Extraordinary Editions

Extraordinary Editions in London will soon be releasing a new edition of THE BOOK OF EBENEZER LE PAGE. Not letterpress, but beautifully presented. Will be released later this year.
https://extraordinaryeditions.com/books/the-book-of-ebenezer-le-page/

Those of you looking at the Extraordinary Editions website should also consider two other publications that are both extraordinary:-

Battle of Waterloo
https://www.librarything.com/topic/257400

Illuminated Fightbook
https://www.librarything.com/topic/318477
Now apparently sold out,

>1 wcarter:

The shipping costs outside of the U.K. are prohibitive. 100 GBP = $135 USD to send an ordinary-sized book to the USA/Canada? I think not.

>2 dlphcoracl: those shipping costs are for their massive books (like battle of Waterloo), it won't be that much for the book of Ebenezer le Page (shipping costs TBC).

A fantastic novel, in my opinion, and I think this looks likely to be a worthy edition.

This could be worth getting if the shipping costs are reasonable. I have the NYRB release of the novel, so it clearly has some esteem attached. Would be more tempted if it were letterpress, of course, but it does look like a nice edition regardless.

>3 EdmundRodriguez:
>4 Shadekeep:

You are correct regarding shipping costs. Just received an e-mail from Martin Morgan confirming that shipping costs will be determined after the book is launched in June but will be considerably less than the 100 GBP mentioned under 'Order', which is for their massive books. Reservations/orders are being taken now, however, with a simple e-mail.

>5 dlphcoracl: Thanks for the update. That £100 standard shipping fee put me right off, but I'll be happy to pick this up for a better rate. I expect it will still be a large percentage of the cost, the shipping fee of all my orders across the big pond have been markedly higher of late.

Extraordinary is right. Gorgeous book. The color of the leather, and marbling design looks stunning together.

>7 Undergroundman: Agreed, that edition is beautiful. I've asked to be subscribed to the Island Edition, as I've already gone overboard this month with fine press orders. But if I had the funds free I'd be getting the Leather Bound Edition.

I really would love an Extraordinary version of their Waterloo. That binding is to die for.

>1 wcarter: Thanks very much for bringing this to our attention. I doubt I would have seen it otherwise. And the edition looks so lovely that I've asked to be subscribed to the Leather Bound Edition!

Are any of their editions Letterpress?

Also, are the non-letterpress printed offset?

>11 Esoterics:
They do not use letterpress.

The website now estimates P&P to the U.K. and Channel Islands as between £10 and £12.50, though it doesn’t estimate the cost to the rest of the world yet

>1 wcarter:

Enabled, thank you, Warwick - it's not taken three months thought, I missed it when you posted.

The email to subscribers of the Leather Edition went out today asking for payment, and they are hopeful that the books will be delivered before Christmas.
The P&P for the U.K. is £10, Channel Islands £15, EU £20 and Rest of the World £25.
The leather edition is still available for £245 but the email makes clear that the price of this will rise shortly so if anyone was on the fence and wishes to go ahead with this, delaying will cost you more

I have ordered the Leather Edition.
I also have two of their other editions, which are superbly done.

>1 wcarter: Thanks for making me aware of this beautiful book.
>16 wcarter: I ordered the Leather Edition too 😊

I went for the Island. In an attempt to see more examples of the illustrations I came across this stamp set soon to be issued in Guernsey that features more of Charlie Buchanan's work. I'm looking forward to (hopefully) receiving this as an early Christmas gift to myself :) It promises to be a winner.

>1 wcarter: Thank you for bringing this book to everyone's attention. I ordered the Island edition and am looking forward to reading this novel for the first time once receiving it. It sounds like a beautiful work.

Here are details from Extraordinary Editions on the upcoming Mr. Pye by Mervyn Peake:

MR PYE THE DEFINITIVE EDITION

We have prepared this addition with the help and blessing of the artist Fabian Peake, Mervyn’s younger son, who has kindly created a unique frontispiece for the book, and the author Claire Penate, Mervyn’s daughter, who has been hugely generous in her work on the introduction.

In addition, we have sourced some of Mervyn’s work, including his painting of the Avenue in Sark, by kind permission of The Guernsey Museum and Art Gallery, pre-war images of the rail-less coupée (legend has Mervyn tearing across on his bicycle - without holding the handlebars) and other Sark images from Guernsey’s Priaulx Library.

The family have also let us access the original drafts of the novel which are held at the British Library. This has enabled us to reproduce some of Mervyn’s marginalia and sketches from the manuscript, his list of proposed titles, and published here, for the first time, his alternative ending to the story. This you will find at the end of your copy, sealed with a sticker, leaving each reader to decide if they wish to reveal it or not. The book is then elevated further with all 31 of Mervyn’s exquisitely simple line drawings that embellish the start of each chapter.

All of this has been beautifully typeset by the award-winning designer Paul Harpin in the Dove type, with generous margins and, at the end of the book, some stunning concrete poetry to complete the layout. Paul’s deep appreciation for the novel shines through his work.

