1RATBAG.
Well, it is even more beautiful and far bigger than I imagined it would be. Posting these here to enable you all. :)
Less than 100 copies left (Although I may have brought it down to 99.)
Less than 100 copies left (Although I may have brought it down to 99.)
4dlphcoracl
A "heads up" for the LT FSD-ers:
When this book was first issued, I posted that this LE was a "must have" - one of the most beautiful Limited Editions the FS has done. Additionally, the asking price was ridiculously inexpensive for the extreme care taken in "getting it right". Joe Blundell obviously took a special interest in this LE and it is reflected in its quality and its faithfulness to the original edition. What most of you cannot know or appreciate is just how close to the original first edition this LE has come. I own one of the rare copies (edition of 60 printed in the U.K. by Grant Richards) signed by both H.G. Wells and Alvin Langdon Coburn in which the photographic illustrations were personally supervised and hand-pulled by Coburn himself and the FS LE comes remarkably close to the original, with the photographs lacking only a bit of the lustre and depth that only the original proof can have.
My point: If you consider yourself a serious FS collector you should make certain you purchase a copy before it goes OOP. When it does, you will spend months/years whining and posting on LT about how you woulda/shoulda/coulda, how difficult and expensive it is to find in the secondary market, etc., etc.
You know who you are.
When this book was first issued, I posted that this LE was a "must have" - one of the most beautiful Limited Editions the FS has done. Additionally, the asking price was ridiculously inexpensive for the extreme care taken in "getting it right". Joe Blundell obviously took a special interest in this LE and it is reflected in its quality and its faithfulness to the original edition. What most of you cannot know or appreciate is just how close to the original first edition this LE has come. I own one of the rare copies (edition of 60 printed in the U.K. by Grant Richards) signed by both H.G. Wells and Alvin Langdon Coburn in which the photographic illustrations were personally supervised and hand-pulled by Coburn himself and the FS LE comes remarkably close to the original, with the photographs lacking only a bit of the lustre and depth that only the original proof can have.
My point: If you consider yourself a serious FS collector you should make certain you purchase a copy before it goes OOP. When it does, you will spend months/years whining and posting on LT about how you woulda/shoulda/coulda, how difficult and expensive it is to find in the secondary market, etc., etc.
You know who you are.
5RATBAG.
>4 dlphcoracl: The dlphcoracl has spoken, and it has warneth.
6Cubby.R.S.
It is quite lovely and photographs remarkably well.
7RATBAG.
>6 Cubby.R.S.: Thank you kindly!
8podaniel
>4 dlphcoracl:
I almost never buy FS facsimiles--I bought this one for the reasons you concisely articulated.
I have no regrets (ok, I regret not getting Johnson's dictionary when it was first offered. Where were you then diphcoracl?).
I almost never buy FS facsimiles--I bought this one for the reasons you concisely articulated.
I have no regrets (ok, I regret not getting Johnson's dictionary when it was first offered. Where were you then diphcoracl?).
9ubiquitousuk
>1 RATBAG.: Great work on the photos. I have gone from not being at all interested, to being somewhat interested in this.
12HuxleyTheCat
There is a short entry in Joe Whitlock Blundell's blog from the 19th February 2016 where he mentions the care taken by the printers (Grammlich, Stuttgart) to match the photographic illustrations with ALG's photogravures. Here's the link: https://blogs.foliosociety.com/friday-19th-february-2016/. I recently did a photogravure printing course, and the nature of the prints produced is fundamentally different from the standard printing of photographs which everyone is familiar with, so I don't underestimate the effort which had to be applied by Grammlich. While I have the Folio facsimile, I envy >4 dlphcoracl: having an original with which to compare.
O/T If anyone is interested in photography and / or printing, then I would absolutely recommend learning the photogravure process; it combines elements of the magic that those familiar with darkroom work will know, some intellectual rigour in working out exposures and, best of all, getting down and dirty with ink, some very beautiful thick papers and a good old-fashioned press. Brilliant fun and some nice things to put on the wall afterwards.
O/T If anyone is interested in photography and / or printing, then I would absolutely recommend learning the photogravure process; it combines elements of the magic that those familiar with darkroom work will know, some intellectual rigour in working out exposures and, best of all, getting down and dirty with ink, some very beautiful thick papers and a good old-fashioned press. Brilliant fun and some nice things to put on the wall afterwards.
