Latest Review up on Books and Vines

Ran across a couple Arion Press books today and took some photos. The Ballad of Lemon and Crow & The Voices of Marrakesh. Both are beautiful.

http://booksandvines.com/2011/08/04/arion-press-photos-of-the-ballad-of-lemon-an...

or

http://booksandvines.com

Hi All, added a review and pictures of The Big Sleep, published by the Arion Press in 1986.

http://booksandvines.com/2011/08/22/a-review-of-the-big-sleep-by-raymond-chandle...

or

http://booksandvines.com

Just posted some thoughts of Rudolf Koch, his work shown through a review and some pictures of The Typefoundry in Silhouette by Arion Press, and of Fairy Tales by the Brothers Grimm, by Limited Editions Club (and designed by Koch).

http://booksandvines.com/2011/08/30/the-typefoundry-in-silhouette-by-rudolf-koch...

or

http://booksandvines.com

Just received today A Delicate Balance, the latest from Arion Press. What a beauty! I will post some picture and thoughts in the next handful of days.

4: I look forward to seeing that!

Just posted some pictures of a first edition of Gilbert White's The Natural History of Selborne, also includes a look at the LEC edition.

http://booksandvines.com/2011/09/05/the-natural-history-of-selborne-first-editio...

or

http://booksandvines.com

6: I hope you acquire the FS edition and then compare all of them :)
Of course, the first edition is special, being the first edition! However, from what I can tell, the FS edition in this case is far superior to the LEC edition. However, I do not have the LEC edition, so this is simply going on pics and my personal taste. Thanks!

>7 astropi:, I was oh so tempted when it was half off in the latest FS sale, but I only need one edition of this one. The FS edition looks spectacular though. I actually mention that, and have the FS canned photo, at the very end of all the pictures in the review.

8: From what I can tell, the LEC edition is really far removed from the FS edition. Again, I say that without having actually seen the LEC edition in person. I hope you acquire the FS some time and do a complete comparison. I don't think you will be dissapointed. Of course, it's also possible Arion Press will release an edition for $2000 :)

If someone out there has some photos of the FS edition, please do send to me and I will add to that posting.

BTW, the original edition is very nice. Hard to compare to modern day versions, but something about holding that in your hand, almost feels like a piece of literary history (but then again, I guess it is!).

Hi All, just published some thoughts and pictures on the Frankenstein of Centipede Press.

http://booksandvines.com/2011/09/07/frankenstein-centipede-press-limited-edition...

or

http://booksandvines.com

11: It is a beautiful book indeed! If anyone is interested in a Limited Edition copy of Frankenstein by Centipede Press, please let me know. I have a BRAND NEW copy for trade (never read, in perfect condition, with slipcase)! I actually ended up with 2 copies, so one is trade fodder :P

A review and pictures from A Delicate Balance, from Arion Press is now posted at:

http://booksandvines.com/2011/09/09/a-review-of-a-delicate-balance-by-edward-alb...

or

http://booksandvines.com

Wow! This is an awesome book. Not all of the Arion Press books have interested me sufficiently to consider coming up with the money required to buy them, but if there are any copies of this still available when the economy rights itself (and we passengers who seem to be at its mercy), this is one I definitely want.

13: thank you for the review and pics! I have to say, the book is very beautiful (purple is not really my color, but they did a wonderful job). However, I have little interest in the works of Edward Franklin Albee III. My first introduction to his work was through Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf. Not the play, but the movie. Although well done, I thought it was boring as could be. I fell asleep. I quickly learned that I very much disagree with Albee's view point, and thus have no interest in his work. That said, I can't argue that the book is definitely beautiful.

Yep, I understand you Astropi, I am surprised I liked this, not usually my style. Still a bit to modern for me in it's theater of the absurd, but I liked some of the thoughts...

Hi All, I just posted some pictures of the equipment used at Arion Press, from my visit to them last week. Later this week, I will add some photos of their artwork, their display room, and some books from their library.

http://booksandvines.com/2011/09/11/my-visit-to-arion-press-part-1-equipment/

Thanks for the pics busy! I'm sure that Sappho will be awesome. I also heard it's going to be $1500... ouch!

Just got my Pericles from Barbarian Press today. My goodness, it is simply stunning. The press work inside is probably better than anything I have seen before. Anyway, I will post some pictures and thoughts on the web site soon...I know whole book experience will have it soon also, looking forward to the review there!

I will probably have to flag busywine's comments on Arion Press books: his last review of A Delicate Balance costs me $500+shipping.
Hopefully I resisted to the full subscription, but until when?

>20 Maretzo: Yikes!!! Look forward to hearing your thought!

>20 Maretzo: I'll add a flag. Once again I'm seriously on the edge of subscribing.

>22 kdweber:, 20 --- you might want to avoid books and vines over the next few days, will be posting some pictures of some pretty tempting books from my visit to Arion and a great one from Foolscap! :-)

Hi All, just added a bunch of pictures of the art (for their illustrations) hanging on the walls at Arion Press.

http://booksandvines.com/2011/09/14/my-visit-to-arion-press-part-two-art/

After few days abroad, I came back home to face a pile of unopened parcels: Noël! Noël! In the pile, there were 3 LEC (Prince and Pauper, Swiss Robinson Family and Green Mansion (the latest paid 8 GPD + shipping!), plus some EP.
AND... No 174 of the Arion's Delicate Balance.

At first, I was surprised by the petiteness of the book, about 25x18 cm. Next to the Ovid, you do not see it, and it is crushed by the thickness of the FS Moby Dick. But the book is itself A Delicate Balance: very beautifully made and elegant binding with its insert in matching colors, pleasant paper with very nicely reproduced Tom Holland's watercolors which give you the impression that you can feel the difference between the colors by moving your finger on them. I would have liked a bigger size of the book and font (+20%), and it needs a slipcase or a box, so I am going to make one soon! A pity to hide it!
Some day, I may even read the play, who knows!

>25 Maretzo:, that is funny - you are so right, next to Ovid it is miniature! I love the LEC Green Mansion, btw, I actually do not own it, but the local book store has it and I find it magnificent. Probably will pick it up one day.

I have talked to Arion about the lack of slipcases on many of their books. They told me that they often skip doing them due to the extra cost we the consumer would need to pay....when they do something, they do it right (see the slip case for Hound of the Baskervilles, for instance) -- so doing so on some of these books may push the cost beyond what they think the book should be.

26: well... that's interesting. I would think if someone was paying $500 for a book (or $350 if you're a subscriber) that at that point you wouldn't mind adding an extra $50-100 for a slipcase. I've made slipcases myself, and they really are not THAT expensive to make. In other words, I'm sure for $50-100 they could do it. Of course, this calls for a VOTE :)

I realize that most of us (such as myself) can not afford Arion Press books. However, IF you were purchasing AP books (or are), would you be willing to pay extra (up to $100 more) for the slipcases?

>26 busywine: Sounds a little implausible to me. Arion Press books cost over $300 a piece. I subscribe to Powell's book club - they send me a signed, first edition, first printing, trade hardcover with custom cloth covered slipcase plus extra goodies for $40 including shipping. I'm not comparing the books (I love Arion) but obviously Powell's is getting nice custom slipcovers for a pretty good price (almost certainly under $10 each).

