Dell mapback paperback collection
Examples of Dell mapback paperbacks, front and back covers. These paperbacks were known for their various types of maps on the back covers.
Collection area: Literature
Collection dates: 1943-1951
This collection is comprised of over 450 titles, published from 1943-1951, and are in good condition. The collection is arranged in sequential order according to serial number, and is primarily dedicated to mysteries, while also encompassing other genres such as, romance, western, adventure, thriller, suspense, and war. Noted authors include, Agatha Christie, Dashiell Hammett, Ellery Queen, H. G. Wells, Mignon G. Eberhart, John Steinbeck, Faith Baldwin, Mary Roberts Rinehart, and Alfred Hitchcock.
Dell “mapback” paperback books (1943-1951) are an early and popular publication of Dell paperback books. The Dell mapback series is distinctive due to both its front-cover artwork, and its back-cover artwork, the latter which diagrams the locale of each story for the reader. Dell mapbacks are primarily dedicated to mysteries, however, other genres included in this series are, romance, western, adventure, thriller, suspense, as well as a brief series of war books.
Other features unique to this series are the front-cover logos indicating genre. For instance, the “eye-in-the-keyhole,” denotes mystery, suspense, and/or thriller. A heart – romance, and so forth. Many of the preliminary pages include short biographical listings of characters, as well as descriptive story summaries.
Each book in the mapback series is numbered sequentially. Of particular note, are renowned authors, such as: Agatha Christie, Dashiell Hammett, Ellery Queen, H. G. Wells, Mignon G. Eberhart, John Steinbeck, Faith Baldwin, Mary Roberts Rinehart, and Alfred Hitchcock.
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