The huge 732 page, 2 1/4 lb. Ulysses was initially issued in fragile blue paper wrappers and mailed to subscribers worldwide. Copies smuggled into the U.S. were labeled as The Complete Works of William Shakespeare.

This English softbound version in blue wrappers is identical to the first edition format. It is quite rare for this format to survive intact, as the flimsy covers do not adequately support the volume's mass, quickly disbinding and falling away from the fragile cords.