The first edition of 65 volumes (65,000 entries, plus a supplementary volume about the Soviet Union) was published during 1926–1947, the chief editor being Otto Schmidt (until 1941).
Edisi pertama terdiri dari 65 jilid (65.000 artikel, termasuk suplemen tentang Uni Soviet) diterbitkan selama tahun 1926-1947, dengan editor kepala Otto Schmidt (sampai 1941).