OT - Signed limited edition Anansi Boys by Neil Gaiman
TalkFolio Society Devotees
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1SF-72
I know that there are people here who like Neil Gaiman's work, so I thought I'd mention this edition here:
https://www.waterstones.com/book/anansi-boys/neil-gaiman/9781035405305
It might still be available elsewhere, too. It's not on the level of Folio Society, but it's nicely made with black-and-white illustrations, a cloth-bound slipcase, foiling, a ribbon marker, and it's signed by Neil Gaiman. The image at Waterstones isn't quite correct. It shows the dustjacket of the regular edition. The black and green edition in later pictures is what you'll get. The art by Monet Alyssa is quite interesting, though the print quality could be a bit better there.
edited to add: See post 6 for cloth or not. Right now I'm not sure.
https://www.waterstones.com/book/anansi-boys/neil-gaiman/9781035405305
It might still be available elsewhere, too. It's not on the level of Folio Society, but it's nicely made with black-and-white illustrations, a cloth-bound slipcase, foiling, a ribbon marker, and it's signed by Neil Gaiman. The image at Waterstones isn't quite correct. It shows the dustjacket of the regular edition. The black and green edition in later pictures is what you'll get. The art by Monet Alyssa is quite interesting, though the print quality could be a bit better there.
edited to add: See post 6 for cloth or not. Right now I'm not sure.
2FitzJames
>1 SF-72: I never pulled the trigger on that one, as I felt it much less impressive than the earlier Headline de luxe edition of Gaiman's 'The Ocean at the End of the Lane' back in 2019 whose style and format this edition mirrors.
That volume was numbered, and dually signed by Gaiman and Hurst, and the included print was also signed (and numbered) by Hurst, retailing for £60.00 all the while.
That volume was numbered, and dually signed by Gaiman and Hurst, and the included print was also signed (and numbered) by Hurst, retailing for £60.00 all the while.
3bacchus.
>2 FitzJames: Ah, I’d recommend that edition to any Gaiman fan - one can find it for cheap without the signatures. I don’t believe there’s an illustrator that could top Hurst’s work on this one.
4SF-72
>2 FitzJames:
I've got and like both editions - the books are very different so the different styles suit them. And of course prices have risen during the last few years. That being said, there's a lot of cloth and detailed foiling involved, which might also play a role.
And I must say, I was pretty shocked at the second-hand prices of this edition of The Ocean at the End of the Lane I saw just now.
I've got and like both editions - the books are very different so the different styles suit them. And of course prices have risen during the last few years. That being said, there's a lot of cloth and detailed foiling involved, which might also play a role.
And I must say, I was pretty shocked at the second-hand prices of this edition of The Ocean at the End of the Lane I saw just now.
5FitzJames
>4 SF-72: A cloth-bound slipcase you say? I had thought it must be paper like the volume itself from the few photos I had seen... cloth gives one pause for thought dash it.
>3 bacchus.: And yes! I am most fond of the de luxe edition, tho' also made sure to make a gift of the standard hardcover whose production was no less superb for all that.
>3 bacchus.: And yes! I am most fond of the de luxe edition, tho' also made sure to make a gift of the standard hardcover whose production was no less superb for all that.
6SF-72
>5 FitzJames:
It looks like cloth to me, but to be on the safe side: I recently got a hand-made slipcase that I thought was cloth and I later found out it was paper that was made to look like cloth. Since Waterstones doesn't mention cloth, it might be something like that. I wouldn't want anyone to buy this and be disappointed.
It looks like cloth to me, but to be on the safe side: I recently got a hand-made slipcase that I thought was cloth and I later found out it was paper that was made to look like cloth. Since Waterstones doesn't mention cloth, it might be something like that. I wouldn't want anyone to buy this and be disappointed.
7pse1
I have the deluxe edition which really isn’t up to Folio standards. I think the book is bound in cloth but am not entirely sure! The quality of the paper is relatively poor and the illustrations are in black and white. Whilst this is supposed to be a limited edition there’s no indication of that with the book itself.
The highlight, and what might justify the price, is the signature from the author and a separate print signed by the illustrator.
Whilst £100 seems costly to me, elsewhere the book is selling for considerably more!
The highlight, and what might justify the price, is the signature from the author and a separate print signed by the illustrator.
Whilst £100 seems costly to me, elsewhere the book is selling for considerably more!
8FitzJames
>7 pse1: Whilst £100 seems costly to me, elsewhere the book is selling for considerably more!
I surely hope you mean listed for considerably more, because the volume is still available new from the likes of Waterstones or even Headline themselves.
