1abysswalker
Tallone Editore, an Italian printer, recently came on my radar due to a tangential mention by Sorion in another conversation of an edition Tallone put out of Dickinson poems.
Though Dickinson is one of my favorite poets, I am currently satisfied with my LEC collection of her work. However, this did prompt me to investigate some of the other books the press has released in English over the years, of which there are only a few. Another is Hamlet, printed in 1978. I found a copy in fine condition apart from some light wear to the slipcase on the secondary market that I decided to take a chance on. I have a half-formed idea of slowly accumulating a full set of finely printed Shakespeare volumes where most or all of the volumes come from different presses, and perhaps this could be the Hamlet entry.
In many domains I have also found Italian tastes to be congenial (Tuscan reds, the cut of suits, etc.), so I figured the chances of satisfaction would be high.
The edition, apart from large size, is understated, presented in paper wrappers (attached by folding only) with a light brown hardcover chemise and slipcase. The printing is gorgeous and flawless, with light impression.
The presentation is perhaps a touch on the austere side, even for me. The edition has no illustrations or decorations, not even printer's ornaments, so it is about as pure an expression of typography as one is likely to see in a finished product: just handset type printed carefully on fine paper. I would even go as far as to say that the resulting book is more gathered than bound; though the signatures are sewn together, it is a single, very long, thick stitch for each signature (if that is even the proper term for a gathering of pages in this style).
The somewhat involved sequence of coverings (slipcase, chemise, paper wrapper) lends the process of taking the book out to read an almost ritualistic feel, which is oddly satisfying, especially coupled with the feel of nice paper.
The book includes no additional material to assist the reader, apart from a short four page afterword by Claudio Gorlier, a Professor of English at Turin University. I don't mind this at all, as plenty has been written elsewhere on this most famous of all English plays.
My only mild criticism is that I think it will require extra care to avoid creasing the spine of the paper wrapper or the single sheet of paper glued to the spine when reading. Though you can protect the paper wrapper by removing it along with the chemise when reading, if you want to lay the book flat you just need to accept that the spine of the lowest layer of covering will become creased.
All together, the end result is a beautiful and relatively unique entry in my library.
Everyman's Library volume for size comparison:
(You can click through to see high-resolution images on the hosting site if you are curious; I think you will need to click again once there to see the full 3024 pixel width detail.)
Though Dickinson is one of my favorite poets, I am currently satisfied with my LEC collection of her work. However, this did prompt me to investigate some of the other books the press has released in English over the years, of which there are only a few. Another is Hamlet, printed in 1978. I found a copy in fine condition apart from some light wear to the slipcase on the secondary market that I decided to take a chance on. I have a half-formed idea of slowly accumulating a full set of finely printed Shakespeare volumes where most or all of the volumes come from different presses, and perhaps this could be the Hamlet entry.
In many domains I have also found Italian tastes to be congenial (Tuscan reds, the cut of suits, etc.), so I figured the chances of satisfaction would be high.
The edition, apart from large size, is understated, presented in paper wrappers (attached by folding only) with a light brown hardcover chemise and slipcase. The printing is gorgeous and flawless, with light impression.
The presentation is perhaps a touch on the austere side, even for me. The edition has no illustrations or decorations, not even printer's ornaments, so it is about as pure an expression of typography as one is likely to see in a finished product: just handset type printed carefully on fine paper. I would even go as far as to say that the resulting book is more gathered than bound; though the signatures are sewn together, it is a single, very long, thick stitch for each signature (if that is even the proper term for a gathering of pages in this style).
The somewhat involved sequence of coverings (slipcase, chemise, paper wrapper) lends the process of taking the book out to read an almost ritualistic feel, which is oddly satisfying, especially coupled with the feel of nice paper.
The book includes no additional material to assist the reader, apart from a short four page afterword by Claudio Gorlier, a Professor of English at Turin University. I don't mind this at all, as plenty has been written elsewhere on this most famous of all English plays.
My only mild criticism is that I think it will require extra care to avoid creasing the spine of the paper wrapper or the single sheet of paper glued to the spine when reading. Though you can protect the paper wrapper by removing it along with the chemise when reading, if you want to lay the book flat you just need to accept that the spine of the lowest layer of covering will become creased.
All together, the end result is a beautiful and relatively unique entry in my library.
