Folio Archives 351: The Castle of Otranto by Horace Walpole 1976
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1wcarter
The Castle of Otranto, A Gothic Story by Horace Walpole 1976
First published in 1764, but set in the 12th. Century, this story has ghosts, mysterious inheritances, romance, murder, lust, magic and is generally entrancing. Considering the story is 250 years old, it is amazingly modern in its construct and use of suspense.
Horace Walpole was the son of the British prime minister Robert Walpole. He also was a member of parliament and became the 4th. Earl of Orford as well as an author. The book was a best seller when first published. His eccentric and isolated home, Strawberry Hill had its own printing press, on which he did not print this book, but his other memoirs, histories and catalogues were produced here.
The book has 144 pages, but after the long 15 page introduction, two prefaces, sonnets and title pages are accounted for, the novel itself is only 105 pages, which can be easily read in a couple of hours.
The book is introduced by Devendra P. Varma and there are six leaves of two-colour lithographs by Charles Keeping. It is quarter bound in black cloth with a gilt blocked pattern on spine. The paper boards are beautifully hand marbled by Ingeborg Börjeson. It has dark green endleaves and the page tops are stained dark green. The grey textured slipcase measures 23.7x15cm.
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An index of the other illustrated reviews in the "Folio Archives" series can be viewed here.
First published in 1764, but set in the 12th. Century, this story has ghosts, mysterious inheritances, romance, murder, lust, magic and is generally entrancing. Considering the story is 250 years old, it is amazingly modern in its construct and use of suspense.
Horace Walpole was the son of the British prime minister Robert Walpole. He also was a member of parliament and became the 4th. Earl of Orford as well as an author. The book was a best seller when first published. His eccentric and isolated home, Strawberry Hill had its own printing press, on which he did not print this book, but his other memoirs, histories and catalogues were produced here.
The book has 144 pages, but after the long 15 page introduction, two prefaces, sonnets and title pages are accounted for, the novel itself is only 105 pages, which can be easily read in a couple of hours.
The book is introduced by Devendra P. Varma and there are six leaves of two-colour lithographs by Charles Keeping. It is quarter bound in black cloth with a gilt blocked pattern on spine. The paper boards are beautifully hand marbled by Ingeborg Börjeson. It has dark green endleaves and the page tops are stained dark green. The grey textured slipcase measures 23.7x15cm.
. . . . 
An index of the other illustrated reviews in the "Folio Archives" series can be viewed here.
2cronshaw
Thanks Warwick. FS binding designs from the 1960s and 70s often feel dull and uninspiring today but there were some notable exceptions including this one. Beautiful marbling and spine design (note no standardised 'FS' colophon spoiling the spine design!).
3boldface
Those were the days, when you got letterpress printing, laid paper, and hand-marbling in a standard book!
4astropi
>3 boldface: Yup, and the price... dirt cheap! If this was released today this would be a $200-300 book.
5English-bookseller
For those who are ever visiting London, it is possible to view Strawberry Hill as it is generally open to the public. It is a delightful place.
6UK_History_Fan
>5 English-bookseller:
Agree and also highly recommend a visit.
Agree and also highly recommend a visit.
7boldface
>4 astropi:
Well, it's just cost me around £20 for a fine copy. Thank you to Dr Carter for the enablement! The marbled paper does not disappoint and the gilded spine gleams like a jewel. I shall bump this up my tbr pile. (The Paul Scott biography I'm currently reading languished on my shelves for 30 years, but I got there!! - eventually.)
Well, it's just cost me around £20 for a fine copy. Thank you to Dr Carter for the enablement! The marbled paper does not disappoint and the gilded spine gleams like a jewel. I shall bump this up my tbr pile. (The Paul Scott biography I'm currently reading languished on my shelves for 30 years, but I got there!! - eventually.)