Hi All, just posted pictures and thoughts on a beautiful letterpress book by Foolscap Press, Phisicke Against Fortune, by Petrarch.

http://booksandvines.com/2011/09/16/phisicke-against-fortune-by-francesco-petrar...

or

http://booksandvines.com

A little off-topic, though 2 posters have mentioned it, but an interesting comparison for Chris's blog (or Jerry's) would be between the LEC Green Mansions, illustrated by Wilson, and the Heritage Green Mansions, illustrated by Covarrubias. Both are wonderful.

>30 Django6924:, would love to do that....anyone have pictures of the Heritage edition?

>31 busywine: I'll try to take some this weekend.

>30 Django6924:

Chris, the Heritage Green Mansions pix and Sandglass are here:

https://www.dropbox.com/home#/Public/GreenMansions_Heritage:::

I'm still not sure I'm using this thing right, so let me know if you have any issues (Jerry and Faisel, you too).

Great, thanks! Took some photos of the LEC today, will do this tomorrow.

Just added some quick thoughts and a bunch of pictures of Pericles, from Barbarian Press. Really a stunning edition.

http://booksandvines.com/2011/09/18/the-play-of-pericles-prince-of-tyre-by-willi...

or

http://booksandvines.com

>33 Django6924:, I do not seem to see anything in that folder, does anyone else see them? I did get some pictures of the LEC edition this weekend, so I assuming I can eventually figure out how to get the Heritage pictures from dropbox, I can post both late in the week (or Jerry is welcome to also).

>35 busywine: Out of print! Should I cry (I will never get one!) or rejoice (I will continue living peacefully with my wife!)

Robert, have you installed the Drop Box application on your computer. And can you see a drob box folder?

The reason I am asking is that it says, you've joined but not completed the joining procedure i.e. installed drop box

35: that has to be the MOST beautiful edition of Pericles ever published! I dare someone to find a more attractive copy anywhere... The LEC editions are wonderful, but this makes the LEC Pericles look second rate :) Stunning!

>35 busywine: Wow! Thank goodness it's sold out.

Anyone know what the original price on the Pericles was? Currently, you can find copies for sale for around $2000! Far outside my price range...

> 41, yep right around there!

42: if you have the time, I wouldn't mind even more pics :)

I thought I did. I have a little Dropbox 1.1.45 icon on my toolbar tht says "All files up to date" I have an account and it says I've added 240+ Mb worth of files. Is there something I need to do to turn on sharing?

Robert, I'll post an image of the Dropbox folder here when I get home and you can reply whether you see these files because I don't think there is 240MB data in that folder. It says in my Dropbox account that the shared files folder is 65MB and unfortunately still says that you have "joined" and not "completed" Maybe it's a firewall thing??

You can see the folder LEC Monthly Letters and the contents, right? I'm at work so this is the folder browsed from the Dropbox website:



Uploaded with ImageShack.us

Okay Robert you have the right version installed. It's just weird. Anyway all I need is you to check if you have all the files visible in the picture I sent you by email. And I would like you to add a file named "RobertTest" to so that I can see that the file you add can be seen by me and the others.

OK, I'll check tonight and upload that file.

Hi All, a new article with pictures, courtesy of reader DlphcOracl, of one of the great private presses of the last century, Lewis and Dorothy Allen Press. You owe it to yourself to follow this link, these are truly stunning works.

http://booksandvines.com/2011/09/21/allen-press-of-lewis-and-dorothy-allen/

or

http://booksandvines.com

48: fantastic! Thanks to both of you for posting that! By the way, does anyone have a list of all the books that the Allen Press produced?

These books represent, for me, the epitome of fine press: start with worthwhile literary content, design a packaging for it that complements the content, use the finest materials, and produce each book with the kind of quality control that ensures each book will have been produced with zero defects.

Although I love illustrated books, for me the least desirable of the editions featured was the Conrad book, and that was primarily because of the illustrations. It was the most prolifically illustrated and though the illustrations are quite nice in and of themselves, they seem a poor match to the reflective tone of the story, with its self-deprecating humor and ubi sunt world view.

Wow! Those are amazing. I have to say I love the cover of the Conrad book, even if the interior illustrations might be too flamboyant for the text. I don't mind them since they are so beautiful in and of themselves. I wouldn't mind any of these books taking up residence in my library. If I could choose one based on my "to be read" list, it would be the Camus.

Abebooks has a bunch of them, from $200 to $1500.

>51 jveezer:

jveezer, when I say "least desirable" that means I would probably buy it ninth of the nine books shown--if I had the money to buy any of them. I agree about the desirability of the Camus, but I would probably get the Atherton book first.

#48: Those books are so beautiful. I'm undecided whether to rejoice or regret clicking the link. I'm most interested (or would be, if my budget stretched that far for a single book) in the Conrad. The illustrations are a little too bold, but I am most interested in reading that story. I also like the presentation and design of Persian Stories (the italics, not so much).

Abebooks shows a listing for an Allen Press Murders in the Rue Morgue, which I'd be very interested to see. It's a pity (and occasional source of annoyance to me) most sellers don't provide pictures.

54: here is what I found out about the book:

"Illustrated with title-page decoration & 6 multicolored chapter headings by Dorothy Allen. 9½x6, tri-color printed boards, black spine, gray covers, front with lettered red colored strip, acetate. 1 of 150 copies printed on Richard de Bas hand-made paper on an Albion hand press."

http://book-aesthete.tumblr.com/tagged/Edgar_Allan_Poe

I will have pictures posted of it in a few days, thanks to the same person who sent me the others....

>54 sakayume:, 55 - you ask and shall receive!!! DlphcOracl sent me photo's of Murders in the Rue Morgue, scroll to near the bottom. Another nice edition.

http://booksandvines.com/2011/09/21/allen-press-of-lewis-and-dorothy-allen/

>55 astropi:, 57: Thank you so much, both of you, and also to DlphcOracl for providing the photos. It is indeed a nice book, although I wouldn't have thought of such angular shapes in conjunction with the story. Still, I like the illustrations.

Arghhhhhh! Too beautiful, must sample........Just bought a copy of the Camus; although, the Atherton was my favorite.

I think the book (Murders in the Rue Morgue) itself is beautiful, but I'm not a fan of the illustrations. Give me Harry Clarke and Rackham, they seem to capture the beauty and terror that is Poe perfectly...

Yes, I agree it would be hard to surpass Rackham's illustrations for Poe, but then I think his illustrations in general are beyond superb. I'm not familiar with Harry Clarke, no doubt to my detriment. I'm off to google him now!

61: let me know what you think of Harry Clarke!

>62 astropi:: I googled him, and his illustrations are fantastic! I especially like the black & white illustrations he did. I realise I've seen his illustrated Poe before, but without knowing anything about the illustrator. Possibly (because it's so hard to choose one over the other), I might just like the Harry Clarke Poe illustrations more than the Rackham ones. :P

I'm sorry to hijack the thread, but if I were to look for a Harry Clarke Poe in good (i.e. fine) condition, with well produced illustrations, but not costing the thousands a first (or similarly early) edition would, which edition would you recommend? I had a look on Abebooks but it seems the book has been reproduced by several publishers.

>63 sakayume:

I would suggest you look for an edition of:

"Tales of Mystery and Imagination" by Edgar Allen Poe
Tudor Publishing Co., New York, 1936.

It contains eight color and twenty-four black & white plate illustrations, some tipped-in, by Harry Clarke and they are magnificent. The binding and covers are flat black with a stunning white/black/gold illustration on the front board.

