1RRCBS
I have often shared my desire to have more FS Sir Walter Scott. I was wondering if anyone knows of any other nicely bound editions (fairly robust materials, sewn bindings)?
ETA: does anyone have any of the Edinburgh University volumes? If so, what is the quality like?
ETA: does anyone have any of the Edinburgh University volumes? If so, what is the quality like?
2kdweber
>1 RRCBS: The Limited Editions Club has done many of Scott's books including Ivanhoe (twice), Waverly, Kenilworth, and The Talisman.
3AMindForeverVoyaging
I don't think you can go wrong with the Limited Editions Club versions of Ivanhoe (2 versions), Kenilworth, Waverly and The Talisman, each of which can be had for approximately the cost of a contemporary new FS volume. They all fit the bill of what you are looking for in terms of bindings, not to mention being letterpress, limited edition, original illustrations, etc. that LEC is known for.
4RRCBS
Thanks! I have all of the books available from FS or LEC. I’m looking for those not published by either of them.
5folio_books
You need to wait till LesMiserables catches up with this thread. He's probably your best bet for the information you're looking for, though I wouldn't be surprised to learn that boldface has a few in his shed.
6RRCBS
>5 folio_books: fingers crossed! I’ve done a lot of googling and this seems to be the best set option (I do not want a really old set)! Would love to hear if the bonding is sewn!
7boldface
>5 folio_books:
>6 RRCBS:
I have all the Edinburgh editions. They've completed the roll-out of the novels and they've recently begun on the poetry with 'Marmion'. They are standard hardbacks, dark blue for the novels, green for the poetry, with a uniform dust jacket design incorporating the designated colour scheme. So far, they have all been sewn as well as glued, and printed on good quality off-white to pale cream paper similar to the Everyman hardbacks. They are annotated, both textually and for background information and there are exhaustive introductions describing how each came to be written and published, but there are no footnotes or extra marks in the text itself, so they can be read without any distractions. The novels are based on the earliest editions, as the first readers would have read them, that is without the extra notes and apparatus which Scott wrote for the 'Magnum Opus' complete edition just before his death (in the period 1829-32) and on which almost all subsequent editions have been based. However, if you want these, they are all reprinted, with notes of Scott's final textual revisions, in two final volumes.
Edited to add . . .
. . . that there are no illustrations other than facsimiles of the original title-pages, including, in the final two Magnum Opus novels that edition's engraved title-pages and engraved frontispieces.
Two other works have so far been included in the Ediniburgh Edition, Reliquiae Trotcosienses, Scott's own guide to his collections at Abbotsford, and 'The Siege of Malta' and 'Bizarro', 'Malta' being a semi-fictional account of that historical event and 'Bizarro' a novella about Calabrian brigands, his very last piece of fiction and based on a real character. It's apparently never been printed until now. These two works are in series but the designated colour is dark red.
>6 RRCBS:
I have all the Edinburgh editions. They've completed the roll-out of the novels and they've recently begun on the poetry with 'Marmion'. They are standard hardbacks, dark blue for the novels, green for the poetry, with a uniform dust jacket design incorporating the designated colour scheme. So far, they have all been sewn as well as glued, and printed on good quality off-white to pale cream paper similar to the Everyman hardbacks. They are annotated, both textually and for background information and there are exhaustive introductions describing how each came to be written and published, but there are no footnotes or extra marks in the text itself, so they can be read without any distractions. The novels are based on the earliest editions, as the first readers would have read them, that is without the extra notes and apparatus which Scott wrote for the 'Magnum Opus' complete edition just before his death (in the period 1829-32) and on which almost all subsequent editions have been based. However, if you want these, they are all reprinted, with notes of Scott's final textual revisions, in two final volumes.
Edited to add . . .
. . . that there are no illustrations other than facsimiles of the original title-pages, including, in the final two Magnum Opus novels that edition's engraved title-pages and engraved frontispieces.
Two other works have so far been included in the Ediniburgh Edition, Reliquiae Trotcosienses, Scott's own guide to his collections at Abbotsford, and 'The Siege of Malta' and 'Bizarro', 'Malta' being a semi-fictional account of that historical event and 'Bizarro' a novella about Calabrian brigands, his very last piece of fiction and based on a real character. It's apparently never been printed until now. These two works are in series but the designated colour is dark red.
8RRCBS
>7 boldface: thanks. I ordered the 30 volume set from Amazon! Expensive but I really want this set! Though it’s temporarily out of stock so now worried I won’t ever get it! I have weird FOMO about books.
9RRCBS
>7 boldface: one other question if you don’t mind...you say they are sewn and glued. Do you find they give a good reading experience? Not sure I understand what that kind of binding is like exactly.
10boldface
>9 RRCBS:
What I mean is the signatures/gatherings are sewn. I can see the tell-tale dimples deep in the gutter where threads have been pulled tight. I know that mention of glue always rings alarm bells, but there's really no cause to worry here. Looking down from the top of the spine I can see that the sewn-together gatherings have been glued into the backing strip. I presume they have been sewn into it as well and that the glue is an extra. Whatever the exact method, the bindings are very firm while also being flexible. The backing strip is not connected to the actual spine so they open quite easily. The books are 8¾ inches tall and 5¾ inches wide (roughly 22 cm x 14.75 cm), so a very comfortable size for reading and there are 43 lines of type to a full page.
I do hope you enjoy them when they arrive.
What I mean is the signatures/gatherings are sewn. I can see the tell-tale dimples deep in the gutter where threads have been pulled tight. I know that mention of glue always rings alarm bells, but there's really no cause to worry here. Looking down from the top of the spine I can see that the sewn-together gatherings have been glued into the backing strip. I presume they have been sewn into it as well and that the glue is an extra. Whatever the exact method, the bindings are very firm while also being flexible. The backing strip is not connected to the actual spine so they open quite easily. The books are 8¾ inches tall and 5¾ inches wide (roughly 22 cm x 14.75 cm), so a very comfortable size for reading and there are 43 lines of type to a full page.
I do hope you enjoy them when they arrive.
