From the foreword to the second edition, "... in the beginning Kelsey himself was so unsure of the book's prospects that he made a gift to the [Texas A&M University] Press to help cover production costs because he was 'afraid they would lose money on the printing.' His doubts were soon alleviated. At the book's inauguration, held at the Brazos Book Store just before Christmas 1993, he and Dyal signed 750 copies. The original run of 3,342 cloth-bound copies, and 100 limited, boxed and signed copies, sold out in short order. Two paperback printings (11,762 in 1993 and 4,737 in 2000) have also sold out."
And this, "Kelsey's drive [pun intended?] to photograph all the courthouses of Texas derives from his deep interest in the region and especially its visual representation in printed media." -Steven Escar Smith, Associate Dean and Director, Cushing Memorial Library and Archives, Texas A&M University
His life and work speaks for itself.
Happy centennial, Dr. Kelsey!
BTW Panola County #130 is now complete.
(10.09.2012 edited for typos. Thanks Robert!)