The Story of Babar: Limited Edition

Interesting choice.

https://www.foliosociety.com/uk/the-story-of-babar.html

Absolutely not from me. Which is good, there've been several LE releases in a row I've been into

Not for me, though it looks like a very charming reproduction.

What a surprising choice - but also kind of strange.

What a strange and surprising price too! Happy to pass.

Well, they're nothing if not unpredictable. It's clearly had a lot of love and attention spent on it, but you have to wonder where they think the market is. Personally I've never been too sure about LEs ostensibly for kids which are too valuable to, you know, share with the kids. Now, if it'd been Tintin on the other hand...

>6 Levin40:

The ”I’m almost afraid to touch it, it’s so beautiful!" quote says it all.

If they were going to do this a series of high quality, frameable, prints would have made more sense.

I got excited when I saw the topic title.

I regret clicking.

Kidding! Beautiful, but not for me.

>6 Levin40: Now, if it'd been Tintin on the other hand...

That would have been an instant buy for me. The Babar LE looks great, but not for me either...

Instant pass

I enjoyed Babar as a child. Not sure I enjoyed it enough to splurge on this, though.

Tintin, however, would be a different matter. Or Asterix.

Pass.

As per >6 Levin40:, >9 Dr.Fiddy: and >11 Cat_of_Ulthar:, a Folio Society Tintin release would be something to get excited about. Surely this is something they've already considered?

Knowing Moulinsart, chances for a FS Tintin are practically nihil for as long as copywright is still in effect I'd guess.

It might be more popular than apples and pears. Perhaps. But the bar is low. This one’s a Hail Mary from me.

To tug at my purse- and heart-strings with this kind of edition, it would have to be something that I read as a kid or read to my kids. Babar was never that big. For me, it would be Wind in the Willows (have the FS LE, can't afford the new Mad Parrot edition or the old Limited Editions Club) or Uncle Wriggley(sp?); for books read to my kids it would have to be Madeleine.
But I only have adults now, so kids books are a hard sell...

The last three limited editions haven't held my interest, which is probably good for my wallet although less so for my Faddiction.

Not for me. (Thank goodness from a financial point of view.)

First thought upon seeing this on the website: Who is this for? Second thought : Not for me.

>15 cwl: It might be more popular than apples and pears. Perhaps. But the bar is low.

Well, I was up for the (now sold out) apples and pears, but I'll not have any trouble leaving the imaginary elephant alone: then, I'm without issue and had little to do with books as a child. An edition of Spoodles, the Puppy who Learned might just win me over. Not as an LE, though, please..

I like to collect every FS LE, but I cannot see myself purchasing this peculiar creature. Maybe in a sale in a year or two.

Baffled at whom the target market for this will be

I feel this is a bad move on part of FS - it should have been published as a fine edition at best, not a LE. Looks nice but how many people would actually purchase this book at this price? Two LEs in a row that has failed to generate any interest - my wallet is happy though.

Will no one think of the rich?! They have kids. :)

It may be pricey for a book but it's a bargain compared to a pony.

Well based on all of the foregoing comments maybe I just placed order #1. Babar is sentimental for me because it reminds me of my late grandparents, I love a good facsimile volume, and I’ve been hoping for a French-language Folio offering. I was only on the fence because I’m fairly certain this one will end up on sale at some point so I’ll regret having paid full price.

>25 ChampagneSVP: This is very sweet.

>25 ChampagneSVP:
Given the consensus of the preceding comments it may be going on sale next month.

Another one who might well have gone for Asterix! Tintin I never really got into, and I positively disliked Babar in spite of my grandmother's best efforts!

>27 Jayked: Ha. Well, with luck it will go on sale before my return period closes and I can pull the old switcheroo.

I will be saving my centimes on this one. Not bound in elephant hide? Well, at least we can't take them to tusk for yet another LE illustrated by either of those William or Quentin blokes, but I can't help thinking this could turn out to be a mammoth mistake for Folio.

I’m not a big purchaser of LEs but I love children’s books. I really wish they had released a version of Babar similar to what they did for The Little Prince.

>30 boldface:

Compared to your previous efforts, this one seems a bit light. Perhaps you could include some ASCII art of an elephant to illustrate your puns?

The French national library has published this very same Babar's 1931 edition online that can be viewed/downloaded legally in high quality PDF for free : https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k96582907 . You can also find the "Voyage de Babar" (https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k9739013r) and a 1958 recording (https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k8815653k), also for free.

