1punkzip
Anyone have any thoughts on fine press versions of The Leopard?
I'm more likely to buy the FS versions as they are inexpensive on the secondary market. Anyone have any thoughts on the differences between the newer and older FS editions?
I know there is a LEC version which is fairly expensive on the secondary market. The AP version is the most expensive, even with the subscriber discount.
I'm more likely to buy the FS versions as they are inexpensive on the secondary market. Anyone have any thoughts on the differences between the newer and older FS editions?
I know there is a LEC version which is fairly expensive on the secondary market. The AP version is the most expensive, even with the subscriber discount.
3punkzip
>2 dlphcoracl: without peer how?
5abysswalker
>3 punkzip: you can find several discussions using this search query.
(I just did this by going to the main page for this group and typing the query "The Leopard" into the "Search Topics" field.)
My opinions about the the major choices:
The Schiff era LEC printed by the Stamperia Valdonega (excellent printing and elegant style, but overlarge form factor and inane illustration).
The Arion Press edition. Nice size and also excellent printing. Illustrated with movie stills which (like many Arion illustration decisions) is divisive. (The Visconti movie is great, but it is still a different medium.) I haven't warmed up to it yet, but I might in time.
The older Folio Society edition is nowhere near the same league in terms of materials and presswork, but I find the complete result more satisfying. The newer cover is much less tasteful. You can find extensive discussion here. (Again, this is just a simple query limited to the Folio Society Devotees group discussions.)
They all use the same translation, so that is not a factor.
(I just did this by going to the main page for this group and typing the query "The Leopard" into the "Search Topics" field.)
My opinions about the the major choices:
The Schiff era LEC printed by the Stamperia Valdonega (excellent printing and elegant style, but overlarge form factor and inane illustration).
The Arion Press edition. Nice size and also excellent printing. Illustrated with movie stills which (like many Arion illustration decisions) is divisive. (The Visconti movie is great, but it is still a different medium.) I haven't warmed up to it yet, but I might in time.
The older Folio Society edition is nowhere near the same league in terms of materials and presswork, but I find the complete result more satisfying. The newer cover is much less tasteful. You can find extensive discussion here. (Again, this is just a simple query limited to the Folio Society Devotees group discussions.)
They all use the same translation, so that is not a factor.
6dlphcoracl
>3 punkzip:
First things first:
1. The Folio Society editions are mediocre, not up to their usual standard.
2. The Sidney Shiff LEC is beautifully printed on Enrico Magnani paper of Pescia (wonderful) with a fine linen cloth binding by Jensen Bindery of Austin, Texas. However, it is oversized and heavy (14 x 10 inches) and aside from a frontispiece etching it is not illustrated. It is pure typography, nicely done.
3. The Arion Press edition is the perfect reading size and the book design with matching slipcase are elegant. It is illustrated with numerous photographs (previously unpublished) taken from Luchino Visconti's masterpiece film version of the novel, one of the finest film editions of a classic work of literature (see link).
https://booksandvines.com/2013/11/16/the-leopard-a-film-by-luchino-visconti-1963...
The photographs have been beautifully printed and are luminous, capturing the time and place of Giuseppe di Lampedusa's classic work, fully immersing the reader into the novel. Chris Adamson wrote an excellent review article in 2015 on his Books and Vines website with numerous photographs (see link).
https://booksandvines.com/2015/02/16/the-leopard-by-giuseppe-di-lampedusa-arion-...
Remember: If you left-click over a photograph on the Books and Vines website it will enlarge. It you then left-click AGAIN (a second time) over the enlarged photo, it will enlarge further giving a macro view of the letterpress printing and the wondrous photos taken from Visconti's classic movie.
First things first:
1. The Folio Society editions are mediocre, not up to their usual standard.
2. The Sidney Shiff LEC is beautifully printed on Enrico Magnani paper of Pescia (wonderful) with a fine linen cloth binding by Jensen Bindery of Austin, Texas. However, it is oversized and heavy (14 x 10 inches) and aside from a frontispiece etching it is not illustrated. It is pure typography, nicely done.
3. The Arion Press edition is the perfect reading size and the book design with matching slipcase are elegant. It is illustrated with numerous photographs (previously unpublished) taken from Luchino Visconti's masterpiece film version of the novel, one of the finest film editions of a classic work of literature (see link).
https://booksandvines.com/2013/11/16/the-leopard-a-film-by-luchino-visconti-1963...
The photographs have been beautifully printed and are luminous, capturing the time and place of Giuseppe di Lampedusa's classic work, fully immersing the reader into the novel. Chris Adamson wrote an excellent review article in 2015 on his Books and Vines website with numerous photographs (see link).
https://booksandvines.com/2015/02/16/the-leopard-by-giuseppe-di-lampedusa-arion-...
Remember: If you left-click over a photograph on the Books and Vines website it will enlarge. It you then left-click AGAIN (a second time) over the enlarged photo, it will enlarge further giving a macro view of the letterpress printing and the wondrous photos taken from Visconti's classic movie.
7ultrarightist
I second the Oracle's assessment of the AP edition. Perfect reading size matched with fine typography and pressmanship, and further matched with richly colorful photos apropos to the story.
8gmacaree
If you don't mind (or even enjoy! I do!) reading oversized books the LEC Leopard is an absolute joy.
9mnmcdwl
I don’t own any but the Arion Press version, but it really is quite lovely. >6 dlphcoracl:’s and >7 ultrarightist:’s assessments are correct.
10wcarter
A review of the two Folio Society ditions can be found at https://www.librarything.com/topic/275942
11kdweber
>8 gmacaree: Ditto. I had no problem reading and enjoying the LEC edition plus my Fine copy cost a reasonable $200 five years ago.
12grifgon
I have a copy of the Arion "Leopard" to sell or trade if any are interested.
Perfect condition, and as others have noted, an all-around excellent edition. It's composed with monotype, too, which makes for a particularly suitable "feel" for the novel.
Only parting with it because I'll be reading the novel with my Italian partner in a different translation, so I don't have any intention of actually reading.
Edit: And I think the photographs from the film work incredibly well with this edition. I think Arion knocked it out of the park with their experimentations this time.
Perfect condition, and as others have noted, an all-around excellent edition. It's composed with monotype, too, which makes for a particularly suitable "feel" for the novel.
Only parting with it because I'll be reading the novel with my Italian partner in a different translation, so I don't have any intention of actually reading.
Edit: And I think the photographs from the film work incredibly well with this edition. I think Arion knocked it out of the park with their experimentations this time.