I'm still on the fence about this one. While I wasn't overfond of the Folio binding, at £85 it is hard to see (even w. Gaiman's signature) how Headline ever convinced themselves that £100 was a justifiable sum for their offering.
>4 SF-72: And I must say, I was pretty shocked at the second-hand prices of this edition of The Ocean at the End of the Lane I saw just now.
Shocked at how low, or how high they are listed for? Abe only has two listings that I can see, Biblio not a one.
I surely hope you mean listed for considerably more, because the volume is still available new from the likes of Waterstones or even Headline themselves.
I'm still on the fence about this one. While I wasn't overfond of the Folio binding, at £85 it is hard to see (even w. Gaiman's signature) how Headline ever convinced themselves that £100 was a justifiable sum for their offering.
>4 SF-72: And I must say, I was pretty shocked at the second-hand prices of this edition of The Ocean at the End of the Lane I saw just now.
Shocked at how low, or how high they are listed for? Abe only has two listings that I can see, Biblio not a one.
9pse1
>8 FitzJames:
I think the Folio edition is far superior in pretty much every way! I remain surprised that AbeBooks is listing the Headline edition for £195 or £255. However, we all know that in-print Folio books can be priced insanely when a pristine new copy is available from Folio direct.
I think the Folio edition is far superior in pretty much every way! I remain surprised that AbeBooks is listing the Headline edition for £195 or £255. However, we all know that in-print Folio books can be priced insanely when a pristine new copy is available from Folio direct.
10FitzJames
>9 pse1: Thank you for your comment! I already very much liked the Folio 'Neverwhere,' but might be thawing on the Folio 'Anansi;' the Folio 'American Gods' however, is a bridge too far (I cannot stand that spine).
And that we do, that we do... in-print Folios being relisted instantly on AbeBooks etc., waiting only for the moment they are sold out before their prices come to the fore - and not even then if their purchasers are sufficiently injudicious.
And that we do, that we do... in-print Folios being relisted instantly on AbeBooks etc., waiting only for the moment they are sold out before their prices come to the fore - and not even then if their purchasers are sufficiently injudicious.
11pse1
>10 FitzJames:
I have the Folio copy of ‘American Gods’ and it’s my least favourite Gaiman book available from Folio in design terms. It don’t much like the novel either.
I agree with your views of ‘Neverwhere’. It’s an excellent production from Folio and a good read. It’s one of my favourite Folio SEs.
I have the Folio copy of ‘American Gods’ and it’s my least favourite Gaiman book available from Folio in design terms. It don’t much like the novel either.
I agree with your views of ‘Neverwhere’. It’s an excellent production from Folio and a good read. It’s one of my favourite Folio SEs.
12SF-72
>8 FitzJames:
The book is still available from some sellers at the original sale price of 100 Pounds, but yes, you can already find it for more online. Judging by the same kind of limited edition of The Ocean at the End of the Lane from 2019, the price will rise a lot once it's sold out from shops like Waterstones etc. Editions of that I saw online were over 400 Euros (ebay, I think) or even 675$ (an antiquarian shop) when it originally cost 60 Pounds.
The book is still available from some sellers at the original sale price of 100 Pounds, but yes, you can already find it for more online. Judging by the same kind of limited edition of The Ocean at the End of the Lane from 2019, the price will rise a lot once it's sold out from shops like Waterstones etc. Editions of that I saw online were over 400 Euros (ebay, I think) or even 675$ (an antiquarian shop) when it originally cost 60 Pounds.
13SF-72
A few thoughts on / remarks to posts above.
I collect Gaiman editions, in particular illustrated ones, which is why I have different ones of the same novel in some cases. That being said: If one has to choose between the limited Anansi Boys edition by Headline and the one by Folio Society, I would always recommend Folio Society. The quality is far superior. But I still enjoy this new edition. The illustrations are completely different and actually quite interesting with lots of details you notice only once you take a closer look. They are black-and-white, but I don't have a problem with that since they are clearly pencil drawings, not colour illustrations made black and white for the printing. I do wish the print quality was a bit better, though, they are just a tiny bit blurry / not quite crisp enough, if that's the right term. In contrast to the regular Headline edition, which is available at 30 Pounds (and signed by Gaiman, too, at Waterstones), you get a slipcase and much more complex metallic foiling, which is nice. If it's an upgrade worth 70 Pounds is another question. The regular edition has a coloured dustjacket the limited one doesn't have, but I must admit that I don't like the illustration on it. Black and white works better with this illustrator. I've got the impression that these are the only differences, the paper and print quality seem to the same and definitely not on a par with publications by FS or other non-trade presses. So basically, if you enjoy Gaiman enough to buy expensive editions, it might be worth your while for the slipcase and foiling. Otherwise you can also go for the 30-Pound edition with the same interior. And if a choice has to be made, go for FS, that edition is really worth it.
