Moby Dick limited edition

New limited edition of 750 coming https://www.foliosociety.com/usa/limited-edition-sign-up Which one? Easton Press has one 1200 limited which will be cheaper. https://www.eastonpress.com/deluxe-editions/herman-melvilles-moby-dick-deluxe-ed...

Preview images at:

https://www.instagram.com/p/DXt2uE9l10F/?img_index=1

https://www.facebook.com/TheFolioSociety/posts/pfbid0sn4e9xWAyH1sZDAwaxXVUr7Hk92...

In terms of which one, I wouldn't shelve that Easton Press version even if it was given to me as a gift.

Will have to wait and see on the Folio price, but, if it's too high, I'll just wait for the inevitable standard edition.

This new LE looks interesting, I'm curious about the art. However we got my sister the 2009 LE as a birthday present back in the day; when she moved overseas she gave it to me to look after so its now on long term loan in my library :) So I probably won't go for this edition.

I'm not sold on either. If pressed, I'd choose the Folio. I don't much care for the cover, though. That said, I'll be curious to see the interior art.

I've been waiting a long time for another stab at MD from Folio. I'm caught off guard by a new illustrator, hope to see more previews of the illustrations soon!

Just a personal opinion but I find this a rather disappointing way to celebrate America’s 250th birthday. Nothing about this novel reflects on the truly revolutionary upheaval that created the United States. This edition feels completely unnecessary to me given the very fine LE from 2009 that this in no way surpasses. A sadly missed opportunity by Folio to do something special.

I did a google search on the illustrator. Not my cup of tea at all and a rather strange selection to illustrate this work. Will be curious what he came up with but this will be an easy pass for me. I’m sure there will be plenty of others who will enjoy it though.

>6 UK_History_Fan: The 2009 LE is a beauty, but it was a facsmile of the Rockwell Kent artwork from 1930 that's been done to death by everyone under the sun. This'll at least be an original edition, which will pivot on how much you enjoy the Mu Pan artwork (like other Folio abstract artists, I suspect there will be quite a difference of opinion on it).

While the illustrations here are likely to be just as divisive, Copperhead Press is working on an edition as well. More in this post: https://www.librarything.com/topic/357945#9061546

>7 HonorWulf: couldn't agree more, and all the love of the earlier LE is great but sorry I cannot buy it second hand at the price people are demanding. Folio takes lots of risks/chances, sometimes it works and sometimes not. MD is so good alone which helps...

>7 HonorWulf: While I am not a fan of the revealed cover, I am very interested to see what we get in terms of illustrations.

Mu Pan illustrated FS's edition of Monkey, and personally the artwork was a big part of my decision to buy that particular book. A quick search also shows he is no stranger to drawing some breathtaking whales, so I'd say we are in good hands.

>6 UK_History_Fan: Actually it was a vote of the greatest American Novel so even though they said to mark the 250th anniversary it was more about the best American book written.

>11 Carl64: FS did say they were holding the vote for Great American Novel specifically ‘To mark the 250th Anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence’ - so technically it does have a lot to do with the 250th Anniversary as that's the reason why they held the vote in the first place & why the release is this year rather than any other random year.

Between EP, FS, and Copperhead editions of Moby Dick, I'm leaning towards Copperhead -- especially if it is a two volume edition. I'm underwhelmed by the FS cover. Also, I'm not a fan of huge single book editions of large works, and am happy to pay extra for multiple volume editions.

>13 sdawson: I would not buy any expensive/fine copy of the book unless it was a two volume set. It is too long to be read comfortably as one volume.

>10 AdPacem: I'm a fan of his art as well, but my personal tastes run more abstract.

The illustrator Mu Pan's website is fascinating - some lovely stuff there. One of the folders in the Categories tab was labelled 'Dick', and fortunately contained pictures of whales. Probably not for this production, as they were all done in 2018, but I expect they are why Folio commissioned him:

https://www.mupan.com/category/paintings/dick/

>12 antinous_in_london: I agree but the vote for Moby was the winner. Which I can see since it’s been so popular.

>3 zorg2099: I got the same 2009 LE with the black leather cover. One of my most treasured books, actually . This new one looks nice (though I'm not too sure about that cover. Looks like Moby has whiskers), but not interested in it.

I don’t have a physical copy of Moby Dick but would consider getting nice copy so either the Easton or Folio. Any recommendations would be appreciated!

Perfect choice for The Great American Book! In terms of will I purchase it -- I'll need to wait and see. I will say this, the cover for the FS edition is quite striking. Although the more I look at it, the more it looks like the eponymous whale is grinning (is it just me?) --



The illustration on the EP Moby Dick slipcase could have been SO much better! But, the illustrations inside the book are quite lovely --



I assume neither edition is printed letterpress... so Arion Press and Lakeside Press have nothing to really worry about :)

>21 astropi: Taken with the eye it sort of looks like he's sneering. "Those harpoons all you got, tough guy?"

