THE signatures you see on this page are those of a few of the hundreds of distinguished Americans who were among the original subscribers to TIME 35 years ago. We are, and always have been, especially proud of our original subscribers -- of the John Smiths as well as the Al Smiths. Theirs was an act of faith. For TIME was an experiment in journalism, its future in 1923 full of uncertainty.

This week there is at hand evidence of another act of faith on the part of TIME readers. Late in 1956 we made a special long-term renewal offer to TIME subscribers -- $20 for five years. To date more than 100,000 of you (117,178, to be exact) have placed five-year renewal orders.

We believe it is without precedent in publishing (and if it's not, we're sure to hear) that so many people would put up that much money for a product not yet produced.

This is by way of expressing the thanks of all of us for a remarkable vote of confidence, shown also in the rise in weekly circulation from 12,000 in 1923 to 2,753,000 (in five editions) today.

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