11boldface
>9 RRCBS:
I've just checked the publisher's website which says "Order Now - Reprinting", so there should be no problem, albeit with a little delay.
I've just checked the publisher's website which says "Order Now - Reprinting", so there should be no problem, albeit with a little delay.
12RRCBS
>11 boldface: thanks for the information and good wishes!
13RRCBS
For those interested, I heard from the Edinburgh University Press that the books have adhesive case bindings. Based on boldface’s description, the binding sounds strong and fine to me!
14HenryFrost 
Cet utilisateur a été supprimé en tant que polluposteur.
15terebinth
I don't expect pages to fall out, but I couldn't call "strong" a binding in paper vaguely disguised as bookcloth, which has indeed been standard for UK market hardbacks for a long time now. Still, no rough treatment will be meted out to the only Edinburgh volume I have, The Antiquary, and after my demise it will almost certainly greet its next owner looking much as it does now. I was delighted to pick up the 48 compact volumes of Constable's 1890s reprint of the Magnum Opus edition for about the price of a couple of novels in the Edinburgh set. It suits me perfectly well, glad though I am that an authoritative modern edition exists.
16RRCBS
>15 terebinth: Would you say the binding is equal to a Tartarus Press book? I do find them expensive, but also like supporting a scholarly edition.
17LesMiserables
>1 RRCBS:
Thanks Warwick for alerting me to this thread.
Good question and it looks like Boldface has provided a answer to your query and I concur that the Edinburgh Editions of the Waverley novels may be what you are looking for in a robust binding with scholarly editing within the boards.
They are however expensive and one reason I have decided not to pursue that edition as the used market is a good place to find complete sets of well bound and sewn antique editions at very reasonable prices. Similarly Robert Louis Stevenson has been take care of by EUP and similarly, the market is awash with well constructed but now aged volumes, waiting to be snapped up by the prudent reader.
One thing however to note about Edinburgh University Press is that they do surprise you with 50% sales from time to time, so worth registering with them to receive updates. https://edinburghuniversitypress.com/
Another great source of information is the Edinburgh University Library's archive on SWS http://www.walterscott.lib.ed.ac.uk/home.html
Any other questions, the friendly and learned Osbaldistone on LT will probably have the answer. https://www.librarything.com/profile/Osbaldistone
Thanks Warwick for alerting me to this thread.
Good question and it looks like Boldface has provided a answer to your query and I concur that the Edinburgh Editions of the Waverley novels may be what you are looking for in a robust binding with scholarly editing within the boards.
They are however expensive and one reason I have decided not to pursue that edition as the used market is a good place to find complete sets of well bound and sewn antique editions at very reasonable prices. Similarly Robert Louis Stevenson has been take care of by EUP and similarly, the market is awash with well constructed but now aged volumes, waiting to be snapped up by the prudent reader.
One thing however to note about Edinburgh University Press is that they do surprise you with 50% sales from time to time, so worth registering with them to receive updates. https://edinburghuniversitypress.com/
Another great source of information is the Edinburgh University Library's archive on SWS http://www.walterscott.lib.ed.ac.uk/home.html
Any other questions, the friendly and learned Osbaldistone on LT will probably have the answer. https://www.librarything.com/profile/Osbaldistone
18boldface
>15 terebinth:
Of course we're not talking Folio Society quality here and you're quite right in your description of paper-covered boards - yes, fairly ubiquitous for the British standard hardback. My description was "standard hardbacks", but unless you wave them around by the front board they're quite strong enough not to fall apart, even on repeated reading. I agree they're expensive, but that's par for the course with academic editions which this is. However, it's the only complete modern hardback set still in print (I think!) and it's certainly the only one to reprint the first editions, which makes it different from most others. What is slightly better than average is that the paper is acid free and perfectly decent. I would add that my remarks related specifically to the original first printings which I have and can vouch for. I can't answer for any reprints, but I hope for such a prestigious edition they don't go down the path of print-on-demand, like OUP and CUP.
As for older editions, of course there are many good ones. Like you, I recently acquired a late-nineteenth-century Magnum Opus set, in my case the Border Edition, with introductions and notes by Andrew Lang, published by John C. Nimmo in 1892-4. It has attractive etchings by various artists printed on 'Japan' paper. I have the standard binding in red cloth (real!) in 48 volumes, but the one to look out for is the deluxe: limited to 365 copies printed on Arnold's unbleached hand-made paper with the etchings printed as proofs.
A set I've had for many years is the Centenary Edition (1871), in 25 volumes with engravings of Scottish views and locations in the novels, from A. & C. Black, who acquired the original copyright from Cadell & Co. The latter published the original 48-volume Magnum Opus edition of the Waverley Novels between 1829 and 1833, and then went on to add 52 more, including the poetry, journalism, Life of Napoleon, etc., and also the second edition of Lockhart's Life of Scott in uniform format.
Of course we're not talking Folio Society quality here and you're quite right in your description of paper-covered boards - yes, fairly ubiquitous for the British standard hardback. My description was "standard hardbacks", but unless you wave them around by the front board they're quite strong enough not to fall apart, even on repeated reading. I agree they're expensive, but that's par for the course with academic editions which this is. However, it's the only complete modern hardback set still in print (I think!) and it's certainly the only one to reprint the first editions, which makes it different from most others. What is slightly better than average is that the paper is acid free and perfectly decent. I would add that my remarks related specifically to the original first printings which I have and can vouch for. I can't answer for any reprints, but I hope for such a prestigious edition they don't go down the path of print-on-demand, like OUP and CUP.
As for older editions, of course there are many good ones. Like you, I recently acquired a late-nineteenth-century Magnum Opus set, in my case the Border Edition, with introductions and notes by Andrew Lang, published by John C. Nimmo in 1892-4. It has attractive etchings by various artists printed on 'Japan' paper. I have the standard binding in red cloth (real!) in 48 volumes, but the one to look out for is the deluxe: limited to 365 copies printed on Arnold's unbleached hand-made paper with the etchings printed as proofs.
