Folio Archives 187: Mutiny and Piratical Seizure of the HMS Bounty by Sir John Barrow 1976
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1wcarter
The Eventful History of the Mutiny and Piratical Seizure of the HMS Bounty, its Causes and Consequences by Sir John Barrow 1976
Everyone has probably heard of the Mutiny on the Bounty, if only through the famous film, and the extraordinary open boat voyage undertaken across the Pacific to Timor by Captain Bligh and his supporters. This book was (and remains) a classic, as it was written in 1831 by someone who had explored and travelled widely and understood the nature of sailing ships as he was a ship’s captain who ended up as Secretary of the Admiralty. This gripping book became the definitive history of that amazing voyage, and that of the subsequent punitive voyages. All subsequent writers about the mutiny have relied upon this book as their principal source.
The book is not academic, but factual, and is redeemed by psychological interest, detailed descriptions of exotic places, and outlines how one of the strangest communities the world has ever know was established (and still persists) on Pitcairn Island.
Edited and introduced by Cpt. Stephen Roskill, the 261 page book is bound in dark blue cloth cover blocked with a gilt and light blue design. The map endpapers showing the voyage are printed black on mid-blue and there are 12 pages of monochrome illustrations. The page tops are stained mid-blue and the slipcase (23x14.5cm.) is textured mid-blue.
This book was reprinted by the Folio Society in 1998.
…. 
Endpapers
An index of the other illustrated reviews in the "Folio Archives" series can be viewed here.
Everyone has probably heard of the Mutiny on the Bounty, if only through the famous film, and the extraordinary open boat voyage undertaken across the Pacific to Timor by Captain Bligh and his supporters. This book was (and remains) a classic, as it was written in 1831 by someone who had explored and travelled widely and understood the nature of sailing ships as he was a ship’s captain who ended up as Secretary of the Admiralty. This gripping book became the definitive history of that amazing voyage, and that of the subsequent punitive voyages. All subsequent writers about the mutiny have relied upon this book as their principal source.
The book is not academic, but factual, and is redeemed by psychological interest, detailed descriptions of exotic places, and outlines how one of the strangest communities the world has ever know was established (and still persists) on Pitcairn Island.
Edited and introduced by Cpt. Stephen Roskill, the 261 page book is bound in dark blue cloth cover blocked with a gilt and light blue design. The map endpapers showing the voyage are printed black on mid-blue and there are 12 pages of monochrome illustrations. The page tops are stained mid-blue and the slipcase (23x14.5cm.) is textured mid-blue.
This book was reprinted by the Folio Society in 1998.
…. 
Endpapers
An index of the other illustrated reviews in the "Folio Archives" series can be viewed here.
2SinsenKrysset
I wonder how does reprints in general compare to earlier prints? Like this one from the seventies compared to the 1998 reprint. My general understanding is that the quality has become better. So if I had to choose between a 1998 reprint and this 1976 edition, which one would I get? In this hypothetical situation, lets say the condition of the books are the same.
Thanks for the "Folio Archives" series. It is a wonderful way of getting to know these books.
Thanks for the "Folio Archives" series. It is a wonderful way of getting to know these books.
3boldface
>2 SinsenKrysset: "My general understanding is that the quality has become better."
I wouldn't necessarily always come to that conclusion. Although I can't speak from direct knowledge of this particular book, I have seen a number of later reprints of others of this and earlier eras and been able to compare them directly. In my experience, the earlier versions are usually preferable. They are generally printed letterpress and often on slightly superior and certainly more varied and interesting (often laid) papers than today's ubiquitous Abbey Wove. However, what really tells is the quality of the black and white reproduction of the illustrations. I have usually found that in standard editions the old lithography brings out slightly more contrast and definition when compared directly with the modern digital equivalent.
I wouldn't necessarily always come to that conclusion. Although I can't speak from direct knowledge of this particular book, I have seen a number of later reprints of others of this and earlier eras and been able to compare them directly. In my experience, the earlier versions are usually preferable. They are generally printed letterpress and often on slightly superior and certainly more varied and interesting (often laid) papers than today's ubiquitous Abbey Wove. However, what really tells is the quality of the black and white reproduction of the illustrations. I have usually found that in standard editions the old lithography brings out slightly more contrast and definition when compared directly with the modern digital equivalent.
4SinsenKrysset
> 3 Thank you!
I have fallen ever deeper into the trap that is the older folios, so this is reassuring.
This is largely due to "Folio Archives" series by wcarter and "Folio Society: The Early Years" by Conte_Mosca.
This FAD of mine is getting ridiculously expensive and space consuming.
I have fallen ever deeper into the trap that is the older folios, so this is reassuring.
This is largely due to "Folio Archives" series by wcarter and "Folio Society: The Early Years" by Conte_Mosca.
This FAD of mine is getting ridiculously expensive and space consuming.
5N11284
>2 SinsenKrysset: I would agree with boldface on this. I also find that in some cases the older illustrations are more suitable to the text than the newer ones.
6Jayked
>2 SinsenKrysset:
I'm with boldface too. I have the original Jane Austen series, and the 1989 reprints. While there's not much to choose between them in print quality, there's a slight but noticeable loss of detail in the engravings. However, I'd buy the reprints. The silk binding on the originals degenerated so quickly and completely that they look toxic. And you have to consider the time lapse between editions. All paper decays over time, and you'd be extremely lucky to find a book from the fifties that isn't beginning to look slightly dingy.
I'm with boldface too. I have the original Jane Austen series, and the 1989 reprints. While there's not much to choose between them in print quality, there's a slight but noticeable loss of detail in the engravings. However, I'd buy the reprints. The silk binding on the originals degenerated so quickly and completely that they look toxic. And you have to consider the time lapse between editions. All paper decays over time, and you'd be extremely lucky to find a book from the fifties that isn't beginning to look slightly dingy.
