OT: The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde from Amaranthine Books

An interesting edition; or should I say editions have just been released by a new publisher by the name of Amaranthine Books. Two editions reflecting the two characters of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Some cursory digging suggests this was a failed kickstarter from back in 2015 which they seemingly persevered at. I myself was only made away 8 months ago via another site and the wait has come to an end. Here's their original kickstarter pitch www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZTGF3Fm7N0

www.amaranthinebooks.com/shop

Definitely something to consider for those who aren't satisfied with the slipcase-less Folio version. This was an instant sell for me but despite having bought both copies I can say that the Hyde edition with white text on black paper is without doubt the edition that's got my complete attention. Don't see that combination too often.

Edit: Here's one more link of their blog page detailing some of their design/production choices https://www.amaranthinebooks.com/when-push-comes-shove-we-choose-quality/

>1 wongie: Thanks. Do you have a copy yet? If your in-person review is favourable I think I could well be persuaded.

>2 gmacaree: Unfortunately not. The newsletter mentioning its release only went out this morning. The only delivery option was DHL which should get to me in 4 days so fingers crossed I should get them and have photos up by the end of the week, if not early next week.

>1 wongie:

Amazing find. Loved the Hyde edition. Got both the copies. Received the shipping/tracking notification within 5 minutes.

Must say, am impressed so far.

Thanks a lot.

>3 wongie: Superb, thanks. I look forward to your thoughts.

>1 wongie: Very nice indeed, I'm sorely tempted. Any idea if it's limited? I couldn't spot anything about this so I assume not.

Ouch, no PayPal option? That Hyde version is calling to me but I wish they had a PayPal or Amazon or Google payment option.

@wongie I saw a post of your amazing Folio collection somewhere on these forums from a few years ago; do you have an updated photo with all the new books? It looks so cool!

>6 Levin40: I don't believe it is limited edition, at least I can't find any mention of it being so.

>7 RecoveringYogi: Perhaps it's worth dropping them a message to see if they're a bit flexible with payment options.

>8 Matthew1956: Unfortunately I don't recall what the last picture I used in that post though I do have some recent, but fuzzy, photos in my member gallery. I'll need to see about trying to get a high-res images at some point in the future.

>2 gmacaree:
>6 Levin40:

A far better option is the edition published by Hand & Eye Editions in 2010, limited to 150 numbered copies and 25 copies as loose sheets. It was printed letterpress on an elegant light grey Zerkall Ingres paper and has a set of atmospheric illustrations by Angela Barrett which are tipped onto Mohawk paper. A bit more expensive than the Amaranthine books but in an entirely different league. It was extensively reviewed by Chris Adamson on his Books and Vines website in December 2011 (see link below). Remember: if you left-click on a photo in the Books and Vines review article it will enlarge, permitting you to fully evaluate the quality of the Hand & Eye letterpress printing and the beauty of Angela Barrett's illustrations.

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

Note: Currently, Lux Mentis Booksellers of Maine (USA) has a copy in fine condition for $250. It is fairly priced and worth every cent.

https://www.luxmentis.com/pages/books/7534/robert-louis-stephenson-angela-barret...

>10 dlphcoracl: I was sorely tempted by the Hand & Eye edition, but I opted for the LEC edition. I probably should have acquired both.

>10 dlphcoracl:
As always, a great contribution.

B&V and dlphcoracl are really the ones making of me an aspiring fine press collector.

>1 wongie:
Enabled for the Hyde edition. Could not resist the white on black printing.

PS: I also own the Hand and Eye edition.

>12 Niurn:

Note that the private press books with letterpress printing, hand made papers and original illustrations I am "tempting" you and other FSD members with are NOT outrageously expensive. They are well within the range of one of the less expensive FS limited editions, e.g., the Rupert Brooke and Edward Thomas poetry books.

>14 dlphcoracl: Do you have the Hand & Eye edition of A Christmas Carol? If so, are the production values of the Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde edition comparable to it? I have the former, but not the latter.

>15 ultrarightist:

The answer to your questions are: "Yes" and "yes".

The Hand & Eye Editions books are kindred spirits with the small books published by the Barbarian Press - elegant, beautifully crafted, with expert letterpress printing.

In the case of 'A Christmas Carol' it was issued in a total edition of 310 copies as follows:

Copies 1-60 (deluxe) have hand-coloured illustrations and are printed on a thicker, softer Somerset Book paper (NOTE: copies 1-10 were not for sale). The binding is 1/4 maroon goatskin with dark green cloth over boards and a gilt illustrative design on the front cover. (NOTE: not all of the illustrations are hand-coloured).