13dlphcoracl
>12 HuxleyTheCat:
I heartily concur with your remarks regarding the complexity and beauty of photographic illustrations in private press books that utilize (sadly, very infrequently) the photogravure process. The late-era Limited Editions Club books printed and published under the ownership and direction of Sidney Shiff are the gold standard in this regard. Shiff illustrated many of his books with photography from world-renowned photographers and always reproduced their work in his LEC editions using the photogravure process, to stunning effect. No private press publisher I have encountered ever took as much care and pride as Sidney Shiff in this regard.
I heartily concur with your remarks regarding the complexity and beauty of photographic illustrations in private press books that utilize (sadly, very infrequently) the photogravure process. The late-era Limited Editions Club books printed and published under the ownership and direction of Sidney Shiff are the gold standard in this regard. Shiff illustrated many of his books with photography from world-renowned photographers and always reproduced their work in his LEC editions using the photogravure process, to stunning effect. No private press publisher I have encountered ever took as much care and pride as Sidney Shiff in this regard.
14wcarter
>12 HuxleyTheCat:
Show us some examples of your work on the Literary Lens forum.
Have you tried photographing books or art works and using photogravure?
Show us some examples of your work on the Literary Lens forum.
Have you tried photographing books or art works and using photogravure?
15Sorion
>9 ubiquitousuk: Agreed. The photos that >1 RATBAG.: has provided provide much better detail and information then the ones on the FS page.
17HuxleyTheCat
O/T >14 wcarter: The images I used for the course were ones which I had an idea about hanging on my wall and I definitely don't need any images of books decorating my rooms when I have plenty of the real thing (!) so no, I don't have any of my book shots printed via the photogravure process. My best efforts at printing from the course are now under glass, but on Sunday I'll have time to take some shots of the negatives and plates. I'll also see if I can give you some idea of the image pressed into the paper and the lovely flat nature of the print produced; quite the antidote to ubiquitous glossy and screen-based images. It'll only be an idea though as you'll be looking at an image on a screen. I've seen original prints of these (https://www.theold-diarystudio.co.uk/photogravure), which are the work of the course tutor, Peter Moseley, who has printed work for David Bailey and has had his own work in the National Portrait Gallery. The level of detail and the sheer tactile beauty of the photogravure process really can't be conveyed via a website.
18HuxleyTheCat
>13 dlphcoracl: I didn’t know that the Shiff LECs utilised photogravure for the printing of photographs; thank you very much for that information, which has reinvigorated my desire to own a copy of The Man Who Planted Trees. This is the one book from that LEC period which appeals to me on both the grounds of the book itself and the LEC treatment of it (although I wouldn’t turn away copies of The White Spider or Seven Years in Tibet either).
20dlphcoracl
>18 HuxleyTheCat:
The photographs by Martine Franck in 'The Man Who Planted Trees' are luminous - one of my Sidney Shiff late-LEC favorites. The LEC edition of Pablo Neruda's 'The Heights of Machu Picchu' is another that instantly comes to mind.
The photographs by Martine Franck in 'The Man Who Planted Trees' are luminous - one of my Sidney Shiff late-LEC favorites. The LEC edition of Pablo Neruda's 'The Heights of Machu Picchu' is another that instantly comes to mind.
21HuxleyTheCat
>20 dlphcoracl: Agreed. I’ve put the Neruda into my must buy mental compartment, along with The Man who Planted Trees and White Spider. I thought that I was done with LEC due to postage cost, but this damned thread has got me all worked up about these three books (and when the bill is going to be 1000s anyway who cares about a hundred or so for postage!!).
22Forthwith
I have the FS edition and can enthusiastically endorse the previous comments about the quality of the photographs and text printing. In fact, I ordered two copies and gifted one.
23ultrarightist
I think the photogravures in the LEC Dubliners are top-notch.
24dlphcoracl
Further Enablement:
To further illustrate the points made in >1 RATBAG.: and >4 dlphcoracl:, I have taken my original 1st edition of The Door in the Wall (limited to 60 copies) - the same book Joe Whitlock Blundell used as the model for the FS facsimile - and my copy of the FS facsimile and photographed the books, the 1st text pages, and three of the Alvin Langdon Coburn photographs in each book and posted them directly underneath each other. The original will be shown first with the FS facsimile posted directly underneath. The most obvious difference between the two books is the quality of the paper. The original uses a very fine French handmade paper that is velvety to the touch whereas the FS facsimile uses a high quality mouldmade (unspecified) paper. The differences between the text pages and photographs? Not so much. The camera settings are identical for each photo.
