Oak Knoll sale

Oak Knoll is having a sale on their LEC books. A few are 40% off but most are just 20% off. I noticed they're selling the full Shakespeare set for $680 which is the best price I've ever seen for this set. No connection with the seller but I have bought quite a few books from them over the years.

>1 kdweber: Looks like the Oak Knoll Press History of the Limited Editions Club is one of the books that is 40% off. I am highly tempted by that, it was a bit pricey for me at $125 but seems fair at $75.

Oak Knoll always puzzled me price wise. Overall, they seem to be on the higher end of market prices on most of their volumes, and then an odd one is a really good deal. I got a fine copy of the LEC Bibliography minimally above $100 (admittedly also at a 20% off sale). On the Shakespeare set, I think what is reducing the price significantly is the moisture damage. Just by looking at the picture, it appears that Midsummer-Night's Dream is quite clean, though.

Thanks for this, I just picked up (well, I hope I did - will see if they were already sold!) three books on my LEC wishlist each at 40 % off and another couple at 20 % off for good measure. Delighted. Shipping to Sweden wil sting, but that’s equally true at full price...

Too bad most of their prices make no sense in the first place...I did snatch up one LEC, the only one I could find where the oak knoll price
was actually lower than other sellers.

I've been wanting All Men Are Brothers for a long time but didn't pull the trigger...Way to many pandemic retail therapy book purchases lately.

Yeah I've spent too much lately, but I hope the rest of you get some good deals!

>2 teppi2: The History of the LEC, for the information of those not aware of it, is a finely produced book, a thorough history and a great resource for lovers of the LEC. Take advantage of that bargain price.

>1 kdweber: Thanks for posting! I just bought Grossman's History of the LEC.

>8 elladan0891: It's a wonderful book if you're interested in the LEC and a very reasonable price on sale.

>1 kdweber: I ordered the History of the Limited Editions Club for $75.00. I have wanted this book for quite some time. The sale price pushed me over the edge.
I hope to be more active in acquiring LEC volumes. After the passing of my beautiful wife I lost the desire I once had for the books. I hope I can regain that passion.

>10 Jan7Smith: My deepest condolences.

>10 Jan7Smith:

Condolences as well. I hope you find some healing from literature as many of us have!

>5 jveezer:

Not to enable you, but here's a decent copy for half the stating price (and potential best offer). https://www.ebay.com/itm/1948-Pearl-Buck-ALL-MEN-ARE-BROTHERS-Ltd-Ed-Club-Covarr...

No relation to the seller.

If you do get it, be careful. I was taking my copy off the shelf and the front cover of Volume 1 ripped right off. Bindings are kinda fragile.

>10 Jan7Smith: My condolences Jan.

>10 Jan7Smith:
My deepest condolences!

I have 25 LEC books on my wish list, but not one is in the Oak Knoll sale.

>11 kdweber: >12 MobyRichard: >14 WildcatJF: > >15 booksforreading: Thank you for your kindness.

>10 Jan7Smith: Please accept my sincere condolences, Jan. I do hope that books can provide at least some relief. I'm sure your wife wouldn't want to see you losing your passion for your interests.

>9 kdweber: Yes, I'm really looking forward to it. It's been on my wish list for some time. I actually got a chance to leaf through it at the Emory University library (I live minutes from Emory). I wasn't checking GMD boards for some time as I've been extremely busy with variety of things, but it happened the day after your post about the sale, and I immediately went to check if the Grossman is on sale. Price did look quite attractive, so I pulled the trigger. Thanks again for the post.

>18 elladan0891: Thanks and I do hope to regain my desire for great books.

Has anyone had any issues with getting responses to enquiries from Oak Knoll? I've sent a couple of enquiries since the sale started but don't seem to be able to get a response so far. Are they usually forthcoming with extra details when requested? Perhaps they're just particularly busy with the sale or operating with reduced staff due to the pandemic.

>21 GardenOfForkingPaths:
I’ve had reasonably quick (given time zones) and helpful responses.

>22 GusLogan: Thanks - yes that was my experience a few months ago. Something must be going wrong with my emails. I'll try one of their other email addresses or give them a call.

It's a shame I missed the sale now, but I didn't feel comfortable going ahead without first enquiring what international shipping would cost, seeing if they would mind me using a parcel forwarding service, and checking a few details about the condition of a couple of items. Perhaps I should have just gone for it anyway - he who hesitates is lost.

Oak Knoll is not adhering to their 2 business policy to send out their books. They seem to be holding orders and then if you ask why they have not been sent, they do not try to remedy their mistake but instead try to charge you more astronomical fees (more than the charge of the book) to expedite shipping to you.

Oak Knoll used to be a well run business, but they seem not to care about their customers or getting orders out. I would advise to not purchase anything in this sale and stay away until they have their problems sorted out. I should have done so myself - there has been nothing but aggravation with them.

A shame, really.

Well, the shop is closed completely. Maybe they only ship once a week or whatever. Blame it on COVID. And not the bossa nova. Short-handed? Who knows? But yeah, they should get it together like they used to be.

>24 EclecticIndulgence:

Ha! What do you know. I was about to ask about that. Yeah, they haven't shipped my books either. And they aren't replying to my email inquiry...just bad customer service. If COVID is the issue make that clear on your website. That's what the website is for. Don't leave the customers guessing. I will note that I haven't had any issues with any other sellers during this pandemic.

>26 MobyRichard:

I haven't had any poor experiences with other sellers, either. I'm actually just starting a facebook prsence to sell surplus, and have gotten into the habit of upgrading shipments to express for free (probably not sustainable - ha~) as a courtesy toloyal customers - times are tough, and booksellers (humans in general), I think, should try to do small things to help others who may be struggling. Perhaps my terminal diagnosis is making me soft, but I'm trying with small change to move the needle in the right direction.

Ordered on July 3, shipping label created on the 7th - reasonable considering it was a holiday weekend,
passed to USPS only on the 13th - not sure what they were doing a whole week, received today. I was not in a rush, so happy to finally get the book.

