George Eastman House used to print a lot of books like this. I have a Weson Daybook volume #1 titled Mexico from their collection that I bought many many years ago. As a GEH Associate, you get these publications free or at seriously reduced costs. They are 8x10 or 11x14 in size and hardcover or stiff softcover, not flimsy books.
I have a number of others in their reproduction library. Very high quality stuff.
You make a good point. The reproductions in Daybook #1 printed in 1961 by Eastman House are far superior to the 1973 reprint done by Aperture. No comparison at all. Even the price was better, $10 for the hardbound Eastman House copy, $20 for the Aperture copy.
Their on-line book library does not give justice to the old books they have in their book shop at GEH. You can go in and buy a lot of out-of-print photo books there, and their library is very extensive, but you need an appointment to get in.
Curt, who produced the copy of which you speak? The GEH copies I have were printed in Germany and very well bound. I can not say the same for the later Aperture edition.
I am not surprised that your problem was with the Aperture edition. I did not realize that they produced a double volume, at least you got twice as many bad reproductions as you would have in a single volume. If you ever have the opportunity, or care to, compare the Aperture editions with those of GEH.
In any case, the words and wisdom of EW prevail, reproductions aside.