Although my edition was published in 1936, I believe the 1st edition of this book was published in 1933 and it was also subsequently published in 1939. I do not know if these are identical to my volume. Typically, this book should sell for between $200 to $300 if it is in excellent condition.

This volume will certainly please your inner Poe.

The Folio Society printed an edition of Poe with the Clarke illustrations about 10 years ago, and I believe this could be found at a very reasonable price.

Clarke's chef d'oeuvre, was his illustrated version of Goethe's Faust, published by George Harrap. This was my introduction to his work when I came across this book back in the late 60s, when his decadent, Art Nouveau style was just coming back into fashion.

Hi All, just added a bunch of pictures of Arion Press books from my recent visit to their facility.

http://booksandvines.com/2011/09/23/my-visit-to-arion-press-part-three-–-books...

or

http://booksandvines.com

63: you could also look for the EP edition. They produced a very beautiful edition of Poe with the Clarke illustrations. At the time it was released (maybe 5 years ago?) the book was $90, but was also available as part of the Illustrated Classics for a mere $50! It might be worth to see if you can find that at a good price.

http://www.eastonpressbooks.com/leather/product.asp?code=1590

I myself don't usually purchase books that are 50 years or older because they tend (although not always) to have foxing and other problems.

66: So... did you make any purchases while visiting? :)

>68 astropi:. Nope! I actually resisted. I saw some I will definitely put on my eventual purchase list, but I am sticking to my saving over the coming few months for the LEC Wuthering Heights and Seven Years in Tibet, as well as for this 1928 fantastic Jane Eyre I found (and am installment paying on!). And now dlphcoracl has me dreaming of more Allen Press books...and of course Sappho is around the corner. So, nope, I am sticking to a hard freeze on any other spending. :-)

>64 dlphcoracl:, 65, 67: Thank you for your recommendations. :) The Tudor Publishing Co. volume sounds great (tipped in illustrations! this would be enough to recommend the volume to me), but I will definitely also look into the Folio and Easton Press editions, both of which ought to be easier to get hold of. I too have concerns about buying older books, particularly when ordering sight unseen, as unfortunately not all booksellers seem to have the same definition of "Fine".

I'll also have to look up the Harry Clarke illustrated Faust, since decadent art nouveau type illustrations are right up my alley and it's Goethe. :D I was originally thinking of going for the LEC Faust (eventually... it somehow keeps getting pushed down my want list).

>69 busywine:: The 1928 Jane Eyre sounds intriguing, will we by any chance have the pleasure of seeing it on your blog soon? :P

>70 sakayume:, yes! But, will probably be 3 months yet, as I still have some payments to make. It is actually from 1923, from L'Imprimerie Nationale De France, Paris, 1923. Illustrated by Ethel Gabain, 17 beautiful, original lithographs. Bound in brown morocco, gilt decorated board and spine, raised bands with brown silk moiré end-papers, top edges gilt. Enclosed in a marbled board slipcase with matching morocco edging. The thing is a real beauty.

>72 sakayume:: Yay! :D The book sounds wonderful from your description, I can imagine how much better it would be in actuality.

Thanks! I look forward to sharing some photo's, or hearing if anyone out there happens to have this and could give us their thoughts already. I love both Bronte's, so have been saving up to get this Jane Eyre, and the LEC Wuthering Heights. Cannot wait! Is anyone aware of other fine press versions of Jane Eyre?

>70 sakayume:

If you opt to purchase the Tudor Publishing Co. edition of Poe's 'Tales of Mystery and Imagination" (a fine choice, I might add) be forewarned that this book is VERY difficult to find in excellent or better condition. This is one instance where it is worth "paying up" for an edition that is in the best condition possible. Since we are talking about an extra $50 to $100 dollars (not thousands of dollars) this will be money well spent.

70: EP also released an edition of Faust, with the Clarke illustrations. I believe it's still available (not sure), at a reasonable price I might add.

http://www.eastonpressbooks.com/leather/product.asp?code=2592

>73 busywine:

Chris, it really can't be called a "fine press" edition, as it was produced in huge quantities and though the binding, paper and presswork are quite good, they fall short of the standards of the LE, Arion and other presses featured in your blog--but...have you seen the Eichenberg Brontes?

In 1943 Random House did a slipcased edition of both Wuthering Heights and Jane Eyre, profusely illustrated by Fritz Eichenberg. I am very much a fan of the matching Heritage Press editions of both books illustrated by Barnett Freedman, but I have to say Eichenberg's Jane Eyre illustrations are uncanny.

George Harrap did a beautifully-printed edition of Jane with splendidly-reproduced illustrations by Monro Orr--unfortunately, I can't conceive of a less apt illustrator for the Brontes. These charming pictures might be fine for a novel by Surtees or a work like The Vicar of Wakefield.

I have not seen, but have heard recommended, Edmund Dulac's illustrations. Although I think Dulac was a giant, I can't quite see him being right for Jane.

I suspect my vision of how I want the illustrations for this book has been indelibly colored by the B&W film version with Orson Welles as Rochester. To me, the visuals of that movie were perfect for the story--had only the script been more faithful to the book.

A review of The Ultimate Triumph, Wandering Star Press, exists at:

http://booksandvines.com/2011/09/26/the-ultimate-triumph-by-robert-ervin-howard-...

or

http://booksandvines.com

This was written by astropi.

Thanks for publishing my review busy! I think that R.E.H. deserves some loving as much as other "highbrow" authors! If anyone has further questions on the book or other books in the series (eventually I would like to reivew those as well), let me know.

Won't spam you all with non-book items but this once... just wanted to point out, for those who like music (especially classical), we occasionally post music reviews also. Today, an article on Jan Sibelius Symphony No. 2, by DlphcOracl, was posted at

http://booksandvines.com/2011/09/26/jan-sibelius-symphony-no-2/

If you are interested in more than just the book reviews, subscribe and you will get alerted when these are posted.

Just posted the last in my series on Arion Press, with a bunch or pictures of misc books...

http://booksandvines.com/2011/09/30/my-visit-to-arion-press-part-four-%E2%80%93-...

or

http://booksandvines.com

So I did it! Took a shipment of buckram from UK, local shopping for the plexi, and about 2 hours.

http://www.librarything.com/pic/260535

and

http://www.librarything.com/pic/260536

You may argue about the choice of color, but A Delicate Balance is protected against the cat, the passing of time and the spiders can find a place to sleep!

81: Well I am speechless that's all...

That is absolutely beautiful, how'd you do that, teach me please!!

80: Busywine those pictures are wonderful and I've really to get up there to see these wonderful treasures in person.

>82 Texaco:

If you search "book slipcase" on Youtube, you will find many ways of making them. Quite easy in fact. I started covering the damaged LEC slipcase with new bookcloth and I am now making complete cases.

>83 Texaco:

Easy! Just take the full subscription and you can visit the facilities anytime! (;-I)

>81 Maretzo:, that is great! I woul love to do that.

> thanks texaco!

Are you taking orders Maretzo? 8^P

My A Delicate Balance is jealous!

Sorry for the cross post here (for those of you on the Macy Devotees also), but I thought some here might be interested.