I grew up watching the television series of Babar, and enjoyed those particularly, but I will pass on this.

A pass for me as well.

>31 wdripp:

That would have made a lot more sense than a limited edition.

It is a curious LE. I hadn't heard of Babar until a few years ago in a bookshop, where a few books popped up in mint condition.

Perhaps enough will be interested. I like that Folio does these curiosities, even when they aren't for me. I feel like LE's are being split pretty evenly between curiosity and literature, so why not Babar?

Their marketing department needs new people with much better ideas for LE's

Since 2016

The sold out titles are largely Novels/Stories/Literature. I think the problem Folio has; they would like those to be more ‘Fine Edition’ or ‘Standard Edition’ types, because that’s where the money is, so I think that’s why we are seeing SEs of LEs at this point.

Alice in Wonderland
Mort
Call of the Cthulhu
Count of Monte Cristo
Micrographia
I am Legend
The Wanderer
Book of the New Sun
Dracula

So, my copy of Babar arrived today. Having had similar thoughts to many expressed in this thread my first reaction was to pass, but following a conversation with customer services I decided to go ahead, half-convinced, with the option of returning it if it didn't live up to what I'd been told - that all the staff thought it was brilliant, albeit with doubts about how it would sell. So it was with not a little trepidation that I very carefully unpacked (planning on using their materials for the return) but hey, guess what? My informant was absolutely right. The book itself may not be everyone's cup of tea, that I get, but the production is truly outstanding and I'm proud to own a copy and display it prominently on my shelves. I believe it's one of those you need to actually hold in your hands before you decide. And if you get as far as holding it in your hands I'd be very surprised if you weren't as smitten as I was.

>40 folio_books:
Glenn, sounds as though you have been recruited by FS marketing. 🤣
Still not convinced.

>40 folio_books: a shame they no longer have a store in which i might theoretically be able to do just that!

>39 Cubby.R.S.: Micrographia, Book of the New Sun and the Wanderer have not been done as a Standard Edition. Dracula has been done as SE and LE but with different illustrations and is therefore not the SE becoming LE. I'd also hesitate to add Mort, Call of Cthulhu and I Am Legend as those have been released as SE with a 'higher end' LE on the side. Count of Monte Christo is the opposite, a standard edition becoming a limited edition.

That list is shorter than you think: it just leaves Alice.

>43 Fierylunar: Micrographia, Book of the New Sun and the Wanderer have not been done as a Standard Edition.

Not yet: then, aside from simultaneous releases, a few years generally pass before an LE is followed by a more modest reissue (Kelmscott Chaucer, Moby Dick, Candide, Four Gospels, South Polar Times, Sound and the Fury...) so it's early days for any of those. Book of the New Sun at least seems a strong candidate to appear in due course.

>43 Fierylunar:

I understand how everyone reads everything differently. I wasn't attempting anything aside of a few vague remarks. I would like only to convey that Folio probably makes a lot less on LEs than we might think and if they were doing LEs just to sell them out quickly, Babar and other odd treats would not exist.

I know that isn't what I fully even attempted to relay and nor did it as you translated my mash as you have, but I meant nothing by the lot of them.

I suppose I could've put the titles before the general remarks or perhaps explained myself, but then again, what fun would it all be if we never really thought about others remarks. And so vague or not, leaves are falling all around...

Side note: I love that Folio is catering to children, too.

This might not be our cup of tea, but I can imagine a child falling in love with this book, and I can see it become a cherished heirloom.

Just keep it away from the crayons and colouring tools. :)

I'm thrilled to see a reprint of Babarnama (in a new format to boot)! Oh... wait. Hold the press.

My Baburnama was cheaper, though.

>40 folio_books:

Some fine enabling there :-)

>42 gmacaree:

'a shame they no longer have a store in which i might theoretically be able to do just that!'

Past LE mailings would sometimes contain sample pages which would give a taste of the volume for those who couldn't get to the readers' room. Presumably that has also been a victim of cost-cutting because I don't recall any recent examples. Such samples might pique my interest in this volume.

>46 Cubby.R.S.:

'leaves are falling all around...'

I don't know if that was deliberate or not but I do love a Led Zeppelin quote. And it's mostly 'a pleasant stay' here at LT :-)

>40 folio_books: but following a conversation with customer services I decided to go ahead

'company attempts to sell their product to man who asks them if he should buy it' shocker ;-)

Happy you like it though.

