Easton Press Classic Books: Read Beautiful Books

Hello, fellow book lovers! Get ready to step up your book game! If you want to add some unique and valuable pieces to your collection, then it’s time to discover the classics of Easton Press. With over 40 years of experience, this publisher knows how to make books that look good on your shelf and are also a treat to read. So, read on and explore what makes Easton Press books so unique.

What is an Easton Press Book?

Easton Press is a publisher that specializes in creating beautiful leather-bound books. Since 1975, they’ve been printing volume after volume of these literary beauties on a primary subscription basis. From modern literature to science fiction, they offer a wide range of classics and single titles, some of which are signed. These are considered the most beautiful leather-bound books in the world and a must-have for any discerning book lover or collector.

In the collection, The Greatest Books Ever Written, you will find many familiar authors and titles. William Makepeace Thackeray, Emily Bronte, Oliver Goldsmith, and others. If you have a favorite book you have read and reread, adding an Easton Press version to your bookshelves is a must.

What sets them apart?

Easton Press books have gorgeous covers, gilt page ends, high-quality leather bindings, and unique illustrations. They put a lot of thought and style into how their books look and feel, making them a joy to read and admire.

What Are the Gilt Page Ends?

Gilding is the color on the edge of a book. This color is usually gold or silver. Gold is used in the books from Easton Press. This is a decorative technique that has been used by bookbinders for many generations. It gives each book a classic, elegant look. To make gilding, metallic leaf foil is put along the edges of the pages.

Why Are They Quality Books?

Many of the books published these days use the cheapest methods possible. I don’t know what proportion of the new hardcover books published have glued binding and thin paper, but I’m sure it’s a significant number. In a few decades, I have very little faith that these books will still look fine and that the pages won’t fall out by then. The volumes printed 30 years ago by Easton Press look as good as new.

How to Care for Easton Press Books

It’s essential to take care of your old Easton Press books for a few reasons.

• Easton Press books are often rare and valuable, just like old books, and taking good care of them can help keep their value.
• Easton Press books are works of art. They have beautiful covers and illustrations that are one of a kind. By taking care of your Easton Press books, you’re making sure that other people will be able to enjoy their beauty. Third, Easton Press books are often limited or first editions, which means that if they get damaged, you might not be able to find another copy.
• Taking care of your Easton Press books shows you appreciate the skill and care that went into making them. By taking care of your Easton Press books, you’re preserving a piece of history and the skill and craftsmanship that went into making them.

Basic Book Care

Taking care of any of your vintage books shows respect for the author’s work and the art of bookbinding. Follow these simple rules to take proper care of your books. This will ensure that people in the coming years will be able to read them.

• Store books upright on shelves to avoid warping
• Keep books away from direct sunlight, moisture, and extreme temperatures.
• Use clean hands when handling books to avoid transferring oils and dirt.
• Use a bookmark instead of folding pages to mark your place.
• Avoid using adhesives or tape on books, as it can damage the pages and covers.

Cleaning Easton Press Leather Bound Books

• Use a soft, dry cloth to wipe down the cover and pages to remove dust and dirt.
• Easton Press does not recommend using any cleaning agents when dusting.
• Use a slightly damp cloth and mild soap for more stubborn stains, but be careful not to soak the book or get the pages wet.
• Do not use leather cleaner on the cover, as it may damage the leather.
• If you have a book with mold on the cover, you can use a rag with isopropyl alcohol to clean it thoroughly. This is an extreme condition, be aware that it may cause discoloration or crack in the future.
• If mold reappears, the safest way to permanently fix it is by freezing the book inside a ziplock bag for a few weeks, then vacuuming the mold off with a HEPA-filtered vacuum.

Leather Conditioner

First rule: Do no harm or leave it alone. If the leather isn’t breaking down, the best thing you can do for your book is to read it often and hold it often. The oils from your fingers will soak up into the leather of the binding.

