As his knowledge grew, so did his desire to devour every publication that was recommended to him. The writings of Joseph Seiss were particularly interesting to Russell, who was beginning to see that God not only had a plan form mankind, but had revealed it. One needed only look in the proper places....

Another publication that Russell came into contact with in these early days was a simple Adventist journal called Herald of the Morning. It's writer was a man named Nelson Barbour, and he quickly became friends with Russell. Barbour directed Russell to other like minded students of the bible, including another young man named J.H. Patton and others. At Russell's urging, and with his financial backing, the Herald was revived, Barber and Russell as it's editors, and Patton as one of its main contributors... 

The Herald proved to be a useful way to bring together sincere bible students scattered through the area where the journal could reach, but it wasn't enough. By this time the truths that these earliest bible students were discovering had grown to a burning fire inside them that had to get out to as many as possible. So in 1877 Russell and Barber co-wrote their first book: The Three Worlds... 

Perhaps it was during the preparation of that first book that the once very close relationship between Russell and Barbour began to cool. Russell had already begun working on his own independent book, which he may have completed as early as 1873. It was titled The Object and Manner of Our Lord's Return...

Everything came to a head in 1879 when Russell was forced to write an article in the Herald, refuting one written by Barbour denying the ransom sacrifice by comparing it to piercing a fly with a pin. The break soon followed. Russell left the Herald in June and took with him his financial backing, as well as the subscriber's list...

In July 1879, Russell published the very first issue of Zion's Watch Tower, a journal that allowed him to reach even further to gather those he was sure were hungering for bible truths. Soon a healthy subscribers list had developed, and a new issue was going out every month, full of gleanings from the small group's bible study...

In the meantime, J.H. Patton had left the Herald as well, and began writing in the columns of The Watch Tower. But he had also been writing his own book, and in 1880, with Russell’s blessing, Day Dawn was published. It was a huge success, and quickly became a primary study book for many of the early bible students...

But still, Russell was learning more about God's ultimate plan for mankind. He began referring to it as the Plan of the Ages, and wanted to release a publication that began spelling it all out. With the supply of Object & Manner booklets exhausted, Russell and his associates began work on a new publication.  Food for Thinking Christians was designed to make the followers of Christendom think about just what they were being taught, and how it contradicted the real plan of God...

By now, various small groups had began to form around the eastern United States, made up of Watch Tower subscribers who were encouraged to gather and discuss what they were learning. Study had advanced well beyond the basic, as could be seen by the release of The Tabernacle and it's Teachings in 1882...

The supply of Food for Thinking Christians was quickly exhausted, and plans for a revised edition of Day Dawn had been abandoned. So Russell turned his attention to a new project, what was intended to be the main study aid for all of the bible students. In April of 1882 he announced that it would be a publication full of some of what was already printed (in Food for Thinking Christians), as well as a clearer discussion of God's plan, an in depth discussion of Revelation, a look at the teachings of Christ, and a new discussion of bible chronology and time prophecies. It would be a complete bible student's library, in one volume, called Millennial Day Dawn. The readers of the Watch Tower eagerly waited as months passed. Then a year, then two years, three years...FOUR years.  Had Russell bitten off more than he could chew? Finally, in 1886, the first part of the new work, which had grown to a multivolume set titled Millennial Dawn, was released...

Many beginning collectors get confused here... they wonder what the difference is between Millennial Dawn and Studies in the Scriptures. Well, the answer is simple: As far as text goes, they're virtually the same books. But shortly after the turn of the century, so much opposition had built against Russell and his "Millennial Dawners" that he decided to change the title. The new name (Studies in the Scriptures) and bright maroon cover helped to dispell some of the bias a pontential reader may have, and proved to be very successful in getting his books into the hands of many thousands of sincere bible students...

Earliest: The first published writings of Russell were in periodicals like The Bible Examiner. Then in the mid-1870’s he began working with N.H. Barbour on Herald of the Morning. At the same time he wrote his first booklet, called The Object and Manner of Our Lord’s Return (1877) and the same year he and Barbour finished Three Worlds. These first writings are extremely rare, so much so that you can count existing copies on one hand.

Zion’s Watchtower: The first issue was July 1879, and it was published monthly until the 1880’s, when it went to every two weeks. The first years were printed in a large format, and they are as scarce as any publication from the era. Only one copy of the 1879 issues is know to exist- in Brooklyn! There were several cover changes along the way, and some issues were combined, while others were released as special edition books. Compiling a complete set is virtually impossible before 1900, but after the turn of the century it gets easier.

Millennial Dawn: First released in the 1880’s, each volume was very highly anticipated, and subscribers eagerly scanned the Watch Tower’s columns for updates. Six volumes were produced, and they were available in several styles. The greenish-blue hardcover was the most common, but there was also editions in leather, leatherette, paperback, and a gold lettered spine. Volume one (Plan of the Ages) is the most common, closely followed by 2 and 3. But volumes 4-6 are very hard to find in any style.

Studies in the Scriptures: Shortly after the turn of the century, the negative publicity spread by the Society’s critics, led to a feeling of prejudice toward the name Millennial Dawn, so Russell began experimenting with a new title for his set- Studies in the Scriptures. They were first released in limited numbers with a red cover and the same silver lettering as the Dawn cover. Shortly thereafter Millennial Dawn was discontinued. These first Studies are called “Silver Lamp” edition because of the design on the spine. Volumes 1-3 are quite common, but 4-6 are almost as rare as the Dawn editions. By 1910 Russell began designing a new cover style with a “winged disc” design. These became the standard for the rest of his lifetime. Other editions included leather, pocket size in leather, red or black, paperback, and a widely circulated hardcover edition with a “box” around the title.  The 7^th volume (Finished Mystery) was not released until after his death.

Tracts: A large assortment of tracts were produced in the Russell years, and all of them are hard to find. The most common were Old Theology Quarterly which were sent to subscribers ever three months and used in the earliest preaching work. Regular tabloid sized journals like  People’s Pulpit, Bible Students Monthly and Everybody’s Paper replaced Old Theology Quarterly in time, but received limited circulation and are very difficult to find today.

Other Books & Booklets: During the Russell era, it was not uncommon for other prominent Bible Students to write books and booklets that were circulated by the Society. The Edgar Brothers wrote a number of books on the Great Pyramid, L.W. Jones wrote convention reports, Paton and others wrote some of the earliest publications. Russell himself wrote a lot of various booklets, as did the young Rutherford under Russell’s direction. Songbooks, Daily Manna birthday books, even Christmas cards, wall hangings, hat pins, olivewood paperweights, wheat & barley seed… you name it, it was sold through the Watchtower.

Bibles: In the years before the New World Translation, the society made use of a number of bibles. Russell bought in quantity and sold certain bibles at cost through the Watchtower. Some were very unique, others were more common among other religions as well. Concordances and other reference works were also sold. Serious collectors go to great lengths to acquire all of the editions of these bibles and books that were offered in the Russell years.

The Photo Drama: Every collector dreams about the legendary Photo Drama of Creation, and it is available on computer CD. But few know that there are a lot of related collectables out there. The companion book to the original drama was released in 1914, and came in several styles. “Pax” pins were handed out at showings, tickets and posters were printed, there were even postcards and lithographs produced! Some can even find original slides and other items used by the society in showings. Without a doubt, this is one of the most exciting parts of the C.T. Russell Era!

Below are some of our most rare items...