>50 Levin40: 'company attempts to sell their product to man who asks them if he should buy it' shocker ;-)

That actually wasn't the conversation at all. I like to think I'm more or less immune to sales pitches. The tipping point was that I trust the opinion of the individual I was speaking with, who was enthusiastic. We have shared opinions about "bad" Folio releases in the past and I have been swayed against buying. The important point is that, after receiving it, I agree with the unanimous approval of the CS team. My opinion.

>49 Cat_of_Ulthar: Some fine enabling there :-)

Thank you. It's a book I consider worth enabling.

>41 wcarter: Glenn, sounds as though you have been recruited by FS marketing. 🤣

I wish. I wouldn't say no to a generous staff discount, as enjoyed by the employees. Though, sadly, not for LEs.

Edited to add:

I also think it commendable that they've released a book believing it is likely to have a minority appeal. The staff have no clue whether it will sell in any quantity but they're agreed on the production values.

>51 folio_books: I only think it is commendable releasing a book that has minority appeal IF it is a book that is out of print. As the book is in print with other publishers it is difficult to claim that they are providing a service that needs special praise.

Edit: Sorry this sounds more hostile than I meant it to.

>49 Cat_of_Ulthar:

Ah, yes, because I have always had a bad habit of rambling rather than being concise and or descriptive.

Long time lurker here, finally pushed off the bench by this topic.

It is not the facsimile of the first edition that makes this LE special. It is the opportunity to follow the creative process from bedtime story to final classic children's book provided by the facsimile of the material from the Morgan Library. As stated by the FS on their webpage, that material is not available anywhere else and looks to be fascinating. Two things had given me pause about placing an order though - 1. I don't speak French, so I am relying on the commentary volume (will that extra layer lessen the intended impact of being present at the creation of a classic?); and 2. After examining the material, can you get it back to a pristine state (always a worry with loose leaf pages in a portfolio)? After reading Glenn's post above, though, I pulled the trigger. I guess I'll see for myself whether my concerns manifest.

>54 Chemren:

Welcome and certainly no disagreements. Babar was well before my time, so no reason to insist on such a volume for me, but I like the production. As I attempted to show above, if they were simply looking to sell LEs, they would follow the formula, they know what sells.

>52 DMulvee: Sorry this sounds more hostile than I meant it to.

It didn't come across as hostile to my ear (eye). I don't agree with you, though. I meant commendable because they mostly knew they would have trouble shifting it but went ahead anyway because the project was worthwhile. Kinda takes me back to the Charles Ede days. They don't do enough of that, imo. Not that I'm wanting to see Folio go bankrupt.

>54 Chemren: 1. I don't speak French, so I am relying on the commentary.

My last French was as a sixteen year old at school in 1967 and I could follow it easily enough anyway, but the commentary includes a brand new English translation, so no worries there.

>54 Chemren: After examining the material, can you get it back to a pristine state (always a worry with loose leaf pages in a portfolio)?

A point that worried me, too. The very point that prevents me from buying the Utamaro LE (Studies From Nature), knowing I'd never get that ribbon tied up neatly again. Babar looked less complicated so I took the chance. Having opened, examined and closed it I can report the ribbon reties easily and the loose bits are contained very neatly in card folios so no problem keeping them together. The design has evidently been thought through meticulously.

>54 Chemren: After reading Glenn's post above, though, I pulled the trigger.

I am honoured (and not a little worried!) to be the recipient of your confidence. Please let us know what you think when you get it, particularly if you think I've oversold it. I think you're going to love it but hey, I might be deluding myself (and you!)

>44 terebinth:
I doubt any of them will ever be released as SEs. Book of the New Sun was pretty much an SE anyway in terms of production values, it would be hard to downgrade it decently enough. Micrographia... I'm not sure if its appeal is broad enough to justify a plain regular edition. Perhaps The Wanderer has the best chance.

As to the new LE... I've never heard of Babar before. Wondering how popular it is/was outside of the francophone world, especially in the anglophone countries - the target market. Have any of the fellow FSDs read Babar as a child or to your child? If so, what decade was it?

>58 elladan0891: I read Babar as a child! I loved it. But not enough to buy this, despite the positive reviews.

>58 elladan0891: I was read Babar as a kid in the late 80s/early 90s and loved it, but not enough to get this LE. A friend of mine actually recently gifted my daughter with a bunch of paperback babar books.

