Folio Society?

I have only recently been a FS collector. Has their business shrunk/declined over the years...or is it stronger than ever now that options to buy new real box have shrunk? I ask because of changes made by FS. Closure of country specific warehouses like USA. Did declining business prompt this or just better ways to ship from one central location? And now of course the end of 10 installments. Can't they at least offer 10 as a perk to established members?

This thread might answer some of your questions.

https://www.librarything.com/topic/188037

Interesting thread. I wish more of the public would embrace nice books. If you can't afford the items thats one thing but look how much society spends on throw away tech and items at huge markups...rather than supporting quality that you can fill your home with forever. Plus you have the society view that places a negative light on collecting in general. In the 70's and 80's many educated affluent people collected from all the producers and the product was outstanding then.

>2 jroger1:
Oh wow this reminds me, I recall last year that there was a warehouse move of some sort and a shipping delay during that move. I wonder if it had to do with all the other Folio changes.

>3 cu29640:
I certainly concur with your comment. I strive to own any physical product over digital at every opportunity I can. I will visit some friends and outside of furniture and electronics there is little else of substantial value in their house. It strikes me as very plain and boring. I like being surrounded by things I enjoy personally. For example I not only enjoy reading a book but I also like seeing them on my bookshelves as it does give me warm feelings and often reminds of how much I enjoyed something like a good book. I have met lots of people who own many mass produced paperback books as well but have never broached the subject of fine books with them. It could be that many of these people could be unaware of groups like Folio Society and would own such books if they knew about them.

>5 Mister_Fox: "For example I not only enjoy reading a book but I also like seeing them on my bookshelves as it does give me warm feelings and often reminds of how much I enjoyed something like a good book."
I agree with what you say here but I don't see why you assume that many paperback collectors can't say the same? I know that I did love my bookshelves long before I owned a single FS and even now when I do there are many paperbacks that I will always keep, I even buy some new ones. They are still physical reminders of stories I have loved and I find some of them, especially the older ones, to be quietly charming as physical objects too. Many of them have joined me on travels where no FS book would go, they are my trusted companions.

I don't think that you should confuse "things people enjoy personally" with " things of value". Too me it is things "people enjoy personally" that makes a home interesting and attractive, the actual value has little to do with it.

>6 alvaret:
Oh true I meant to convey physical vs digital aka ebooks. I wouldn't argue value and enjoyment are one and the same. It's just the emptiness one has in their surrounding with all digital product that I find dull.

Everyone has their own idea of valuable - for some it is books, for some it is the newest technology, for some it may be the opportunity to travel. It may be boring for you but for someone else, having hardbound books may be boring. Just saying :)

Definitely agree collecting should not be about value and those concerned with investment get burned. With that said its about what one enjoys and is personally attached to. If items ever need to be sold...with educated and proper planning one can find the right buyers usually. I always enjoy the articles that label any company that sells collectible type products as a rip off based on grandma being offered a small amount at the local dealer. What do they expect? Lots of great products over the years have risen and crashed in popularity only because the masses thought they were buying an investment...even if the company never advertised that.

I think more is the problem that most people are uninformed of companies like the Folio Society and the Folio Society really is the exception at that price point. Most people who see my books are surprised that illustrated editions even still exist as they are so rare in publishing. I don't bash the paperback because I feel that reading should firstly be accessible however it's a shame when a Folio would really improve someones experience of reading yet they have never heard of the company.

Few people are as concerned with paper, spine and cover materials as we are so maybe it is our prerogative to inform readers. You would think with the rise in coffee table books, low quality paperbacks and cheap e-books there would be a nice area for Folio to expand.

>10 Santas_Slave:
Yep, I agree.
That's why I'm always when I see that copies of Dune and Mort sold out pretty quickly!

Plowing through Robert Louis Stevenson's Edinburgh Picturesque Notes

>8 AnnieMod:
"but for someone else, having hardbound books may be boring"
*gasp* Perish the thought!

Now immensely enjoying Sir Walter Scott's Heart of Midlothian.