'Ahab? You're not all that.'

I think it looks spectacular

Well I think the red, white, and blue colors are meant to evoke the 250 anniversary. They could have maybe switched the blue on the slipcase and made it the color of the book and vice versa, but I think the red doesn't look bad either.

I'm optimistic I will be a purchaser of this book. The size of the book will be an important influence. I don't want a huge art book that can't really be read. But from the artist examples on his website, I wouldn't necessarily call it abstract. It's a modern viewpoint, but not as abstract as Clive Hicks-Jenkins's Homer abstract or La Boca Ubik or 1984 abstract. I liked the illustrations for Monkey, but I really couldn't spend any money for the translation. I would definitely just be buying the book for the pictures with no intention of ever reading it and I like to constrain my spending by at least having a plausible expectation of reading my purchases.

I also am glad that the edges are just a slick metallic silver. Any of the more extreme edge painting that FS seems to like nowadays would have been annoying, though possibly not conclusive in passing on the purchase.

So, I'm optimistic I'll purchase the LE. I've wanted a nice edition of Moby Dick.

Also, I would chime in that while they were asking in the survey for a Great American Novel to celebrate the 250th Anniversary, it wasn't exclusive to the extent that the 250th Anniversary significance was huge. It had to be "American" and a great work. I don't know any work that would necessarily scream 250th Anniversary except Thomas Paine's "Common Sense" or a compendium of the Federalist. Is there a novel that specifically addresses the Declaration of Independence or something similar. I would say "Rip Van Winkle" in the sense that Rip sleeping through the Revolution is significant. But, I can't think of a work, especially a good one that is especially significant in terms of the American Revolution. I could see Twain or Whitman, but I would opt for 2061, the 200th Anniversary of the Civil War for those.

>25 imaginarydata: Interesting observation about the red, white and blue color palette! Maybe it's a coincidence, but still fitting nonetheless.

I'm particularly pleased it's a full leather binding - it's something I always look out for in the Folio LEs I get.

The favorite Folio LEs in my collection are quite literally because of the full leather bindings (it also helps I got some of them during the 50% off sales) - Beowulf LE, Peloponnesian LE, Casino Royale LE, Les Misérables LE.
Honorable mentions are Last Unicorn LE and Rob Roy LE.

I think this new Moby Dick LE from Folio will be joining the collection.

>25 imaginarydata: >26 Ibkay: That's a good observation indeed -- I'm sure the colors are meant to represent the USA but of course the blue also represents the ocean, white is emptiness (oblivion), and red is blood (of the whales and people).

Interesting take just announced by NYRB, it's a children's book - Ahab and the White Whale.

Where's Whaley?*

*(maybe Whale-do in the U.S. ...)

Sigh... well, Moby Dick is in the public domain, so anyone can go ahead and, uh, mutate it -- but for what it's worth I will say that the illustrations are very well done --
In this exquisitely illustrated story inspired by Herman Melville’s Moby Dick, Manuel Marsol turns Captain Ahab into a sympathetic, driven goofball with valuable lessons to impart about life, leviathans, and not letting our goals obscure the world right in front of our eyes.

I do think the "moonlight on the water also being the whale" image is especially nice. It is a curious choice for a work to adapt for children, but if it's going to be done this particular take does looks like one of the better outcomes at least.

>30 astropi: "A sympathetic, driven goofball" made me laugh out loud. But, yes, the illustrations are very good.

Pages and prices for the upcoming Moby-Dick LE have gone live, tho' publ. details are yet to be appended.

Bound in blocked full-grain cowhide leather, w. an inset leather white whale label. Housed in a clamshell case w. a blocked leather inset label, lined in Suedel Alaska cloth.

11½ inches × 8 inches (29.2 × 20.3 cm)

£530 | £610 ROW | $750 USD | $1,060 CAD

https://www.foliosociety.com/uk/moby-dick-limited-edition
https://www.foliosociety.com/row/moby-dick-limited-edition
https://www.foliosociety.com/usa/moby-dick-limited-edition
https://www.foliosociety.com/ca/moby-dick-limited-edition

The illustrations are beautiful, if perhaps a little unemotional for such a wildly dramatic book - but it looks a fantastic job by Folio.

I really ike the illustrations so far. I will be hoping for an SE to follow.

I like almost everything about this, except for the choice of bright red leather. $750 is actually less than I was expecting but I still think I will wait and keep my fingers crossed for an SE.

