I was unable to process in time for this update. My apologies to Paul Eng, Tom Daniels and Bob Gaines. Thanks for your patience. 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. Lots More Books from the 1960's: Check out the new "Other Publishers" folder. Three New Articles... All profusely illustrated: Collecting Early American Mass Market Paperbacks The Post-War Years and Emergence of the Paperback Original The Most Valuable Authors of the Vintage Period in the Articles Section
Another huge donation of scans and commentary by Bob Gaines will lead to HUNDREDS of new books critiqued in The BookScans Reference Library in the coming months. I will update each of the ten sections individually, so check back often.
Strange! Odd! Weird! Even more items in the section about
And many more LINKS!
This page was updated in February, 2008 |