A set I've had for many years is the Centenary Edition (1871), in 25 volumes with engravings of Scottish views and locations in the novels, from A. & C. Black, who acquired the original copyright from Cadell & Co. The latter published the original 48-volume Magnum Opus edition of the Waverley Novels between 1829 and 1833, and then went on to add 52 more, including the poetry, journalism, Life of Napoleon, etc., and also the second edition of Lockhart's Life of Scott in uniform format.
19boldface
>17 LesMiserables: "They are however expensive and one reason I have decided not to pursue that edition as the used market is a good place to find complete sets of well bound and sewn antique editions at very reasonable prices."
Absolutely. There's never been a better time to collect Scott as, sadly, he's quite out of current fashion. It'll only take a Netflix series to send the prices rocketing. Then and only then will we get a Folio Society edition, complete with LEs, posters, and slipcases printed on the inside. i just hope Alan Lee is still with us as I couldn't do with Quentin Blake or Paul Cox.
Absolutely. There's never been a better time to collect Scott as, sadly, he's quite out of current fashion. It'll only take a Netflix series to send the prices rocketing. Then and only then will we get a Folio Society edition, complete with LEs, posters, and slipcases printed on the inside. i just hope Alan Lee is still with us as I couldn't do with Quentin Blake or Paul Cox.
20RRCBS
Probably a silly question, but how is the quality on the 19th century editions? I would just assume they wouldn’t hold up after a few reads. But I really know nothing about how sturdy the binding and paper quality would be.
21boldface
>20 RRCBS:
Many of these old editions were prestigious and of high quality in their day, but there were also cheaper ones available to cater for a wide readership in those days when Scott was wildly popular. Condition can vary widely and prices accordingly. You have to do your homework. It is essential to read descriptions very carefully, request photos, and ask questions of the seller. Better still, visit the store in person (when that's possible) and see for yourself. Foxing can be a problem, especially in preliminary and final pages and those adjacent to engraved plates. Endpapers and plates were often printed on papers which after many decades have succumbed to staining which can also affect adjacent text pages. Bindings may be loose, leather badly cracked, or boards detached. that's not to say you won't find a good set, if you're patient and methodical. As a rule, you'll pay more the better the condition. There are, of course, rogue sellers out there, but equally you may find a bargain. Just be careful!
Many of these old editions were prestigious and of high quality in their day, but there were also cheaper ones available to cater for a wide readership in those days when Scott was wildly popular. Condition can vary widely and prices accordingly. You have to do your homework. It is essential to read descriptions very carefully, request photos, and ask questions of the seller. Better still, visit the store in person (when that's possible) and see for yourself. Foxing can be a problem, especially in preliminary and final pages and those adjacent to engraved plates. Endpapers and plates were often printed on papers which after many decades have succumbed to staining which can also affect adjacent text pages. Bindings may be loose, leather badly cracked, or boards detached. that's not to say you won't find a good set, if you're patient and methodical. As a rule, you'll pay more the better the condition. There are, of course, rogue sellers out there, but equally you may find a bargain. Just be careful!
22RRCBS
Thanks for all the replies. I think for me, 19th century editions are not what I want, but still reluctant to buy the EUP books due to uncertainty about quality. I could buy just one but they’re not all available individually and they’re cheaper as a set.
23cpg
>22 RRCBS:
I don't know if you have convenient access to an academic library, but if you do you might see if they have the EUP editions there to look at and appraise. I just walked over to our campus library, and although it now seems to have declared a near moratorium on acquiring physical books (at least in my discipline), it has a large set of these EUP editions. Physically, they remind me a little of LOA books. Also, a little of some of my older OUP books (like C. S. Lewis's volume in OHEL). The bindings seem good. I'm just not sure that they're $100 per volume good.
I don't know if you have convenient access to an academic library, but if you do you might see if they have the EUP editions there to look at and appraise. I just walked over to our campus library, and although it now seems to have declared a near moratorium on acquiring physical books (at least in my discipline), it has a large set of these EUP editions. Physically, they remind me a little of LOA books. Also, a little of some of my older OUP books (like C. S. Lewis's volume in OHEL). The bindings seem good. I'm just not sure that they're $100 per volume good.
24terebinth
>16 RRCBS:
Yes, pretty similar to Tartarus in quality, but mercifully without the unwillingness to open at all flat which afflicts many Tartarus books. I don't know whether there's much variation in the robustness of the papers that imitate bookcloth, but my reservations about its durability stem from seeing many ordinary hardbacks where the surface has worn off leaving an exposed layer of white paper. Not really a practical concern for most of us, it won't happen at all soon to carefully handled books especially if they stay in their jackets.
Just checked my 1895-6 Constable set and there's barely a spot of foxing to be found. Moderate foxing wouldn't have been a deal breaker for me as I've grown nearly oblivious to it given that I'm often seeking texts that only exist in a single printing from a century or so ago on indifferent paper and glad to find them at all. I don't think it's contagious, at least in dry conditions.
Yes, pretty similar to Tartarus in quality, but mercifully without the unwillingness to open at all flat which afflicts many Tartarus books. I don't know whether there's much variation in the robustness of the papers that imitate bookcloth, but my reservations about its durability stem from seeing many ordinary hardbacks where the surface has worn off leaving an exposed layer of white paper. Not really a practical concern for most of us, it won't happen at all soon to carefully handled books especially if they stay in their jackets.
Just checked my 1895-6 Constable set and there's barely a spot of foxing to be found. Moderate foxing wouldn't have been a deal breaker for me as I've grown nearly oblivious to it given that I'm often seeking texts that only exist in a single printing from a century or so ago on indifferent paper and glad to find them at all. I don't think it's contagious, at least in dry conditions.
25RRCBS
I’m truly touched by the time and effort people have put into helping me!
I emailed EUP to get more info. I looked at some 19th century sets online. I like the idea of having a 19th century set, but my quibbles are:
1) paper not being acid free (and I hate foxing!)
2) I have a pretty bad dust allergy and maybe incorrectly see this as a problem. Always found really old books are musty and dusty
3) I guess just overall durability long term
4) I would have to pay quite a bit for shipping and 2/3 the price of a new scholarly version seems iffy
So we shall see...