Copies 61-310 (standard) were printed on Mohawk Superfine paper with B&W illustrations. The binding is dark green cloth with the same gilt design on the front cover.

Again, the illustrations (etchings) were done by Angela Barrett and are superb. I am a huge fan of her work and her illustrations greatly enhance these books. These books sold out quickly and rarely appear for sale in the secondary market. I have one copy of both deluxe and standard editions and you cannot go wrong with either. If you find an available copy, do not hesitate to purchase it.

>16 dlphcoracl: Thank you

>10 dlphcoracl: Enabler!

I'm hardly one to fight both you and Chris on a strong recommendation: My order with Lux Mentis is in.

I'll admit to being much more than contented with my 1930 John Lane edition, illustrated by S.G. Hulme Beaman. After all, how could the man who gave the world Larry the Lamb and a host of other Toytown characters possibly fail with Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde?

http://presbytere.typepad.com/presbytre_production/2016/03/robert-louis-stevenso...

>18 gmacaree:

You will enjoy this addition to your fine & private press book collection. Similar to the Rex Whistler illustrations for the Cresset Press 'Gulliver's Travels' and the Rockwell Kent illustrations for the Riverside Press 'Moby Dick' it is one of those rare private press books in which the illustrations fit seamlessly with the book. As an aside, Lux Mentis is a very reliable bookseller and if he rates this book as 'fine condition' it most certainly will be.

Congratulations!

>19 terebinth: Love the title page

>1 wongie: Given the rather poor showing by FS with J & H this was irresistable. Ordered the double set without hesitation. Thank you for letting me know about this. I've subscribed for emails too.

DHL certainly delivered my books in good time. The tracking makes from interesting reading, at least for me; collected from Zagreb on Tuesday 0858, arrives at Venice at 2315 later that day. Within a few hours it's in Leipzig at 0109 then arrives into Luton at 0447 and in my hands at 1459 just now. Makes me gawk in wonder at modern logistics.

Anyway, aside from the frozen state they were in I find them to be delightful little books. Font is a really comfortable size for reading with large borders. In terms of size and layout it's quite similar to Folio's latest version of Heart of Darkness. The Jekyll edition is printed on Munken pure paper and is quite smooth to the touch. The entire text block is finished off with silver edges. The Hyde edition is printed on Pop'Set Black paper which isn't as buttery smooth but I prefer the tactility it gives. Aside from the images the entire book is completely monochrome. I find it definitely adds to the mood the images provide; I'm not entirely sure if the art was designed with black paper in mind or whether the black paper subconsciously accentuates the artwork. In either case I find very little controversial about the art style and I like it. Strangely enough the more I look at the Hyde edition the more I lament that the Call of Cthulhu LE wasn't done in similar fashion. As with the LE Cthulhu being a black book it is an absolute dust magnet! Be forewarned.

As for the slipcases; they feel much more solid than Folio Society's. While both Hyde and Jekyll will slide right out of the case if you're not careful in how you handle it I find the Jekyll edition has extra spacing that makes it tumble around inside the case; the complete opposite of the 20k Leagues issue that have plagued some owners. This can easily be seen in my photo.

In terms of value I have no buyer's remorse of purchasing the set. In terms of individual volumes I wouldn't hesitate splurging 60 pounds (approaching Folio fine territory) for the Hyde edition. That said I think without the novelty of the black paper some people might take issue with the price for the Jekyll edition. Overall though, at least based on initial impressions, I find very little to fault in terms of design (though I suspect the way the spine title was done, like with the Chulhu LE, might be a hit-or-miss design choice for some as it's something you can't read unless close up and in the right light). It's obvious Amaranthine put a lot of thought and consideration to the various design elements and I would say it sits somewhere in between Folio's average offerings and their Fine editions (edit, actually having looked at a couple of Folio's fine offerings I'd say Amaranthine certainly has Folio beat in terms of design compared to say Dune, probably not Wind in the Willows). I'm eager to finish reading Outcast of the Islands so I can dig into these volumes and am definitely keeping an eye on their future projects.

I didn't take too many photos as the official site has much better images showing off the design elements and I believe they actually show all the artwork featured in the book. Let me know if more specific shots are wanted.

