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Grosset & Dunlap - Madison Square Editions - World War II Restricted Reprints

The " Madison Square Books" were the poor-quality wartime reprints produced by Grosset & Dunlap. The first eleven
Tarzan titles in G&D's catalogue were republished in this series, characterized by somewhat thinner volumes in very dark
red bindings. They had no illustrations except the original dust jackets, and (on each of the title pages) a miniature
reproduction of the jacket picture of TARZAN AND THE GOLDEN LION. This miniature first appeared in 1928 on the
McClurg title page of TARZAN, LORD OF THE JUNGLE, . . .
(Henry Hardy Heins, A Golden Anniversary Bibliography of Edgar Rice Burroughs, revised edition)

Charlie's comments: Although neither Heins or Zeuschner say so, I believe the type for each volume was completely
reset for the text and their associated dust jackets. Due to the heavy-with-acids cheap, almost pulp, paper used in these
editions, the text pages of even a very good or better copy are almost brittle and heavily tanned, some are even a
medium brown. Personally, when it comes to readability, I find these characteristics off-putting. I also contend, based on
my observations of eBay sales that, except for the completists, most collectors avoid these editions. I also suspect that
even the completists are only interested in copies in great shape. On eBay, even a GOOD or better condition copy rarely
goes for no more than ten or so dollars. I recently bought two Madison Square books in DJ for only six dollars. For those
looking for reading copies only and that don't mind the browned, somewhat brittle paper, then these editions are a great
deal.