LITHOPRINTING FOR REPRODUCING RESEARCH MATERIALS IN LIMITED‐COPY EDITIONS
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/eb026083 |
| Published date | 01 February 1946 |
| Date | 01 February 1946 |
| Pages | 32-34 |
| Author | J.W. EDWARDS |
| Subject Matter | Information & knowledge management,Library & information science |
LITHOPRINTING FOR REPRODUCING RESEARCH
MATERIALS IN LIMITED-COPY EDITIONS
by J. W. EDWARDS
President,
Edwards
Brothers,
Inc., Ann Arbor, Mich.
THE
use of the photo-offset or photolithographic printing process for repro-
ducing research, reference, and educational materials in limited quantities has
been demonstrated conclusively during the period of the war.
Over the past two and one-half years Edwards Brothers, Inc., employing
its own process, Lithoprinting, a highly developed means of producing small
editions by photo-offset, has republished some 500 enemy-origin scientific
and technical books in editions averaging less" than 200 copies. In many
instances
100
copy editions have been issued, the per copy list price not being
in excess of the per copy cost of the original German edition, even in this
extremely limited edition impossible by orthodox letterpress processes.
This republication programme, continuing post-war, was undertaken with
the co-operation of the U.S. Office of Alien Property Custodian which
granted licences to reprint seized German copyrighted scientific literature.
Further, upon authorization of the Custodian, Edwards Brothers has litho-
printed and continues to lithoprint war-period German scientific periodicals
in editions of as few as 30 copies.
The purpose of the foreign-language book and periodical programmes was
to furnish, to the greatest extent possible, American and Allied war research
interests with the results of current enemy research. Plans are now afoot to
continue and expand these programmes, primarily in order to close the gaps
in library holdings of significant enemy research materials published in
Germany during the war period 1939-45.
The success of the programme and the quantity, character, and cost of
materials to be made available in faithful facsimile will depend directly upon
the extent of international co-operation in selection of items to be reproduced
and in buying by libraries and other research organizations and individuals.
In the United States, the Association of Research Libraries is interested in
obtaining such international co-operation as would permit the centralization
of reproduction and consequently the maintenance of economical costs for
reprints. If advance subscriptions for as few as 50 copies of an item are
indicated, it can be made available in facsimile at a cost less than its list price
in the original. The same appearance and format also can be expected. If
demand equals or exceeds 100 copies of
a
periodical or brochure, costs will
be 50 to 65 per cent. of the German list price.
The foregoing statements illustrate the area where photo-offset printing,
or lithoprinting, resulting in
sharp,
black reproductions, is successfully utilized
to the exclusion of all other reproductive processes in so far as costs are
concerned. Edwards Brothers specializes in the 'short edition' field, of from
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