The ball is now in your court.
To further illustrate the points made in >1 RATBAG.: and >4 dlphcoracl:, I have taken my original 1st edition of The Door in the Wall (limited to 60 copies) - the same book Joe Whitlock Blundell used as the model for the FS facsimile - and my copy of the FS facsimile and photographed the books, the 1st text pages, and three of the Alvin Langdon Coburn photographs in each book and posted them directly underneath each other. The original will be shown first with the FS facsimile posted directly underneath. The most obvious difference between the two books is the quality of the paper. The original uses a very fine French handmade paper that is velvety to the touch whereas the FS facsimile uses a high quality mouldmade (unspecified) paper. The differences between the text pages and photographs? Not so much. The camera settings are identical for each photo.
The ball is now in your court.
25RATBAG.
>24 dlphcoracl: Magnificent! Wow. Folio really did outdo themselves with this one.
Thank you very much for sharing; I would even dare say that Folio has slightly enhanced and refined the typography of the original, most notably in the foil-stamped title cover.
I think the comparison photos should do the trick in eliminating any doubt over buying this edition. ;)
Thank you very much for sharing; I would even dare say that Folio has slightly enhanced and refined the typography of the original, most notably in the foil-stamped title cover.
I think the comparison photos should do the trick in eliminating any doubt over buying this edition. ;)
27Cubby.R.S.
>1 RATBAG.:
Thanks to these photos, the direct suggestions of multiple and highly regarded Folio Devotees / book collectors, I have officially made the purchase.
I personally have chosen the route to make LE's a very personal purchase and avoid selecting for the mere beauty of these things, but this one seems to check all the boxes for me.
Thanks for the enabling all!
Thanks to these photos, the direct suggestions of multiple and highly regarded Folio Devotees / book collectors, I have officially made the purchase.
I personally have chosen the route to make LE's a very personal purchase and avoid selecting for the mere beauty of these things, but this one seems to check all the boxes for me.
Thanks for the enabling all!
28laotzu225
I also own this book and happily. I might not have bought it if I realized its size. The announcement mailing had its size in centimeters and, being American, I didn't bother translating into inches.
Unlike one poster, I do want to own a well-done facsimile of a printing classic like this since the original, if available in half-decent shape, would be astronomically priced.
I have the trio of Genesis, Jonah and Song of Songs, the originals by golden age book designers, and those are also magnificent and beautifully done and reasonably priced. Like a time machine (credit to H.G.), these allow us to hold these rare volumes as if they were new.
Unlike one poster, I do want to own a well-done facsimile of a printing classic like this since the original, if available in half-decent shape, would be astronomically priced.
I have the trio of Genesis, Jonah and Song of Songs, the originals by golden age book designers, and those are also magnificent and beautifully done and reasonably priced. Like a time machine (credit to H.G.), these allow us to hold these rare volumes as if they were new.
29RATBAG.
>27 Cubby.R.S.: Congrats!! :)
32bacchus.
I never truly enjoyed H.G. Wells, so unfortunately I'll be missing this one, but never realized this edition was so well-made.
Thank you both for the pics - FS could learn a thing or two from FSD's shadow enabling tactics.
Thank you both for the pics - FS could learn a thing or two from FSD's shadow enabling tactics.
34Cubby.R.S.
>33 Niurn:
It's about the height of Hansel and Gretel's solander box. It isn't that heavy though. I tried to pick up The Yangtze Valley and Beyond with Life in the English Country House in one hand, there was some effort involved.
It's about the height of Hansel and Gretel's solander box. It isn't that heavy though. I tried to pick up The Yangtze Valley and Beyond with Life in the English Country House in one hand, there was some effort involved.
35a.friend
Hi all,
I'm currently in the process of ordering a new bookshelf which has the capability of holding larger books upright. In the meanwhile, is it alright to store this beautiful facsimile in sideways position? I've heard before that storing heavier books on their sides can adversely affect the integrity of the spine, but seeing as the facsimile is stored in a relatively snug box, will it be okay to leave it in this position for a few weeks? Below is a picture for reference.
Thanks for your advice!
I'm currently in the process of ordering a new bookshelf which has the capability of holding larger books upright. In the meanwhile, is it alright to store this beautiful facsimile in sideways position? I've heard before that storing heavier books on their sides can adversely affect the integrity of the spine, but seeing as the facsimile is stored in a relatively snug box, will it be okay to leave it in this position for a few weeks? Below is a picture for reference.
