OT: Macabre Tales of Edgar Allan Poe LE from Tartarus
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1terebinth
It's a while since the Folio edition of Poe's Tales of Mystery and Imagination went out of print, hence or otherwise this new, and perhaps superior, issue from Tartarus Press seemed worth a mention:
http://tartaruspress.com/poe-the-macabre-tales.html
Like the Folio volume it includes Harry Clarke's illustrations, but with the addition of eight tipped-in plates in full colour. The price of £50 inclusive of worldwide delivery seems modest for a very substantial sewn hardback which includes rather more of Poe's work than Folio did, especially in view of its limitation to 400 copies. Tartarus' production standards, I would say, are at least equal to those of the FS, with particularly sturdy boards and binding: about the only reservation I would mention is that I've found some of their titles quite badly affected by typos.
I'm on the fence about buying, as the Folio book was part of my very first order back in 1999. I expect I'll hop off the fence quite soon, as the 400 copies may not hang around for long.
http://tartaruspress.com/poe-the-macabre-tales.html
Like the Folio volume it includes Harry Clarke's illustrations, but with the addition of eight tipped-in plates in full colour. The price of £50 inclusive of worldwide delivery seems modest for a very substantial sewn hardback which includes rather more of Poe's work than Folio did, especially in view of its limitation to 400 copies. Tartarus' production standards, I would say, are at least equal to those of the FS, with particularly sturdy boards and binding: about the only reservation I would mention is that I've found some of their titles quite badly affected by typos.
I'm on the fence about buying, as the Folio book was part of my very first order back in 1999. I expect I'll hop off the fence quite soon, as the 400 copies may not hang around for long.
3elladan0891
>1 terebinth:
Is it bound in paper?
Is it bound in paper?
5IgnatiusR
>1 terebinth: Thansk for the heads-up.
I have a problem with Harry Clarke: while I love his black and white illustrations, I do not find his colour plates very inspiring... it is like the macabre qualities of his drawings don't mix up with the use of vibrant colours... I don't know.
Maybe I am alone in this, but that is the reason I think the FS edition with just the B&W illustrations is more apt to the stories of E. Allan Poe than the later edition with the additional 8 colour plates, of which this is a reedition.
I have a problem with Harry Clarke: while I love his black and white illustrations, I do not find his colour plates very inspiring... it is like the macabre qualities of his drawings don't mix up with the use of vibrant colours... I don't know.
Maybe I am alone in this, but that is the reason I think the FS edition with just the B&W illustrations is more apt to the stories of E. Allan Poe than the later edition with the additional 8 colour plates, of which this is a reedition.
6terebinth
>3 elladan0891:
Good question, it looks as though it may be. Tartarus do tend to say when they use buckram, but they're not strangers either to paper or to imitation bookcloth. I'll confess that when a new book occupies a dust jacket that it's likely to stay within, rather than a slipcase that it has to be slid in and out of, the material isn't a deal-breaker for me: though, with the front board this volume has, it's a pity if it won't often be seen.
I'd not known of the colour illustrations, but am finding online glimpses of them inviting (if that's the word) so far.
Good question, it looks as though it may be. Tartarus do tend to say when they use buckram, but they're not strangers either to paper or to imitation bookcloth. I'll confess that when a new book occupies a dust jacket that it's likely to stay within, rather than a slipcase that it has to be slid in and out of, the material isn't a deal-breaker for me: though, with the front board this volume has, it's a pity if it won't often be seen.
I'd not known of the colour illustrations, but am finding online glimpses of them inviting (if that's the word) so far.
7Neil77
I confirmed it with Ray at Tartarus.
It is bound in Wibalin which is paper, rather than cloth, giving a slightly more matt finish than cloth.
I googled and got the following information on Wibalin:
WIBALIN® is a strong, durable paper covering material offered in a superb range of 50 colours and stocked in 5 distinctive surface textures in either rolls or sheets. Special colours, textures or formats can be produced to order. Its also referred to as Wibalin Buckram.