Everyman's Library volume for size comparison:
(You can click through to see high-resolution images on the hosting site if you are curious; I think you will need to click again once there to see the full 3024 pixel width detail.)
2grifgon
In my estimation, Tallone is the best printer in the world, from a technical standpoint, and has been for decades. Their work is always hand-set (as opposed to monotype, linotype, or polymer plates) and always extremely tasteful.
I have several of their Italian and French editions, and have perused a complete collection of their work. Not a disappointment among them. For many collectors, though, one of their editions will be enough. More than any press I know, their work is a "If you've seen one, you've seen them all" situation.
Hamlet is gorgeous and among my favorites! Thanks for sharing, and for highlighting this superlative press on the forum.
I have several of their Italian and French editions, and have perused a complete collection of their work. Not a disappointment among them. For many collectors, though, one of their editions will be enough. More than any press I know, their work is a "If you've seen one, you've seen them all" situation.
Hamlet is gorgeous and among my favorites! Thanks for sharing, and for highlighting this superlative press on the forum.
3EdmundRodriguez
I picked up a copy earlier this year and think it is absolutely great. Unfortunately my copy doesn't have its slipcase/chemise, so is just sitting in its paper wrappers. But it wasn't very expensive and it is one of 160 copies printed on handmade Amatruda paper.
I have probably taken this book off my shelf in the first 3 months of ownership more than any other I've ever bought (not to read, just to enjoy holding and flicking through). The paper is the nicest of any book I own and the fact that it is in paper wrappers makes the book so tactile to hold.
I normally prefer to have illustrations, but there is something pure and beautiful about the edition; it just feels flawless to look through.
I have probably taken this book off my shelf in the first 3 months of ownership more than any other I've ever bought (not to read, just to enjoy holding and flicking through). The paper is the nicest of any book I own and the fact that it is in paper wrappers makes the book so tactile to hold.
I normally prefer to have illustrations, but there is something pure and beautiful about the edition; it just feels flawless to look through.
4Sorion
>3 EdmundRodriguez: I normally prefer to have illustrations as well but you’re right there is something pure and satisfying about works of Tallone. These books are made for reading and reveling in the pleasure of typographic perfection.
5GusLogan
>1 abysswalker: Lovely photos and congratulations on an interesting project!
>4 Sorion:
I have no reason to question the testimonials regarding the paper quality and am no authority whatsoever in the realm of books at any level, but just to offer token (random!) resistance I cannot for the life of me see typographic perfection in the photographs above. For one thing, the placement of the character names centered above their lines seems downright annoying to me - why would you drag my eyes over there?
(I agree there is something deliciously pared down, indeed as you put it pure about the book.)
>4 Sorion:
I have no reason to question the testimonials regarding the paper quality and am no authority whatsoever in the realm of books at any level, but just to offer token (random!) resistance I cannot for the life of me see typographic perfection in the photographs above. For one thing, the placement of the character names centered above their lines seems downright annoying to me - why would you drag my eyes over there?
(I agree there is something deliciously pared down, indeed as you put it pure about the book.)
6EdmundRodriguez
>5 GusLogan:
I am not even close to a connoisseur of typography, and have a relatively limited collection, but there is something I find very easy on the eye in the Alberto Tallone edition of Hamlet. When I compare it to a LEC Shakespeare or a Folio Society Letterpress Shakespeare, my preference is definitely the Tallone (followed by FS Letterpress). I think it is probably the amount of space that is on the page, it just seems so easy to cast your eye over. I am sure it is very subjective however, and comes down to personal preference to large extent.
I am not even close to a connoisseur of typography, and have a relatively limited collection, but there is something I find very easy on the eye in the Alberto Tallone edition of Hamlet. When I compare it to a LEC Shakespeare or a Folio Society Letterpress Shakespeare, my preference is definitely the Tallone (followed by FS Letterpress). I think it is probably the amount of space that is on the page, it just seems so easy to cast your eye over. I am sure it is very subjective however, and comes down to personal preference to large extent.
7filox
>5 GusLogan: I think people often confuse large margins for good typography ;)
8Glacierman
>7 filox: Wide margins can, indeed, be overdone!
9ultrarightist
>7 filox: and >8 Glacierman: I find wide margins irritating when the text is cramped with small font.
10bookist
The spaces before some of the apostrophes in the screenshot of page 111 look a little peculiar:
they 'll
you 'll
he 'll
they 'll
you 'll
he 'll
11grifgon
>10 bookist: Tallone often follows what we would consider outdated conventions of typography and punctuation.
