Stag Lines by Maxwell Droke (First Edition), 1940 🎩📜🍸

1. Introduction 📜🔍🏛️

This is a first edition of Stag Lines, a unique collection of jokes, stories, and toasts edited by Maxwell Droke. Published in 1940, this book is a social and cultural artifact that captures the masculine humor of the pre-war era. As a well-preserved first edition, this volume is a premier acquisition for any serious collector of Americana, humor, or books with a documented provenance.

2. About the Book 📖✍️✨

Stag Lines is a collection of humorous anecdotes and toasts designed for men's social gatherings and dinners. The book is organized by theme, with sections on topics like "Dinner Parties," "Clubs," and "The Ladies".

The book’s humor, while a product of its time, provides a fascinating glimpse into the social and cultural norms of a bygone era. This volume is a testament to a time when humor was a central part of men's social life, and it serves as a valuable document of a bygone cultural sensibility.

3. About the Author 🏛️✍️✨

Maxwell Droke was an American writer, editor, and publisher. He was known for his numerous books on salesmanship, public speaking, and business, but his passion for humor led him to compile several books of jokes and stories.

Droke’s work was praised for its wit and its ability to capture the American voice of the early 20th century. He was a master of the art of the toast, and his books were an indispensable resource for public speakers.

4. Historical/Political Era Context 🌍🕰️📜

Published in 1940, this book is a "time capsule" of America on the cusp of entering World War II.

The book's lighthearted, humorous tone provides a stark contrast to the grim realities of the war in Europe and reflects a desire for a sense of normalcy and escape from the looming conflict. The book’s humor is a reflection of a time when the nation was grappling with a new and uncertain future.

5. The Ideal Collector 💡🧐🏛️

This book is for a curator of American humor, a scholar of social history, or a private collector of unique books. It is an ideal acquisition for an individual who values a book's historical significance and its status as a document of a specific cultural moment. The book appeals to a collector who is interested in the intersection of American humor, social history, and the power of storytelling.

6. Value & Rarity 💎✨🏛️

As a first edition from a specialized commercial publisher, this book is a collectible item. While not an exceptionally rare book, a well-preserved first printing in this condition is more scarce than a mass-produced later edition.

The value is a direct reflection of the book's historical significance and its physical integrity. The price reflects its status as a sound, collectible copy of a key work of Americana.

This book is 85 years old as of 2025.

7. Condition 🔎📚✨

• This volume is in good vintage condition.

• The hardcover is in a solid state, with a tight binding and clean pages.

• The covers show some rubbing and shelf wear, which is expected for a book of this age.

• The overall condition is an honest and transparent portrayal of a well-cared-for volume that was likely a cherished part of a home library.

8. Translation of Inscriptions/Ephemera (Conditional) ✍️📜🔤

This book contains no inscriptions or unique markings. The value is derived from its well-preserved state as a first edition of a key work of American humor.

9. Fun Facts & Unique Features 🤓📜🤩

• Maxwell Droke's books were so popular that he had his own publishing company, The Droke House, which specialized in publishing his work and other books on humor and public speaking.

• The book’s humor is a unique and often-overlooked aspect of American literary history, and it provides a fascinating glimpse into the social conventions of a bygone era.

• The book was a favorite of public speakers and toastmasters, who used it as a resource for their speeches.