Have published a review and photos of the stunning 1994 LEC version of Wuthering Heights.

http://booksandvines.com/2011/10/02/wuthering-heights-emily-bronte-limited-editi....

or

http://booksandvines.com

Just posted pictures and a quick review of an outstanding private fine press edition of three plays by Tennessee Williams, by David Bruce Smith. I recommend looking, if you are not familiar with it, it is an outstanding production.

http://booksandvines.com/2011/10/11/tennessee-three-plays-by-tennessee-williams-...

or

http://booksandvines.com

88: absofreakin' awesome! Thanks for sharing! By the way, that press is... strange. Most of their books are priced at around $20, which makes me think they are cheaply produced. Perhaps printed in China? Then there is this unique book... staggering cost, but hey, you get what you pay for! Thanks for sharing, it looks phenomenal. If you purchase any other books from them, I would like to know your thoughts. I'm guessing the cheaper books are NOT letterpress...

>89 astropi:, I did get a good look at his Three Miles from Providence - very nice looking book, interesting package, well worth the $50 they charge for it. I hope this Tennessee book succeeds for them, as we need another private fine press producer! Letters to my Children looks really nice also, just did not see it in person.

Not many books are worth this tariff, but I believe Tennessee is. The prints themselves I love and are worth a fair chunk of that, IMO.

>88 busywine:

Fabulous, fabulous illustrations!!!! I'm not a big fan of Tennessee Williams, but I'd but this for the illustrations alone.

PS: I am so far behind because of a very unstable work environment, owing Monthly Letters and Sandglass scans to the Drop Box for George Macy (delayed because my scanner died), that I hate to promise anything, but because Chris--to whom we all all an immense "thank you!" for this great website and all his superb work--has invited me to add something to the "Books and Vines" site, I am going to make an effort to post something of a novelty: a fine book that didn't come from the Macy's, the Arion Press, the Folio Society, Easton Press, or any other currently functioning fine press.

The book is an important work by the greatest Italian author; no, not the Commedia, but the work which many experts have said is essential to understanding Dante's more famous work, his La Vita Nuova. It is one of my very favorite books in my library, and was printed by George Harrap sometime prior to WW I.

>91 Django6924:, I cannot wait! That sounds wonderful!

Another occasion for being bankrupt soon!

>91 Django6924: Robert, that sounds wonderful!! Can't wait

Cross post from the Macy Devotees, as this one is on exec of a fine press book!

Posted pictures and comments on the spectacular LEC edition of Sight and Touch, by Octavio Paz.

http://booksandvines.com/2011/10/13/sight-and-touch-octavio-paz-limited-editions...

or

http://booksandvines.com

Thanks for the pics busy! The illustrations look gorgeous! I know Django has spoken of this a number of times, but I would say it's unfortunate that the LEC has gone from "high-quality books that many people can afford" to "elitist books that few people can afford". Arion Press books tend to be far more affordable than today's LEC books, so what does that say! Again, thanks for your pics, I always look forward to your updates!

I agree, especially in today's market, old school LEC with affordable prices are hard to beat. It is fortunate that someone pushed the craft of book design as far as Ben Shiff, nice to drool over and get one or two that one can save for to afford just to have such a collector piece. It is unfortunate, as you say, that there is not an LEC like entity today doing what Macy did.

Posted pics and thoughts on The Sonnets to Orpheus, by Rainer Maria Rilke, Limited Editions Club from 1997. Another unreal book, deserving of a cross post from the Macy group!

http://booksandvines.com/2011/10/15/the-sonnets-to-orpheus-by-rainer-maria-rilke...

or
http://booksandvines.com

Thanks busy. Do you know how this edition compares with the 1981 LEC edition? (which was limited to 2000 copies)

Hi astropi, the 1981 version has fifty poems selected from three of Rilke's early volumes ("The Book of Pictures," "New Poems: First Part," "New Poems: Another Part"). It is much, much smaller in scale (well under half the size being only 6-1/8" x 9-1/4" versus something around 14" x 17" if I recall correctly). The paper in Sonnets is a whole different world, miles above just about any other LEC ever produced IMO, and the work by Balthus is certainly much more sought after. I actually like the 1981 Rilke, and it is a good LEC, just not in the same league (or price range, for that matter!).

I love Stephen Mitchell's translations, so that makes the 1997 edition very attractive. The Arion Press used his translations for their edition of Rilke as well. I would love to have a fine press edition of Rilke/Mitchell. Who did the translation for the 1981 edition?

>101 jveezer:, Translated and annotated by C. F. MacIntyre

100: if you have some time and can post pics of the 1981 version that would be great. I would love to see the two books "side by side" so to speak...

>103 astropi:, sure thing...it may take me a week or two as I need to dig it out when I am back from a business trip!

Just posted pictures and some thoughts on a phenomenal edition of Jane Eyre from 1923. One beautiful book from L’Imprimerie Nationale De France.

http://booksandvines.com/2011/10/17/jane-eyre-charlotte-bronte-limprimerie-natio...

or

http://booksandvines.com

Pictures and thoughts on My Sister Life, by Boris Pasternak, Limited Editions Club from 1990. Another beautiful one, very unique.

http://booksandvines.com/2011/10/19/my-sister-life-by-boris-pasternak-limited-ed...

or

http://booksandvines.com

Thoughts and pictures of the limited edition of Salem's Lot, Centipede Press are now at Book and Vines. Review courtesy of astropi.

http://booksandvines.com/2011/10/23/salems-lot-by-stephen-king-centipede-press-l...

or

http://booksandvines.com

>107 busywine:

Absolutely stunning.

Astropi-- Do you know how much the gift edition of 600 went for originally? They've been selling on ebay for around $150.

>107 busywine:

The limited edition of 300 copies printed on 100# Mohawk Superfine paper and signed by Stephen King and the illustrator weighs in at 13 lbs. and typically sells for between $1400 to $1600 dollars (original price $475). If you can find one of the 25 deluxe editions bound in full Nigerian goatskin leather, contained in a large tray case/clamshell box and also signed, it usually sells for approx. $6,000.

Cross post from Macy Devotees...

Pictures and thoughts on LEC's Genesis from 1989 are up at

http://booksandvines.com/2011/10/24/genesis-illustrated-by-jacob-lawrence-limite...

or

http://booksandvines.com

111: hmmm, I don't understand the illustrations. Also, with all these limited edition Bibles around (Arion Press, Easton Press, Folio Society, LEC), I don't understand why there is no edition that has the original Hebrew along with the English translation?

>112 astropi:

I strongly suspect that these limited edition Bibles (Arion, Pennyroyal Press, etc.) do not contain the original Hebrew because:

1. The weight of these books would be impractical. To avoid this problem would necessitate printing these editions in multiple volumes and the cost would be prohibitive. For example, my Arion Press edition of the Holy Bible in its large clamshell linen-covered box weighs over 60 lbs. and each of the two volumes weighs 25 lbs.

2. The cost of printing a bilingual Holy Bible in Hebrew and English would be prohibitive and would occupy a disproportionate amount of a private press's time and resources. They would never recover the cost of both its publication and the opportunity cost in producing other works for sale. Again, using the Arion Press as an example, their Bible was in planning and production for nearly five years and, as Andrew Hoyem states in the prospectus, he strongly suspects that because few, if any, other private presses throughout the world have the staff and resources of Arion (especially the staff and printing capabilities associated with their acquisition of the Mackenzie & Harris type foundry) that his edition will be the last handcrafted letterpress Bible ever printed.

