Limited editions club

Founded in 1929 by George Macy, the Limited Editions Club published illustrated fine-press books for subscribers, in editions of 1500. Their publications tended to be classic titles, and featured the work of leadings illustrators and designers. After Macy's death in 1956, the firm remained family owned until 1970. It changed hands several times until it was sold in 1979 to its current owner, the investor Sidney Shiff. Since that time, the Limited Editions Club has become best known for lavish artist's books and portfolios.

The Limited Editions Club was founded in 1929 by George Macy (1900-1956). It published fine books, usually classics and illustrated by leading artists of the day, for its member/subscribers; membership was limited to 1500. After Macy's death, leadership of the company passed to Macy's wife (1956) and then to his son (1968). In 1970 the Limited Editions Club was purchased by the Boise-Cascade Company and then in 1979 by Sidney Shiff, a Wall Street investor. Shiff focused on enhancing the quality of book design, solicited work from a number of African-American artists, and expanded the firm's offerings to include signed artists' portfolios.

The Limited Editions Club - founded in 1929 by George Macy (1900-1956) - published fine, illustrated books in limited numbers for member subscribers. Designed and illustrated on fine paper by leading figures in the graphic arts, most titles were classics, limited to 1500 copies. After Macy's death in 1956, his wife continued the work of the firm until 1968 when son Jonathan assumed leadership. The firm was sold to the Boise-Cascade Company in 1970. Sidney Shiff, the current owner, purchased the Limited Editions Club in 1979.

Shiff, whose background was in Wall Street investments, transformed the Limited Editions Club by concentrating on livres d'artiste. He purposefully commissioned renowned artists -- including many African-Americans -- and commissioned master printers and fine presses to oversee a given book's design; artistic inspiration prevailed. Targeting print connoisseurs and contemporary collectors, Shiff raised the overall quality of the books and offered Club members signed artists' portfolios. The book illustrations and signed artists' prints are one and the same.