>58 elladan0891:
I think Babar was quite well known in the UK. It was read to me as a child in the early '70s and I seem to remember it being on TV as well.

>58 elladan0891: Was born in the mid 80s in the UK and I've never heard the name once, at least that I can remember. That said I'm not as sceptical about Folio's decision to give it LE treatment. While it's not for me I don't doubt FS did their homework on their target audience and how well it'd sell; after all they managed to market a costlier, and larger run, title on pears of all things which eventually sold out so I have not doubts this too will sell out in time.

>56 folio_books:
Glenn, the Utamaro LE is a real gem, I love it! I am surprised you did not buy it, and really feel you should get this one, as it is easy to repack and simple bow knots (like Babar). Absolutely delightful presentation.

>58 elladan0891:
I had never heard of Babar before, although my wife has, and I am of mature years in an anglophone country, but in the southern hemisphere.

ATTENTION FELLOW FOLIOLITES:

Folio LE of Japan (Sold out) for sale for 500 GBP.

Not sure about shipping, as I am not the one selling it; just advertising it here for anyone interested or who may have missed out on it.

Usual disclaimer about seller, etc. etc.

Please PM me so that I may redirect you should you be interested.

EDIT: The seller is UK-based. Still not sure on International Shipping, though.

Babar was popular in the UK when I was small in WW2, though as a precocious reader I didn't have much time for picture books. His creator was already dead, I think, but there was a steady stream of new adventures by other hands.

I think that LE children’s books will be tough to market as they are not items that one would give to a child. Instead they are relying on reminiscences/memories of adults. Given this I think Babar is a tougher sell rather than something like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory to an English market, but even that might struggle depending on the price point

>57 elladan0891:

I can't disagree about production values, but I still expect a standard Book of the New Sun before too long: no signatures, more basic slipcase, obviously no limitation, one or two other minor downgrades, say £200 (half the LE price). Just because the demand's probably there and the book would be profitable. I doubt there is enough demand for Micrographia or Wanderer to make the transition, but time will tell.

>64 RATBAG.: Folio LE of Japan (Sold out) for sale for 500 GBP.

I missed out on Japan because Folio refused to put it in a sale at the end of its life. My reason for avoiding this particular copy is the same - it's still too expensive, imo. I shall continue to live without it until such time as the price dips below my ceiling, quite possibly never.

>63 wcarter:

Glenn, the Utamaro LE is a real gem, I love it! I am surprised you did not buy it, and really feel you should get this one, as it is easy to repack and simple bow knots (like Babar). Absolutely delightful presentation.

I'm not a particular fan of Japanese art but I haven't completely ruled out buying it, though only at half price in a sale.

>63 wcarter: I had never heard of Babar before, although my wife has, and I am of mature years in an anglophone country, but in the southern hemisphere.

Babar is reasonably well-known in the UK as a book for younger children. There was (probably still is) a whole series of paperbacks. It passed me by as a child as I recall I was more into Enid Blyton pre-school and a little beyond.

This thread has put me in mind of a couple of things. Firstly, for those not already aware of it, Francis Poulenc wrote a fun suite of music inspired by Babar. There are numerous versions on youtube but I liked this one which has the score and the original French text plus English narration:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ve1KMYpFxW8

If you prefer, there's the version orchestrated by Francaix:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wXrVFNXsimM

Secondly, digressing a little but staying in the world of beautifully illustrated French books for children, does anyone else remember Beebo and the Funny Machine by Philippe Fix and Alain Gree? I was very fond of this book as a child but it seems to be long out of print if the prices on Abe or Amazon are any guide.

I wonder if there might be enough interest to warrant somebody (not necessarily Folio) reissuing it someday?

I grew up with Babar and like to collect items of controversy (I refer to Babar being removed from library shelves in East Sussex due to what some deemed racist portrayals of Africans), but a Limited Edition? No, I won't be spending that kind of money for this memorabilia - Babar being the most famous Frenchman, or not.

Loved Babar as a child, one of the first books I remember checking out from the library - 1970s Midwest USA

This is past my price point, perhaps in a future sale.

I watched the cartoons when very young, and remember loving them, but yes - not quite in my range.

Commercially savvy or not, I am glad they are still putting stuff out like this. Looking at the range of Limited Editions in just the last year, it's an impressive variety.