I emailed EUP to get more info. I looked at some 19th century sets online. I like the idea of having a 19th century set, but my quibbles are:
1) paper not being acid free (and I hate foxing!)
2) I have a pretty bad dust allergy and maybe incorrectly see this as a problem. Always found really old books are musty and dusty
3) I guess just overall durability long term
4) I would have to pay quite a bit for shipping and 2/3 the price of a new scholarly version seems iffy
So we shall see...
26RRCBS
Hopefully not trying everyone’s patience...based on the description, is this one of the good sets? Asked for pictures obviously.
https://www.abebooks.com/servlet/BookDetailsPL?bi=16853009533&cm_sp=snippet-...
https://www.abebooks.com/servlet/BookDetailsPL?bi=16853009533&cm_sp=snippet-...
27boldface
>26 RRCBS:
That sounds like terebinth's set. Hopefully, he will comment. The condition description certainly sounds promising. Let us know what you decide.
That sounds like terebinth's set. Hopefully, he will comment. The condition description certainly sounds promising. Let us know what you decide.
28terebinth
Yes, that's the very edition I have. i don't think I paid much more than half that price, then it sounds to be in better external condition than mine, whose paper spine labels are quite darkened and worn - irregularly darkened bindings too, not rare for books that were around when coal fires were the usual means of domestic heating. The volumes are small and light, approximately 7" x 4 3/4" by 1" or so thick. Paper grades were evidently chosen to produce a uniform appearance on the shelf, as there's hardly any difference for instance between the physical thickness of The Black Dwarf, xiv+217 pp, and The Bride of Lammermoor, xi+504pp.
It's not a showy set and wouldn't have been among the more expensive in its day, but the paper is pretty opaque even at its thinnest, I can find no foxing in my volumes after 125 years beyond a few spots on the endpapers, and I find it a delightful reading edition. The books will have been sold unopened, so if they haven't yet been owned by an assiduous reader of Scott their next owner may need a paper knife.
It's not a showy set and wouldn't have been among the more expensive in its day, but the paper is pretty opaque even at its thinnest, I can find no foxing in my volumes after 125 years beyond a few spots on the endpapers, and I find it a delightful reading edition. The books will have been sold unopened, so if they haven't yet been owned by an assiduous reader of Scott their next owner may need a paper knife.
29RRCBS
>28 terebinth: Thanks! Sounds about what I would like. I actually am not a fan of very ornate books and prefer something smaller and simple.
Are there illustrations in the volumes? Do you think the binding is robust enough to last several readings?
Are there illustrations in the volumes? Do you think the binding is robust enough to last several readings?
30RRCBS
>27 boldface: I will! Of the EUP books were the same price as a 19th century in fairly good condition, which do you think would give the better return for long lasting after multiple reads? The EUP set will def cost more, but I’m still drawn to it for the scholarly content. Just worry about the materials being like a standard hardback...
31boldface
>30 RRCBS:
Well, what can I say? The EUP volumes (original printings) are standard hardbacks in the sense that they are not Folio Society, but they are better than many which are not sewn and have paper that will soon discolour. My EUP volumes have acid-free paper. I really don't think they will fall apart any time soon and I have never had any reason to question them until reading the doubts expressed here. With respect, I think they give the wrong impression overall. The first 30 volumes were issued between about 1995 and 2012 and there is no discernable difference in quality that I can see between them.
EUP are now publishing Scott's poetry. The latest became available quite recently and I will certainly order in the near future. I have the previous poetry volume which was published in 2018. The quality of this does not appear to have lessened - the paper looks like acid-free (although not specifically stated. It wasn't always stated in previous volumes either but is in the Magnum Opus volumes which look the same). No previous volume has foxed or discoloured and I bought my first one in 1997. And it is still definitely sewn.
As for the scholarly content, which as I said is kept quite separate from the text, each volume contains an Essay on the Text. This is broken down into (1) genesis, (2) composition, (3) later editions, and (4) the present text. There is also a Historical Note on background and Explanatory Notes concerning the story. There is a Glossary (covering both obscure English words and Scots/Scoticisms) and, in some volumes, a map or maps.
In short, I think it is academically an excellent edition (of first edition texts) and the quality of materials is better than average and certainly not a deal-breaker for me, but not Folio quality.
It's your choice. I can only tell you what I think.
Well, what can I say? The EUP volumes (original printings) are standard hardbacks in the sense that they are not Folio Society, but they are better than many which are not sewn and have paper that will soon discolour. My EUP volumes have acid-free paper. I really don't think they will fall apart any time soon and I have never had any reason to question them until reading the doubts expressed here. With respect, I think they give the wrong impression overall. The first 30 volumes were issued between about 1995 and 2012 and there is no discernable difference in quality that I can see between them.
EUP are now publishing Scott's poetry. The latest became available quite recently and I will certainly order in the near future. I have the previous poetry volume which was published in 2018. The quality of this does not appear to have lessened - the paper looks like acid-free (although not specifically stated. It wasn't always stated in previous volumes either but is in the Magnum Opus volumes which look the same). No previous volume has foxed or discoloured and I bought my first one in 1997. And it is still definitely sewn.
As for the scholarly content, which as I said is kept quite separate from the text, each volume contains an Essay on the Text. This is broken down into (1) genesis, (2) composition, (3) later editions, and (4) the present text. There is also a Historical Note on background and Explanatory Notes concerning the story. There is a Glossary (covering both obscure English words and Scots/Scoticisms) and, in some volumes, a map or maps.
In short, I think it is academically an excellent edition (of first edition texts) and the quality of materials is better than average and certainly not a deal-breaker for me, but not Folio quality.
It's your choice. I can only tell you what I think.
32terebinth
>29 RRCBS:
Here are a couple of hasty photos to give a vague idea of how the contents look, plus one showing most of the set at home on two top shelves of the household library - the final four volumes are hiding on the third shelf along. Illustrations are just two engravings at the start of each volume, as seen here, with tissue guards separating title page and the facing frontispiece.