I collect Gaiman editions, in particular illustrated ones, which is why I have different ones of the same novel in some cases. That being said: If one has to choose between the limited Anansi Boys edition by Headline and the one by Folio Society, I would always recommend Folio Society. The quality is far superior. But I still enjoy this new edition. The illustrations are completely different and actually quite interesting with lots of details you notice only once you take a closer look. They are black-and-white, but I don't have a problem with that since they are clearly pencil drawings, not colour illustrations made black and white for the printing. I do wish the print quality was a bit better, though, they are just a tiny bit blurry / not quite crisp enough, if that's the right term. In contrast to the regular Headline edition, which is available at 30 Pounds (and signed by Gaiman, too, at Waterstones), you get a slipcase and much more complex metallic foiling, which is nice. If it's an upgrade worth 70 Pounds is another question. The regular edition has a coloured dustjacket the limited one doesn't have, but I must admit that I don't like the illustration on it. Black and white works better with this illustrator. I've got the impression that these are the only differences, the paper and print quality seem to the same and definitely not on a par with publications by FS or other non-trade presses. So basically, if you enjoy Gaiman enough to buy expensive editions, it might be worth your while for the slipcase and foiling. Otherwise you can also go for the 30-Pound edition with the same interior. And if a choice has to be made, go for FS, that edition is really worth it.
14SF-72
>11 pse1:
I remember how impressed I was when American Gods was first published by FS. I thought they'd done a great job with those illustrations. At least I thought so until Anansi Boys and Neverwhere came along, where they did so much better, with a lot more illustrations and great ideas for the rest of the presentation, like stencilled edges for Anansi Boys, a slipcase that's really pleasant to the touch, and so on. I'm pretty sure they upped their game after American Gods was such a success, and I wish they'd already worked at that level when they published it.
It will be interesting to see what Suntup will do with American Gods, though in contrast to FS, actually getting one's hands on one of their editions will prove a lot more difficult, I expect. But I don't expect that their standard edition will come close to what FS did with regard to the number of illustrations (Suntup just don't do 30 or more per book, or at least haven't so far), edges etc. for Anansi Boys and Neverwhere. They were really creative and generous there.
Off topic, but just in case since we've been talking about several Gaiman editions and compared them here: Analecta Books currently still have a small number of FS editions of Neverwhere remarqued with drawings by the illustrator. I just bought one, but haven't received it yet. They're expensive at 250 Pounds, but it's a beautiful idea. Those drawings are a lot more complex than what you usually find in your average remarqued edition. I'm really looking forward to my copy.
I remember how impressed I was when American Gods was first published by FS. I thought they'd done a great job with those illustrations. At least I thought so until Anansi Boys and Neverwhere came along, where they did so much better, with a lot more illustrations and great ideas for the rest of the presentation, like stencilled edges for Anansi Boys, a slipcase that's really pleasant to the touch, and so on. I'm pretty sure they upped their game after American Gods was such a success, and I wish they'd already worked at that level when they published it.
It will be interesting to see what Suntup will do with American Gods, though in contrast to FS, actually getting one's hands on one of their editions will prove a lot more difficult, I expect. But I don't expect that their standard edition will come close to what FS did with regard to the number of illustrations (Suntup just don't do 30 or more per book, or at least haven't so far), edges etc. for Anansi Boys and Neverwhere. They were really creative and generous there.
Off topic, but just in case since we've been talking about several Gaiman editions and compared them here: Analecta Books currently still have a small number of FS editions of Neverwhere remarqued with drawings by the illustrator. I just bought one, but haven't received it yet. They're expensive at 250 Pounds, but it's a beautiful idea. Those drawings are a lot more complex than what you usually find in your average remarqued edition. I'm really looking forward to my copy.
15Pax_Romana
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16SF-72
>15 Pax_Romana:
I'm really looking forward to the Suntup edition. I've known the artist, Yoann Lossel, for years, love his art, and am sure he will do wonderful work with American Gods, too. I don't expect the large number of illustrations that FS had done for Neverwhere and Anansi Boys, though. But as you say, hopefully it will be more than the recently usual 6, especially for a book of this length.
