Royal Red Library

J.H. Sears Co. (New York, US) & Kingsport Press (Kingsport, TN, US)
Series dates: 1925-1930
Size: 4.75″ x 7″

royalredlib_logoSears and the Kingsport Press collaborated on the Readers Library series with the Readers Library Publishing Co. (London, UK) from about 1924-1930. Around the same time, Sears initiated three of their own classics series, more upscale than the .10 cent Readers Library: The Royal Collection, The Royal Blue Library, and the Royal Red Library. The Royal Red Library were reprints of typical classic titles, all two-volume titles sold in a box. At least 10 two-volume titles were issued. The books are not priced.

The jackets are the same as the Royal Blue Library but printed in red. They are common to the series. The short jacket flaps are blank.

royalredlib_djfront1

Ten two-volume titles offered in the Royal Red Library are printed on the back of the jacket.

royalredlib_djback1

The Royal Red Library came with a red cardboard box. There is no printing on the boxes.

royalredlib_boxes

The bindings are the same as the Royal Blue Library, faux leatherette with gold stamping.

royalredlib_bind1

All the copies of the Royal Red Library I have include marbled endpapers.

royalredlib_endp1

The title page is designed in the same manner as the title page for the Royal Blue Library. Like that related series, no dates are included in the books or on the dust jackets.

royalredlib_tit1

The dust jacket of the second volume of this title:

royalredlib_djfront2

Along with the Readers Library and the Royal Collection, the Royal Red Library seems to be discontinued around 1930.

css.php