This catalogue presents examples of first editions of all the titles that have won Canada's prestigious Governor General's Literary Award for Fiction (GGs) from its inception to the present. If we look at the list as a whole, is soon becomes apparent that it represents most of the great Canadian authors of the twentieth century. This collection thus gives a fascinating perspective on the history of publishing and printing in Canada in the twentieth century. It is my hope and desire that exhibiting highlights from my collection will educate and excite the public about our outstanding literary history." John H. Meier, Jr. "By choosing to specialize, and collect the winners of the governor General's Literary Award for Fiction, their first edition variants, proofs, and related documents, John H. Meier, Jr. has succeeded in amassing a collection of national significance, unmatched in depth and completeness even by Canada's national library collection. It is with pride and pleasure that we at the University of Alberta Libraries are the first to play host to this remarkable exhibition of Canada's literary heritage." Ernie Ingles, Vice-Provost and Chief Librarian

John H. Meier, Jr. has been collecting books for almost forty years. He is known in Canadian academic circles as the leading expert on the Governor General's Literary Awards and is president and founder of the W.A. Deacon Literary Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the literary arts in Canada. As a businessman and independent scholar, his eclectic career history includes import-export development, medical research, and real estate. He lives in Delta, BC.