Preliminary Guide
to LBB Wrapper Style Backs
1919 - 1978 Version .1

This is a preliminary attempt at developing a quick guide to the the major back wrapper types used in the 3.5" X 5" Haldeman-Julius booklet series. I'm certain that other variations exist — if you have one, please scan it (front & back) and send it to me with descriptive info (number of staples, dating if you can, and so on). Dates in this version are guesses but make use of Jake Gibbs article "Dating Little Blue Books" in Issue 4 of the H-J Collectors Club newsletter. Other info will be added (or corrected) to the Notes side as it comes to me. All info in the Notes column is tenuous at best. The Style letters are for convenience at the moment and will likely change.

This version ONLY considers the Little Blue Book series & its predecessors, ignoring the Fillers and Critic and Guide series.

Last update: 27 February 2009

Major Identifiers: Plug for Appeal To Reason weekly paper (which ceased publication in 1922)

In Use: 1919 - 1922 (?)

Style: B

Major Identifiers: blank

In Use: 1919 - 1922, various times 1925 onward

Major Identifiers: Made in USA (else blank)

In Use: 1924 - 1926?

Major Identifiers: two ads

In Use:

Major Identifiers: three ads

In Use:

Major Identifiers: union label (any size, large shown), variey of colors

In Use: 1941 (two staples); 1941 - 1945 (one staple)

Major Identifiers: Union label, apology for very thin paper wrappers ("Sorry we had to use this cover paper because emergency conditions made it impossible to get standard cover stock. We'll switch back immediately after receiving new supplies.")

In Use: most likely 1943 (War conditions made getting paper stock difficult).

Major Identifiers:University In Print logo, small union label

In Use: 1945 - 1947 (one staple)

Major Identifiers: portrait in one of three sizes, editor ID, union label (large or small)

In Use: 1947 - 1951(one staple)

Major Identifiers: portrait in one of three sizes, union label (large or small)

In Use: 1947 - 1951 (?)

Major Identifiers: LLB large number, portrait, editor credit, union label, back of illustrated wrapper

In Use: 1947 - 1951

Major Identifiers: portrait, editor ID, University In Print logo, union label

In Use: 1947 - 1951 (?)

Major Identifiers: University In Print logo, no union label

In Use: 1951 - 1952

Major Identifiers:University In Print logo, LBB large number, editor credit [sometimes with union label at bottom]

In Use: 1951 - 1952 back of illustrated wrapper [union label dates 1945-47]

Major Identifiers: various category ads, no mention of editior

In Use: 1952- end of series

Major Identifiers: catalog order form

In Use: after 1952