1A.Nobody
There's a Kickstarter for a collector's edition of this classic tale. Sadly, it lacks certain fine press features, though it does seem like a worthy edition and one that I'm sure some here would be interested in. Here are some details:
"This edition will be a gorgeous hardcover book, 224 A4 pages, 1.4 kg (3.08 lbs), brimming with more than 500 illustrations, watercolours and graphite travel sketches! Its luxury cover will be imitation leather with gold embossed ornamentation. Delicately textured fine arts paper mimics Armel Gaulme’s original sketchbook quality, and his spectacular classical 19th century illustrations beautifully complement Kipling’s story."
"This edition will be a gorgeous hardcover book, 224 A4 pages, 1.4 kg (3.08 lbs), brimming with more than 500 illustrations, watercolours and graphite travel sketches! Its luxury cover will be imitation leather with gold embossed ornamentation. Delicately textured fine arts paper mimics Armel Gaulme’s original sketchbook quality, and his spectacular classical 19th century illustrations beautifully complement Kipling’s story."
2NathanOv
>1 A.Nobody: with all that art, this is a great example of a book that would likely benefit from lithography over relief printing even if it was being done by a finer press.
it sounds like it ought to be a great immersive way to experience this story!
it sounds like it ought to be a great immersive way to experience this story!
3SF-72
I already got their The Wind in the Willows in a previous Kickstarter and was very happy with what I got. I already supported this one.
6Glacierman
So, is this a novel or an artist's gallery exhibition? There's such a thing as too much of a good thing, making it a bad thing and this is it to my mind. All that art gets in the way of the story. Yet I know some will find all that bling attractive. For those who are easily distracted by shiny things, then, this is a treasure trove. Enjoy!
For those who want to read a good book and maybe enjoy a few illustrations along the way, this is to be avoided.
Yeah, I know. I'm a Philistine and a curmudgeon.
For those who want to read a good book and maybe enjoy a few illustrations along the way, this is to be avoided.
Yeah, I know. I'm a Philistine and a curmudgeon.
7MobyRichard
>6 Glacierman:
Well I think the point is to lean into their fictional conceit about the wholly imaginary 19th century traveler Armel Gaulme who accompanied Dravot and Carnehan to Kafiristan to make sketches (not to be confused with the living artist). See here for more info: https://caurette.com/en/art-books/the_man_who_would_be_king_armel_gaulme/
I guess for the English kickstarter they aren't bothering with the fictional backstory though.
Well I think the point is to lean into their fictional conceit about the wholly imaginary 19th century traveler Armel Gaulme who accompanied Dravot and Carnehan to Kafiristan to make sketches (not to be confused with the living artist). See here for more info: https://caurette.com/en/art-books/the_man_who_would_be_king_armel_gaulme/
I guess for the English kickstarter they aren't bothering with the fictional backstory though.
8Glacierman
>7 MobyRichard: Interesting conceit which definitely has a certain appeal, but it doesn't change my opinion overall.
9astropi
>6 Glacierman: I agree that it is also a bit too ornate for my taste. The book is not really a book, it's a novella. I believe it's around 5500 words, and the kickstarter promises over 500 illustrations... so an illustration every 11 or so words apparently!
10Glacierman
>9 astropi: Precisely! It is more of an art book with a little text sprinkled throughout. Not my cup of tea.
11MobyRichard
>9 astropi:
>10 Glacierman:
Fair points but for various reasons few people these days are going to bother putting together nice editions of Kipling stories that aren't written for children so I still appreciate the effort.
>10 Glacierman:
Fair points but for various reasons few people these days are going to bother putting together nice editions of Kipling stories that aren't written for children so I still appreciate the effort.
12Levin40
Personally I think it looks great and have ordered a copy. I've always been fascinated by the 'Great Game' era. It is most definitely an art book, and seems as to have been a real labour of love by the artist. Regarding the complaints about 'too many illustrations', given that there are >500 illustrations and only 224 pages, I would assume that when there is a page containing say, 10 different sword illustrations, that they're counting that as 10 separate illustrations.
13SF-72
The way I saw the video, they use some illustrations in the part with the novella, and then have a lot of pages with just art at the back of the book. The best of both worlds for me. And the idea of presenting this as if the illustrator had accompanied the journey is a really nice idea.
14astropi
>12 Levin40: I wouldn't say I'm "complaining" since I'm neither dissatisfied with the book nor annoyed, I'm just saying it's not for me. As @Glacierman noted, this is really an art book with words sprinkled throughout -- and there's nothing wrong with that. Again, just not for me :)
15Levin40
>14 astropi: Well, not your post per se but I did find >6 Glacierman: above more than a little condescending, particularly the 'easily distracted by shiny things' part.
Personally, I'm really intrigued by this approach to illustrating a fictional work, as it's something that one hardly ever sees. Instead of the usual 'publisher pays you to produce 5-10 illustrations and you're done' approach that's the norm for most quality/fine press publications these days, the artist in this case has clearly obsessed over the work. Rather than just produce a few key scenes, he's tried to illustrate the entire world of the story: objects, buildings, portraits, populations, landscapes etc. God knows how long it took, but I'm guessing it was entirely a labour of love and not just 'a job' given to him by the publisher. It may not be for everyone perhaps, and we could discuss endlessly about the appropriate number of illustrations - if any - which should accompany a fictional work. But I'm really looking forward to it. If anyone knows of any other similarly obsessive attempts at illustration I'd be interested. In some ways it does bring to mind the Folio Society's original version of Gormenghast, in which Peter Harding produced an extensive imaginary tour of the castle, rather than illustrate specific scenes from the work.