It is bound in Wibalin which is paper, rather than cloth, giving a slightly more matt finish than cloth.
I googled and got the following information on Wibalin:
WIBALIN® is a strong, durable paper covering material offered in a superb range of 50 colours and stocked in 5 distinctive surface textures in either rolls or sheets. Special colours, textures or formats can be produced to order. Its also referred to as Wibalin Buckram.
8harvestRoad
BIG thank you for the heads up
9RecoveringYogi
Oh this forum is terrible for my wallet :(
I already own FS Tales of Mystery and Imagination, I don't need to purchase this edition as well.
I will tell myself this everyday until it is sold out.
...
But it's only £50 (only ha!), that's very affordable for a LE.
UGH...
I already own FS Tales of Mystery and Imagination, I don't need to purchase this edition as well.
I will tell myself this everyday until it is sold out.
...
But it's only £50 (only ha!), that's very affordable for a LE.
UGH...
11terebinth
>10 EclecticIndulgence:
Well, there are quite a few original copies on Abe, but the cheapest of them would come to around £80 if delivery to the UK was required, a little more than the Tartarus book if not, and for anywhere near that price there's a choice to be made of several properties from a list that includes cocking, shaking, fading, tanning, soiling, edgewear, tears, thumbprints, jacketlessness...
Still a bit tempting, though, I admit!
Well, there are quite a few original copies on Abe, but the cheapest of them would come to around £80 if delivery to the UK was required, a little more than the Tartarus book if not, and for anywhere near that price there's a choice to be made of several properties from a list that includes cocking, shaking, fading, tanning, soiling, edgewear, tears, thumbprints, jacketlessness...
Still a bit tempting, though, I admit!
12housefulofpaper
>10 EclecticIndulgence:
Well, for one thing I presume that it isn't a straight reprint of the Clarke-illustrated Harrap edition of Tales of Mystery and Imagination.
The Tartarus website lists 37 stories in The Macabre Tales of Edgar Allan Poe. The 1999 FS edition of Tales of Mystery and Imagination, which I assume follows the Harrap edition, only has 23 stories.
And in addition, the new book includes all of Clarke's illustrations including 8 colour illustrations. The FS edition doesn't have any colour plates.
Well, for one thing I presume that it isn't a straight reprint of the Clarke-illustrated Harrap edition of Tales of Mystery and Imagination.
The Tartarus website lists 37 stories in The Macabre Tales of Edgar Allan Poe. The 1999 FS edition of Tales of Mystery and Imagination, which I assume follows the Harrap edition, only has 23 stories.
And in addition, the new book includes all of Clarke's illustrations including 8 colour illustrations. The FS edition doesn't have any colour plates.
13harvestRoad
I for one think this one looks way better than the FS edition
14terebinth
>13 harvestRoad:
Yes, this seems to me as desirable a single volume edition as there has been or is likely to be. I've just placed my order under the influence of my usual rule, To Save Time is to Lengthen Life.
Yes, this seems to me as desirable a single volume edition as there has been or is likely to be. I've just placed my order under the influence of my usual rule, To Save Time is to Lengthen Life.
15Pellias
>1 terebinth: Thx. I`m on saving mode, but i always wanted to see a Tartarus Press book firsthand. Looking forward to do just that with this ed.
16wdripp
>1 terebinth: Thanks for the link. I don't have the FS edition, just a very beat up book of Poe from my college years that I'll be happy to replace.
17wcarter
>1 terebinth:
After careful consideration, I too have been enabled. My first Tartarus book.
After careful consideration, I too have been enabled. My first Tartarus book.
18terebinth
>15 Pellias:, >16 wdripp:, >17 wcarter:
I'm pleased to hear of your orders, and I hope you'll be delighted with the book: my copy seems likely to arrive today or tomorrow. Tartarus is as deserving a small publisher as they come, and I'd guess that a first order from them is rarely the last. Anyone for TAD? ;)
A failure to keep records and my flaky memory combine to deny me any confidence as to which of my several Tartarus titles came first. Possibly it was Adrian Woodhouse's large format study of Beresford Egan, http://www.tartaruspress.com/egan%2C-beresford.html , a joy of a volume which really shouldn't still be in print. A few booksellers seem to agree, since they're offering it on Amazon for £100 or more with various degrees of wear while it's still £45 from the publisher, again inclusive of delivery to anywhere.