Having received my copy, I think it’s a beautifully done edition but at $550 US after shipping, it feels rather overpriced. If I’d paid closer to $350 I’d be happier with it. Mine also has a bit of a glue smear on the back of one of the volumes that I’ll need to contact Folio about.

It’s definitely neat to be able to trace the origin of the book though and Folio did a really nice job with that. But it also feels like the sort of thing that you can dive into once ... following along with the process through the sketches and maquette, but once you’ve explored it then I’m not sure you’d ever want to go back and review it all again. I’m certain it will linger on the site and end up in a sale (or several).

I probably will be keeping mine because I do like it and if I were to return I’d be out about $100 in shipping so I’m a bit pot committed at this point anyway.

>74 ChampagneSVP: "...but once you’ve explored it then I’m not sure you’d ever want to go back and review it all again."

You have captured some of my reaction to The Little Prince (commentary volume), which received similar treatment. (Probably I lack the artistic sensitivity to fully appreciate the preliminary sketches.)

But the Folio Little Prince is a treasure as I love the book and its presentation - I grabbed it without waiting for an unlikely sale appearance.

Babar, très enchanteur, no doubt, has not the depth or wide appeal of The Little Prince, yet SEVEN times the price?

To be fair, the only reason why The Little Prince is priced as it is, is because it's The Little Prince. There really is no comparison in terms of production. I commend Folio for taking time to produce treasures and not being entirely focused on money. Otherwise, rehash after rehash after... Science Fiction and I would be stuck solely in the Ede era digging around websites looking for books that are never appropriately described. Oh, I still do... But that is not for this thread.

Having though about this some more I would consider limited edition children’s works if they had strongly resonated with me, and brought nostalgia. So can understand what Folio are doing, but would prefer any Roald Dahl or could see the financial merits of Harry Potter (good luck trying to get the Copyrights for this FS!)

After some difficult scanning by folio_books, and some intricate Photoshop manipulation by myself, the broadsheet that was used to promote the Story of Barbar LE has finally been uploaded to the FSD wiki here.

Babar is now in the sale at half price! :)

I'm very pleased to see Babar is at last getting some love on FSD. I bought it on the first day of its release and at the current sale price its an outstanding bargain imo.

>80 folio_books: A favourite of mine when I was a child. I discounted it as a prospect at it’s original price which is out of my league price wise. Not for me this time round even with that great discount (bad timing) but I’m interested to know what those who have it think of it.

Babar didn't grab me on its initial release but, as you say, it is tempting at that price.

Nothing here is crying out to me that I must have it, though, so I'll sleep on it.

>81 assemblyman: I’m interested to know what those who have it think of it.

I've always assumed its main drawback to be the language. The smattering of French I've retained from my schooldays is more than adequte, I find.

>83 folio_books:

'I've always assumed its main drawback to be the language. The smattering of French I've retained from my schooldays is more than adequte, I find.'

I thought that but I recently picked up my old copy of Miles Kington's Let's Parler Franglais! and it wasn't as easy going as I expected. I must be out of practice.

Would Paul Cox fancy illustrating a Folio version of the full Franglais series? He'd be about right for the style, I suspect ;-)

>84 Cat_of_Ulthar: I recently picked up my old copy of Miles Kington's Let's Parler Franglais!

If I had to choose one book as the best source of belly laughs that would be it!

The Story of Babar LE down to the last 2 copies.

(Note: Mods might want to update the thread title for search purposes.)

>86 HonorWulf:

Done.

>87 folio_books: Thanks!

Sold out!

Huzzah! 🥳 It does make me wonder which L.E. holds the record for the longest time available on the site.

>90 Hamwick:
I think the fabulous Queen Mary Atlas took 12 years to sell out, but there may be others that were slower.

>90 Hamwick: Rupert Brooke Poems (2015) is at 9 years and counting - over twice the age of Babar, and the only LE remaining pre-2020!

>91 wcarter:

Blake's Night Thoughts took a long time too--but I think you're right about the winner being the Queen Mary Atlas. But wait. What about the Bayeaux Tapestry on the wooden spindle? Wasn't that withdrawn so technically it will never sell out?

>91 wcarter:

The Bird Paintings of Henry Jones (1976) 500 copies - was still available in the 1993 Special Publications catalogue, I have no reference after that date - it may have lingered longer.

>90 Hamwick: I think Othello was available between 2007 and late 2021—14 years.

But >94 bookfair_e: probably takes it.

Thank you all, I appreciate the information.