113: I think the Arion Press Bible is a special case. Letterpress is obviously far harder to produce than more modern techniques. Also, I'm positive the Hebrew could be included (maybe not in letterpress), especially if the publication was "only" one book, such as Genesis.

edit: by the way, is the AP Bible illustrated? Can you share some pics?

astropi:

The Arion Press Bible is not illustrated and my impression is that from the time of Gutenberg most of the major private presses that have produced folio-sized letterpress bibles consider this inappropriate. They may add elaborate initial letters or tasteful border designs to the pages, but not illustrations per se. The only exception to this that I know of is Barry Moser's letterpress edition from his Pennyroyal Press. In this case, the publication was utilized as a vehicle for his spectacular set of woodcut illustrations.

I do not know how to post pics but I will ask 'busywine' if I can submit a set of images to for him to publish on his fine blog 'Books and Vines'. In the case of the Arion Press edition, the major decision in purchasing this bible was whether or not to include the hand-painted illuminated initial letters. In my case, I opted for the edition with the large, red initial letters, similar to the appearance in the famous Doves Press Bible from 1903-1905. I also own the Arion Press book 'The Psalms of David and Others' (their fifth publication) which contains identical hand-illuminated initial letters painted by Thomas Ingmire, who also did the illuminated initial letters for the Holy Bible. Frankly, I did not think it added anything.

Finally, I also own Volume IV (the Apocrypha) from the T.J. Cobden-Sanderson/Emery Walker Doves Press five-volume edition of 'The English Bible', obviously purchased from a broken set. I was able to compare Ingmire's hand-painted illuminated initial letters for the Arion Bible with the famous large, red initial letters designed by calligrapher Edward Johnston in the Doves Press Bible. I greatly prefer the latter for its stately, austere appearance.

Thanks to dlphcoracl, pictures on the Doves Press and Arion Press Bibles are now up at Books and Vines.

http://booksandvines.com/2011/10/26/doves-press-and-arion-press-bibles/

or

http://booksandvines.com

Thanks to dlphcoracl, pictures and thoughts on The Psalms of David and Others, from Arion Press, 1977.

http://booksandvines.com/2011/10/27/the-psalms-of-david-and-others-arion-press/

or

http://booksandvines.com

Added to the end of the Arion Press Psalms of David, pictures from a very nice first edition from 1667 from Samuel Woodford. Scroll to the end to see the pictures of it.

http://booksandvines.com/2011/10/27/the-psalms-of-david-and-others-arion-press/

or

http://booksandvines.com

Just posted photos and thoughts on The Man Who Planted Trees, LEC from 1996.

http://booksandvines.com/2011/10/31/the-man-who-planted-trees-by-jean-giono-with....

or

http://booksandvines.com

BTW, in the next day or two, will have photo's up from Arion's Sappho.

119: beautiful! I much prefer "illustrations" such as this to those found in Sappho (at least from what I've seen :)

Ok, Sappho is up with lots of pictures!

http://booksandvines.com/2011/11/01/poetry-of-sappho-illustrated-by-julie-mehret...

or

http://booksandvines.com

Thanks for all the pictures. Great job as always!

Thanks to DlphcOracl, I have posted pictures and an article on a book you must take the time to see...Hamlet in a 1920 German edition that will knock your socks off.

http://booksandvines.com/2011/11/02/hamlet-by-william-shakespeare-1920-edition-p...

or

http://booksandvines.com

You will want to see this one!

123: no kiddin'! That is stunning! Did Schroder produce the complete plays of Shakespeare, or just a few?

> 123 - wow! That is stunning! excellent review and pics

>124 astropi: and >125 ParadigmTree::

Here is a teaser for you :-) .

If you enjoyed looking at the German Expressionist 'Hamlet' from the Weimar Republic of Germany (circa) 1920, I also own its twin --- the Julius Schroder deluxe edition of Wm. Shakespeare's "Antony and Cleopatra', published in 1923. It has an identical full-thickness vellum binding with stitched-through vellum spine straps, elaborate embossed design on covers and spine with gilt embellishment, and another extraordinary set of illustrations from another gifted German artist, Max Ludwig. These illustrations are also done as black and white etchings but are not quite as 'Expressionistic' as Sepp Frank's are for Julius Schroder's deluxe edition of 'Hamlet'.

More to follow.

P.S. astropi: In answer to your question, to my knowledge only three of Wm. Shakespeare's plays were done in these deluxe editions, all with identical embossed and gilded full vellum bindings. The third play was 'The Tempest'. These were the only three editions in his series 'Masterworks of Literature with Original Artwork' that were printed in English that I am aware of. The other high point of that series is another book illustrated by Sepp Frank, Johann Goethe's 'Faust'.

Just added a full review and lots of pictures of T.S. Eliot's The Waste Land, Arion Press, 2007.

http://booksandvines.com/2011/11/04/the-waste-land-by-t-s-eliot-with-a-painting-...

or

http://booksandvines.com

Pictures and a review of LEC's Cosi fan Tutte is now up at Books and Vines. A beautiful book with very nice illustrations by Balthus.

http://booksandvines.com/2011/11/05/cosi-fan-tutte-by-lorenzo-da-ponte-music-by-...

or

http://booksandvines.com

128: quite a beauty! although like most (or all) of the Shiff-era LECs, it's too expensive for my taste and I imagine most people's. Can't deny that the illustrations are wonderful. However, what's up with no translation? That was unexpected and unfortunate.

"The book comes with 3 CD’s with the opera by composer Hans Rosbaud from 1957."

You mean conductor of course :)
By the way, which orchestra is he conducting, and who are the soloists?

Lastly... are you sure that's Balthus' signature? I had to laugh when I saw that! "Sir, please sign your name here... oh, you don't know how to write? Well, just scribble something..."
:)

edit: also, wanted to say that is one of the most attractive clamshells I have seen.

Apologize for cross posting on a couple groups, but wanted to mention a new post, a look at the first four months of books and vines, especially to thank you all that have contributed and who humor me by tolerating visits to the site!

http://booksandvines.com/2011/11/07/books-and-vines-four-month-retrospective/

or

http://booksandvines.com

A look at the Yolla Bolly Press (from dlphcoracl), is up on Books and Vines. This press produced fantastic books and I know you will enjoy looking at them. I have broken the article into a few parts, so look for the remaining books to be published on Books and Vines over the next few days.

http://booksandvines.com/2011/11/08/a-look-at-folio-works-of-the-yolla-bolly-pre...

or

http://booksandvines.com

One of the Missing, one incredible book from Yolla Bolly Press, is now up on Books and Vines.

http://booksandvines.com/2011/11/10/one-of-the-missing-by-ambrose-bierce-yolla-b...

or

http://booksandvines.com

Thanks again to dlphcoracl.

132: gorgeous! If this book was not so expensive, but I would pick it up. Of course, if it was not so expensive it would have sold out long ago :)
At any rate, thanks for the wonderful pics.

A look at the last published book of the LEC, Letter from Birmingham Jail, by Martin Luther King, Jr. is up at Books and Vines.

http://booksandvines.com/2011/11/11/letter-from-a-birmingham-city-jail-dr-martin...

or

http://booksandvines.com

What we need, is someone like Django and/or busy to purchase the rights to the LEC name and then start producing books like Macy did!

Some of the Shiff era books were wonderful, but I think that was the beginning of the end. I see the LEC as similar to the Roman Republic and Empire. During the height of the Macy days it was gorgeous, artistic, had a real vision, but was in many ways down-to-Earth (Republic). During the Shiff era it became elitist and lost track of it's original goal (Empire) and has since crashed out of existence (Rise and Fall of the LEC Empire). That's how I look at it. Wouldn't it be wonderful if the LEC came back?

Someday it just might.

