First Edition Library

First Edition Library
The First Edition Library (FEL), established in 1987 by Collectors’ Reprint Inc., is a series of high-quality facsimile replicas of first editions of notable 19th and 20th century books, primarily American literary classics. Founded by Henry Reath, Mary Reath, and Kemp Battle, formerly of Doubleday, FEL aimed to recreate the original editions’ exact appearance, including weight, size, typeface, art, dust jacket, finish, texture, and even typographical errors or issue points, such as the “jay” error on The Great Gatsby dust jacket. These facsimiles were printed on acid-free paper and often included a slipcase and a laid-in card with notes on the book’s publication history, issue points, and cultural significance

FEL produced 112 titles, covering literary fiction, science fiction, mystery, and a James Bond series, with a special “Published in Paris” series featuring banned books like Ulysses, Lolita, and Tropic of Cancer. The first three titles—For Whom the Bell Tolls, The Great Gatsby, and Of Mice and Men—lacked the “FEL” colophon on the dust jacket’s back flap in their initial 2,500-copy printings, raising concerns about potential misrepresentation, so subsequent printings included it.

Sold via subscription or individually for $30–$40, these books are valued by collectors for their fidelity to originals, offering an affordable alternative to rare first editions, which can cost thousands.

FEL books are identifiable by an explanatory note on the copyright page and the “FEL” colophon on later dust jackets. Each book comes with a facsimile dust jacket, slipcase, and often a note card detailing the original printing history

Production by FEL ceased in the 1990s. Rights for 49 titles were sold to Easton Press, which continued to produce these facsimiles (often without the original laid-in information cards and ultimately discontinuing slipcases). Original FEL editions (especially those with all original materials) are sought after by collectors; some are rare and have increased in value.