>33 FitzJames:

The cover is too cartoonish for me. Bright red leather...no comment. Interior illustrations are quite good but the style is a bit too satirical for me. Rockwell Kent is the only artist I know who has attempted to depict the cosmic indifference of the White Whale amounting to a kind of negligent cosmic horror. Other illustrators seem to focus on the adventure aspect or the crew, all boring and interchangeable except for Queequeg and Ahab. Or make Moby Dick into a Hollywood blockbuster monster.

I will never get over a tipped in (albeit letterpress?) limitation page; and find it to be the elephant in the room.
Big head, big head, big head...!! 😁
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QfUyElkW7Oo&t=47s

I can't quite decide what I think of the illustrations. In my experience, that usually means I'll end up liking them.

Not at all a fan of the cover. Or the tipped-in limitation page. Still, it's a monumental novel, and one I don't have in a nice edition. Going back and forth on this one.

I think the illustrations are fabulous. I also like the cover, albeit the eponymous whale is grinning, but hey. Of course I wish this was letterpress, and I keep thinking if I should wait until Suntup publishes Moby Dick, or bite the bullet and purchase this FS edition?

>40 astropi: Agreed! Beautiful work. Folio released more images here:

https://www.instagram.com/p/DY2TwV5jfU3

I'm quite impressed by the artwork. I especially love the big foldout of the whales as well as the double page overhead of the Pequod. It actually got me thinking an interesting approach to illustrating Moby Dick could be to purely focus on the dispassionate digressions (or info dumps if you will) about the biology of whales and the logistics and technical aspects/methods of whaling while leaving depictions of the plot purely to the reader's imagination. Maybe I'm the only one who would like that heh.

Anyway nice as the illos are, I'm still not too fond of the binding and as I mentioned earlier I do have the 2009 LE in my library so I will somewhat regretfully pass.

Unless Suntup or some yet-unannounced private press does the book beforehand, I'll be waiting for the Copperhead Press edition.

>42 zorg2099: "It actually got me thinking an interesting approach to illustrating Moby Dick could be to purely focus on the dispassionate digressions (or info dumps if you will) about the biology of whales and the logistics and technical aspects/methods of whaling while leaving depictions of the plot purely to the reader's imagination."

Your description is very close to Barry Moser’s approach in the 1979 Arion Press Moby-Dick.

Moser "chose to focus on the technical aspects of whaling rather than the dramatic events of the story" with engravings of tools and men at work.

(Source.)

(The Arion Press edition is not only probably the greatest edition of Moby-Dick there is, it is also one of the greatest fine press editions of all time, so I do not think you are the only one.)

>40 astropi: I would likely be getting this one just in case. If Suntup eventually releases a superior numbered edition for about the same price, the Folio LE will likely be easy to sell on the secondary market. Might even make some small profit depending on timing.

I'm having an opposite reaction, love the binding but am indifferent to the illustrations but I appreciate seeing new MD illustrations nonetheless. I missed out on the prior LE and considering those still go for well over $1,500 on eBay (hoping they drop with this new one coming) I may have no choice but to go for this one.

>46 simbae:
I count 8 copies of the limited edition on eBay and 8 on Abe.com, so they obviously aren’t rare. The asking prices ranging from $1,670 and $3,899 are ridiculous for a book so readily available.

>44 abysswalker: I was about to make the same point about the Arion Press illustrations, but you beat me to it.

If you can't afford the Arion Press (I sure can't), the University of California Press published a smaller edition of it (without the letterpress printing and other features I'm sure). It's the edition I have, and I think it's superb.

>44 abysswalker: >48 coynedj: Thanks! Very interesting.

I dread to think of how much the Arion edition sells for given it seems to be one their best regarded titles. Even the UC Press facsimile last seems to have sold on eBay for ~$1,400. I assume the Arion Press edition sells for well north of $10,000?

>48 coynedj: same! For those looking, the high quality facsimile is the University of California "Deluxe" edition (they also release a trade hardcover which some unscrupulous or clueless sellers occasionally price obscenely, hoping to hook a whale). It is big and blue and has a slipcase. I got my copy for around $500 CAD a few years ago (that was a deal then) and I think the price has crept up slightly since. I would expect a comfortably market clearing price to be closer to $1k USD now, but if you wait and watch you can probably do better.

While it is slightly reduced in size from the original, it is still probably one of my larger books, especially if you consider mass in addition to page dimensions:

>47 jroger1: exactly, insane prices for it despite my desire for it! It's been this way since at least 2020 when I started looking.

>40 astropi: "I also like the cover, albeit the eponymous whale is grinning." He's also grinning on the old Easton Press version, that I bought in 1981.

Maybe he knows something we don't?

>52 RickartAllen: Given the number of teeth sperm whale possess - can they do anything else?

Further released illos from Moby-Dick, showing Mu Pan's coloured illos and their original drawings:

Yeah, in general they seem to "smile" because of their anatomy, but the cover art takes it a step further -- and hey, I do like the cover :)

https://www.marinemammalcenter.org/animal-care/learn-about-marine-mammals/cetace...