I ordered the Grossman book on July 2, received today, July 20. I am looking forward to the information this book holds. I like the 40% off sales and would like to see more, especially for LEC books.

>29 Jan7Smith: My copy, now suitably dressed, with its peers:

>30 kdweber:
Stunning!

>30 kdweber: That is a nice looking threesome and I like your slipcase. I should learn to make them for books that don’t come with one such as the Grossman book.

>32 Jan7Smith: I tried to match the slipcase. My bookcloth is a little lighter but the interior French velour in burgundy is pretty close. I've now made around three dozen slipcases. It's not too difficult and even my first attempt came out reasonably well. There are some easy to follow tutorials on YouTube. This slipcase cost about $15 in materials and took around three hours over two days to make.

>33 kdweber: It appears that you did a professional job. I may try to construct some because I have several books that need slipcases.

Although your Bibliography looks huge I will be looking for a copy within my price range. Huge is good for looks, not so good for reading. I don't anticipate finding one in that regard (Price) anytime soon. Thanks for sharing the pictures.

>34 Jan7Smith: Like the man says, making slipcases isn't difficult. Just take your time and follow this advice: measure twice, cut once. Oh, and use a good glue and sturdy boards.

>30 kdweber:
Wow, looks great! And considering you lined it with velour inside, it's better than the vast majority of original LEC slipcases!

>34 Jan7Smith: The Bibliography isn't huge, just large (Taschen Sumo and XXL titles are huge). It's a very useful reference, I use it quite a bit.

>35 Glacierman: Yes, it's important to use high quality acid free materials. I buy all of my supplies from Talas.

>36 elladan0891: Thank you. Sometimes I repair LEC slipcases but if they're plain and in poor condition, I prefer to replace them since mine are much nicer and do a better job protecting the book. I found it difficult to find the early LECs with decent slipcases and when I could, the books were way more expensive even if the condition of the books were comparable.

>37 kdweber: Ken, thanks to your enabling picture I now have the Bibliography on the way and searching for a suitable Monthly Letters. I should learn to ignore your post!!
Bibliography looked huge compared to the Grossman volume in your picture. Thanks

>35 Glacierman: Thanks for the helpful info.

>33 kdweber: I watched some YouTube videos about making slipcases, but came away a bit intimidated because they were using industrial-grade gillotines to make very precise and clean cuts. Are you cutting by hand, or do you have some kind of device to do the job?

>40 ubiquitousuk: I came away with the same questions after looking at some of the YouTube videos. Lots of equipment for precise slipcases.

>40 ubiquitousuk: >41 Jan7Smith: Oh I wish, that industrial grade guillotine would save a boatload of time and make things so much easier. No, I use a simple razor knife and steel carpenter's square. It takes a number of passes to cut through the acid free Davey board but it works well enough. Use a sharp knife! After I've glued up the entire box and let it dry overnight, I use sandpaper to clean up the imperfections and make everything smooth and square before applying the book cloth. I use straight PVA to construct the box but watered down PVA to attach the velour lining and exterior bookcloth or paper. A glue brush works better than a foam roller. A rubber roller doesn't work well for smoothing out the velour and bookcloth either, use a bone folder. It helps to cut on a self healing mat but it's not necessary. The only required tools are a razor knife, steel carpenter's square, glue brush, and bone folder. Not a large investment.

>42 kdweber: Thanks, Ken.

>42 kdweber: It sounds the largest investment is in opportunity cost :-)

>44 BuzzBuzzard: Yes I'm retired + COVID leaves me some time.

>40 ubiquitousuk: >41 Jan7Smith: I can recommend a great little book for you: Hand Bookbinding: A Manual of Instruction by Aldren Watson. It is designed for people such as yourselves; is well illustrated with clear drawings; instructions are clearly written and it is available from ABE in several different, but equally good editions, for under $20. It gives clear instructions on making slipcases and much, much more. Whether you get the first edition or the 2nd, revised one does not matter. I have both and it was the book that got me started down the road as a hand bookbinder. I have been binding books by hand---as a hobby---since the late '70s. I've done single section books in wraps & boards, multi-section cased books sewn on tapes, books sewn on cords with solid backs, and variations on same. I've used cloth, paper and leather for the bindings in full, quarter & half binding styles; made slipcases and other book enclosures. Watson's book started it all. Give him a try!

And to echo >42 kdweber: , I use a steel square and a sharp utility knife to cut the boards and tidy the edges with a fine sandpaper or emery cloth. I replace the blade frequently. I also round the edges & corners a bit to reduce wear at those points. And I second TALAS as a source for your materials, and everything else he said!

Dig in and have fun!

>46 Glacierman: Thanks for the information and the book link. Would be nice to buy slipcases that I need from you if you do that type of business.

>46 Glacierman: Thanks for the recommendation. Powell's had a used copy that I snatched up...

>46 Glacierman: yes, thanks. I have duly wishlisted this book for the time when I am free to try my hand at the craft.

During the sale I’ve ordered the following volumes from Oak Knoll:

Ways of the World, William Congreve
Canterbury Tales (1934), Chaucer
Lives of the most eminent Painters, Vasari
Voyage to the South Seas, Bligh
Quarto-Millenary
Journals and Other Documents on the Life and Voyages of Christopher Columbus, Morison
The History of the Limited Editions Club, Grossman

The books arrived in the Netherlands within 3 weeks, which is absolutely ok, but unfortunately I am very disappointed with the conditions the books arrived in. The Grossmann volume is heavily scuffed at the top of the spine due to insufficient packaging. But the biggest disappointment are the Chaucer and Vasari sets. I have been looking for a Vasari copy for some time and in the hope to receive a good set I ordered the most expensive copy Oak Knoll had on offer. I was very surprised to see that for this price the slipcase had been previously repaired with tape along the top. Unfortunately it was not structurally sound enough to survive the shipping and arrived completely split along three of the edges. Like the Grossmann volume the spines are scuffed too.
The Canterbury Tales, which were sent in a different package, arrived without transport damage. Unfortunately the books and slipcase show significant deficiencies which were not obvious from the description on the Oak Knoll homepage (e.g. heavily rubbed and soiled slipcase with 2 cm split on top left corner, side panels of both volumes heavily rubbed, indentation to back cover of second volume, etc.)
Recently I have bought several LEC from other dealers at lower price points than what Oak Knoll was charging for my order. All of those books arrived in much better condition. I’ve contacted Oak Knoll to see if we can find a solution to the above mentioned issues. Until then, I will not order from them again.