If you feel the leather on the cover of an Easton Press book is drying out and needs a leather conditioner, follow these steps at your own risk. Try it first on some books you do not value as a test run.

• To condition the leather on the cover, use a leather conditioner explicitly designed for bookbinding leather.
• Apply a small amount of conditioner to a soft cloth and rub it onto the cover in circular motions.
• Buff off any excess conditioner with a clean cloth.

Caring for Pages

• If the pages of an Easton Press book are wavy or have wrinkles, place the book between two heavy objects (like books) for a few days to flatten the pages.
• To remove mold from pages without ruining them, gently brush them with a soft brush or cloth to remove as much of the mold as possible, then use a HEPA-filtered vacuum to remove any remaining spores.
• Do not use water or cleaning solutions on the pages, as it can damage the paper.

To learn more about caring for and storing any of your books, I recommend reading How To Store Old Books For Future Generations? Remember, proper care and maintenance of Easton Press leather-bound books will ensure that they last for generations to come. So take care of your books and enjoy them!

Easton Press Series

For book collectors of Easton Press titles, the books in the Library of Military History, Masterpieces of Science Fiction, and Signed Modern Classics series are incredibly desirable and command a high price.

Most of the books released belonged to a series. Almost 200 volumes by different writers can be found in the Library of Military History. With a different ornamental cover or additional embellishments, many titles from different series appear in special editions.

The Easton Press company is still publishing copies of books by contemporary authors today. Some copies are signed by the authors.

The collections:

• 100 Greatest Books Ever Written
• Great Books of The 20th Century
• Collector’s Library of Famous Editions
• Masterpieces of Science Fiction
• American History
• Signed First Editions of Science Fiction
• Library of Military History
• Books That Changed The World
• Masterpieces of American Literature
• Signed First Editions
• Signed Modern Classics
• Library of Presidents
• Masterpieces of Fantasy
• The Harvard Classics
• Nautical Library
• Great Lives

Why are Easton Press Books Expensive?

You may have noticed that Easton Press books tend to be pricey, and you might be wondering why. Well, there are a few reasons:

1. High-quality materials: Easton Press books are made with top-notch materials like leather, acid-free paper, and gold gilt page edges. This attention to quality gives the books a luxurious look and feels that collectors and enthusiasts love.
2. Limited editions: Many Easton Press books are produced in limited editions, which means that only a certain number of copies are made. This exclusivity makes them harder to find and, therefore, more valuable.
3. Reputation for quality: Easton Press has produced high-quality, collectible books for over 40 years. Their books are known for their exceptional quality, which adds to their value.
4. Hand-crafted: Easton Press books are hand-crafted, meaning each book is made with care and attention to detail. While this makes them more expensive, it also makes them more valuable as collectibles.
5. Collectibility: For readers and book lovers, owning a beautiful display copy of a book by their favorite author is a point of pride. Easton Press books are often sought after for their collectibility and the status they lend to a personal library.

So, in the end! Easton Press books are expensive because they are handmade, made with premium materials, frequently come in limited editions, have a good reputation for quality, and are in high demand from collectors and book lovers.

Why Choose Easton Press?

Fans of books published by Easton Press often collect these titles because they “look beautiful on a shelf.” The first and most crucial collection guideline is “Collect what you love,” which is impossible to refute. It is irrelevant what other people say, and the fact that these publications have been doing this for a long time indicates that other people in the world value this as well.

Even though some of it sounds a bit snobbish, it’s hard not to see a leather-bound book as something special.

The 6 Most Valuable Easton Press Books

Attention book lovers and collectors. The following six books published by Easton Press Publishing receive the most requests from readers and collectors. The first factor that determines the collectibility of a book is its rarity. When you are book shopping, keep these hard-to-find titles in mind.