I do think it is a bit of a simplification generally comparing Macy and Shiff era's. I do not think they lost sight of the goal, I just think they had a different goal altogether. For what the Shiff goal was, they often achieved it spectacularly IMO (such as with Sight and Tough, Seven Years in Tibet, My Sister Life, etc). Sure, they had some odd choices including some books that do not work for me (Heart of Darkness, Ficciones), but then so did Macy.

I personally believe it is an overlap of the two that would be interesting. I love the Macy idea; I still think it questionable how that same quality and pace could be achieved today, and at what price. I love the Shiff idea of really pushing the boundary of the craft, but perhaps taking it just a bit more mainstream as I think there is a market for the super high end stuff, but that market is reached easier with more popular selections. I would like to see an LEC with 6 'Macy like" books a year subscribed, with offering 1 uber-nice "Shiff-like" livre d'artiste a year at a much lower subscription number, offered first to subscribers. IMO, both of their dreams were worthy dreams, and the best remnants of both would be well worth carrying on; in fact the marriage of the two may be the secret sauce, to some degree. Of course, it almost begs for a Heritage like second label, as I believe that more mass production of trade copies is important for actually funding the other.

The next installment of our look at Yolla Bolly Press, with their beautiful edition of The Winged Life: The Poetic Voice of Henry David Thoreau.

http://booksandvines.com/2011/11/12/the-winged-life-the-poetic-voice-of-henry-da...

or

http://booksandvines.com

>123 busywine: -126. There's a Sepp Frank 'Faust' in series with the Hamlet over on German ebay with a number of pics to study and (a still ) sane price with a few hours to run : http://www.ebay.de/itm/Goethe-FAUST-Vorzugsausgabe-Schroder-1921-25-Radierungen-...

The next installment of our look at Yolla Bolly Press, from dlphcoracl, with their beautiful edition of My First Summer in the Sierra.

http://booksandvines.com/2011/11/15/my-first-summer-in-the-sierra-by-john-muir-y...

or

http://booksandvines.com

I am not a religious person but believe John Muir might have been touched by God.

His writings are beautiful and so is this book which I must someday acquire.

>140 Texaco:, I hear you Texaco, what a nice book....hope to have a copy myself someday!

>140 Texaco:

Texaco, your comment regarding John Muir is, in fact, based upon reality. His parents were Scottish Presbyterians and his father was extremely strict in this regard. His early interest in and attraction to nature as a child may have been an escape from his overly religious upbringing. Although he remained a deeply religious man throughout his life, his beliefs (much like Leo Tolstoy's) became less centered on scripture and dogma and evolved into a more naturalistic religion in his later years.

Damn it! I now have a serious case of book envy...
I LOVE John Muir. We need more people like him, and not crazies such as the PETA people.

>143 astropi:

This is a book worth splurging for and it may be my personal favorite of the large folio-sized Yolla Bolly books. To my knowledge, it is the only time John Muir's writing(s) has been given the private press treatment. Given that the Robertsons chose to set up shop and print their handmade books in a remote part of Northern California deep in the Coast Range Mountains I strongly suspect that this book had special meaning for them as well. It is certainly reflected in the design and quality of this edition.

If purchasing this book is at all in the realm of possibility I would recommending calling Carolyn Robertson at the Yolla Bolly Press to see if she has a new copy available (or may have access to a copy). Although it is not listed as being available on their website, no harm in asking.

Hi All, just posted notes from my visit to Peter Koch Printers, including a couple new books not on his web site yet. There will be subsequent installments in the coming days.

http://booksandvines.com/2011/11/19/a-visit-to-peter-koch-printers-part-1/

or

http://booksandvines.com

Posted pictures and thoughts on the beautiful The Lost Journals of Sacajewea, by Debra Magpie Earling, Peter Koch Printers. Do check out the uniqueness of this book.

http://booksandvines.com/2011/11/23/the-lost-journals-of-sacajewea-by-debra-magp...

or

http://booksandvines.com

146: smoked buffalo rawhide... so, if you're stuck in a blizzard and starving, can you eat it? :)

edit: and I won't mention what song the aforementioned reminds me of...

Very envious of The Lost Journals - I had drooled over the ad for that in Parenthesis a few months ago. And the text looks wonderful.

A look at a number of books from Peter Koch Printers is up at Books and Vines.

http://booksandvines.com/2011/11/29/a-visit-to-peter-koch-printers-part-3-a-look...

or

http://booksandvines.com

149: as always, thanks for the pics. They were very interesting, and the books are undoubtedly beautiful... but, I found none of them appealing. That's probably a good thing, since I'm certain I can not afford any of them :)

>150 astropi:

I second the emotion.

Simply put, I don't get it. Peter Koch crafts beautiful books about authors, subjects and topics that do not interest me in the slightest. I am certain he is passionate about his work and I certainly hope he enjoys the fruits of his labor but the audience for his publications must be quite limited.

Just posted some pictures and information on a book from David Bruce Smith Publications -- if you recall their marvelous Tennessee I posted a couple months back, this one is much simpler and not as 'fine press', but is very nice none-the-less for a much less expensive price point.

https://booksandvines.wordpress.com/2011/11/30/three-miles-from-providence-by-da...

or

https://booksandvines.wordpress.com

Now up, courtesy of astropi, The Savage Tales of Solomon Kane, Robert E. Howard, Wandering Star Press.

http://booksandvines.com/2011/12/01/the-savage-tales-of-solomon-kane-robert-e-ho...

or

http://booksandvines.com

If you will recall the amazing 1920 Hamlet posted on Books and Vines a month ago by dlphcoracl, we now have a sister edition, the 1923 Antony and Cleopatra. Check out those illustrations!

http://booksandvines.com/2011/12/04/antony-and-cleopatra-by-william-shakespeare-...

or

http://booksandvines.com

154: stunning! I really wish they had done the complete plays! I can only imagine how amazing that would have been...

Sorry for the cross post, but this book certainly belongs in the fine press category also. A look at Cathay, from Ezra Pound, LEC, is up at Books and Vines.

http://booksandvines.com/2011/12/05/cathay-poems-after-li-po-by-ezra-pound-limit....

or

http://booksandvines.com

Nice post, looks like another well made book. For reasons you state well, I wouldn't touch Pound with a ten foot pole.

>157 kdweber:

I feel similarly and I suspect many other readers do as well. This may well explain (in part) why, as 'busywine' mentioned in his article on Books and Vines, he is not read widely --- or as widely as he should be based solely on the quality of his poetry. This combination of great artist and deep personal character flaws seems especially prevalent among poets. T.S. Eliot and Rainier Maria Rilke come immediately to mind --- great poets but detestable individuals.

Posted a look at a couple works from The Old School Press in England, On Durham and An Italian Dream.

http://booksandvines.com/2011/12/07/a-couple-works-from-the-old-school-press-on-...

or

http://booksandvines.com

Faust is now up on Books and Vines courtesy of dlphcoracl...just look at those illustrations! This book is a true masterpiece.

http://booksandvines.com/2011/12/08/faust-by-johann-wolfgang-von-goethe-from-jul...

or

http://booksandvines.com

A quick technical note regarding the digital photos posted by 'busywine' on his website 'Books and Vines' (for those who have not already discovered this):

If you click once over an image and wait 2-3 seconds a magnification of the image will then appear. If you click once AGAIN over the new magnified image it will magnify even further, giving you a "super-magnified" image with great detail. I mention this because it will enable you to truly appreciate the extraordinary presswork and original etchings by Sepp Frank in the Julius Schroder edition of 'Faust' - Erster Teil. In particular, do this for the image labeled "The Dedication - macro view of classic German gothic typeface" and the print will literally leap off of the page. The details and subtlety of Frank's etchings will also become readily apparent.