>50 Stephan68: Your story triggered a memory. In 2016 I purchased a book (discounted too) from Oak Knoll that had two copies available in stated different condition. I got the one described as fine but shortly to discover that the case was heavily foxed. The book was returned and this was the one and only transaction I have had with them. That is a pitty because they have an extensive LEC inventory and every now and then I am tempted to give them a second chance.

>50 Stephan68:
Commiserations! Hope they’re decent about it (though I always feel there’s no good solution, as typically I wanted to buy a Fine book, not get, say, a further discount on a VG one...).

Also, I now intend to spend most of the weekend worrying about my order.

>50 Stephan68: >51 BuzzBuzzard: Interesting. All transactions I have had with Oak Knoll over time have been most satisfactory, whether the book purchased was new or antiquarian. Well, I guess no one is perfect.

>52 GusLogan:
I agree with you that a further discount on a VG book is not a satisfactory solution. I would still look for a fine or near fine copy of the same book.
In fairness to Oak Knoll I should mention that the other titles (Bligh, Morison, Congreve etc.) were delivered in the condition I expected. Thus, you should not worry too much about your order.

I purchased the History of the Limited Editions Club from Oak Knoll with no complaints, well packed and mint condition.
I finished reading it today and my respect and admiration for George Macy zoomed upward. Through the great depression, World War II and terribly painful health issues he provided us with wonderful books, no easy task.
Much later after Macy's death Sid Shiff did a wonderful job too. The great majority of his books are out of my price range, but they are in most cases works of art. I have a few of Shiff's editions, from mostly early in his LEC years, but even those are really nice. I just received the LEC Bibliography and it is a very attractive book. The LEC Monthly Letters is on the way and it appears to be very similar. I guess I am back!

>55 Jan7Smith: There are quite a few Shiff books from the early years that have higher limitations and are affordable.

>56 kdweber: Ken, I counted 17 Shiff books on my shelves and I would like to add more. There are several more I may find affordable sometime in the future.

>57 Jan7Smith: lucky you, you have plenty of titles to choose from. I believe, off the top of my head, that Shiff took over for the 45th Series. The last book of the 48th series Hunting Stories had a limitation of 850 and is still relatively affordable. I think of the 49th Series as the transition to the really expensive books as the 50th Series and beyond were priced pretty steeply.

>58 kdweber: Ken, I don't think I care too much for the later Shiff books. I could not buy them anyway.
The book I would love to have is Wuthering Heights which is a book I read in the Heritage Press edition and it was a book that impressed me immensely. I was amazed that such a young woman could write such a book. The LEC edition is a book I can only wish for as I am not optimistic that I can ever purchase it.
Dubliners, Heart of Darkness and The Black Swan would also please me to own from Shiff's editions.
John Steinbeck's Grapes of Wrath from Macy's special editions would also be a desirable acquisition. I can dream!!!

Rob Fleck (the late Bob Fleck's son) at Oak Knoll is knowledgable and reasonable on the LEC front. I suggest you call the shop and speak with him about your interests. I've been working with Oak Knoll for a number of years and have found them to be flexible on their pricing, especially on the higher end price range LECs.

>59 Jan7Smith: Grapes of Wrath is indeed a very desirable LEC. About three years ago I found a set on eBay for $500 but the seller accepted $175 best offer. I was very surprised.

>61 BuzzBuzzard: Wow!! That quite a discount. Congratulations. I don’t seem to get deals like that.

>61 BuzzBuzzard:

My GOW was $1200 8 years ago!

>62 Jan7Smith:

Jan, you're better off with the earlier
Limited Editions Club Heart of Darkness illustrated by Robert Shore; the Schiff version features Sean Scully's reproductions of 50s kitchen floor tiles and for me bear no relation whatsoever to the Conrad story.

>63 Django6924: Thanks, Robert. The price of the Shiff edition made the decision not to buy it an easy choice for me.
I do hope to find the Grapes of Wrath that I can add to my library one day.

Why is Grapes of Wrath so expensive? Is it chiefly due to the Benton touch?

>61 BuzzBuzzard: Congratulations! I guess it shows that it never hurts to low-ball/offer your true best price even if it's significantly lower than the asking price. I'd love to get it at that price!

>65 elladan0891: It's likely a combination of Benton, its lower limitation number (1146 versus the usual 1500) and the fact it's not in an official LEC series, much like Arthur Rackham's take on The Wind and The Willows (which is also very expensive despite being issued unsigned by Rackham and at a higher limitation). Steinbeck is also VERY popular and this is his most acclaimed novel, so I'm sure that's also a factor in its higher pricing. I haven't seen another edition of Grapes of Wrath that matches the production values of this book.

>65 elladan0891:

Benton is certainly a factor--all of the LECs he illustrated tend to bring premium prices. Another contributing factor is that the Limited Editions Club issued this just shortly after the book was published, and that this was issued not as part of the original subscription series, but was a special publication that had to be ordered separately, and as a result, only 1146 were issued rather than the usual 1500.

It's interesting that despite the popularity of the film version starring Henry Fonda, and the fact that the book had just won the Pulitzer Prize, that only slightly more than 2/3rds of the members wanted to order it. I think it says something about the political persuasions of many of the members.

Incidentally, if you check the prices of the Heritage Press single volume edition, which is one of the HP's finest editions, you will see it is also very expensive, with some copies selling at prices in the range of many LECs. (There is even one copy which ABE is listing at $10,000!!--but that one has a handwritten inscription by John Steinbeck.)

(Right after I posted this, Jerry's post appeared--thanks Jerry!)

>65 elladan0891: Exactly! You never know who your are dealing with. Besides if one does not want to see low-ball offers in eBay a minimum offer limit could be set and everything that falls short will be rejected automatically.