>23 wongie: Very nice! I'll be on the lookout for more from this press.

>16 dlphcoracl:
I have the Hand & Eye edition of Jekyll & Hyde, and it's really lovely. Regardless, I'm tempted by this Amaranthine Press edition -- since I'm drinking wine at the moment, I'll need to keep my powder dry, and consider pulling the trigger a bit later (to extend the metaphor).

I was sorely tempted by the H&E 'A Christmas Carol', but couldn't justify the expense of the deluxe edition, given that I have a fine copy of the LEC edition, which is itself quite lovely.

>

1. One has to be careful with regard to falling down the "multiple private press copies " rabbit hole, and I say that as one of the worst offenders. However, the Hand & Eye Edition is so perfectly designed and readable that it is difficult to rationalize buying another copy, i.e., your funds for wonderful private press books can be better spent, imho.

2. What makes the H&E edition of 'A Christmas Carol' special are the marvelous illustrations by Angela Barrett. The less expensive standard edition is perfectly adequate. Again, already owning the nicely done LEC edition, these funds can be spent on a unique addition to your collection, i.e., a work of literature or poetry you do not already have in a fine or private press edition.

A suggestion:

If you do not own a book from either the Allen Press or the Old Stile Press, both presses have extensive bibliographies and many wonderful books that are exceptionally well priced in the $200 to $300 range. Aside from the George Macy LEC books, they represent the best values amongst private press books today.

Amongst FS offerings, their LE facsimile of 'The Door in the Wall' by H.G. Wells and Alvin Langdon Coburn is an exceptional offering and similarly well-priced. I have the original - the ultra-rare ltd. edition of 60 copies signed by both Wells and Coburn - and most FSD's have no idea how close the FS facsimile comes to the original.

I'm coming out of hibernation (fatherhood has kept me busy) to applaud the Hyde edition of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Amaranthine Books. DHL delivered the well bubble-wrapped item this afternoon, which is superb service given that it only left Croatia a few days ago. Anyway, back to the item.

First, the slipcase. Its sturdiness makes it closer to a Limited Edition Club one than a Folio one. A ding to the Amaranthine slipcase is very, very unlikely to affect the book, so they have selected a high-quality boxmaker. Without ruining anything for those expecting a copy from Zagreb, the slipcase is the wittiest I have ever seen (after removing the book, look inside, if you haven't already). The book is a very good fit for the box, so they have measured as well as humanly possible. (NB: the Folio edition does not even have a slipcase, so no direct comparison is possible.) Basically, the slipcase could not be improved. A+, without a doubt.

Now for the Hyde edition. First off, the format is an excellent reading size. Second, there is the white text on the black page – although some might dismiss this as a novelty, I absolutely love it (I knew I would, which is why I opted for this edition). I don’t have anything like it in my collection. Thirdly, the illustrator is extremely talented, and I look forward to seeing more such work in Amaranthine’s future projects. As a start-up, Amaranthine is probably not in a position to commission a Folio Society-style big-name introduction, but it is hardly a work that needs its importance explained anew. There is, however, an Afterword that has a similar function to the Monthly Letters issued by the Limited Editions Club. Illustrator and designer signatures would enhance the production, but it is possible that a limited edition is planned (I have no problem with a publisher releasing both). The quality fills me with hope that Amaranthine’s follow up will be equally as good.

I could go on gushing, but my advice is to buy Hyde now. It is possible that the price will go up once Amaranthine has tested the market; certainly Folio would charge more for a book with these production features. The attention to detail bodes well for the future of Amaranthine, and I love the fact that there is a new fine book publisher on the scene at this price point. I think it is important that the collector community supports these labour-of-love undertakings, because if we don’t back such ventures the number of fine presses will eventually dwindle to near zero. (Let the fate of the Limited Editions Club be a warning …) It makes me happy to think that in addition to FS, there will be at least one publisher of affordable fine books that should still be going when my son starts building his collection.

Am I alone in finding that trying to read light text on a black page causes severe vision problems?

>28 HuxleyTheCat:

When reading white text on black background on a monitor it's quite easy for me to get use to, it certainly gives me temporary problems after I transition back to something with standard black text on white background. I think think it's more do with the monitor back lighting though as white text on black paper doesn't give me any issues.

>28 HuxleyTheCat:
Nope. It happens to me. There's quite a lot of discussion about it on the internet, but mostly about use on a computer screen or Kindle where the brightness and added contrast exacerbate the effect. Apparently astigmatism, which is very common, is one condition that causes discomfort.

