From: acw@Apple.COM (Art Willis)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers,rec.arts.books
Subject: Re: Easton Press: A Good Buy?  Alternatives?
Summary: They are nice books.
Keywords: Expensive Book Subscription
Date: 18 Nov 92 01:45:22 GMT
Organization: Apple Computer Inc., Cupertino, CA

In article <1992Nov12.164017.20514@linus.mitre.org> chod@hoover.mitre.org (David A. Chodorow) writes:
>We received a mail solicitation to become subscribers to The Easton Press.
>Once a month they ship you a very fancy edition of one of "The 100 Greatest
>Books Ever Written", meaning the classics like Moby Dick (the bait),
>Ivanhoe, The Carpetbaggers ( 8^) well, it was much sought after when I
>was a kid).  The price is about $43/book when you throw in S&H and
>tax.  There are the usual terms about returning unwanted books and
>cancelling the subscription.
>
>Their selling point is the quality and appearance of the books: leather
>bound, acid-neutral paper, illustrations, gold accenting, thread-sewn
>bindings, etc.  I was wondering if anyone out there is familiar with
>the product and/or company.  Are the books as beautiful and durable as
>the advertising makes them out to be?
>
>What's nagging at me is that I'm sure I've seen ads in the past for a
>similar product for much less money per book.  I simply can't remember
>any specifics.  Does anyone know of any other companies offering a
>similar product?  (I hope no lovers of great literature are offended
>by my use of the word "product".  The subject of this posting is
>strictly limited to the presentation of the words in these books, not
>the words themselves.)
>
>Thanks to all who respond.

I've been subscribing to the Easton Press Science Fiction books for 3
or 4 years now.  They seem to produce very well made books.  They are
all leather bound, gold stamped, gilt edged, etc.  They claim the paper
is acid free, but I've never tried to test that.  As to durability, 
again I've never tried to put that to the test; I try to treat my books
tenderly and not bash them around a lot.  But, I suspect these will
hold up well over the years.  As you noted, they tend to be on the
expensive side, but what's the point of money if you can't buy nice
books with it.

Once you get on their sucker (oops, I meant customer) list, they have
lots of other series to entice you.  For example:

	100 Great Literay Works
	Literary Signed First Editions
	Classic Science Fiction
	Science Fiction Signed First Editions
	Biographies
	The History of War
	Roger Tory Peterson's Field Guides
	Reprints of the Limited Edition Club's Shakespeare
	Complete Works of Enerst Hemingway

and many others I can't recall at the moment.  There is always some
offer with my monthly shipment, and I'm sure not a month goes by
without one or two junk mail offerings.  Don't get me wrong, I'm
a satisfied customer, but they sure offer a lot of books that I would
love to own at prices I would love to be able to afford to pay.
I buy an occasional short set, but have so far resisted the urge
to sign up for any of the other series.  If you love fine books,
you'll probably enjoy these; if paperbacks satisfy all your book
needs, these probably aren't for you.

The Franklin Mint, through its Franklin Press persona, also offers
a similar series of books.  I've seen their ads (often in Sunday
newspaper supplement sections) but don't have any experience with
their product, so I'll leave it to someone else to describe them.

Unlike most other book clubs I've belonged to, Easton Press doesn't
seem to offer deals for signing up new members.  I can provide
more information or answer specific questions via email, if anyone
is interested.

Regards,

Art Willis
acw@apple.com
Newsgroups: misc.consumers