>52 RickartAllen: Surely it's because he's having a person of a time.

I would have preferred alot more illustrations given how long the book is. The previous LE had alot.

>54 FitzJames:

I think I prefer the drawings to the coloured ones.

Looking at both Easton and Folio LES leaning towards the Easton one less cost and nice illustrations.

>59 Carl64: I posted this note in the Easton Press forum:

“It’s hard to say for sure without seeing the FS edition in person, but I’ve been very impressed with EP’s edition. The illustrations and paper quality are excellent. The only downside is that it is quite heavy for reading on the lap, but I did it anyway.”

>60 jroger1: Glad to know will probably pick that one up. Free shipping also since I am in the states.

Love the artwork in the Folio, but I'll probably hold out hope for a standard edition.

Two hours until the folio release will it sell out quick or will it be a slow mover? https://www.foliosociety.com/usa/moby-dick-limited-edition

>63 Carl64: I think it'll sell out pretty fast even with that price tag. Some portion of those sales will be flippers, just look at the strange behavior of returns for the American Psycho LE.

>64 A.Godhelm: True there’s always the flippers trying to make extra money. Will be interesting to see how fast it sells.

what was the sell-out record time ?

>66 Macumbeira: Under Statistics:

https://wiki.librarything.com/index.php/Groups:BOOKS_PUBLISHED_BY_THE_FOLIO_SOCI...

>66 Macumbeira: Stephen King's It sold out in under 7 minutes. The Hobbit in under 15.

I nabbed the Stephen King IT. It was crazy a lot of people complained they were unable to purchase.

Well, according to the web site, I placed the first order (counter read 749 for at least 15 seconds after my order. Of course, I’ll probably get number 354 or something. This is my one and only US 250th DoI anniversary purchase.

Good luck to all the LT members who want to purchase it.

I received my copy today; Number 358(!)

250 sold so far.

Theres one already on Ebay for £1327.

Over half gone. Looks like a sell out soon.

I grabbed it right at the time it was on sale, also said 749 left when I placed the order. I was scared I wouldn't get it, but glad it's still open for others to fish it! My first LE Folio, special being one of my top books and this most likely one-off 250th edition (hoping there's still an SE for everyone though too) so it better at least smell good when I open it.

>74 simbae: I decided to get one also wasn’t sure until I saw the illustrations and compared the Easton Press one a bit more but seems better quality.

237 remain at the ninety-minute mark.

Slowing down 142 left might be a a while.

Actually surprised it sold that much so soon but it is a great novel.

No broken record : )

Just checked at 1:56 pm Mountain Time... shows 101 left in stock.

Down to 65!

43 last count should sell out soon.

>82 Carl64: I caved and ordered a copy.

I decided to buy (UK price). Not an instant decision. Never read it before, but skimmed a bit online to see what the text is like and it seemed agreeable.

Counter went from 32 down to 24 during the short period of my consideration.

Gone the eight and a half hour mark, 21 remain.

And the nine hour mark, 13 remain.

Nine hours twenty, 3 remain.

>83 Ibkay: Cool I think it will be one of the better copy’s of Moby Dick especially with the new illustrations.

And a new no. 11 on the list of fastest-selling LEs, at nine and a half hours.

Bring on the SE!

And four on Ebay already for up to double original price.

Just sold out.

The eleventh fastest selling FS book.

Wonder how the 2,000 USD Game of Thrones will do? Won’t be buying that one but will be fun to watch how that sells.

Currently six copies of the new (2026) Moby Dick LE and six copies of the previous Moby Dick (2009) LE for sale on Ebay. Although there is a great range of prices, the 2009 edition is significantly more expensive than that of 2026 with none of the 2009 editions being cheaper than the 2026 edition.

>95 wcarter: I'm looking forward to a side-by-side comparison of both LEs :-)

The 2026 LE is truly oversized at 11,1/2'' x 8'' which places it among the larger Folio LE trim sizes - larger than Howl's Moving Castle LE and Casino Royale LE.

Haven’t received email on shipping yet will see if I get it this week or not. I like that it’s bigger than a lot LE’S will make the illustrations even better.

Just said shipped so maybe this week.😎

I was pleasantly surprised at how quickly this one sold. It's quite divisive, I believe. (Oh, Goddess, starting to sound like an effing AI.) Some people (me) love its digressions; others (a guy who died much too young and whom I miss) hate them.

I look forward to its arrival. I bought the previous Folio LE at the time and loved it. This should be an interesting comparison for the artwork which looks pretty bloody (what would Mu Pan make of Patrick Bateman?).

i missed it because i was busy with work, and now i am inconsolable 😢

It was appearing at 1am my time (Australia) and I didn't feel like getting up for it. I figured if there were any left in the morning then fate was telling me I should have it. At 7am there were 89 copies left, and by the time I'd fought my way through FS site's login (which clears the basket) and various pop-ups, there were only 69 left. Anyway, one is already despatched in my name.

