Dell Mapbacks

These mystery and crime paperbacks from the 40s featured crime scene maps on the back and some wonderful cover illustrations, especially those by Gerald Gregg. There are lots of his covers here on Flickr.

Dark Passage by David Goodis 1948, cover by Gerald Gregg. via ebay

A Halo for Nobody by Henry Kane 1948 via ebay

The Body Missed the Boat by Jack Iams 1949 via ebay

Murder in Mesopotamia by Agatha Christie 1947 via ebay

Rebecca, Rebecca

I now have 2 copies of the novel since I bought this inexpensive war-time edition published by Triangle Books/Blakston. Triangle books were marketed as affordable editions of popular books. I also have more than one copy of the Hitchcock film. I must really like this story.

Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier | 1940s edition

Daphne du Maurier | Rebecca 1938 | Jacket design by Hy Rubin

Living-Conditioned homes, Northridge, CA

During one of my obsessive periods, I set out to find all of the MCM developments in Los Angeles and discover their history. This little pocket of homes built in 1957 by Palmer & Krisel is nestled behind a rather ugly shopping center on the corner of Devonshire & Reseda Blvds in Northridge. "Take a look at tomorrow's living today!"

I found this brochure on flickr. Check out Andy Perkins' photo stream for the full brochure and others.

Mid-century John Stuart credenza

Archives of a publisher

Established in 1952, Wydawnictwo Iskry is one of the oldest publishing houses in Poland and they have painstakingly posted hundreds of really beautiful book covers, year by year on pinterest. Here are just a few.