I'm really looking forward to the Suntup edition. I've known the artist, Yoann Lossel, for years, love his art, and am sure he will do wonderful work with American Gods, too. I don't expect the large number of illustrations that FS had done for Neverwhere and Anansi Boys, though. But as you say, hopefully it will be more than the recently usual 6, especially for a book of this length.
17Pax_Romana
This message has been deleted by its author.
18SF-72
>16 SF-72:
I think that Gaiman started out with some real strengths, but like most authors got (even) better over time. I also prefer Anansi Boys to Neverwhere, though I (generally) enjoyed that, too. Interestingly enough, Neverwhere worked better or worse for me at different times in my life. In one phase, I just didn't get into it. A group read really added to the experience, though. Anansi Boys was just pure fun straight away.
By the way, Neverwhere was originally just a screenplay, but Gaiman was so unhappy with the filmed result, which was very cheap, that he turned it into a novel. He's been planning a sequel for quite some time now and it will be interesting to see how that compares so many years later.
And yes, I also understood Suntup to do the pre-orders for Americans Gods, probably late this year. I'm looking forward to it. That would be my third edition then, I've got the one by FS and an annotated trade edition. If I get it. I hope at least the standard edition won't be a problem, but I unfortunately don't have high hopes for a numbered edition.
I think that Gaiman started out with some real strengths, but like most authors got (even) better over time. I also prefer Anansi Boys to Neverwhere, though I (generally) enjoyed that, too. Interestingly enough, Neverwhere worked better or worse for me at different times in my life. In one phase, I just didn't get into it. A group read really added to the experience, though. Anansi Boys was just pure fun straight away.
By the way, Neverwhere was originally just a screenplay, but Gaiman was so unhappy with the filmed result, which was very cheap, that he turned it into a novel. He's been planning a sequel for quite some time now and it will be interesting to see how that compares so many years later.
And yes, I also understood Suntup to do the pre-orders for Americans Gods, probably late this year. I'm looking forward to it. That would be my third edition then, I've got the one by FS and an annotated trade edition. If I get it. I hope at least the standard edition won't be a problem, but I unfortunately don't have high hopes for a numbered edition.
19Pax_Romana
This message has been deleted by its author.
20SF-72
>19 Pax_Romana:
I got on the list, yes. They also had a list for the numbered edition, but I'm pretty sure that that won't actually be used and that pretty much only rights holders will get their foot in the door for those.
I got on the list, yes. They also had a list for the numbered edition, but I'm pretty sure that that won't actually be used and that pretty much only rights holders will get their foot in the door for those.
21pse1
I’m sure I recall this being detailed somewhere on the list, but there’s an interesting DC version of the Sandman - specifically “The Sandman: Morpheus Helm Masterpiece Edition”, 2023, ISBN 978-1779523518. I managed to pick up a copy for £205 whereas the list price is £455. I’m not into really graphic novels - and am not tempted by any of the Folio Marvel books - but this is a little special. The six volumes, bound theoretically in leather, are not up to Folio standards, but with the somewhat spectacular and very large helm, they do seem to be good value for money.
Against the confusing plethora of other versions of Sandman, not helped by the publication of new stories fitting into the narrative, this DC edition seems comprehensive and in terms of price compares well with the competition.
One caution though, it comes in an enormous box and the helm is really, really, large. Ideally it would be placed on the top of a bookcase with the bone nose curving over the edge. A second, shorter, nose is included, although this doesn’t seem to be referenced anywhere, which allows the helm to be placed on a flat surface.
I’ve just purchased the LE Folio Becky Chambers book which, although slightly damaged, is nice. I suspect I’ll ask Folio for a replacement as I’m very picky about LEs. I think the DC Sandman collection is more impactful and offers better value for money in the right setting.
Against the confusing plethora of other versions of Sandman, not helped by the publication of new stories fitting into the narrative, this DC edition seems comprehensive and in terms of price compares well with the competition.
One caution though, it comes in an enormous box and the helm is really, really, large. Ideally it would be placed on the top of a bookcase with the bone nose curving over the edge. A second, shorter, nose is included, although this doesn’t seem to be referenced anywhere, which allows the helm to be placed on a flat surface.
I’ve just purchased the LE Folio Becky Chambers book which, although slightly damaged, is nice. I suspect I’ll ask Folio for a replacement as I’m very picky about LEs. I think the DC Sandman collection is more impactful and offers better value for money in the right setting.
22BooksFriendsNotFood
>21 pse1: Ooh it's cool to hear from someone who actually got the Morpheus Helm set! Glad you like it & thanks for sharing :)