I owned one novel, The Antiquary - Scott's and my own favourite among them - in this edition for about twenty years before deciding to seek out a full set, as I so preferred its form to that of the complete Scott edition I already had. So I probably read The Antiquary in this edition about six times in those twenty years, with I'd guess no obvious deterioration at all. The paper is quite soft to the touch, not given to becoming brittle as some types of paper from that period readily do.
Here are a couple of hasty photos to give a vague idea of how the contents look, plus one showing most of the set at home on two top shelves of the household library - the final four volumes are hiding on the third shelf along. Illustrations are just two engravings at the start of each volume, as seen here, with tissue guards separating title page and the facing frontispiece.
I owned one novel, The Antiquary - Scott's and my own favourite among them - in this edition for about twenty years before deciding to seek out a full set, as I so preferred its form to that of the complete Scott edition I already had. So I probably read The Antiquary in this edition about six times in those twenty years, with I'd guess no obvious deterioration at all. The paper is quite soft to the touch, not given to becoming brittle as some types of paper from that period readily do.
33RRCBS
>31 boldface: Sorry for the probably annoying repetition and thanks for the feedback! I ordered the EUP Marmion from book depository and will see how it looks. Leaning towards EUP especially for the scholarly content. Really appreciate your insight!
34RRCBS
>32 terebinth: Beautiful books and shelves! I passed on the set I saw after seeing pictures that show the bottom and top spine being crumpled. That’s a flaw the really bugs me! Ordered the EUP Marmion, which I want either way, so will see how that is. Really appreciate your help!
35RRCBS
For those interested, I received one of the EUP Scott volumes (Shorter Poems). Unfortunately the binding is warped so I will be returning it. I do, however, think that I will be collecting the Waverley EUP set. I do like the paper, though to me the binding does appear glued (not an expert at all and EUP told me that the Waverley novels were adhesive case bound). The books are a nice size and open well. The binding is so so...I haven’t owned a regular hardcover book in years so can’t really compare. But it’s good enough for what I want, which is fairly well bound copies of Scott’s works. Expensive for the binding, but worth it to me. Also happy about the scholarly material.
36boldface
>35 RRCBS: "... to me the binding does appear glued (not an expert at all and EUP told me that the Waverley novels were adhesive case bound)."
I believe you said you were ordering Marmion. If that's the 2018 first printing, which I have in front of me, the pages are gathered into signatures and sewn together. I can see the stitching quite clearly in the gutter between pages 14 and 15, for example. The textblock is then glued into the binding, but can move relative to the spine when the book is opened, allowing it to open freely without putting undue strain on it. Marmion also has "silk" headbands which is a cosmetic feature not found on any of the earlier volumes. I'm sorry yours was damaged, but when you get a replacement I hope you will be pleased. Of course they are not Folio books, but compared to many books today, e.g. the new OUP Evelyn Waugh Edition which is all glued with fancy but more noticeably cheap paper-covered boards, the EUP Scott is decent and serviceable. The price of academic books is ridiculous, but some of it is to recoup (in this case) twenty years of research costs.
I believe you said you were ordering Marmion. If that's the 2018 first printing, which I have in front of me, the pages are gathered into signatures and sewn together. I can see the stitching quite clearly in the gutter between pages 14 and 15, for example. The textblock is then glued into the binding, but can move relative to the spine when the book is opened, allowing it to open freely without putting undue strain on it. Marmion also has "silk" headbands which is a cosmetic feature not found on any of the earlier volumes. I'm sorry yours was damaged, but when you get a replacement I hope you will be pleased. Of course they are not Folio books, but compared to many books today, e.g. the new OUP Evelyn Waugh Edition which is all glued with fancy but more noticeably cheap paper-covered boards, the EUP Scott is decent and serviceable. The price of academic books is ridiculous, but some of it is to recoup (in this case) twenty years of research costs.
37RRCBS
>36 boldface: I have ordered Marmion but then saw the Shorter Poems offered directly from Amazon so ordered that and got it next day (all other books available from UK so will be a while). Maybe this is different in terms of binding. I’ll check it again later, but I couldn’t see any evidence of it being sewn. I do appreciate the cost of that level of research.
38English-bookseller
>32 terebinth:
Seeing your beautiful home library shelving, I recommend Folio Society start to market their books to all those important people who are interviewed on TV from their home study.
I would give any TV expert instant respect for their views if the background to their speaking on TV from home was something like your study library.
Same goes for Zoom calls with friends and family.
Folio Society have a huge marketing opportunity here!
Seeing your beautiful home library shelving, I recommend Folio Society start to market their books to all those important people who are interviewed on TV from their home study.
I would give any TV expert instant respect for their views if the background to their speaking on TV from home was something like your study library.
Same goes for Zoom calls with friends and family.
Folio Society have a huge marketing opportunity here!
39RRCBS
>38 English-bookseller: I’ve seen a few articles about that on the FS Twitter feed! I told my husband about it and he said he had been thinking about borrowing some of my books to use as a background for his meetings!
40English-bookseller
>39 RRCBS: I liked your comment, thank you,
Inspired by it I am prepared to allow the Folio Society to lend me some of their most impressive books to act as a background to the few Zoom calls I make.
Inspired by it I am prepared to allow the Folio Society to lend me some of their most impressive books to act as a background to the few Zoom calls I make.
41terebinth
>38 English-bookseller:
Thank you - I'm very happy with the shelving, something over 300 feet of it acquired from https://shelvingsystem.co.uk/ after our recent move, absolutely no sag no matter what it's loaded with which is a delight in itself after a lifetime with MFI and Ikea bookcases. The books are an utter jumble but I know where to find them and several favourite things congregate in that area - Scott, the 1927-36 edition of Landor and firsts of the Imaginary Conversations, nearly all the LOA Henry James, Jeremy Taylor in 15 volumes from 1828, and full runs of The Spectator (1712-15), The Yellow Book and Cyril Connolly's Horizon. The LEC Shakespeare lives on a lower shelf there, and Folio books aren't completely wanting, 11 of them are visible in the photo.