>61 BuzzBuzzard: I recently offered $170 on a book with a $200 asking price and the seller countered with $270 lol I'm glad your experience was vastly different

>66 WildcatJF: >67 Django6924: Thanks for your replies. I didn't know about the limitation.

>67 Django6924: ... only slightly more than 2/3rds of the members wanted to order it...

I'm guessing another probable factor was the very novelty of the book itself. There are people who tend to avoid recent bestsellers, preferring to go for older books that stood the test of time. Macy himself leaned heavily towards classics, so I think it wouldn't be unreasonable to suppose that a good number of his subscribers weren't willing to pay extra to try out a new bestseller.

Inspired by some of the discussion in this thread, I decided to try my hand at slipcase construction, practising with some old cardboard and paper before buying all the real stuff. Here's the finished product. Not planning to give up my day job just yet..

>71 ubiquitousuk: Love it! More impressive than >63 Django6924: kitchen floor tiles.

You cn laugh at my floor tile comments, and perhaps I'm being unfair, because I don't claim to be an expert when it comes to Art, but I expect something different in my book illustrations than what Sean Scully did for one of my all-time favorite stories (especially bizarre because just a few years before "Heart of Darkness" was illustrated beautifully for the LEC by Shore). Here are some samples of Scully's "illustrations":

Fritz Eichenberg said it in a 1979 interview and I wholeheartedly agree:

"...when you went to the Museum of Modern Art 20 years ago and you looked at the work of, let's say, Andy Warhol or Robert Rauschenberg or whoever it was, or Ad Reinhardt - black on black, or white on white, where you saw nothing but the "emperor's new clothes," you know. And if you listened to people's conversations, you always found them shaking, being very puzzled. Sometimes a guard comes up and explains to them (they laugh) and he's also getting a little tired of it. You always had the feeling of anemia, somehow, in art. And when they stand in front of a Paul Gauguin or a Vincent Van Gogh and so on, life came rushing back. Art is an emotional thing just as religion is an emotional thing. If it isn't, it becomes cut and dry and it dies, you know? Okay."

The whole interview can be found here:

https://www.aaa.si.edu/collections/interviews/oral-history-interview-fritz-eiche...

>74 BuzzBuzzard:

Great quote. Eichenberg is one of the greats! Sadly, the fine art museums haven't gotten much better since then. There's nothing wrong with experimental art, but museum curators and art critics still can't seem to distinguish between "experimental" and "successful experiment."

>3 GusLogan:

I am entirely happy with my order from OKB. The books were as described or in a couple of cases slightly better (the Winesburg Ohio was virtually Like New for 39 USD at 40 % off, though the slipcase is worn, and what a book it is!) and properly protected from the possible perils of transatlantic post. Customer service by email was terrific. I note others above have had less good experiences with them, and am grateful to know this, but thought I should post for balance.

Edit: I just wish I’d ordered Grossman’s book as well!

>71 ubiquitousuk: Well done! How much do you charge?

>67 Django6924: The $10,000.00 book looks exactly like my copy with the faded spine. The note really means quite the value to some collectors.
This is such a nice Heritage Press edition, I may never get the LEC unless I find a deal like Buzz scored.

>78 Jan7Smith:

I have to be honest, Jan: I read the novel in a trade copy from the library when I was in high school. have seen the movie about a half dozen times, reread the HP when I got it about 8 years ago, but have only leafed through the LEC edition to admire the production values and Benton's lithographs. I paid so much for it, I'm frankly intimidated to do any serious reading which might lessen its pristine condition (apparently, the LEC had never been read and so retains the new book stiffness and sharp corners).

And I agree: the HP version is so good, even with my likewise faded spine, I sometimes wonder why I spent so much on the Limited Editions Club edition.

>79 Django6924: I failed to mention that I paid $20.50 for my copy and other than the faded spine is near fine.

>80 Jan7Smith:

That was a good deal--I think I paid $45 for my copy and aside from the spine, is also in near fine condition--pages clean and sharp. Good quality paper (I haven't found any information on the supplier), excellent reproduction of the lithographs, and some of the best letterpress printing by the Duenewald Company make this book a real treasure. There was also a version of it in leather (calf) binding, but I've never seen a copy with that binding in other than disintegrating condition.

>79 Django6924: Honestly, the stiffness of the set is due to the rawhide leather that according to the leaflet is going to outlive the publishers of, as well as the subscribers for this book.

All this talk about The Grapes of Wrath inspired me to read a few pages of my HP edition and after about 50 pages I am hooked on reading the book again. I read it many years ago so it seems somewhat new to me now.
An added enjoyment is caressing the wonderful letterpress printing as I read. Also the text is very easy on old eyes.
Just a great book in all regards.

I have read all of Steinbeck's books that I am aware of and all are entertaining page turners. Good literature is something that is never boring.

>83 Jan7Smith: What do you think of East of Eden? It is on my to be read list. I read TGOW when I received it and was struck of how powerful it was. I like Of Mice and Men as well.

>84 BuzzBuzzard: East of Eden is another of his books that I didn't want to put down once I started reading it. Hard to pick a favorite, but East of Eden is one of my top picks. I don't think you will be disappointed.

Jan, I am in a book club right now (online) reading Milton's Paradise Lost, and was reminded of a Steinbeck book I read in college and bought was one of his best--In Dubious Battle--a phrase in Paradise Lost. Have you read that one?

>86 Django6924: I have read it and consider it one of his better books. I have enjoyed everything he wrote and he was very prolific in turning out books. Some made into entertaining movies.
He must have made a fortune!!
Library of America did a great job publishing most of his titles.

>86 Django6924: >87 Jan7Smith: "In Dubious Battle" is one of my favourites too. I recall it having a very propulsive narrative and it really hit the spot after reading Grapes of Wrath, since it contains similarly fine writing, is perhaps bleaker in tone, and expands upon the labor movement themes in Grapes, which I personally find fascinating.

I think my preference is for his grittier works and, although I ultimately enjoyed it, I found it a little difficult to then adjust to the lighter tone of books like "Cannery Row".