I'm pleased to hear of your orders, and I hope you'll be delighted with the book: my copy seems likely to arrive today or tomorrow. Tartarus is as deserving a small publisher as they come, and I'd guess that a first order from them is rarely the last. Anyone for TAD? ;)
A failure to keep records and my flaky memory combine to deny me any confidence as to which of my several Tartarus titles came first. Possibly it was Adrian Woodhouse's large format study of Beresford Egan, http://www.tartaruspress.com/egan%2C-beresford.html , a joy of a volume which really shouldn't still be in print. A few booksellers seem to agree, since they're offering it on Amazon for £100 or more with various degrees of wear while it's still £45 from the publisher, again inclusive of delivery to anywhere.
19paulmoran
The book has arrived today and Tartarus Press have made a splendid job. I will attempt to upload images so that you can compare it with the FS edition. The FS now appears cramped on the page and poorly set out. The Tartarus edition by contrast has wide margins, proper separation between paragraphs, about 100 pages more content including a superb introduction not to mention tipped in by hand, colour plates. Beautiful.
To show the difference in the text layout see the last two images the FS page is followed by the Tartarus equivalent.
For the black and white images they are very well printed with deep consistent black ink in each volume but of course there are more in the Tartarus Press edition.
To show the difference in the text layout see the last two images the FS page is followed by the Tartarus equivalent.
For the black and white images they are very well printed with deep consistent black ink in each volume but of course there are more in the Tartarus Press edition.
20harvestRoad
Thank you! Can't wait for it to arrive
21Pellias
>19 paulmoran: Looks very nice. I just had a very quick skim (`cause i`m waiting for my own - and want to keep the virginity on the surprise) .. but, from what i did see: Nice!
22ultrarightist
>19 paulmoran: Nice! Is the text block sewn?
23kdweber
>22 ultrarightist: From the website: "It is printed lithographically on 150gsm Munken pure rough paper, with sewn sections, decorated boards, silk ribbon marker, head and tailbands, and d/w."
24harvestRoad
Just got mine in the mail. No. 62/400.
It's huge and the dust-jacket looks really nice. Love the book, thanks again for posting this
It's huge and the dust-jacket looks really nice. Love the book, thanks again for posting this
25terebinth
>24 harvestRoad:
Yes, I wasn't quite prepared for the size - the format is only ever so slightly smaller than a volume of the Folio Faerie Queene. A few grams under 2kg when packed, so worldwide shipping must be taking quite a bite out of Tartarus' revenue. I'm very well pleased with what I've seen so far (my copy arrived yesterday, delayed by snows and a ram-raid attack on the village post office). I can only agree with >19 paulmoran: as to the several ways in which it's a marked improvement on the Folio book.
Yes, I wasn't quite prepared for the size - the format is only ever so slightly smaller than a volume of the Folio Faerie Queene. A few grams under 2kg when packed, so worldwide shipping must be taking quite a bite out of Tartarus' revenue. I'm very well pleased with what I've seen so far (my copy arrived yesterday, delayed by snows and a ram-raid attack on the village post office). I can only agree with >19 paulmoran: as to the several ways in which it's a marked improvement on the Folio book.
26paulmoran
> Terebinth, my post office was also ram-raided, seems they will do anything to pick up a copy of this title. But then I've looked and you live just down the road from me!
27terebinth
>26 paulmoran:
Now that's quite a coincidence: I'm just far enough from the post office not to have been woken up by the demolition of its frontage, while I instantly knew all about it a few years back when a car ploughed into the front of the undertaker's in the small hours. The book was only delayed by a day, as we had to arrange for its redelivery rather than being able to collect it the day after I missed the first delivery attempt. Might have been a longer delay if it had spent the wrong night at the shop...