The endpapers for the cloth edition feature an antique map of Sark, taken from our own Cartographic History of the Channel Islands, this will be tipped into the Leather Edition and printed large format for the Exemplary Edition. The two hand bound editions will feature marble endpapers specially designed by master-marbler Freya Scott.

The cover design, drawn by hand by Guernsey artist Charlie Buchanan and laid out by Paul Harpin features a pair of wings on the covers with the title itself designed to be the body of their angel owner.

THE SARK EDITION

Published in a limited edition of 350 copies and fully bound in sea blue cloth, blocked with the cover and spine design,

with blue and white headbands and a blue ribbon, and with the endpapers taken from a vintage hand drawn map of Sark.

The book is protected with a lightweight card slipcase.

350 copies priced at £65 to subscribers

Shipping, packing, courier UK. £15 CI. £20 EU. £25 ROW. £30

THE LEATHER EDITION

Limited to 150 copies, fully bound, by hand, in midnight blue leather and blocked in antique white with the winged cover deign. The endpapers are of a specially commissioned, hand-made marble paper, designed to invoke the myriad blues of sea and the verdant greens of Sark, while the vintage map of the island is tipped into the book. The book is presented in a cloth covered slipcase, lined in contrasting blue and blocked with the title design.

150 copies priced at £295 to subscribers

Shipping, packing, courier UK. £15 CI. £20 EU. £25 ROW. £30

THE EXEMPLARY EDITION

Limited to 26 hand-lettered copies, fully bound, by hand, in a contrasting midnight blue and cream leather bradel binding to best show off the cover design. The spine is blocked in midnight blue and the covers feature a unique three-dimensional wing design.

The book is presented in a cloth covered solander box, lined with a contrasting blue lining. A large format copy of the vintage map of Sark, numbered to match the book, will sit within the box.

26 lettered copies priced at £1150 to subscribers

Shipping, packing, courier UK. £30 CI. £35 EU. £45 ROW. £50

All these details are correct at the time of writing, however, small changes of detail may occur during the final printing and binding.

>20 A.Nobody: Just got that email as well, sounds and looks very nice so far! Probably will plump for the Leather edition.

>21 Shadekeep: "Probably will plump for the Leather edition."

Same here :)

>20 A.Nobody: Sounds great, can't wait.

Very much looking forward to this one. Their Ebenezer is a favourite of mine. A lot of care and effort goes into their books.

Ordered leather edition, but will be quite a wait.

>25 wcarter: Did Martin give a timeframe for when the book would be released? I ordered a leather edition as well.

>26 rbmackeen: Not in the email I had. I ordered the leather edition also.

>26 rbmackeen:
No schedule, but I suspect not soon.

>26 rbmackeen: I believe he is hoping to publish it by May.

>25 wcarter: It isn't on the website yet, did you just order it by email?

>30 overthemoon: I just responded to the email

>30 overthemoon:
Subscribers were sent an email yesterday.

I received the email with the same text as posted here, but there is no link to an order form and it is not yet on the website.

>33 overthemoon: Just hit Reply asking to reserve a copy and you will receive a response and acknowledgement

>34 DMulvee: thanks, will do.

It's up on the web site now:

https://extraordinaryeditions.com/books/mr-pye/

Pardon my ignorance but how does one become a subscriber and what does that mean? Just being on an email list?

Also from reading this thread, are orders placed by reaching out directly via email?

I wonder if they would bundle 2 books for cheaper shipping to the US.

>37 PJ-Reads: Subscribers are simply people who order the book before it's been completed (the price may increase slightly after release).

You can email Martin at mm@extraordinaryeditions.com to order/subscribe. I'm sure you could ask about shipping for multiple copies too.

>36 Dr.Fiddy: It really does look lovely. I've grown to enjoy these novels that are emblematic of a time and place in the way this book and EE's previous Ebenezer Le Page are. Such writing can age poorly - to wit, a lot of current novels which try to be timely but end up dated by the time they are printed. But when done properly they become self-contained worlds, time capsules that carry you back into a living world that was. I appreciate that EE seeks out these books, even within their narrow remit of being relevant to their own geographic focus, and that they put so much extra effort and attention into making the books as definitive as possible.

>38 EdmundRodriguez: thank you, this is helpful!

I don't know the book but I took a flyer on the Sark Edition. Martin is a pleasure to work with and I'm happy to support his efforts. For anyone who hasn't gotten to it yet, his Island Edition of Ebenezer Le Page is worth considering. It was a good read and is a good deal at the price.

>39 Shadekeep: I totally agree. I hadn’t heard about Ebenezer Le Page until it was mentioned here at LT some time ago. After seeing all the positive comments, I took the chance and purchased the Leather Bound Edition. I ended up liking it so well, that I immediately ordered the Leather Edition of Mr. Pye. So, I guess I have become a fan of Channel Islands publications... :)

>42 Dr.Fiddy: Oo, I wonder if The Toilers of the Sea by Victor Hugo is one they are considering as well? I think I'll write and see!

>43 Shadekeep: My understanding is that the folio society LE of Toilers was (at least partly) driven by Martin, who suggested they do an edition using Hugo's original illustrations. I'm therefore not expecting Extraordinary Editions to do an edition.