Perhaps slightly OT, but just looking through a monograph of the photographer Robert Capa and saw this fabulous photo of him and Steinbeck in 1947. I'd like to get around to reading the "Russian Journal" book they worked on together.

>88 GardenOfForkingPaths: Cannery Row was made into a delightful movie that has stayed in my thoughts for years.

>89 Jan7Smith:

Yes, I thought it was a very enjoyable film, written and directed by David Ward, who won the Oscar for his screenplay for The Sting (another enjoyable movie), which was troubled in production and lost a lot of money when very few people went to see it. I think they missed a lot. I was never a big fan of Nick Nolte, but I thought he was excellent as Doc, and Debra Winger made a very engaging Suzy.

Incidentally, the plot of the film is actually based on Steinbeck's sequel to Cannery Row, Sweet Thursday, which is not nearly as well known as Cannery Row, but which in addition to this movie, was also the basis for a Rodgers and Hammerstein musical "Pipe Dream," which was also a major flop.

I just received another book from the early Shiff era. An unbelievable $10.00 book and $5.00 shipping.
The Sea Around us by Rachel Carson that seems to have never been opened. I am not so enamored of the title, but I am shocked that I got such a perfect LEC for ten dollars. I expected a shoddy book when I ordered it and just decided to take a chance that it would be at least in good condition. Even the slipcase is fine. This is a deal like BuzzBuzzard gets but not me. The only negative is the Monthly Letter was missing. The announcement #4 for the 45th series was included.

>91 Jan7Smith:

That's got to be the deal of the century!

When you break down the genres produced by the Limited Editions Club, Carson's book occupies one of the smallest--books about the environment. Other than hers, I can only think of two others. How many members can name those?

>92 Django6924: Perhaps An Almanac for Moderns is one of the other two?

>92 Django6924: Lots of people would include Walden in this category.

>93 BuzzBuzzard: and .(4

Well done!!!!!

A book that I had always wished the Limited Editions Club would publish is Aldo Leopold's A Sand County Almanac.

>95 Django6924: My first thought was, didn't the LEC publish an edition of A Sand County Almanac? Alas, no.

I mentioned in post 50 the issues I had with my order from Oak Knoll. To be fair to Oak Knoll I should mention, that I was able to come to an agreement with them about the damaged books. They either offered me to send the books back for a full refund or to keep the damaged books and get a partial refund. Considering the high cost for shipping heavy books from Europe to the United States I’ve decide to accept a partial refund as the most sensible solution. Trying to contact them by e-mail was rather slow but once I called them directly they were very friendly and did their best to solve the issue.

>42 kdweber: I just finished my first slipcase for the LEC Jonathan Wild and surprisingly it's not too bad. Not perfect like yours but maybe I will get better. The cutting is tedious for me and a nice guillotine would make it less tedious I think. Also, I have trouble finding the grain direction of the book cloth. Talas should mark it for me!!! I used the tear test and the easy straight tear seemed to indicate the grain direction.
I plan to try to make a case for the LEC Les Miserables next. I am wondering if a multi-volume set poses any problems versus the single vol. cases. Most multi -vol. sets come with two or more cases but this five vol. set uses one case. I really hope I can do this well because I have several multi-vol. sets that I would like to build cases for and to replace some worn cases.
Just with the one that I made I see a big increase in needed shelf space that I don't have. I do not want to cull any books so I will have to try to find space, but where...I don't know!

>98 Jan7Smith: Congrats! Please show us some pictures. Two volume sets are no problem, just construct a standard slipcase (use .08 boards). There are many options for larger sets. The bigger and heaver the collection, the thicker the boards need to be. For the Four volume, Szyk illustrated, The Arabian Nights Entertainments, I added one interior divider. For larger sets like the Pepys, follow the LEC's lead and don't fully enclose the single slipcase.

>98 Jan7Smith:

Jan, one of the primary problems I have seen with multi-volume slipcases (more than 2 volumes) is getting the books in and out of the slipcase. The Limited Editions Club Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire solved this by angling both sides of the slipcase away from the front so they weren't perpendicular to the bottom and top, but made a slight cutaway to make the books easier to get in and out (the top is also cut back from the front edge so the top inch of the books are exposed). I believe the LEC Samuel Pepys slipcase was made the same way, although it has been so long since I saw a copy I may not be remembering correctly (can any Pepys owners confirm this?)

Neither the multi-volume Plutarch nor Casanova sets are made this way, and it is a pain to get the books out without pulling on the tops of the spines--as a result, I have to take the slipcase off the shelf, tilt all the books out and carefully select the volume I want; there's got to be a better way, and the Gibbon slipcase design is a big improvement. (A still better way would be to have ribbon markers sewn in the books, as in my 6 volume Folio Society Shakespeare: the ribbons hang out from the bottom of the slipcase making it easy to pull the book out without touching the spine, but Macy obviously was not a fan of integral ribbon page markers.)

My first slipcase...not great but better than I expected.

>99 kdweber: >100 Django6924: Ken & Robert, thanks for the tips and information. I guess I will just dive in and hope for the best with the Les Miserables slipcase.

Looks mighty fine, Jan. I should have asked you to make one for my Johnathan Wild (wonder why that title seems prone to missing the slipcase?)

>102 Jan7Smith: Your construction looks a lot nicer than the original black slipcase on my copy (in VG condition no less). What did you do for the label?

>104 Django6924: >105 kdweber: Robert, thanks! Ken, I have no idea about a spine label yet. If I could create a label from a photo of the original slipcases and size them to fit the spine it would greatly enhance the case I believe.

>106 Jan7Smith: Actually the original label is really ugly:
JONA-
THAN
WILD
**
FIELDING
"Fielding" is in smaller type to be the same width as the title and the whole label is boxed. You can copy it easily by laser printing onto some nice rag paper. I wouldn't copy it. At worst I'd put Jonathan on one line (using a smaller) font. Even better, design you own vertical label.

>107 kdweber: My color printer is not working and I only have a Brother black and white laser to use for now. I am not sure the labels would look good in that format, but I may try a few and see how they look. I seem to always need something that I don't have at the moment.