Now that's quite a coincidence: I'm just far enough from the post office not to have been woken up by the demolition of its frontage, while I instantly knew all about it a few years back when a car ploughed into the front of the undertaker's in the small hours. The book was only delayed by a day, as we had to arrange for its redelivery rather than being able to collect it the day after I missed the first delivery attempt. Might have been a longer delay if it had spent the wrong night at the shop...
28wdripp
Another very happy customer. My book arrived yesterday and is lovely. Thanks again >1 terebinth: for the recommendation.
29c_schelle
My copy arrived today. But I have two minor problems with the book. Firstly the dust cover and the illustrations inside the book look not as sharp as I had hoped. Secondly the packaging was not that good. The book almost fell out of the cardboard box when I lifted the box up, but the book did not sustain any damages as it was really well covered with layers of bubble wrap. I'm quite happy with the book but especially the first point takes a bit away from my overall satisfaction. Did anybody else notice this too or is it just me?
30scratchpad
Great purchase, excellent value, well packaged and quick delivery. This beats the FS version, it includes more stories, but not least because of its superb introduction. A slipcase would have been icing on the cake. Bought another of their books in short order.
31harvestRoad
On the illustrations,
They aren't as crisp and clear as the text is, no. The books i pretty tall and wide so i wonder if they shouldn't have just made it smaller to not deal with illustration size issues (if that's how it even works.)
Personally i am not a fan of the illustrations anyway, but they are classic and very much THE official unofficial illustrations for these tales
They aren't as crisp and clear as the text is, no. The books i pretty tall and wide so i wonder if they shouldn't have just made it smaller to not deal with illustration size issues (if that's how it even works.)
Personally i am not a fan of the illustrations anyway, but they are classic and very much THE official unofficial illustrations for these tales
32terebinth
>29 c_schelle:
I too was a little disappointed with the look of the colour plates: just not as sharp or vivid as I'd imagined, I don't know whether that's due to the quality of the available originals from which the images were copied or to a less than top quality job by the printer. Still agreeably impressed by the book as a whole, which to me would seem good value were the edition unlimited, and a remarkable achievement given the constraints of the limitation.
As to packaging, my copy wasn't boxed, but was essentially sandwiched between two sheets of heavy board much larger than itself, from a previously used packing case, and well protected by bubble wrap within them. Not an elegant arrangement, but one that I'd expect would give the book safe passage through nearly any sort of handling, which is the main thing.
I too was a little disappointed with the look of the colour plates: just not as sharp or vivid as I'd imagined, I don't know whether that's due to the quality of the available originals from which the images were copied or to a less than top quality job by the printer. Still agreeably impressed by the book as a whole, which to me would seem good value were the edition unlimited, and a remarkable achievement given the constraints of the limitation.
As to packaging, my copy wasn't boxed, but was essentially sandwiched between two sheets of heavy board much larger than itself, from a previously used packing case, and well protected by bubble wrap within them. Not an elegant arrangement, but one that I'd expect would give the book safe passage through nearly any sort of handling, which is the main thing.
33c_schelle
>32 terebinth: I think it's the original digital copies they used for the printing as the printed text looks as sharp as one could wish for.
I think I described the card board packaging wrong. It was inside one of the wrap around card board boxes (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Cardboard-Adjustable-Packaging-Shipping-Wrappers/dp/B015H7PJQA/ref=sr_1_9?s=officeproduct&ie=UTF8&qid=1521012147&sr=1-9&keywords=Book+Wrap+Postal+Boxes) not a "real" cardboard box. The "flaps" holding the book from sliding out of the sides seem to have come lose.
I think I described the card board packaging wrong. It was inside one of the wrap around card board boxes (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Cardboard-Adjustable-Packaging-Shipping-Wrappers/dp/B015H7PJQA/ref=sr_1_9?s=officeproduct&ie=UTF8&qid=1521012147&sr=1-9&keywords=Book+Wrap+Postal+Boxes) not a "real" cardboard box. The "flaps" holding the book from sliding out of the sides seem to have come lose.
