We love stepback covers discussion

Hello all,

I see this group hasn't been active in a while, but I'm hoping someone can be of assistance. I'm searching for the first romance with a stepback cover. I think it's Con Sellers published in 1979 by Pocket Books.

From what I can tell, "tipped-in" pages (that is pages added after the initial binding of the book) go back to the early to mid 20th century, and these were generally special pages for things such as author's autographs, images, etc.

Pocket Books combined this with a die cut/key hole design to create what I believe is the first mainstream stepback for mass market PB for V. C. Andrews' in 1977.

Sweet Caroline is the furthest back I can find a stepback cover for a romance.

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

Hmmm..interesting question Wendy, I would love to know the answer to that one as well!
I have that Con Sellers book!
I will have to do some research myself and see what I find.

Thanks Sandi. Any help would be appreciated!

Sandi *~The Pirate Wench~* wrote: "Hmmm..interesting question Wendy, I would love to know the answer to that one as well!
I have that Con Sellers book!
I will have to do some research myself and see what I find."

I've searched a bit more and found a Janet Dailey book published by Pocket Books in May 1979 had a stepback cover . So unless I'm wrong (which I often am), it looks like Janet Dailey had the first romance stepback cover, predating Con Sellers' by a month.

Either way, it appears that Pocket Books was using stepbacks before other publishers.

Wendy, Lady Evelyn Quince wrote: "Sandi *~The Pirate Wench~* wrote: "Hmmm..interesting question Wendy, I would love to know the answer to that one as well!
I have that Con Sellers book!
I will have to do some research myself and s..."

Yes, now that you mention her books Wendy, I do remember two of hers having a stepback with the "window" They must have been the first.
But then the "window" seemed to have disappeared on the books and full "open front flap to inside" I call it started..wonder who had the first on that?

Is the other one she had out like that. I still have both.
It's also $102.00 to buy used here! O:

Wow it's that much? Hold on to those! I have an original Ride the Thunder but step back page is missing, just my luck. Thanks, Sandi.

Wendy, Lady Evelyn Quince wrote: "Wow it's that much? Hold on to those! I have an original Ride the Thunder but step back page is missing, just my luck. Thanks, Sandi."

I didn't keep Touch The Wind only because the heroines hair in the book didn't match the stepback of her..big peeve with me.

Sandi *~The Pirate Wench~* wrote: "Wendy, Lady Evelyn Quince wrote: "Wow it's that much? Hold on to those! I have an original Ride the Thunder but step back page is missing, just my luck. Thanks, Sandi."

I didn't keep Touch The Win..."

Me, too! 😁 See my cover-got-it-wrong shelf. That always bugged me.

With some newer books, I don't really care, because I'm not as picky about the artwork. But a glorious painted cover has to be accurate to be fully enjoyed!

Wendy, Lady Evelyn Quince wrote: "Sandi *~The Pirate Wench~* wrote: "Wendy, Lady Evelyn Quince wrote: "Wow it's that much? Hold on to those! I have an original Ride the Thunder but step back page is missing, just my luck. Thanks, S..."

I will definitely check out that shelf of yours! Then I can avoid / get rid of ones I may have like that.
Another peeve, is when you have an oldie trilogy and the first book her hair is brown, then cover on book two she is blonde!
book 3 neither looks like the description! What is up with that?? All by the same author, did they not have a choice with their covers back then?