It's certainly a beautiful work. Quick question. I noticed in sample illustration #2 and #4 the Star of David. Usually, devil worship is associated with a five-point star. Is this an example of anti-Semitism which was quite prevelant during that era? I'm curious...

Hi All,
I hope this is okay to post, let me know if not and I will delete. I am not selling anything, nor do I have any special personal arrangements with anyone listed here, and I am NOT reimbursed to plug anyone. This is purely a service!

Books and Vines is happy to announce that through Christmas Day, subscribers can take advantage of the following special discounts. I am hoping there will be more being announced soon, but we'll see. (Subscribing is easy, just look on the right side of Books and Vines for the 'subscribe' button. BTW, I do absolutely nothing with your email address; it goes to nobody and never shall. It is purely used to send you articles as published on Books and Vines.)

One of the best fine book sellers in Charles Agvent. He has a great selection, among other things, probably the best LEC collection available out there, and his descriptions are always dead on accurate. 5% off any order with free U.S. shipping for the holiday for Books and Vines subscribers. When calling or placing your order on the web, please mention Books and Vines and give them the email address that you have subscribed to Books and Vines with. http://www.charlesagvent.com

A fantastic fine press producer in England is The Old School Press, proprietor Martyn Ould. Many of you may have seen a recent article on them from Books and Vines. The Old School Press is offering Books and Vines Subscribers 10% off any of the following books: Palladio’s Homes, A Long Story, or tokonoma if payment is by PayPal. Shipping is included with tokonoma. These are three beautifully done books, please check them out on Martyn’s web site. When calling or placing your order on paypal, please mention Books and Vines and give them the email address that you have subscribed to Books and Vines with.

Another discount added.
Probably my favorite fine press find of 2011 was Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness by Chester River Press. What a beautiful book. They also have recently published Homer’s Iliad & Odyssey. Gerard Cataldo is fantastic to interact with, I would suggest dropping him a note with any questions on these or other books. They currently are offering 20% off for Christmas, with an additional 5% off for Books and Vines subscribers. You just may be absolutely insane to not take advantage of 25% off these fantastic books. http://www.chesterriverpress.com/

When calling or placing your order on the web, please mention Books and Vines and give them the email address that you have subscribed to Books and Vines with.

Also, did not have the web address for The Old School Press above, it is http://www.theoldschoolpress.com/

>164 busywine: - They're a little hard to reach. I actually tried to buy the book some time after the first review. They don't take web orders and I was unable to reach them with multiple phone calls during their east coast business hours. Maybe that was for the best if I can pick up Heart of Darkness with a 25% discount.

>165 kdweber:, traded some emails with Gerry today, I think he has been out on some project for a few weeks...should be able to reach them now. That book really is a treasure, you will not be disappointed. Anyway, good luck!

> 164

Thanks Chris, I have just plunged!
I own you this one!

>167 Maretzo:

FWIW, I purchased Chester River Press' Heart of Darkness earlier this year and after receiving it thought it was a steal at its full price. The quality of materials and workmanship are first rate and the illustrations are exceptional. At 25% off it is a no-brainer and you will soon be patting yourself on the back for this purchase.

Another of my favorite pick-ups of 2011 was Phisicke Against Fortune by Petrarch from the Foolscap Press. They have a number of great letterpress selections, all done with extreme high quality. I am thrilled to be a subscriber. Owners Larry and Peggy Van Velzer are another example of fantastic and nice fine press publishers! They are offering 10% off any of their books for Books and Vines subscribers. Again, do not miss this chance! www.foolscappress.com

Just bought it!

>167 Maretzo:, 170; Yikes, you better like them or I will get an earful from you! Safe bet though, I hope, I am sure you will love them. Let me know when you get them.

Another discount offer....I recently picked up an amazing copy of The Mirrour of the World, Allen Press edition, from Braiterman Books. Marilyn Braiterman is a pleasure to do business with. She has kindly offered Books and Vines subscribers 10% off for any orders up until Christmas, if ordered directly from her. You can look at what books she has on Abe's or through her catalogue, but when ready to order, contact her directly at marilyn@braitermanbooks.com. www.braitermanbooks.com

Another discount for Books and Vines subscribers being offered...
Yet another “Best of 2011″ is the brilliant edition of Tennessee from David Bruce Smith Publications. They have kindly agreed to offer a 20% discount on Tennessee for Books and Vines subscribers that order this between now and Christmas. Those of you who read my review of Tennessee know how much I loved the art by Clarice Smith. There is a special discount being offered on signed prints for Books and Vines Subscribers. Buy two prints at regular price ($750 each) and the third will be offered at 20% off ($600). To place an order at these discounted rates email: info@davidbrucesmith.com or call 703-786-1430. www.davidbrucesmith.com.

I'm trying to put together the page for the Harrap edition of La Vita Nuova, but need to know the best way to get the information on the B&V site. Perhaps, Chris, you can e-mail me with the instructions?

Hi Robert, just pm'd you with some info. thx!

A look at a very nice 1905 first edition of Robert F. Scott's 'The Voyage of Discovery', signed by Scott himself, is up at Books and Vines.

https://booksandvines.com/2011/12/14/the-voyage-of-the-discovery-by-robert-falco...

or

https://booksandvines.com

For those of you not on the Macy group, a nice edition of A Sentimental Journey through France and Italy by Laurence Sterne, designed by Eric Gill, is up on Books and Vines.

http://booksandvines.com/2011/12/15/a-sentimental-journey-through-france-and-ita...

or

http://booksandvines.com

Just published a look at an amazingly beautiful LEC, Bookmarks in the Pages of Life, from LEC.

http://booksandvines.com/2011/12/16/bookmarks-in-the-pages-of-life-by-zora-neale...

or

http://booksandvines.com

Some last minute book giving ideas from some of my favorite publishers and dealers that I have purchased from this year...

http://booksandvines.com/2011/12/17/last-minute-christmas-shopping-support-the-f...

I am amazed at the work so many small, fine press producers are able to provide us with these days, considering the state of the economy. Thankfully, there are also upstanding, honest and decent people in the re-sale business, always providing us with options for buying those books we always wanted. I am glad to point some out in the above article, as they deserve any support we are able to give them! Would love to hear from you on others that should be called out.

The Chimes, by Charles Dickens, illustrated by the great Arthur Rackham, from 1931, is up on Books and Vines.

http://booksandvines.com/2011/12/18/the-chimes-by-charles-dickens-illustrations-...

or

http://booksandvines.com

The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, from Hand & Eye Letterpress, is now up on Books and Vines.

http://booksandvines.com/2011/12/19/dr-jekyll-and-mr-hyde-by-robert-louis-steven...

or

http://booksandvines.com

What, no comparison to the LEC The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde?

>182 kdweber: I do not have it! If someone has pictures and colophon information, would love to have it.

Here are some photos I posted last year:

http://photobucket.com/LEC_J_H

The Cricket on the Hearth, by Charles Dickens, LEC from 1933, from the Golden Cockerel Press, is up on Books and Vines.

http://booksandvines.com/2011/12/21/the-cricket-on-the-hearth-by-charles-dickens...

or

http://booksandvines.com

Added some photo's from the LEC version (thanks to Robert above) and from the Easton Press 100 Greatest series into the post on Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (scroll to the bottom).

http://booksandvines.com/2011/12/19/dr-jekyll-and-mr-hyde-by-robert-louis-steven...