1. Citizen Soldiers by Stephen E. Ambrose

Citizen Soldiers is a nonfiction book that tells the story of World War II from the perspective of the ordinary men and women who fought on the front lines. The book covers the period from the Normandy landings in June 1944 to the German surrender in May 1945. Stephen E. Ambrose was an American historian and biographer best known for his works on American military history. In addition, he was a prolific author and respected scholar.

Significance: The book provides a detailed and personal account of the bravery, camaraderie, and struggles faced by the men and women who served in the war. The signed first edition adds a special touch for collectors.

2. Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

 Fahrenheit 451 is a dystopian novel set in a future where books are illegal and burned by “firemen.” Guy Montag is the main character. He is a fireman who gets sick of the oppressive government and starts a journey of self-discovery and rebellion. Ray Bradbury was an American author best known for his science fiction and fantasy works. He is considered one of the most celebrated 20th-century American writers.

The novel makes a strong point about censorship, conformity, and the value of literature. A signed modern classic edition makes it an attractive addition to any collection.

3. Dune by Frank Herbert

Dune is a science fiction novel in a distant future where noble families fight to control the desert planet Arrakis, the only source of the valuable substance “spice.” Paul Atreides, the main character, has to deal with political intrigue, betrayal, and a harsh environment to get revenge for his family and do what he is meant to do. Frank Herbert was an American science fiction author best known for his Dune series. People often think Dune is one of the best science fiction books ever written.

Significance: The limited memorial edition commemorates the life and work of Frank Herbert, making it a unique find for collectors and fans of the series.

4. One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest by Ken Kesey

The novel follows the story of Randle McMurphy, a criminal who fakes insanity to avoid a prison sentence. Instead, he is sent to a mental institution, where he challenges the oppressive Nurse Ratched and inspires the other patients to rebel against the system.

The author Ken Kesey was an American writer and countercultural figure known for his novels and involvement in the 1960s counterculture movement.

Significance: One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest is a well-known classic that criticizes the power of institutions and the need to follow the rules. A signed modern classic edition is a desirable piece for collectors.

5. Angela’s Ashes by Frank McCourt

Angela’s Ashes is a memoir about Frank McCourt’s impoverished childhood in Limerick, Ireland. The book explores poverty, survival, and the importance of family through humor and tragedy.

The author, Frank McCourt, was an Irish-American writer who won the Pulitzer Prize for biography or autobiography for Angela’s Ashes.

Significance: The memoir shows McCourt’s life in a vivid and emotional way, and a signed modern classic edition is more valuable for fans and collectors alike.

6. Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut

The novel follows the life of Billy Pilgrim, an American soldier who becomes “unstuck in time” after surviving the bombing of Dresden during World War II. Elements of science fiction, war, and satire are woven into the story to explore themes of free will, fate, and the human condition.

Kurt Vonnegut was an American author known for his dark humor and satirical writing. He is considered one of the most important and influential writers of the 20th century.

Significance: Slaughterhouse-Five is a classic anti-war book that challenges the way stories are usually told and gives a different view of what it means to be human. A signed modern classic edition is a must-have for collectors and fans of Vonnegut’s work.

Can I Still Buy These Books? 

Yes, you can; many of these books found their way to the resale market. Keep an eye out for these beautiful books at estate sales and auctions or directly from Easton Press. Also, Reading Vintage has over 100 titles to choose from. To help you on your quest to read and collect these beautiful books, you will find these tips for collecting books in my article Want to Collect the Best Vintage Books? a great resource.

In conclusion, Easton Press books are the way to go if you want to add sophistication and value to your book collection.

So, start browsing, and happy reading!

Meet Pam of Reading Vintage, an ardent curator of quality vintage books. Join her journey from hunting hidden gems at estate sales and offering them to you at her online bookstore, Reading Vintage, to offering insightful resources on her blog, Vintage Book Lovers. Explore, learn, and reconnect with timeless literature.

“I am sure there is Magic in everything, only we have not sense enough to get hold of it and make it do things for us.” – Frances Hodgson Burnett, ‘The Secret Garden’