I love the cover and illustrations. I've been delaying reading it and this will be a wonderful first experience.

>100 Korius: There is a decent chance some could be restocked from returns if some of the scalpers struggle to sell them. Probably not to the extent of American Psycho though (it was restocked multiple times, 50+ the last time, perhaps 60-70 total iirc).

You could sign up for the email alerts at https://lazybookcollector.com/ they seem pretty good at monitoring and alerting restocks.

>102 zorg2099: wow thank you so much for the link! i had no idea this thing existed. praying i'll still be able to snag a copy from the Folio Vault someday 😭🙏

Some snaps and size comparisons with the 2009 LE. I will say off the bat I still have a preference for the 2009's understated aesthetic and Rockwell's illustrations, and the suppleness of the leather they used for that edition is imo still to this day unmatched by any Folio binding. That said I am a huge fan of the boldness of the 2026 edition, I love the contrast in their whale designs, Moby in the 2009 cover is just pure elegance as he gracefully swims through his own swirl of bubbles while in 2026 it looks like Moby just rocked up from the hood with no other elements distracting from how fed up he is of everything. While it doesn't appear they list the type of leather used for the binding (nor the label) in the colophon it's still a very nice grain. Their use of blue drop caps reminds me of the Arion Press edition which is not an unwelcome nod, intentional or otherwise, and the spacing is your usual Folio fare, it's quite easy on the eyes, the only struggle is for those that don't use book pillows as it's a heavy beast. One final thing that I think the official page photos don't quite capture well are the textured endpapers, definitely quite fitting as it is absolutely reminiscent of whale skin, at least for specific types, I think of the baleen variety but I'm no cetologist but with the fold out whale guide I've got not excuse not to be.

>104 wongie: Wow, thanks for this comparison! I've been looking forward to it :-)
And copy number 3!

>105 Ibkay: Seconded! What nice copies to own @wongie. Enjoy them!

>104 wongie: Great to be able to see these side by side.

Great pics! My copy is arriving today.

Mine just came excellent condition looks like a great book!

Is anyone having issues with the gilding on the bottom and top edges? I'm seeing pictures of this on Facebook and mine has it too. Wondering if it is widespread.

Yep. Top pretty bad. I let them know, so they understand the extent of it. The rest of the book is beautiful.

>111 C---rain: Are you getting a replacement?

Mine has a little on bottom and top edge in the middle where it looks like the silver didn’t get covered but not enough to worry about it.

>113 Carl64:

I'd frankly expect better in this price range.

>114 SF-72: I think it’s because book is so heavy which can cause it to rub some.

>113 Carl64: mine is a bit worse than that. I’ll try to post pictures later. I’m not sure if I’m going to try for an exchange as I don’t want to go through it all to get the same issue again. Book is otherwise stunning.

>116 bruinuclafan: Agree mines in excellent condition besides that and I live in the states and it wouldn’t be worth the time and energy to bother with that. In time some will come off anyways.

Mine also suffers from very minor scuffing shown in one of my images to both the top the top and bottom but restricted to the outer edge of the block which is unsurprising as the block itself is extremely heavy and inevitably sags which would have been the case during shipping where it would ended up sagging on both ends as the box was tossed this way and that. But fortunately for me as I mentioned my scuffing is extremely minor, it arguably looks worse in my image than it does with my naked eye.

>118 wongie: Same with mine just looks worse in picture didn’t even notice it until later.

Mine is the same. I haven’t decided whether to contact support yet.

A lot of folio books don’t have the gilding at the bottom my LE On The Origin of Species has just normal bottom but does have it on the top and side.

I doubt it. I'm not sure if I could. But even if I could, I'm planning on reading and keeping it so it feels wasteful to have another book made for something that will ultimately get some wear anyway.

The clamshell had a very faint glue smear coming off the front label, so I may try to get that replaced. Seems like less of an ask and I want to display it.

>122 C---rain: I would get the display replaced they have extras of those I had one replaced from The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy LE. It was damaged inside so they sent me two just to be safe.

>122 C---rain: That's a good outlook. I'm going to read mine as well so maybe I'll let it be. I will need to look closer at the clamshell based on yours and other comments I've seen. Busy weekend....

Received my copy yesterday and got around to opening up the box today. Beautiful book. I also have some wear of the gilding at the top and bottom corners. Not enough to bother me but I am worried if it will get worse when I get time to read the book? If so... that would be disappointing, if not, I'm fine with it.

My main issue is the clamshell... The label is smudged and misaligned/lopsided and the silver foil print on the spine is splotchy :-/ lol.