>100 Django6924: Yes, the Pepys slipcase is angled back so that about half of the top edge of the book is exposed. It does make for easier removal but requires mindfulness not to damage the top of the book spine over time. About 3 inches of the top of the text block is exposed. I'm not a fan from a dust perspective but it does make for easier removal. I would prefer a slipcase ribbon pull (like the Barbarian Press Dickens books) or a half moon cutout that allowed one to grasp the book(s) to pull out, although the latter could potentially lead to annoying fading issues (as the Pepys-style slipcase could also cause).

Interestingly, the Pepys slip case is one of the few that doesn't have a spine label, which means mine are shelved book spine out instead of slipcase spine out.

Django6924 - you are correct on the Pepys - the SC is angled.

As far as ribboned slipcases, the following LEC title's have them:
The Coverly Papers
The Marriage of Cupid and Psyche
The Flowers of Evil/Les Fleurs du Mal (1971, 2vols)
The Book of the Dead (2 vols)
Horace's Odes and Epodes (2 vols)
Gilberts & Sullivan's First Night
Book of Job
Book of Ruth
Montaigne's Essays (4 vols, ribbon for each vol, partitioned SC, notorious for warping and coming apart)
Puddinhead Wilson (2 vols)
A Voyage to Lilliput and A Voyage to Brobdingnag Made by Lemeul Gulliver (2 vols)
Vasari's Lives (2 vols)

Since Macy kept a pretty close eye on production costs, ribbons were employed sparingly, and where aesthetic and function left few choices. Often times it appears as if the slipcases were an after-thought. Particularly in the later 30's and the WW2 years the materials and craftsmanship of slipcases were not top-notch (or even middle-notch). Macy had to face the same shortages of quality materials and skilled labor any enterprise that wasn't directly (or even indirectly) related to the war effort did. It wasn't until the Shiff years and lower limitations that LEC books received the type of slipcases or clamshell boxes that they deserved.

I've been collecting LECs for almost 25 years and very much enjoy coming across a NF of very rare Fine slipcase from the 30s or 40s. I have a few that were only removed from their original cardboard packing and shipping containers to verify the contents, and even then there are minute pinhole-sized degradations along the slipcase fore-edges. The materials used just don't hold up.

My first multi-vol. slipcase and I think I am getting marginally better, but I still need to improve a great deal.

I decided to do the Middlemarch set prior to doing some of the LEC sets. That Davy board is tough to cut and get a clean square edge!!

>112 Jan7Smith: Looks good to me.
"That Davy board is tough to cut and get a clean square edge!!"
Use sandpaper to clean everything up once you've built the box.

>112 Jan7Smith: Yeah, it can be tough to get a perpendicular edge on the cut. And like the man said, a little sandpaper helps. I generally use a utility knife to cut the boards and make many shallow cuts and slightly tilt the blade to offset the tendency of the beveled blade edge to produce a slightly beveled board edge and then clean it up with the sandpaper which also softens the board edges which will reduce the edge wear of the covering material be it paper or cloth. Eschew sharp board edges!

>113 kdweber:->114 Glacierman: what do you two slipcase builders label the spines with that is reasonably attractive? One of the benefits of a slipcase is to turn the spines to the back away from light, so I would like to take advantage by having the title and other information on the spine. Any suggestions will be appreciated.

>114 Glacierman: My technique as well.
>115 Jan7Smith: I'm lousy at labels. I just use a laser printer printed on a piece of high quality rag paper. I choose the font and style to roughly match the label on the spine of the book.

>110 Sport1963: The Journal of a Tour to the Hebrides with Samuel Johnson Ll.D. also has a slipcase ribbon. I think it was intended as part of the wider 18thC aesthetic of the book design (and came long after the war shortages you mentioned ended).

>117 ubiquitousuk: ubiquitousuk: Good catch, I missed that one, the ribbon was jammed in the back of the slipcase...

>115 Jan7Smith: I use a printer (formerly a 24-pin two-color black & red dot matrix, now a color laser) with a word processor to create the labels, as I am an execrable calligrapher. Like >116 kdweber:, I choose a font that is similar if not identical to that used on the spine of the book. I usually include a simple border as well, a single or double line. Oh, and I spray the label with matte-finish clear Krylon or similar product as a protectant. Then I cut it out and apply.

Finally built a slipcase for my LEC Les Miserables. I think it is my best effort so far but still not completely satisfactory.

>120 Jan7Smith: Not bad. Keep at it!

>120 Jan7Smith:

Wow! Can I buy yours and you can make a better one?

My Les MiS slipcase has the back panel, with the label in good shape, completely detached, the right side coming off and one other seam split.

By the way, would you like me to send a duplicate of the slipcase label for you to use?

>122 Django6924: Robert, I may not be capable of making a better slipcase! Every slipcase I make I hold my breath that it is something that is right in all regards.
Yes, I would love a duplicate label! I am at a loss as to how to label the cases. I may just print some Avery labels with the title and author. Probably not too attractive but would allow me to turn the spines to the back.

>120 Jan7Smith: Very nice! I have a VG+ original slipcase so I didn't replace it. The original is black (I like your blue better) with the top and bottom about 3/8 inch shorter than the sides to make it easier to pull out any individual book.

>124 kdweber: Ken, your help made my slipcase building so much easier to get started with the essential items required. Thank you!

>125 Jan7Smith: To further elaborate upon my previous note on making labels, I print on paper obtained from the local office supply store (i. e., Staples, Office Max, etc.). I usually use Southworth Antique Laid or their parchment-like papers. After printing, I cut them out leaving a 1/8" or 1/16" margin around the whole thing and paste them on with a glue stick (Uhu, etc.). I don't recommend the use of Avery or other sticky labels as the adhesive will, in time, fail, and will likely leave a stain on the cover material.

Here are a couple of samples:

        

>126 Glacierman: Your labels are just perfect and if I can accomplish something similar I will be ecstatic. I appreciate you sharing this information. I have used Southworth Ivory paper to print Monthly Letters and Sandglasses, nice paper. Thank you!!

>126 Glacierman: Nice job! Sure beats my feeble attempts.