Incidentally I think the folio LE is excellent and my favourite edition of the book (above the LEC which I also have). The translation is very good and I enjoy having Hugo's illustrations.

These posts have reminded me to re-shelve the leather Ebenezer next to the FS Toilers LE. I'll need to make space by them for the leather Mr Pye when it comes.

>44 EdmundRodriguez: Indeed, he was intimately involved in that edition. Here's the reply I got from Martin when I asked if Toilers was on his book radar, which he graciously allowed me to share here.

It was!

A while ago I realised that the book had never been published with Hugo's original illustrations
which are so integral to the work he had them bound into the manuscript

In the event we did it with the Folio Society and I acted as there `Channel Island agent
I believe it remains their fastest selling limited edition.

I have looked at other works, John Christopher's A Wrinkle in the Skin and also Green Dolphin Country but I fear they are too niche.

cheers
Martin

ps that is not to say if enough people wanted me to we could still do Toilers!

>45 affle: Absolutely, me too!

>45 affle:

I'm looking forward to adding Mr Pye to this Channel Islands line up.

The Book of Ebeneezer le Page is reviewed at https://www.librarything.com/topic/352510

I see that Ebenezer was announced in February 2022, money called August 2022, and delivered in February 2023. If Mr Pye follows a similar timetable we may get the book in hand about this time next year. Pure speculation on my part.

>50 affle: There's the chance that this one was officially announced when the book is further along, too. It was first teased quite a while ago, so the window between official announcement and delivery may be shorter this time. I suppose we'll find out in due course.

>51 Shadekeep:

The speculative timetable of Ebenezer plus three years has missed its August waymarker...

>52 affle: That's a shame, it would have been nice if the prediction held. I'm looking forward to this one, so hopefully more soonish!

The leather edition of Mr Pye is now available to order. There's an unfortunate reason behind the delay, so best wishes to Martin and family through all this. The email announcing the release is quoted below.

---

Dear All

Thank you so much for your patience, I feel an explanation is in order.

My wife, Maureen, half of the entire workforce of Extraordinary Editions, saw her cancer return for the third time in January 2024. Since then I have been nursing her and I was joined by our sons for her final months. She died at home, in her own bed and with me beside her in January this year. We feel very privileged that we were able to achieve that, her final wish.

Necessarily there has been a lot to sort out, not least moving home to Guernsey where I am now firmly ensconced. All this is a long way of saying sorry the book has taken so long.

The book is printed and looks sensational. I upped the paper weight at the last moment, when we decided to dedicate this extraordinary edition to Maureen. That, some beautiful typesetting and very generous margins have both dignified the text and made it a lovely read. I am delighted with it and very much hope you will be too.

The Leather Edition is £295. p&p is £20 in the UK, £30 in Europe and £40 for the rest of the world.

The easiest way to pay is by bank transfer, you will find all our details on our website:

https://extraordinaryeditions.com/order/

I no longer have a card machine, however I can send out Paypal invoices or Sumup payment links if you would prefer.

Please email me to let me know when you have paid, could you also confirm your delivery address and a contact phone number for the courier company and if you wish to upgrade to the Leather or Exemplary editions just let me know.

The books are on a bench in the bindery and the binder tells me they will ship before Christmas.

Finally, when we published The Book of Ebenezer Le Page many of you posted on your favourite forums and groups, we were delighted and I would be very grateful if you would do so again. It's a very great help.

with very best wishes
Martin

Mr Pye, randomly arrived today. It's rather large with nice spacious margins!

Mr. Pye, in the Sark Ed., has achieved New Zealand and I was quite thrown by the size of him (11 ⅜" x 7 ½").

He did alas, suffer at the hands of the post, unforgivable considering the not inconsiderable packaging afforded by Ludlow (who handled all three states? or all three states' shipping?). I don't know if nasty punts to corners of the spine are terribly fixable.

Edit: added width

As a big fan of a larger book, this is excellent news (I had no idea it was going to be a larger sized edition). Really looking forward to getting mine.

Sorry to hear about the damage in transit!

My copy in the Sark Edition arrived in Australia today, shipped from Ludlow. Thankfully no damage - it's the last few steps before my door that are riskiest given the tendency of couriers to drop parcels over the fence or leave them in the sun, rain etc. I narrowly missed losing the Suntup Imajica to the elements last year.

Anyway, it's huuge. 2.05kg. 29x19x7.2cm - the photos on the website would have suggested half the thickness.
https://www.librarything.com/work/271219/details/304522743

https://extraordinaryeditions.com/books/mr-pye/

My exemplary copy has just arrived. The binding is stunning, coupled with the size of the tome it makes for one impressive book!

Yesterday I finished reading The Book of Ebenezer Le Page. It's probably not the most fashionable novel but I absolutely loved it. I don't often re-read books but I think I will re-read this one. My favourite book of 2026 to date. I went for the Island edition. It's really nicely done and at only GBP 65 for over 500 pages it's a bargain in my opinion.

>60 Pendrainllwyn: I've read it twice, love my Island editon. I am now reading and enjoying Mr Pye, slowly.