Uniform editions, as the TomFolio Glossary helpfully observes, are multi-volume set[s], usually by a popular author, all the volumes being [reprints] that are printed in the same size and bound in the same manner as each other, and often lacking any numbering sequence.
A type of collected edition (see ABC for Book Collectors), the image below (via Adrian Harrington Rare Books) illustrates the general concept:
For book collectors without deep pockets, uniform editions offer an attractive way to collect the (often complete) works of a favorite author without having to (1) mortgage the house and the kids' futures and (2) without having to go to the often considerable expense of having such works uniformly bound by a competent professional bookbinder. (This assumes you're OK with reprints. If you're collecting First Editions, it's unlikely you would want to destroy the original bindings and dustjackets for the sake of uniformity, however attractive.)
A wide range of authors have had their works published in uniform editions, including such perennial favorites as Mark Twain...
...Charles Darwin...
...Lord Byron...
...and many, many others.
Anyone contemplating collecting extensively in this area may find a copy of Nash (below) particularly useful:
While uniform editions were produced as early as the 18th century (primarily poetry), it wasn't until the 19th century that such editions began to find a ready market. If you scour enough yard sales, garage sales and the like, you'll often encounter volumes from these editions, though finding a complete edition is rare. An independent bookseller who specializes in uniform editions will, in the long run, save you money (and a good bit of frustration) in pursuing such editions....
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