New York: Simon & Schuster, 1926. First edition. Limited to 327 copies (this is copy #90). Signed by Ramsaye and Thomas A. Edison. Quarto (241 x 168 mm). Collating: lxx, 400; 401-868. Frontispiece portrait. Illustrated throughout text with black and white photographic reproductions. In half pigskin and Japanese paper covered boards. The bindings are clean, tight, and square with light scuffing to the spines and light wear to the board corners. Black titling still very legible. The interiors are clean. The text is white, clean and unmarked. A superb copy of this definitive set signed by the author and Edison. 

This first official history of cinema, written by film journalist Terry Ramsaye, presents a clear and detailed picture of the early development of film as seen from the Edison camp. Dwelling specifically on Edison's early Kinetograph and his 'Black Maria (the first studio to be built specifically for making commercial films), Ramsaye charts the development of the motion picture industry through 1925. While later critics downplayed Edison's importance, recent scholars have reinstated his preeminent position in the history of film.
A lavish production, chronicling the history of the silver screen, with wonderful vintage photographs—as Edison states, “the first endeavor to set down the whole and true story of the motion picture...through his years of preparation...I am aware of [the author’s] effort at exact fact. A high degree of detailed accuracy has been attained.” Near Fine (Item #3187)