New Deluxe Edition of Gilgamesh

This looks like a very special production. I’ve never read Gilgamesh but this is extremely tempting. Any thoughts?

https://www.eastonpress.com/deluxe-editions/gilgamesh-deluxe-edition-3947.html?s...

The cost of this new product appears to be the box, not the book. I have the earlier DLE with the gorgeous, gold-leaf illustrations, and signed by the illustrator (who isn’t even named in this new description). The translator and text are identical for both editions.

>2 jroger1: There’s also a companion volume.

>3 kdweber:
Thanks for reminding me of the companion volume. It could be helpful.

I could be mistaken, but it looks like this edition doesn't contain the excellent illustrations by Rebecca Yanovskaya, which accompanied this version of the text before. But you do get a nice box and a commentary, which I would have found interesting if it came with the signed illustrator edition.

Stephen Mitchell’s translation or rather rendering of the text based on translations is a real joy, whichever version of the book you get. I found it much more accessible than more literal translations with lots of gaps etc. (I also read a translation published by Folio Society, which was much less enjoyable.) A real joy to read. If the illustrations aren't an important factor, this edition would definitely be worthwhile.

I'm a bit confused by this. Details say "Book: 7" x 10", 168pp; Chest: 12 3/8" Wide x 9 1/4" Long x 4 3/16" Tall" but this is clearly two books -- "Stephen Mitchell’s acclaimed translation" as well as the commentary volume. I suspect that Gilgamesh itself might be a rebind, EP has done this in the past, but of course I don't know that for certain.

>1 dtholloway28:
Despite our speculations and reservations, the answer to your question is that the book is definitely worth reading. It is entertaining and easy to follow. As usual, EP hasn’t given us enough information to make an informed decision. But the text is good, the illustrations a question mark, the explanatory notes probably informative, the box gimmicky, and the price reasonable. If I didn’t already own a nice copy, I would probably take a chance on this one.

>7 jroger1: Which other copy are you referring to? I don’t currently own a copy of Gilgamesh, and I’d love to hear general recommendations for other editions as well. Thanks in advance!

>8 DeviousMouse:

https://www.librarything.com/topic/223802

Unfortunately, I don’t find any currently for sale on either eBay or Abe.com.

>9 jroger1: Thank you!

>8 DeviousMouse:

You can see some photos here: https://signed1stedition.com/gilgamesh-signed-by-yanovskaya-new-easton-press-lea...

>11 SF-72: Thank you! It would be nice to have this edition.

>12 DeviousMouse:

It's very beautiful. I bought it new from Easton Press, but a friend of mine was looking for it when it was already out of print and usually rather expensive second hand. A saved search on Ebay helped her get it at a reasonable price. Just in case you'd also like to try and get it at some point.

I bought this book. It fits so tighty into the box I can barely pull it out with the ribbon...anyone else having this problem?

>13 SF-72: This is the way!