>28 HuxleyTheCat: It's much easier read than one may think. I agree with wongle that reverse video on a screen is the real problem.

>26 dlphcoracl:
I, too, struggle with the devil on my shoulder who urges multiple private-press editions of a given work. And I, too, have succumbed more than once, to my combined joy and shame. (Is there a theoretical limit to the number of editions of Hamlet, the Sonnets, Homer and Alice in Wonderland a person can/should have?)

I do have several books from the Allen Press, which are great: Dialogue of the Dogs, The Transposed Heads, The Murders in the Rue Morgue, Four Stories by Pushkin, Rappaccini's Daughter, and Romeo & Juliet (2 copies of that last, as it happens, if anyone's interested in picking one up).

As you can see from my Allen Press selection, I prefer books in quarto or octavo format, which is the only reason why the FS edition of 'The Door in the Wall', in elephant folio was not an automatic purchase for me. (Heavenly Monkey Press' 'The Shadow Over Innsmouth' and Barbarian Press' edition of Keats' odes are a bit too small for my taste, but I bought them anyway -- irresistible.)

I don't have anything from the Old Stile Press. I'll definitely look into it -- thanks for the recommendation.

If i may without granted permission post Pontus Presents' review of this book then:

https://youtu.be/nif2XS90tl0

I really hope alot of people who are interested get this book so Amaranthine Books can go off with a nice start and we can start seeing more high quality productions of classics!

>1 wongie: A belated thanks for this tip. My wife tried to order the Hyde version for my birthday back in June but it was sold out. It is now back in stock and just arrived and I'm quite pleased with it. I know some have suggested in the past that these types of posts should be limited to the fine press group but I've found a number of interesting options from such posts to this group and appreciate the suggestions. And I'm not looking forward to Amaranthine's next book (teased on their web site).

You're not looking forward to it? :P

>34 Redshirt:

What is it? I have looked but haven't found the tease.

>36 SF-72: I saw the tease on their Facebook most recent post.
https://m.facebook.com/AmaranthineBooks

>37 NotDownInAnyMap:

Thanks for the link, but I still can't find anything but some Hyde stuff, packaging materials, and a link to something about shortened classics. Do you have a title?

>35 harvestRoad: Wish i could say that is the first such mistake I've ever made.

>38 SF-72: I saw the tease in the email sent to me announcing that the "Hyde Edition" was back in print. Here is the full text:

A lot of people ask us when will we publish a new title. Well, we are proud to say that in the midst of all this we have also been working very hard on our next book. There is a lot of work to be done to assure that it can fly under the banner of Amaranthine Books, but it should come out in the following months (or as we like to say it, soon™).

This is because our process is very detail-oriented and that is why we can promise that we will never publish a book that only has pretty pictures, but a full-fledged creative concept that enhances the story. Just check out the level of detail that went into Jekyll & Hyde on our new blog (link below), because that is what we are competing against. You can bet that our next title will very likely surpass even that. That's a promise!

>38 SF-72: The email text as in >39 Redshirt: is more detailed. If you still want to see the post on Facebook, here's the direct link https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=2084212031839496&id=140116515014...

>39 Redshirt:
>40 NotDownInAnyMap:

Thank you. So there's no mention of a title. It will be interesting to see what they come up with. While I wasn't that fond of the Hyde illustrations. I was really impressed with the creativity invested in these two editions, so seeing another publication like that would be great.

I want to just chime in and say that the new title might be 'The Picture of Dorian Gray' by Oscar Wilde. I discussed upcoming books with Marko a few months ago and I do recall that being the title he wanted to do next. It's possible that has changed but I'm very excited to see what they manage to do next! They have set the bar quite high already. ;-)

>42 PontusPresents:

Thanks! That could certainly be done in fascinating ways, considering what they came up with for their first book.

>42 PontusPresents:
Oh I was really hoping for the Count of Monte Cristo, I remember that was a possibility at one point. Ah well, Dorian Grey it is! 😁

They just revealed their new upcoming title on their Facebook page and email newsletter: Dracula! So excited! Can't wait!

And they are using phosphorescent colours so it will glow in the dark. The next step should be to print the text in same and then we can read the book without having to turn the lights on - the ultimate Dracula experience!

Black pages and now phosphorescent colours. Novelties or not I love these unique quirks that sets them apart from others books.