Thank you - I'm very happy with the shelving, something over 300 feet of it acquired from https://shelvingsystem.co.uk/ after our recent move, absolutely no sag no matter what it's loaded with which is a delight in itself after a lifetime with MFI and Ikea bookcases. The books are an utter jumble but I know where to find them and several favourite things congregate in that area - Scott, the 1927-36 edition of Landor and firsts of the Imaginary Conversations, nearly all the LOA Henry James, Jeremy Taylor in 15 volumes from 1828, and full runs of The Spectator (1712-15), The Yellow Book and Cyril Connolly's Horizon. The LEC Shakespeare lives on a lower shelf there, and Folio books aren't completely wanting, 11 of them are visible in the photo.
42RRCBS
>36 boldface: If you’re interested, pretty sure this volume has a glued binding, sections are not sewn. Maybe they changed their approach. Will be interested to see how the others I ordered (yes, I’m a sucker and had ordered a few already since I’m not that picky about binding materials other than sewn!). Will be a few weeks though since books to Canada are always slow.
43Stephan68
>39 RRCBS: >40 English-bookseller:
Most of these days I work from my home library, spending hours in video conferences. I get plenty of positive remarks about my bookshelfs full of Folio volumes. Recently my partner had a job interview from my library and the interviewer immediately started to talk about my book collection. My partner said it was the perfect ice-breaker to start the interview.
Most of these days I work from my home library, spending hours in video conferences. I get plenty of positive remarks about my bookshelfs full of Folio volumes. Recently my partner had a job interview from my library and the interviewer immediately started to talk about my book collection. My partner said it was the perfect ice-breaker to start the interview.
44English-bookseller
>43 Stephan68: That's a lovely story and thank you for sharing.
Of course when the Folio Society had a real and very good shop you wonder if any of the customers first met each other there and the rest is history and happiness.
Folio-crossed lovers...
Of course when the Folio Society had a real and very good shop you wonder if any of the customers first met each other there and the rest is history and happiness.
Folio-crossed lovers...
45boldface
>37 RRCBS:
>42 RRCBS:
That's a shame, if suddenly they have downgraded the materials to that extent. If the novels are also being reprinted currently, perhaps it's worth looking for first printings if you can.
>42 RRCBS:
That's a shame, if suddenly they have downgraded the materials to that extent. If the novels are also being reprinted currently, perhaps it's worth looking for first printings if you can.
46RRCBS
>45 boldface: I will consider that. Will also see how the ones I’ve ordered turn out. The books I’ve already ordered were from book depository and it said first edition on the ads but don’t put a lot of stock in that really. Had another look and it’s a perfectly fine book other than the warping (which is obviously a random flaw). I’m probably too finicky about needing a sewn binding but I am! The paper is quite nice though and I like the font. Love the scholarly material. I also emailed the person I had been talking to at EUP and will let you know what she said.
47boldface
>46 RRCBS:
I'm sure you're not too finicky. I think most here would prefer a sewn binding. Not only is it stronger but it's more durable and flexible. I hate the kind of modern book that you daren't (or can't) open in case it cracks apart - they're basically paperbacks with stiff boards and often have very poor paper as well. That's why I increasingly spend more money on older, second-hand books, carefully chosen.
I'm sure you're not too finicky. I think most here would prefer a sewn binding. Not only is it stronger but it's more durable and flexible. I hate the kind of modern book that you daren't (or can't) open in case it cracks apart - they're basically paperbacks with stiff boards and often have very poor paper as well. That's why I increasingly spend more money on older, second-hand books, carefully chosen.
48cpg
This thread has made me wonder again if LibraryThing might have the critical mass to support a Group about the physical quality of books (paper, printing, binding, covers) in general, not just those from the Folio Society. Which publishers can still be counted on to produce a book of reasonable quality? That sort of thing.
I suppose my interest in this at this moment has a little to do with discovering last Tuesday that the $55 hardcover copy of Friendly Enemies from University of Nebraska Press that I ordered was print-on-demand!
I suppose my interest in this at this moment has a little to do with discovering last Tuesday that the $55 hardcover copy of Friendly Enemies from University of Nebraska Press that I ordered was print-on-demand!
49AnnieMod
>48 cpg:
There is already the Fine Press Forum: https://www.librarything.com/ngroups/3279/Fine-Press-Forum which kinda sorta gets into it.
There is already the Fine Press Forum: https://www.librarything.com/ngroups/3279/Fine-Press-Forum which kinda sorta gets into it.
50RRCBS
>49 AnnieMod: I would be interested in a separate forum, provided enough people contributed. Isn’t the fine press forum just for letterpress books?
51jroger1
>50 RRCBS:
While it is true that many of their members favor letterpress books, the Fine Press forum description reads as follows:
“This group is for those who want to discuss topics related to Fine Presses past (Golden Cockerel, Limited Editions Club, etc.) and present (Arion Press, Barbarian Press, etc.) as well as companies like The Folio Society that issue fine or limited editions of their regular books.“
While it is true that many of their members favor letterpress books, the Fine Press forum description reads as follows:
“This group is for those who want to discuss topics related to Fine Presses past (Golden Cockerel, Limited Editions Club, etc.) and present (Arion Press, Barbarian Press, etc.) as well as companies like The Folio Society that issue fine or limited editions of their regular books.“
52RRCBS
Any opinions on the Adam and Charles Black 25 volume set quarter bound in leather from 1854?
53cpg
>49 AnnieMod:
My interests in issues of physical quality of books are not limited to "fine presses" or "fine or limited editions of . . . regular works"! THE EUP volumes that have been the core of the discussion in this thread are neither fine nor limited editions. Likewise, I am interested in physical quality of books that come from the university presses (Cambridge, Oxford, Chicago, Princeton, Harvard, Yale, Johns Hopkins, MIT, . . ., even Utah!), the professional societies, as well as Everyman's Library, Springer, de Gruyter, Wiley, Taylor & Francis, Addison-Wesley, Eerdmans, Ignatius, Kofford, Liberty Fund, Elsevier, Routledge, etc., etc. The battles at this level aren't Algerian goatskin vs. Tunisian goatskin, but sewn binding versus "perfect" binding, offset printing vs. print-on-demand, high-resolution graphics vs. low resolution graphics, etc.