>123 Jan7Smith:

I'll make the label for Les Miz tomorrow and send it Wednesday.

Thank you, Robert.

Ken, your labels look fine and you got a lot of information in small spaces.

I am more satisfied with this slipcase than any I have made so far. I used dark blue Kennett cloth for the interior and royal blue for the exterior. Always wanted a slipcase for one of my favorite author's book of non-fiction, Theodore Dreiser. Maybe with practice, I will produce some as nice as Ken and Richard! I think I am ready to do all my LEC multi-volumes now.

>132 Jan7Smith: I like the contrasting colors but don't you feel that Kennett bookcloth is a little rough for the inside of a slipcase? Maybe add some Dura-Lar to protect the paper dust jackets?

>133 kdweber: Ken, I have some laval cloth to use as with the Les Miserables case and any other fine press editions. I have made cases for Growth of the Soil, Middlemarch, and A Gallery of Women and though I am proud to own them they are not what I consider fine press, so I did not think they warranted a fine inner cloth. I will make an effort to get some Dura-Lar to cover them. Thanks for bringing the issue to my attention. I had not thought of it being too rough.

>127 Jan7Smith: In passing you gave a great hint on copying Monthly Letters! Thanks!

I am progressing along creating slipcases with varying degrees of quality and now trying to determine how to label them.
I printed these on Southworth 32 pound Granite Ivory 25% cotton paper. I haven't made up my mind to glue them yet, but this may be the best I can do for now.

I have about run out of the materials to make more cases and I was right in the middle of making cases for War and Peace, got one case made, and will order more stuff to make the other case.

The Thousand Nights should have three cases but I cased the set in two cases and it seems to work fine. The wine-colored book cloth may not be the best for the set, but it was what I had available.

My friend in California is sending me a copy of the original label for Les Miserables so that will be a keeper.

Thanks for all the help and advice from the experts.

I made a slipcase for 1-3 of War & Peace and a few days later cut everything out to make a case for 4-6. My mind wasn't where it should have been. I constructed the previous case with burgundy Laval inside and dark blue Kennett cloth outside. So, I cut the same laval cloth for 4-6 but for some unknown reason, I cut Valentine red for the outside. Does anyone know if slipcases for multi-volume LEC or others have been created with different colors and if it is suitable? I am not sure if this would work or if I should get more dark blue. I may like different colors. Decisions...Decisions!

>137 Jan7Smith: The two original War and Peace slipcases are gray. Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass are sort of a set and the red bound Alice came in a blue slipcase while the blue bound Looking Glass came in a red slipcase. In any case, they're your books - do what you want.

My next slipcase project is the LEC Iliad (red cloth binding) and Odyssey (blue cloth binding). Both books are in horrible (not because of the color of the slipcase) yellow slipcases unless one managed to find a set housed in the wonderful optional double slipcase. One choice I'm pondering is a blue slipcase for the Iliad and a red one for the Odyssey.

>137 Jan7Smith:

Jan, my multiple slipcase LECs have uniform colors for the slipcases: gray (although mine has hints of blue) for War & Peace, gold for The Holy Bible, and a rather startling orange for Plutarch's Lives. I'm with Ken: go with what you want and don't feel you need to follow the original.

>138 kdweber:

I didn't know there was an optional double slipcase for the Homer LECs! I'll have to see if I can find it pictured. As for the color of the slipcases, I am probably too literal-minded but I would probably go with a warlike red for the Iliad and a sea-green for the Odyssey.

Which brings me to a question I have often pondered: is it really right to have matching/similar bindings for these books? They are so very different (leaving aside the unsolvable question of different authorship). Of my several copies of the Iliad, I am most partial to the University of Chicago Press edition translated by Lattimore and illustrated by Baskin (although Baskin's illustrations, while striking, are not my ideal for this work). It is la large, even monumental book, which suits the poem, IMO. My favorite Odyssey is the Palmer translation, illustrated (definitely, to my tastes) by N.C. Wyeth. My copy is the one with the red cloth binding and the gold figure of Poseidon shooting lightning bolts, which is fun, but the one I wish I could afford is the 1929 Riverside edition with green cloth and quarter pigskin. The combination seems right to me for this story which has more the qualities of romance than epic.

I'd be interested in the opinions of others on how they would design the two books.

>139 Django6924: I own seven editions of The Iliad and The Odyssey but only five of them are sets:

The Riverside Odyssey translated by Palmer with illustrations by N. C. Wyeth (no matching Iliad) - same red edition as yours
The LEC Iliad and Odyssey designed by J. van Krimpen and translated by Pope
The LEC Odyssey (1981) translated by Lawrence and illustrated by Barry Moser (no matching Iliad)
Harper and Row editions translated by Lattimore
Easton Press editions translated by Pope and illustrated by John Flaxman
Folio Society (Myths and Legends series) translated by Fagles and illustrated by Grahame Baker
Chester River Press translated by Pope and illustrated in the style of Greek vases (check it out)
University of Chicago Press Iliad translated by Lattimore and illustrated by Leonard Baskin (no matching Odyssey)
Free Press edition of The Iliad translated by Stephen Mitchell (no matching Odyssey)

Macy got so many complaints about the poor quality of the slipcases (which don't even match in height) that he offered a beautiful double slipcase with a double curved and hubbed leather spine. I don't remember the cost for the optional slipcase, maybe $10? Twice I've tried to buy such a set at auction but didn't come close to the winning bid, eventually giving up and purchasing the books individually for substantially less.

I'm not a big fan of the Palmer translation preferring Lattimore or Fitzgerald; though, I usually recommend people read the Fagles' translations their first time through. I actually have eight editions but I don't count my Fitzgeralds in paper. Is anyone aware of a nice edition with Fitzgerald's translation?

>140 kdweber:

I have most of these as well, except my Pope/Flaxman editions are the HP editions rather than the Limited Editions Club (never found a pristine set at a reasonable price). I don't have the Chester River Press nor Free Press editions. My Fitzgerald Odyssey is the original hardback edition published by Heinemann, but one day I hope to replace it with the Franklin Library edition with Fitzgerald's translation (though I am not a fan of leather bound books, I do have several Franklin Library editions and I must say I like them much more than the Easton Press books I own).