Personally, I'm really intrigued by this approach to illustrating a fictional work, as it's something that one hardly ever sees. Instead of the usual 'publisher pays you to produce 5-10 illustrations and you're done' approach that's the norm for most quality/fine press publications these days, the artist in this case has clearly obsessed over the work. Rather than just produce a few key scenes, he's tried to illustrate the entire world of the story: objects, buildings, portraits, populations, landscapes etc. God knows how long it took, but I'm guessing it was entirely a labour of love and not just 'a job' given to him by the publisher. It may not be for everyone perhaps, and we could discuss endlessly about the appropriate number of illustrations - if any - which should accompany a fictional work. But I'm really looking forward to it. If anyone knows of any other similarly obsessive attempts at illustration I'd be interested. In some ways it does bring to mind the Folio Society's original version of Gormenghast, in which Peter Harding produced an extensive imaginary tour of the castle, rather than illustrate specific scenes from the work.
17astropi
>15 Levin40: I'm glad people are going to appreciate it, it sure looks like a labor of love. It could also be an exercise for the artist as well to show-off their skill. For me, I love illustrations, but I feel that too many does detract from the imagination.
>16 wcarter: Looks like he was inspired by Rockwell Kent.
>16 wcarter: Looks like he was inspired by Rockwell Kent.
18Glacierman
>15 Levin40: ...but I did find >6 Glacierman: above more than a little condescending....
Guilty as charged. My late wife once took me to task for condescendingly disparaging her preference for strawberry lemonade, which I find truly disgusting. However, as she pointed out, I really should keep that opinion to myself and merely state, "I do not find that appealing," and leave it at that for to do otherwise was to insult her which I certainly did not intend.
She was quite correct.
So considering this particular glass of strawberry lemonade, it doesn't appeal to me. Glad you can enjoy it.
Guilty as charged. My late wife once took me to task for condescendingly disparaging her preference for strawberry lemonade, which I find truly disgusting. However, as she pointed out, I really should keep that opinion to myself and merely state, "I do not find that appealing," and leave it at that for to do otherwise was to insult her which I certainly did not intend.
She was quite correct.
So considering this particular glass of strawberry lemonade, it doesn't appeal to me. Glad you can enjoy it.
21wcarter
Asked the promoters about offering a slipcase and this was the reply I received:-
"When we planned the project we all agreed not to offer a slipcase (in the rewards or add-ons). The faux leather and the gold stamp on the cover would risk to be damaged when one takes and puts back the book from the slipcase often. We took this decision for the French edition that has already been published, and the public loved it.
We hope you'll do too!"
"When we planned the project we all agreed not to offer a slipcase (in the rewards or add-ons). The faux leather and the gold stamp on the cover would risk to be damaged when one takes and puts back the book from the slipcase often. We took this decision for the French edition that has already been published, and the public loved it.
We hope you'll do too!"
22mr.philistine
>6 Glacierman: I'm a Philistine...
Me too! And a cheapskate for evaluating what used Folio Society and HP/ LEC titles €64 can buy me.
But more seriously, €9 to €14 for international shipping is very reasonable.
Me too! And a cheapskate for evaluating what used Folio Society and HP/ LEC titles €64 can buy me.
But more seriously, €9 to €14 for international shipping is very reasonable.
23MobyRichard
>21 wcarter:
That's a fair point. I had another faux leather binding that got damaged just taking it down form the shelf occasionally. There's a reason why people pay a premium for the real thing.
That's a fair point. I had another faux leather binding that got damaged just taking it down form the shelf occasionally. There's a reason why people pay a premium for the real thing.
24NathanOv
>21 wcarter: Hm, I’m personally wary of slipcases in general and always check for potential wear and rubbing the first time I remove a new book, but the way they describe it this volume wouldn’t even be safe between other books on a shelf.
25Glacierman
Slipcases need not be a problem. Sometimes an inner, loose-fitting cover (a chemise) is provided to take the wear from sliding in and out. Some people put a clear d/w around the book upon receiving it; that's been covered many times here in this forum. To remove the book, one should shake the slipcase gently so enough of the book slides out to enable one to grip it and pull it out the rest of the way. The biggest problem with slipcases is that they are often made to fit too tightly. That guarantees excessive wear. Personally, I like slipcases. Clamshells are better, but also more costly.
But there remain two camps regarding slipcases: the likes and the dislikes, and they don't usually want to change sides!
But there remain two camps regarding slipcases: the likes and the dislikes, and they don't usually want to change sides!
27SF-72
>26 Pax_Romana:
That's something I'm worried about with some really nice editions I have. (Especially the Brandon Sanderson editions, but a few others, too.) They've lasted a lot longer than 3-4 years so far, but I can't imagine that they'll have the same life span as a good cloth binding or genuine leather.
That's something I'm worried about with some really nice editions I have. (Especially the Brandon Sanderson editions, but a few others, too.) They've lasted a lot longer than 3-4 years so far, but I can't imagine that they'll have the same life span as a good cloth binding or genuine leather.