My interests in issues of physical quality of books are not limited to "fine presses" or "fine or limited editions of . . . regular works"! THE EUP volumes that have been the core of the discussion in this thread are neither fine nor limited editions. Likewise, I am interested in physical quality of books that come from the university presses (Cambridge, Oxford, Chicago, Princeton, Harvard, Yale, Johns Hopkins, MIT, . . ., even Utah!), the professional societies, as well as Everyman's Library, Springer, de Gruyter, Wiley, Taylor & Francis, Addison-Wesley, Eerdmans, Ignatius, Kofford, Liberty Fund, Elsevier, Routledge, etc., etc. The battles at this level aren't Algerian goatskin vs. Tunisian goatskin, but sewn binding versus "perfect" binding, offset printing vs. print-on-demand, high-resolution graphics vs. low resolution graphics, etc.
54boldface
>52 RRCBS:
I don't have any personal knowledge of this set, I'm afraid. A. & C. Black acquired the copyright in Scott's Magnum Opus Edition in 1851, after the original publisher, Cadell, went out of business. The few odd volumes illustrated on Abe and designated 1854 seem to show different versions. One of them clearly reproduces the frontispieces (by J. M. W. Turner, no less) and engraved title pages of the 1829-32 Magnum Opus originals, but others appear to have a different typesetting and no frontispieces. If I were you, I'd ask the bookseller for photos of the title-page spread and one or two interior pages and ask if there are any other engravings dotted through the text (there aren't any in the Magnum Opus - just the frontispiece and title-page). My A & C Black 1871 edition has engraved frontispieces and other engravings dotted through the text, mainly of places and general views associated with the setting but not specific to the story itself. It all depends on whether you want illustrations and how many. I'd also ask about the quality of the paper and any foxing present as well as wear and tear to the binding. By the way, whatever the presentation, the text will be Scott's final Magnum Opus text (1829-32) with all the extra introductions and notes he added at that time. (EUP, you'll remember, go back to the first editions and bundle all the Magnum Opus additions into the two final volumes.)
I don't have any personal knowledge of this set, I'm afraid. A. & C. Black acquired the copyright in Scott's Magnum Opus Edition in 1851, after the original publisher, Cadell, went out of business. The few odd volumes illustrated on Abe and designated 1854 seem to show different versions. One of them clearly reproduces the frontispieces (by J. M. W. Turner, no less) and engraved title pages of the 1829-32 Magnum Opus originals, but others appear to have a different typesetting and no frontispieces. If I were you, I'd ask the bookseller for photos of the title-page spread and one or two interior pages and ask if there are any other engravings dotted through the text (there aren't any in the Magnum Opus - just the frontispiece and title-page). My A & C Black 1871 edition has engraved frontispieces and other engravings dotted through the text, mainly of places and general views associated with the setting but not specific to the story itself. It all depends on whether you want illustrations and how many. I'd also ask about the quality of the paper and any foxing present as well as wear and tear to the binding. By the way, whatever the presentation, the text will be Scott's final Magnum Opus text (1829-32) with all the extra introductions and notes he added at that time. (EUP, you'll remember, go back to the first editions and bundle all the Magnum Opus additions into the two final volumes.)
55Willoyd
So, it's not just FS enablement that happens here! Having wittered about and procrastinated for long enough, this conversation has actually persuaded me to go ahead and purchase a set of Waverley novels. Can't afford the shelf space of something like the 'normal' sets, so instead, I've acquired a set of the 1912 Henry Froude OUP volumes, which I have, to be honest, eyeing up for a while. They arrived today, and I'm really pleased with them: slim burgundy limp backs, but still nice sized typeface, and eminently readable and handleable. Bought from the sale proceeds from a couple of the middling Fairy Books - an outstanding bargain in my book. Thank you all!
56boldface
>55 Willoyd:
I commented on these in the other thread you mentioned them.
Summary: Green with envy - haven't found a complete set - how many are there in a complete set? - I only have 13 or 14 - Beautiful volumes - watch out for the thin paper.
I commented on these in the other thread you mentioned them.
Summary: Green with envy - haven't found a complete set - how many are there in a complete set? - I only have 13 or 14 - Beautiful volumes - watch out for the thin paper.
57Willoyd
>56 boldface:
Thanks for the tip - you're certainly right about the thinness, but then they were meant as 'pocket' volumes, so expected it as have other old Oxford World Classics. They make for nice slim volumes! Their are 24 volumes in total, with 4 or 5 doubling up with shorter stories. Given they are over 100 years old, they preserve well.
Thanks for the tip - you're certainly right about the thinness, but then they were meant as 'pocket' volumes, so expected it as have other old Oxford World Classics. They make for nice slim volumes! Their are 24 volumes in total, with 4 or 5 doubling up with shorter stories. Given they are over 100 years old, they preserve well.
58RRCBS
So I ended up buying the Constable set. I could have bought a quarter leather set for a bit less but really like the simple cloth bindings. Should have them in a few weeks and will let everyone know how they turned out! The limo leather looks nice too!
This experience has been rather enabling for me. It’s made me think that instead of (most likely pointlessly) hoping for FS to publish my favourite classics, I should search for older sets (Fanny Burney, Gissing, Galsworthy). The real problem is shelf space!
This experience has been rather enabling for me. It’s made me think that instead of (most likely pointlessly) hoping for FS to publish my favourite classics, I should search for older sets (Fanny Burney, Gissing, Galsworthy). The real problem is shelf space!
59boldface
>58 RRCBS:
I'm looking forward to your verdict.
Yes, you can find some really nice sets of classics from the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, particularly from the period, say, 1870-1930, an age when it seems the market was saturated with tempting delights. But there is a range of quality, as there is today, and condition and price, of course, are key. You have to do your homework!
I'm looking forward to your verdict.
Yes, you can find some really nice sets of classics from the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, particularly from the period, say, 1870-1930, an age when it seems the market was saturated with tempting delights. But there is a range of quality, as there is today, and condition and price, of course, are key. You have to do your homework!