Thanks for your advice!
36terebinth
>35 a.friend:
There's nothing to fear from storing the book flat - I fully expect Folio's entire stock of the volume has been stored that way. Strain to the spine comes primarily from storing books with heavy text blocks upright, which is why I've arranged my shelves to allow the very largest volumes (Folio Kelmscott Chaucer, Temple of Flora etc. ) to lie flat. With as slim a book as The Door in the Wall either position is fairly safe. (By "sideways" I did wonder if you meant resting either on the spine or on the board edges opposite the spine. I couldn't counsel either of those as a good idea, but the photo seems to confirm the solander box is lying flat).
There's nothing to fear from storing the book flat - I fully expect Folio's entire stock of the volume has been stored that way. Strain to the spine comes primarily from storing books with heavy text blocks upright, which is why I've arranged my shelves to allow the very largest volumes (Folio Kelmscott Chaucer, Temple of Flora etc. ) to lie flat. With as slim a book as The Door in the Wall either position is fairly safe. (By "sideways" I did wonder if you meant resting either on the spine or on the board edges opposite the spine. I couldn't counsel either of those as a good idea, but the photo seems to confirm the solander box is lying flat).
37a.friend
>37 a.friend: Apologies for the vague wording—as you surmised, I did mean for the box and its components to lie flat. I agree that Folio realized the facsimile would necessitate a flat resting position for most folks, hence the orientation of the titling on the box. :)
Spines being more strained by upright heavy text makes sense, too: gravity is working against them with less surface area. I should've realized that.
Thanks for the insight!
Spines being more strained by upright heavy text makes sense, too: gravity is working against them with less surface area. I should've realized that.
Thanks for the insight!
38ubiquitousuk
>35 a.friend: Also, see the Library of Congress who say it's okay to shelve books flat: https://www.loc.gov/preservation/care/books.html. If it's good enough for them, it ought to be fine for us!
If you stack books on their side the general common sense advice is to stack the largest books at the bottom and not to stack so many that there's a danger of damage.
If you stack books on their side the general common sense advice is to stack the largest books at the bottom and not to stack so many that there's a danger of damage.
39a.friend
>38 ubiquitousuk: Makes perfect sense! Thanks for your input. :)
40BionicJim
Hi all enablers. I just got the notice from DHL that my very first LE (this one!) is out for delivery today. My great experience purchasing Folio Society books over the last couple years finally pushed me to present this to myself for my birthday. I'm sure I won't be disappointed because everyone's excellent comments and photos in this thread (and others) let me know exactly what to anticipate. Thanks!
41vmb443
>40 BionicJim: Congrats! I will be interested to hear your take on the book and on wading into the LE pool now that you’ll have your first one!
42Jobasha
I am so tempted by this book! It is so beautiful... but I only really like two stories from it. But it is pretty...
43DarrylLundy
another sale for this book - the photos convinced me to order a copy as well.
44zachp
>1 RATBAG.: thanks for the photos! I ordered with 20 copies remaining. This is my first FS LE.
45RATBAG.
>45 RATBAG.: My pleasure and CONGRATS! :) Enjoy!
47stumc
I got copy 979, not opened it yet as I'm keeping it as a Christmas present to myself! Will enjoy reading it over festive period with a glass of wine.
I had to decide between this and Kama Sutra, but couldn't so bought both!
I had to decide between this and Kama Sutra, but couldn't so bought both!
48folio_books
>47 stumc: I had to decide between this and Kama Sutra
I remember the debate at the time ...
>47 stumc: but couldn't so bought both!
I like your way of thinking :)
I remember the debate at the time ...
>47 stumc: but couldn't so bought both!
I like your way of thinking :)
49stumc
>48 folio_books: Im glad I got Kama Sutra, but feel good at the £195 price, dont know whether its a £395 book.
I nearly missed out on both by sitting on the fence, I ordered Kama Sutra with 4 left, and Door in the Wall with 12 left, but those last 12 went quickly! its only today I've seen its sold out!
I'm glad I didn't miss either, so thanks for the enablement :)
I nearly missed out on both by sitting on the fence, I ordered Kama Sutra with 4 left, and Door in the Wall with 12 left, but those last 12 went quickly! its only today I've seen its sold out!
I'm glad I didn't miss either, so thanks for the enablement :)