Anyone else with quality concerns with your clamshell?

If you don’t want the ‘damaged’ books, sent them to me.

>125 willgreenzilla: I think the foil on the spine will look that way on most of them do to it being dark blue which makes it show through more.

>126 Macumbeira: I am with you there can't get to picky! LOL!

Well looks like my book reading this summer will be on the ocean.😎

A few more pics from the book.

>127 Carl64: yeah, the foil doesn't really bother me.. mostly just the smudged and slightly crooked front label. The foil and worn gilding is mostly fine for me :D

Made a video looking over the book in some detail for anyone interested, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9SslGOSXv8.

>132 willgreenzilla: Great video and hope you get a replacement clam shell case mine is centered right so could have been a one off on yours.

>133 Carl64: Thank you! Yeah, I'd be perfectly happy with just a new clamshell. The small wear on the gilding of the book itself I'm fine with :D Luckily, or maybe just the norm, of the last 23 or so Folio Society books/sets that I've purchased recently, this is the only one with any issues at all, minor or not :)

>125 willgreenzilla: That lopsided label looks like something I'd consider requesting a replacement for, while it's isn't damage per se it would annoy me so much more than any other cosmetic issues like rubbed gilding which at least is a natural part of wear. As >123 Carl64: says they should have replacements on hand for LEs, my last LE before Moby Dick was the Austen set and the case arrived with a dented corner. I reached out and they had replacements on order, had to wait a few weeks but did get one eventually.

>135 wongie: Yeah, I sent them an email and inquired, we'll see! :) I think maybe it wouldn't be quite as eye catching or obvious if there wasn't a recessed indention in the clamshell for the label to sit square within but because there is it makes it much more obvious, at least in person... and something once you see it you can't unsee it, lol.

>136 willgreenzilla: Decided to inquire about the gilding missing on the edges and they said they are going to get me another one so must of been a production issue.

I ordered Anna Karina LE and it was just as heavy and the gilding was fine so that’s the main reason I inquired about this edition.

Hello people, I'm new to this group but I have been reading most of the updates that were being posted. I just received my copy, #544 which kind of caught me off guard since I placed my order 2 minutes after the book went live. It doesn't really matter which number I would have gotten, but for some reason, I was expecting a lower one, since I ordered it so quickly. 😅 How do they decide which customer gets what number, or is it at random? (I'm new to the limited edition book game)

>139 lasha007: Private small presses often issue numbers in the order of purchase, or allow subscribers to choose a favorite number and always get that one (No Reply Press is one with such a system).

Larger companies like FS likely use the "grab one from the pile" system, which typically results in pretty random allocations.

>137 Carl64:
How can they get another one? It’s a limited edition and they were all sold.

>139 lasha007: It's random. Folio outsources their warehousing and fulfillment these days, so it's totally at the whim of whoever is doing the packing.

>141 jroger1: They'll overprint a small number for damage replacements. In rare cases where a defect impacts the majority of the print run (i.e. The Hobbit), they'll go back to the printer and manufacture replacements.

>137 Carl64: Interesting. I wonder how long it would be for them to produce a new batch of replacements? I haven't heard anything back from them since they asked me for my production number.

>144 willgreenzilla: Not sure never had this happen so will see I would think not to long.

>139 lasha007: It's random I have seen from small number to bigger one even when I ordered IT LE within a minute it was number 181.

>144 willgreenzilla: I had an Issue with my LE Anna Karenina, the whole process took around 3-4 weeks if I remember it correctly.

Did you send back the other one when you received your other copy?

>148 Carl64: I sent the damaged copy first, and 3-4 weeks later got the new one.

They haven’t sent me a return label or anything yet.

>144 willgreenzilla:

For The Hobbit, the replacements took about three months (and they still screwed them up!)

What was wrong with Hobbit book?

>151 stubedoo: O wow... ouch :-/

I emailed Folio on Sunday, heard back Monday with:
-
Thank you for contacting The Folio Society.

I'm sorry to hear of your disappointment in your recently arrived Limited Edition, but thank you for sending over the helpful photographs.

I'll consult the Production Team for options - can you please let me know your limitation number?

Thank you for your assistance, and your support.
-
I sent my limitation number right away and am waiting to hear back.

My copy #88 reached me in Australia without blemishes yesterday. Called a friend to unbox live on camera.

Very relieved at not having a need to execute returns to UK - I'm already fighting with a US dealer who supplied a hardback to me via Amazon, where the dustjacket had a huge tear and the book was so poorly wrapped that all the bottom edges and corners were badly bumped). They are dragging their heels as they don't want to pay return postage.

>154 memeweaver: I'm already fighting with a US dealer who supplied a hardback to me via Amazon...

