Help navigating the later Franklin Library editions

Hi all,

First time posting in this group but I have been using lots of the excellent information here for some time now as I am adding some of the Franklin Library editions to my mostly Folio Society collection.

I am currently looking at some of the books in the “Signed First Edition” series 1983-2000. Online resources (e.g. Leather Bound Treasure) suggest that all books from this series were still bound in genuine leather and there was no parallel leatherette edition - would that be correct? If so, are these later leather books still of a good quality in comparison to the earlier series and still all with sewn bindings?

As an example, one I am currently looking to acquire is “Where I’m Calling From” by Raymond Carver, 1988.

Any help greatly appreciated! Thank you.

I used to have several of the signed editions. I no longer have them, but my recollection is that they were bound in real leather just like their greatest books series. I would be surprised if authors would be willing to sign parallel series. My other Franklins have held up well over the decades, so the signed ones probably have too.

Thank you jroger1 - that is reassuring and you make a very good point about the unlikelihood of authors signing parallel series. I think i'll give one or two of them a go. I am looking forward to becoming a Franklin collector :)

I have a bunch of the signed editions, though not that particular one. They are sewn bindings and often have very beautiful covers. Would definitely recommend.