Photoplay Editions: A Collector's Guide

Photoplay editions — movie tie-in books published in conjunction with the release of the film — first published around 1912, reached their height in the 1920s and 1930s, and continue, sporadically, to be published today. (And stage play editions go back to the 1890s.) For many lost films of early Hollywood, photoplay editions can be the most tangible reminders that they ever existed. The most popular, such as Dracula, Frankenstein, and King Kong, sell for thousands of dollars on those rare occasions when they are offered.<P>In addition to the detailed listings of such books, this work traces the history of photoplay editions to the present and discusses the major and minor publishers and the various formats that developed.

The Ohio-based associate editor of defines "photoplay editions" as movie tie-in books, traces their history from a 1921 Edison serial, and discusses factors determining their value. Miller covers photoplay editions (excluding paperbacks) from major English language-speaking countries listed by both title and author, and secondarily, stage play editions. The book includes illustrations and the lowdown on a press that used photoplay editions to hawk unrelated romances.
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