.

[Linked Image from 2.bp.blogspot.com]

Possibly based on this ad 50 years ago, these were the first two LIMITED COLLECTORS' EDITION issues I bought new off the stands. The earlier ones I mail ordered directly from DC, or bought as back issues.

These oversize issues had striking house ads, and were, as far as I could see, very popular.

And retailers liked them because they had a higher price and rate of profit for dealers than regular comics. And also opened up new retail displays in places that didn't normally carry comics, such as bookstores. I recall seeing those displays in stores, they were pretty cool looking, very well packaged.

So these collectors' editions were just a great retailing idea all the way around.

https://www.comics.org/series/2100/covers/ (LIMITED COLLECTORS' EDITION)

https://www.comics.org/series/7765/covers/ (FAMOUS FIRST EDITION)

https://www.comics.org/series/7764/covers/ (ALL-NEW COLLECTORS' EDITION)

The last one, C-61, a FAMOUS FIRST EDITION reprint of SUPERMAN 1 from 1939, is shown in house ads the same month as the DC Implosion. (in books dated Nov 1978)
https://viewcomiconline.com/house-of-mystery-1951-issue-262/

One more, C-62, not comics stories, is a book of photos and articles about the Superman movie (ads in books dated Feb 1979).
https://viewcomiconline.com/house-of-mystery-1951-issue-265/