60terebinth
>59 boldface: You have to do your homework!
Yes - personally if I can't get to see and handle a particular multi-volume edition I now and again find it worthwhile to buy and assess a cheap odd volume before committing myself to the full set. Didn't need to with the Constable Scott, as I'd owned just The Antiquary for years before taking the plunge: but with both the Limited Editions Club's Shakespeare and the Manaton edition of Galsworthy sampling one volume persuaded me to go further. >58 RRCBS:, I'll of course be interested too in your impressions of the Scott. As you say, shelf space soon gets eaten up: you'll need 57 inches or so for the Waverley Novels. Only modest height, though, which is a mercy.
Yes - personally if I can't get to see and handle a particular multi-volume edition I now and again find it worthwhile to buy and assess a cheap odd volume before committing myself to the full set. Didn't need to with the Constable Scott, as I'd owned just The Antiquary for years before taking the plunge: but with both the Limited Editions Club's Shakespeare and the Manaton edition of Galsworthy sampling one volume persuaded me to go further. >58 RRCBS:, I'll of course be interested too in your impressions of the Scott. As you say, shelf space soon gets eaten up: you'll need 57 inches or so for the Waverley Novels. Only modest height, though, which is a mercy.
61boldface
>60 terebinth:
Yes, assessing the overall quality of an edition by sampling an odd volume is a sound way to proceed.
Yes, assessing the overall quality of an edition by sampling an odd volume is a sound way to proceed.
62treereader
>55 Willoyd: "So, it's not just FS enablement that happens here!"
Maybe all this Scott action will induce some reverse FS enablement: maybe FS will be enabled into publishing some Sir Walter Scott! One could only hope!
Maybe all this Scott action will induce some reverse FS enablement: maybe FS will be enabled into publishing some Sir Walter Scott! One could only hope!
63Willoyd
>62 treereader:
In my case, I used to hope, but TBH, I don't think I would bother with them if they finally did now: they're never going to do the full run (will they ever again for a classic author?), and I'm content with what is a good looking set, even if not 'fine'. There's something about a well worn second hand set from yore. I'm hardly buying any fiction from them nowadays - after a mini-splurge on deep discounts in the sale at the beginning of 2018, all I've bought in the last three years are the Sayers short stories to make up my Wimsey set (which, in typical recent FS fashion, they didn't complete!). I still indulge on the non-fiction side.
In my case, I used to hope, but TBH, I don't think I would bother with them if they finally did now: they're never going to do the full run (will they ever again for a classic author?), and I'm content with what is a good looking set, even if not 'fine'. There's something about a well worn second hand set from yore. I'm hardly buying any fiction from them nowadays - after a mini-splurge on deep discounts in the sale at the beginning of 2018, all I've bought in the last three years are the Sayers short stories to make up my Wimsey set (which, in typical recent FS fashion, they didn't complete!). I still indulge on the non-fiction side.
64treereader
>63 Willoyd:
I suspect that the only way Sir Walter Scott will get some new publishing action is if a popular director or actor or actress creates a minimum of two blockbuster movies, and maybe a TV series for insurance,
I suspect that the only way Sir Walter Scott will get some new publishing action is if a popular director or actor or actress creates a minimum of two blockbuster movies, and maybe a TV series for insurance,
65RRCBS
For those interested, I received one of the EUP Waverley novels today and it is definitely sewn. It’s fairly nice. I was planning on returning the ones I ordered since I have the Constable set en route, but now thinking I might keep them for the scholarly content.
66RRCBS
Received the Constable set. The paper is quite beautiful but the books were not in as good condition as described and some have serious binding damage.
I also started reading the EUP books I received and love them for reading comfort. The quality seems as good as, say, Everyman’s Library, but I’m not that knowledgeable.
Anyway, I decided to keep the Constable set and collect the EUP set! I seem to constantly be acquiring new bookcases and filling them up too fast.
I also started reading the EUP books I received and love them for reading comfort. The quality seems as good as, say, Everyman’s Library, but I’m not that knowledgeable.
Anyway, I decided to keep the Constable set and collect the EUP set! I seem to constantly be acquiring new bookcases and filling them up too fast.
67boldface
>66 RRCBS:
I would agree that EUP and Everyman are comparable. There's a huge amount of interesting background in the Edinburgh Edition which I can see you will appreciate and enjoy, despite the high price! I'm sorry your Constable set isn't all you'd hoped for. The best way to acquire an historic set is to find one in person in a real bookshop (remember those!). When I acquired my Magnum Opus set I spent a couple of happy hours in a back room of the shop carefully examining each and every one of the 100 volumes before I sealed the deal.
I would agree that EUP and Everyman are comparable. There's a huge amount of interesting background in the Edinburgh Edition which I can see you will appreciate and enjoy, despite the high price! I'm sorry your Constable set isn't all you'd hoped for. The best way to acquire an historic set is to find one in person in a real bookshop (remember those!). When I acquired my Magnum Opus set I spent a couple of happy hours in a back room of the shop carefully examining each and every one of the 100 volumes before I sealed the deal.
68RRCBS
>67 boldface: definitely learned a lesson! Thank you so much for all of the useful information you provided! I’m loving the extra material. It’s also bringing a pleasant nostalgia for my university days!
69RRCBS
I was wondering if anyone has acquired the latest volume of SWS poetry? I got one from Amazon but the binding was warped and it looked to be glued (unlike all the previous volumes).
Also wondering if anyone has acquired any of the Stevenson volumes from EUP? I was wondering if they’re sewn? I asked EUP about the SWS set and it took them sox months to reply and was a bit confused by the reply.
Also wondering if anyone has acquired any of the Stevenson volumes from EUP? I was wondering if they’re sewn? I asked EUP about the SWS set and it took them sox months to reply and was a bit confused by the reply.
70boldface
>69 RRCBS:
My copy of Marmion (2018) is sewn, but I'm awaiting the latest volume which must be reprinting. Your experience doesn't bode well.
My copy of Marmion (2018) is sewn, but I'm awaiting the latest volume which must be reprinting. Your experience doesn't bode well.
