Field Notes 1943 Edition 3-Pack

Many of Field Notes' limited editions have explored interesting chapters in the history of American, printing, publishing and design and this one goes deep (and sideways) into just such a story.

In 1943, the U.S. government and the American publishing industry collaborated to create what came to be known as the “Armed Services Editions.” Over the next few years, more than 120 million books representing over 1,200 titles were printed and distributed to overseas troops during the Second World War. The books were printed in an odd horizontal format with bright, primary-colored covers — and that was what caught our attention. 

Field Notes' Winter 2025 release, the “1943” Edition was inspired by the Armed Service Editions, including three unique “Two-Way” Memo Books.

They created the “1943” Memo Books to mimic the ASE’s horizontal orientation. While they’re the usual 5.5" x 3.5" Memo Book size, they’re the first with two staples on the short side instead of three on the long side. But while mocking up prototypes, Field Notes realized the short-edge binding also works great for a vertical notebook! So it’s up to you, there’s a horizontal cover on one side, and a vertical cover on the other. Whether you want to flip the top of your Field Notes open to take notes as you interview a witness, or spread the pages wide for a panoramic sketch of a crime scene, the 1943 “Two-Way” Edition is the right tool for your investigation.

You’ll find bright red, yellow, and blue books in each 3-Pack. Covers are printed on sturdy Westrock Tango 12pt coated-one-side cover stock. The body of the book is 60# Domtar Cougar “Natural” (very popular in last winter‘s sold-out “Vintage” Edition), with an “Aged Newsprint” 3/16" graph grid.

5.5" x 3.5" x 0.3".
3 pack.