Originally, typographers used the apostrophe to mark the omission of letters, not the combination of words. So the "correct" (or rather, common) typographic convention would have been:
they w̶i̶'ll
you w̶i̶'ll
he w̶i̶'ll
Tallone is following this old convention, rather than what is now overwhelmingly common, which is to combine the words into contractions.
I get the sense that this is much more common today in the Italian world of typography than the English.
Originally, typographers used the apostrophe to mark the omission of letters, not the combination of words. So the "correct" (or rather, common) typographic convention would have been:
they w̶i̶'ll
you w̶i̶'ll
he w̶i̶'ll
Tallone is following this old convention, rather than what is now overwhelmingly common, which is to combine the words into contractions.
I get the sense that this is much more common today in the Italian world of typography than the English.
12katbyles
My father is selling his copy of this beautiful book via auction next week if anyone is looking for one!
https://www.dominicwinter.co.uk/Auction/Lot/lot-835---shakespeare-william-hamlet...
https://www.dominicwinter.co.uk/Auction/Lot/lot-835---shakespeare-william-hamlet...
13DMulvee
>12 katbyles: Is the estimate a typo: “100-1500”? It seems a very large range!
15dlphcoracl
>13 DMulvee:
>14 MobyRichard:
Undoubtedly, it is a typo or error. Dominic Winter Auctions is a reliable auction house and they do not play games. The estimate should read: 100-150 GBP.
>14 MobyRichard:
Undoubtedly, it is a typo or error. Dominic Winter Auctions is a reliable auction house and they do not play games. The estimate should read: 100-150 GBP.
16kdweber
>2 grifgon: I have two Tallone editions. The Emily Dickinson Poems seems like a good representation of their work but The Nocturnal Train seems a little unusual for Tallone.
17astropi
>15 dlphcoracl: You can purchase Hamlet directly from Tallone (they have a few copies left) for €2,800. In comparison 1500 GBP sounds like a good deal! That said, perhaps there are two version? One with and without artwork?
https://www.talloneeditoreshop.com/tallone/en/catalog/183-hamlet-shakespeare.htm...
https://www.talloneeditoreshop.com/tallone/en/catalog/183-hamlet-shakespeare.htm...
19dlphcoracl
>17 astropi:
Many Tallone Editore publications have multiple states, with each state representing a printing on different and distinctive handmade papers. The standard edition (360 copies) of Hamlet, printed on Magnani cotton paper made in Pescia, sold for 300 euro or thereabouts. The copy you are referencing for sale at 2,800 euros is printed on a special handmade Amadtruda paper made in Amalfi and it also includes an original lithograph print by Fabrizio Clerici loose in a separate folder. This has a limitation of only 80 copies.
300 euros is the correct reference point for the copy in the Dominic Winter auction.
Many Tallone Editore publications have multiple states, with each state representing a printing on different and distinctive handmade papers. The standard edition (360 copies) of Hamlet, printed on Magnani cotton paper made in Pescia, sold for 300 euro or thereabouts. The copy you are referencing for sale at 2,800 euros is printed on a special handmade Amadtruda paper made in Amalfi and it also includes an original lithograph print by Fabrizio Clerici loose in a separate folder. This has a limitation of only 80 copies.
300 euros is the correct reference point for the copy in the Dominic Winter auction.
20astropi
>18 supercell: >19 dlphcoracl: Thank you for the clarifications.
21ubiquitousuk
Wow, I just saw this thread and went back to look at the Tallone Hamlet, to find that it sold for £70. I believe someone bought a very nice book at a very reasonable price.
22ChestnutPress
>21 ubiquitousuk: Bugger, that auction slipped my mind and I forgot to bid!
23edgeworn
>21 ubiquitousuk: I am pleased to have been able to win this lot at such a good price. It will join my Tallone edition of Shakespeare's Sonnets.
I was also hoping to add one of the Vale Press books in this sale, but missed out on these.
I was also hoping to add one of the Vale Press books in this sale, but missed out on these.
24ChestnutPress
>23 edgeworn: Glad it has gone to a good home, and for a bargain. Congrats!
25ubiquitousuk
>23 edgeworn: congratulations, I'm always glad to learn that good buying opportunities have gone to members of this community.