No need to fight. :)
If the item is damaged or 'not as described' by the seller, you are covered by the Amazon A-to-z Guarantee.
Simply remind the seller of their obligation and if they refuse to comply, claim your refund. See links below.

Link to Amazon A-to-z Guarantee: https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=GQ37ZCNECJKTFYQV
Link to Request A-to-z Guarantee Refund: https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=TcwiyWuM3Shjkv9tJu

Received my copy of Moby Dick LE today. I also have the same slight rubbing (or maybe not properly applied in the first place?) of the silver gilding around the center of the top and bottom edges. Not the best gilding I've seen from Folio - that award goes to Peloponnesian War LE - but not enough for me to bother with a replacement request.

Fortunately, the clamshell title is perfectly placed and not lopsided, so that's one less imperfection to worry about.

Just received a email supposed to send me return postage to print out and send back waiting on that.

Was able to ship out today so will see how it goes.

I haven't heard anything else since Monday. Maybe after the weekend :D

>159 willgreenzilla: Any word on sending yours back? Mine is scheduled for delivery tomorrow. Will see how long it takes to send back replacement.

>160 Carl64: I still haven't even received a reply back since Monday of last week. I sent another email saying I'd be happy to even just swap the clamshell and nothing back yet :-/

>161 willgreenzilla: I pestered them for a few days and then they responded so I would go that route. I always went to their site and left another message.

I'm a bit skeptical of the idea that the gilding rubbed off during shipping with these. I got a copy with a much more severe defect to the gilding in addition to having some of it rubbed off or missing like everyone else's. Knowing I would send it back I rubbed my fingers against the edges pretty hard and had zero issue with it rubbing off. It honestly seems like it will be a pretty robust book if you can get your hands on a copy that starts out good.

>163 HatchedMango: I have the same theory too. I don't believe the book edges were properly gilded in the first place, or at least maybe suffered damage during the gilding process or very shortly after.

Looking through other very large Folio LEs and some large SEs that have gilding in my collection, none suffered this defect during shipping - and they all either shipped in slipcases and clamshells just like Moby Dick LE.

It has led me to conclude that this defect was likely not incurred during shipping but rather, it's a factory defect of sorts.

>163 HatchedMango: That’s why I decided to send it back I also looked at my other folio LES and none had missing gilding. Should be an easy fix.

I still hadn't heard anything back but someone did post this to a Folio Society Facebook group as what they had received as their replacement. Kind of concerning as they said the replacement is even worse than the book they had returned :-/

>166 willgreenzilla: I wonder what sort of quality checks Folio is doing on these before sending them out...

>167 MyrddinWyllt: It does not appear to be much of any if these pictures are any representation. One would think a book, especially an LE replacement, would be TRIPLE checked before sending it out the door??

>166 willgreenzilla:

Sounds an awful like the LotR LEs and Hobbit LEs. Replacements often worse than the originals, despite "Quality checking" claims from Folio.

Hope my replacement is better than that otherwise will just get a full refund.

>166 willgreenzilla: I think that unfortunate individual probably got an extra copy that was made with the original batch. No way they made a new one that quick. I think I've heard they make a few extras for replacements and only do another run if enough people have issues, which Is surely what they are now doing. Whether or not someone from Folio Society is actual going to be involved in QAing the new ones is another question.

I read that post in the Facebook group and it highlights why it is so unbelievably frustrating that Folio Society doesn't take quality control on their LEs seriously. For me personally, I realized my frustration before even opening the book because I recognized I wasn't looking forward to opening it so much as worrying about the condition and if I'd have to hassle with the replacement process. The outcome wasn't surprising. I think it is the last LE I will get from them unless there is a major change. If I'm going to spend hundreds on a book, I should at least enjoy it.

I contacted them and they are going to send out replacement this week and they said they are making a replacement.

>172 Carl64: That's cool, good luck! I have yet to hear anything back from Folio Society since they replied asking me my limitation number. It's been 15 days now :-/ I sent a follow-up inquiry 7 days ago and no response to that either.

>173 willgreenzilla: Same here. I got an initial response within hours saying they would get back to me on next steps and I've since followed up 3 times over the past 2 weeks - it's been crickets. Very unusual as they've always been super responsive to any inquiries I've ever sent.

I've only bought one LE direct from Folio (Rupert Brooke) but its rather concerning that the most significant QC issues as well the most lapses in customer service—that I've heard about at least—are with LEs.

>175 zorg2099:

"most lapses in customer service—that I've heard about at least—are with LEs."

I think the problem is that LEs have more fragile and technical aspects. Modern mass-production printer/binders just don't have the capability to make these books especially well, as it isn't their bread and butter. That's the production side of it. The failure of Folio to QC these books, given time and time again we see the same kind of issues is frankly unacceptable.

