A victim of the Great Depression,[1] the Book League of America was purchased by Doubleday in 1936.

The spine featured book title and author in gold or silver gilt lettering, along with decorative scrolling, sometimes in an art deco motif.

Manufactured under wartime conditions in conformity with all government regulations controlling the use of paper and other materials."

This explains the yellowed or tanning paper condition, more noticeable in some books than others.

Approximately 5,000 subscribers received monthly fliers that offered a selection from a variety of contemporary and world classic literature choices.