Added a review of the 1927 Fanfrolico Press edition of The Complete Works of Gaius Petronius, with over 100 amazing illustrations by Norman Lindsay.

http://booksandvines.com/2011/12/22/the-complete-works-of-gaius-petronius-1927-f...

or

http://booksandvines.com

I love the illustrations! I've never heard of the Fanfrolico Press before. Do you find out about these old presses via journals, the internet, book stores, book fairs...?

178: Thank you for featuring this lovely book; of all my Shiff era LECs this is my absolute favorite.

>189 Texaco:, thanks Texaco, after seeing it in person in October, it is right up there with me also, one of my favorites.

>188 astropi:, blind luck!! Seriously, many times just from looking for things on the Internet, seeing something at Book Gallery, reading Paranthesis and posts from you all!!

>188 astropi:

Fanfrolico Press books are seldom seen here in the States, and when they are, they are usually priced in the stratosphere. Although collectors seek them out for Norman Lindsay's work, Jack's translations and the beauty of the design appeal most to me. Satyricon is a wonderful example of both.

A look at Continuum, from David Bruce Smith Publications, is up on Books and Vines.

http://booksandvines.com/2011/12/26/continuum-by-david-bruce-smith-illustrations...

or

http://booksandvines.com

A look at The Faerie Queen, LEC, FS LE and EP editions is now up on Books and Vines.

http://booksandvines.com/2011/12/27/the-faerie-queen-by-edmund-spenser-limited-e...

or

http://booksandvines.com

Just added pictures and a review of an outstanding book from The Golden Cockerel Press, The Voyage of the Challenger.

http://booksandvines.com/2011/12/28/the-voyage-of-the-challenger-by-herbert-swir...

or

http://booksandvines.com

What a beauty! Thanks for sharing :)

Just added another book from The Yolla Bolly Press. I love these books! The Wan Who Made Wine, by J.M. Scott. A small book, but nicely done and a nice story.

http://booksandvines.com/2011/12/30/the-man-who-made-wine-by-j-m-scott-yolla-bol...

or

http://booksandvines.com

>197 busywine: A quick fun read, particularly if you're into wine. One of Yolla Bolly's more affordable offerings.

Now up, What Men Live By, by Leo Tolstoy, in a fantastic edition by L&D Allen Press.

http://booksandvines.com/2012/01/02/what-men-live-by-by-leo-tolstoy-ld-allen-pre...

or

http://booksandvines.com

Beautiful! I love the L-D Allen Press! It's so heartworming to think of two people together, just making beautiful books :)
I have to say, the one LDAP book I read, I did notice a few typos. Now, as someone who has hand-set type, I can understand why mistakes are made. I actually found the typos a bit endearing.

>200 astropi:

The body of work Lewis and Dorothy Allen created over a half century, using 19th century hand presses and printing each book one page at a time, is extraordinary. You will truly appreciate their fine book design, unstinting choice of the finest papers and materials available, and craftsmanship when you hold one of the books from their folio series. I am still surprised at how little known they are and how affordable (relatively speaking) their books are for books that are entirely handmade in editions of less than 120.

Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of the Allen Press is that once they broke away from doing commissions for the Book Club of California and began selecting their own titles for publication, they almost never had a miss. Even the obscure titles they printed from the Middle Ages, e.g. the Poeticon Astronomicon, the Mirrour of the World (Wm. Caxton), Dialogues of Creatures Moralized, the Brothers (Terence), etc, all proved to be wonderful reads that one ordinarily would never have been aware of. Their batting average of selecting books and subjects worthy of private press treatment is, for me, the highest among private presses that I have collected.

At Books and Vines, a deeper look at the amazing Sight and Touch, from the Limited Editions Club, 1995. By Octavio Paz with illustrations by Balthus.

http://booksandvines.com/2012/01/03/sight-and-touch-by-octavio-paz-illustrated-b...

or

http://booksandvines.com

A review, courtesy of Django6924, of Dante's La Vita Nuova, in a wonderful 1916 edition from publisher George G. Harrap & Co.

http://booksandvines.com/2012/01/04/la-vita-nuova-by-dante-alighieri-published-b...

or

http://booksandvines.com

Although altogether modern and without pics, I believe that the VITA NUOVA printed (of course, letterpress and hand composed) by Alberto Tallone in Alpignano, abt 1965, remains a thoroughly enjoyable book (F° - Caslon and Tallone type - cca 700 copies on Ventura/Cernobbio & al papers)

203: wow! I love it!

>203 busywine::

Beautiful book and excellent introduction and discussion by Django6924. Thanks!! This is not a work I am familiar with but I will have all of 2012 to remedy that.

Bravo Django6924 and busywine for this wonderful review of an amazing book. I've been looking for a copy of La Vita Nuova for a while but hadn't run across one yet. This would be a great edition to have and I love the extra "value" in the slipcase. The memories or people associated with a book can be such a huge part of my love of a particular book.

A look at a 1976 French liver d'artiste edition of Hemingway's The Old Man and the Sea is up at Books and Vines.

http://booksandvines.com/2012/01/07/le-vieil-homme-et-la-mer-the-old-man-and-the...

or

http://booksandvines.com

A look at the Golden Cockerel Press edition of Song of Songs, illustrated by Eric Gill is up on Books and Vines.

http://booksandvines.com/2012/01/11/the-song-of-songs-illustrations-by-eric-gill...

or

http://booksandvines.com

SONG OF SONGS
- I revive here this old thread, because my note is caused by your above post 209. I think the SONG OF SONG is a perfect text for bibliophilic editions.
> your above 209 - I read - and dreamed - a lot about the Golden Cockerel edition, but I'm afraid it will remain a dream for myself and most other fans of your Vines.
Although I'm Italian and the vast majority of LT is American and interested in American fine books, I present here a couple of Italian editions which cld interest some readers. Alas, I don't know how to reproduce here pictures.
- Publisher FMR-ART'E'-Bologna, 2006. Two leather bound volumes under a single leather bound cover - 48x27 cm - 200 copies printed by Valdonega on Arches cotton paper. The first part shows the antique Latin Vulgate translation of the text and its highly theological comment by Alcuinus, Charlemagne's "Minister of Culture". The second part, modern Italian translations ofthe SONG and of Alcuinus' above comment, plus some short poems by contemporary poet SANGUINETI. The book is illustrated by eight silk screens by contemporary artist Ugo NESPOLO, who signs the colophon.
The book was sold together wit two larger (80x60 cm) silk screens by the same artist.
- Publisher MARIOTTI, Casale Monferrato. A large (50x35 cm) book, silk cover. Hebrew and modern Italian texts. No copies limitation shown. A note by then Mgr RAVASI, now a Cardinal and "Minister of Culture" of the Vatican. The book is illustrated bt reproductions of watercolors by CHIAPPORI, an Italian artist well known for his totally different style newspapers political cartoons.
- Publisher TALLONE - During a period of several years, they printed two or three editions of the SONG, without pictures, poetical Italian translations, but with high quality printing.
- I own also a few other "study/trade" editions in Hebrew, English and Italian with ever-interesting comments.

> great info, if you want to email me some pictures I will post them on books and vines with that article...send to chrisadamson@booksandvines.com. Btw, posting another song of songs tomorrow.