Palmer is the first complete Odyssey I read, and I like it very much for a prose version; I also like Lawrence's prose translation the LEC used for their later version. Interestingly, if you read Lawrence's letters to Bruce Rogers when he was working on his translation, Lawrence starts by dismissing Palmer, but as he gets into it, he has grudging admiration for how well Palmer had done. The first Odyssey I read was the abridged verse version by Herbert Bates, and this is still my favorite. Abridged though it is, and written in 4 beat lines, it really captures the old movie-serial quality of the work in the way it dashes you from one adventure to the next--which seems right to me.

I have also read the Penguin paperback version with E.V. Rieu's prose translation and the Mentor paperback with W.H.D. Rouse's rather slangy slangy translation, but neither are comparable with the ones above.

I have not read either Stanley Lombardo's nor Emily Wilson's versions; both are praised but neither, in the excerpts I've seen, have made me want to add them to my library.

Thanks to Django6924 (Robert) I have a nice label for my Les Miserables slipcase.
I took a photo of the spine on my HP Grapes of Wrath book and printed it for the label on the other slipcase. I guess it works since I don't have any alternative for now. I have quite a few slipcases waiting for labels that I haven't made a decision on yet.
I would never be a good Carpenter because I can't make good measurements or cut straight accurate boards consistently but I am proud of my slipcases anyway!

>142 Jan7Smith:

I wish I could do half as well!

When it came to most things involving craftsmanship, I was always a disappointment to my father who was an expert at everything he did (at least that's how he seemed to me). He built a garage when the old one burned and did all the work himself with what little help my brother and I afforded (mostly legwork.) He would take a carpenter's square and an old lead pencil and draw a line on a piece of siding, and with a Disston hand saw cut a line so true that when it butted against the upright you couldn't slide a piece of paper in at the join. I need a radial arm saw to cut a board that straight. He would have made a great bookbinder, but being raised on a ranch, he was not a bookish person.

My slipcase for Heritage Press Grapes of Wrath with a label provided by Django6924 (Robert) Thanks, Robert!

>144 Jan7Smith:

You are welcome! The slipcase turned out very nice. I am trying to decide if I should have one made for my HP of the book. It really needs a rebinding as the spine has been sunned to the point where it is virtually illegible, but since I have a pristine copy of the Limited Editions Club version, I'm reluctant to spend the money--especially since it's the HP version I take down when I want to go back and read a few chapters. It really is one of the best HP editions--fine paper and excellent letterpress and reproductions of the illustrations. The only place they seem to have cut corners on is the binding, as I have never seen a copy where I would rate the binding as Fine (maybe yours?)

This is my humble output of slipcases I made for LEC and one HP. I also made several for non-LEC or HP editions. I am glad to get the protection for the books although it is expensive, especially the shipping from Talas.
I press on as I have quite a few more to make.

>146 Jan7Smith:
Beautiful! Great job!

2023

>148 mr.philistine: thanks for sharing this. was considering the LEC/Golden Cockerel King Arthur at full price, got it for 20% off

Thanks! I went ahead and purchased Book of Ecclesiastes, Comus, and Two Plays Puritans from the sale.

https://www.oakknoll.com/pages/books/31226/walter-savage-landor/imaginary-conver...

This is a nice deal with letter and jacket. Slipcase has some wear but the slipcase on this one is worn/breaking on a lot of listings.

@PBB I went ahead and added that Imaginary Conversations to my order as a result of your nudge above. It arrived today and I am really pleased with it. The lack of illustrations seems to me appropriate for this work and it has all the usual great qualities of a Mardersteig production. The Monthly Letter partly justifies the cost as it was an entertaining read with interesting club history. I don't yet know if the contents will be to my liking, but the dialogues are full of characters that interest me and I like having a selection of books in my library that can be pulled off the shelf and enjoyed for a short period when the mood strikes without needing to start at the beginning or reach the end.

>152 cartographer144: One of the cheaper Mardersteig books and a good read. With a brand new typeface. The letter is definitely worth reading on the Google Drive for anyone who does not own a copy. The phrasing of the Shakespeare set mention makes me think it's the first time it was confirmed that it was in the works.

I splurged a bit on the Oak Knoll sale. Although not as much last year. Last year I spent 3 grand and blew my budget for a year. This time I spent $463, but I'm happy with what I ended up.

Boswell, James JOURNAL OF A TOUR TO THE HEBRIDES WITH SAMUEL JOHNSON, LL.D.|THE. $60.00
Thomas, Alan G. GREAT BOOKS AND BOOK COLLECTORS $12.50
Maran, Rene BATOUALA, A NOVEL. $160.00
Di Bassi, Pietro Andrea LABORS OF HERCULES.|THE $36.00
Franklin, Colin PRIVATE PRESSES.|THE $16.00
Ovid ART OF LOVE.|THE $12.50
Melville, Herman BENITO CERENO. Nonesuch$32.00
Racine, Jean-Baptiste PHAEDRA. $20.00
Harte, Bret LUCK OF ROARING CAMP, A STORY BY BRET HARTE, FIRST PRINTED IN THE OVERLAND MONTHLY FOR AUGUST 1868, AND NOW PRINTED BY THE GRABHORN PRESS.|THE $32.00
Brown, Thomas RELIGIO MEDICI $35.00

>154 rbee: Pretty good prices!

The annual sale has begun, and the Grossman History of the Limited Editions Club can be had for half price.

>156 A.Nobody:
Thank you - that seems about the only interesting LEC title on sale, slim pickings otherwise…

>156 A.Nobody: Anyone who doesn't have this should get it!

>158 laotzu225:

I should have waited for the sale!

>159 Django6924: Me too. It’s gone on sale a number of times but I couldn’t wait and bought it on release.

'Tis an invaluable resource. And very interesting reading as well.

>158 laotzu225: Still waiting for this title to hit the secondary market at a throwaway price. Until then, this forum and the LEC Wiki page are sufficient for my needs. :)