At this point, they are largely priced where I'd rather spend the money on old collectable books (rather than fake limitations on admittedly pretty offset-printed machine-bound books), but even if they weren't, I don't think I could be bothered with the quality lottery, after now being burned multiple times.

>176 stubedoo: Yeah while Folio are ultimately responsible for supervising them, it does seem like many of their contractors aren't up to the task or perhaps they used to be but no longer are.

While I'm not interested in the upcoming Game of Thrones LE, it is at least encouraging that its being bound by Ludlow who are indeed a fine binding specialist and I've been very happy with the few books I have bound by them (letterpress fine editions from Conversation Tree Press mainly).

Edit: However I expect the likes of Josef Spinner and LEGO will continue to produce most of their future LEs though...

Edit2: No idea who is printing GoT though, specifically on the issue of gilding it will be the printer who will be responsible.

Ultimately it seems when we buy an LE from folio society we are paying up for exclusivity, a design, and some above average materials. The manufacturing process and QA don’t seem to receive any special attention or care. I assume a lot of buyers must live with flaws or they would take this more seriously. I’ve realized obvious manufacturing flaws drive me nuts even months later. Makes me feel like I got gotten a bit to be honest. I have fewer problems with flaws in second hand books because they were factored into the price.

>174 taracomp: Seems pretty wild for sure... hopefully you hear something back soon! Good luck!

>178 HatchedMango: I've only bought Peloponnesian War, Thomas Hardy & Rupert Brooke poems LEs until now and have been very happy with the quality. I wonder if the problems experienced by some people here are really just an unfortunate one-off rather than a general trend

>181 RavenSeeker: Most of the LE issues have been one-offs. However, Moby-Dick (and The Hobbit before it) appear to have defects that impacted the majority of the print run.

My Moby Dick LE silvering (gilding?) has a flaw so minor that I would not have noticed it except that it was raised in this forum. Maybe I was just lucky or is it only a minority that have a significant flaw?

Haven’t been sent back my replacement yet not sure if it will be this week but will be interesting to see if they fix the issue on replacement.

I did think about getting a refund and getting the Easton press deluxe edition but it didn’t appeal to me like this one.

>181 RavenSeeker:

Those are older editions when issues were the exception. Some newer limited editions have been a large-scale mess.

>174 taracomp: looks like the same issue I had wonder how many are like that?

>183 wcarter: Mine was also fine but people do tend to make more noise if they see a problem than if they get a copy without flaws.

And people's tolerance of what they consider to be a flaw varies.

There are clearly a number of copies that are being sent back but how many in total? We've only had a handful of people mention it here.

I’m sure both luck and the particular limited editions each of us have purchased play into it. I’ve bought 4 limited editions directly from Folio Society including Moby Dick. My Beowulf has a damaged, black spot on the leather. My great gatsby has missing gilding on the waves on the side of the book. My Tales of Mystery and Imagination has to be handled very carefully to not rub off the foil applied to the cloth. And my Moby Dick had damage to the gilded sides in addition to the missing gilding on the top and bottom edges that others have mentioned.

I actually got the Beowulf for free because they were unable to make a replacement which I certainly won’t complain about. The Tales of Mystery and Imagination I decided to be chill about because they said their on hand copy had similar rubbed of foil on the back. I do very much like that book anyways. The issue on The Great Gatsby I considered minor enough not to worry about but the application does look significantly different than the copy they used for promotion. And Moby Dick I’m getting a replacement.

Any one of these seems minor on its own. But the fact they all had something is kinda crazy. Especially when I’ve been very happy with their standard editions.

>189 HatchedMango: My Great Gatsby was no issue. Maybe they will come out with Moby Dick SE without out the gilding and that should have no issues. I did have an issue with Hitchhikers guide to the galaxy LE the case was damaged and gilding was messed up they ended up giving me a free copy.

>188 Cat_of_Ulthar: Yeah.. I can live ok with the worn gilding on my copy and the flaked off foiling on the clamshell spine as it's not to bad, but the misaligned and smudged front label on my clamshell is kind of disappointing.. I'm hopeful if I ever hear back if they can just swap the clamshell for me, lol.

I’ve bought 19 LE’s and cases for two of them that I managed to get from their Vault section had some issues, IT had a dent in the case which was replaced and The Three Musketeers came without a slipcase and was refunded. I have been very happy/satisfied with Folio’s customer service and will continue to buy their LE’s if the design is to my liking and the book itself is something that like or want to read. That said, there is a small gilding isssue on my copy of Moby Dick and there seems also to be a small alignment issue with the label on the case. Of all me LE’s the Moby Dick is the only LE where the book itself has had some issues. I’m still undecided on if I’m going to contact Folio about this.

Just shipped my replacement so will see if it’s fixed soon.

>193 Carl64: Did you have to return your original ?