Thornwillow Press - Song of Solomon

Thornwillow launched a new Funding campaign this morning for their next book Song of Solomon: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/thornwillow/toni-morrisons-song-of-solomon

Excerpt from the campaign description:
“In Song of Solomon, narrative transcends the realm of mere story, and is imbued with the power of myth. The favorite novel of President Barack Obama—one which he has often credited as the most formative in his life—Song of Solomon touches the soul, and in lyrical prose, teaches us “how to be and how to think.”

Today, we ask you to join us in creating an edition which will honor the legacy of one of the greatest American authors of all time. With your support, we are setting out to make the ultimate and first ever fine press edition of Toni Morrison’s iconic Song of Solomon — one which will live on long after we are gone.”

Already pledged! Definitely some beautiful editions on offer:

There is a bigger jump in price from the half-cloth to the half-leather edition this time compared to the last few Thornwillow campaigns—from $200 USD for the half-cloth to $600 USD for the half-leather, even with the early bird discount, of which there are only 10 (of 30) left as I write this comment. $700 USD after the early bird price.

I do like the paste paper pattern, but that price delta can also buy a lot of book elsewhere. Half cloth is also attractive with the printed feather pattern papers. Probably remains the best Thornwillow value.

I love the look of the full leather Macon Dead edition, but can’t afford it, so I backed the half-cloth, which is also attractive and less than 10% of the price of the Macon Dead

>3 abysswalker: Their half-cloth editions really are a very good deal.

I'm torn between the half-leather and leather...

>6 SDB2012: I’m right there with you. I’ve tentatively pledged for the Deluxe Half-Leather (I love the combination of pastepaper and pepper red leather).

>7 const-char-star: That Deluxe does look great. I went for the early-bird half leather. I love the yellow and the pattern.

Just when I'm trying to cut down on book spending Thornwillow Press goes and does something like this... +)

Song of Solomon has been on my fine press want list for a long time and the deluxe half leather is gorgeous, but I ended up going for the half cloth. Thornwillow half cloth editions are great value and I’ve never had buyer’s remorse on them like I have for some of my Thornwillow half leathers. Plus, the jump is quite steep and there seems to be fewer extras between the two editions—in particular, it seems that all editions are printed on the same (unspecified) paper this time around.

>8 SDB2012: I went for the early bird half-leather, also. Very beautiful, striking edition!

>9 mnmcdwl: honestly the lack paper specification is my only substantial criticism of Thornwillow. They do specify “archival” quality, which is the base level consideration, but for a fine press release I prefer to know all the details. Perhaps they want to leave their options open to guard against supply constraints? Maybe they want the freedom to vary the specific paper within a limitation?

Previous discussion has indicated that all the paper they use is from Mohawk, but the lack of specification always leaves the question open when it comes to particular releases.

I wonder if there is a positive argument is for leaving off this info.

Perhaps I will send them an email inquiring.

Half-Cloth looks fantastic. Very tempted. Have to admit though, paying that much seven months in advance has become a sore point for me :(. I haven't even received my Gift Edition Suntup 1984 yet...lol.

>11 abysswalker:

Off the top of my head, I can't imagine a positive argument for leaving off paper details unless the publisher is leaving themselves room to change what paper they use?

>11 abysswalker: I believe it’s been mentioned in other threads that Thornwillow sources most (if not all) of their paper from Mohawk.

>13 const-char-star: (as noted in my comment number 11 above.)

Even if true, which I assume it is, Mohawk produces a wide variety of papers, so that only provides a small amount of information.

Got this directly from Thornwillow on the paper used for the various editions (which they also plan on adding to the Kickstarter page):

"Paper Wrapper - Warm White Felt - letterpress inner cover around which the letterpress outer wrapper is wrapped.
Half Cloth - Warm White Felt - letterpress endpapers

Half Leather (Yellow) - Milkweed Wove - paste paper endpapers
Full Leather Guitar - Milkweed Wove - paste paper endpapers

Half Leather (Ferocity of Beauty) - Pearl White Cotton (Crane's Lettra) - and marble endpapers
Full Leather (Macon Dead) - Pearl White Cotton (Crane's Lettra) - and marble endpapers

Full Leather (Milkman) - Soft Blue Wove and Marble endpapers

Full Leather Soft Cover (Pilate) - Milkweed Wove

Full Leather Archive Sets - Pearl White Cotton and Marble endpapers"

Also backed it today, but disappointed with the delivery date of December, if I recall correctly.

This Kickstarter also seems a bit different - it sounds like they have only a finite number of copies they can make, and will switch the capacity around as needed. As opposed to other launches where they committed to making x copies more than pledged.

Must be a part of the agreement with the estate.

>16 U_238: The delivery date is about what I expected and is consistent with the time lag for most other small presses these days, as far as I can see. Not saying, of course, that 3 months wouldn't be better than 6 (from the end of the Kickstarter).

I am excited about this project and happily support their campaign!

Backed the best value for me: the half cloth

>15 whytewolf1: Thank you! I see they have added the information now. I also couldn’t see the point of leaving it out. The pearl white cotton paper for the deluxe half leather definitely makes it a better proposition. They used that paper for my limp vellum Genesis copy and it is beautiful.

>20 mnmcdwl: You're welcome, and I agree that the pearl white cotton paper is really lovely! I have some of their patrons' edition chapbooks with it.

Also, I don't think there was a good reason to leave it out. I think they just didn't really consider it or thought, perhaps, that customers were not all that interested, which, let's face it, is probably true for the most part. People on this forum are a bit of an exception.

I always think it's funny (and a little sad) when people imagine nefarious reasons for leaving out information like this. If you've ever worked in a small business, you know that most small businesses perennially have too much to do and too few resources with which to get it all done (I speak from experience here). So, personally, I always try to exercise the charitable interpretations of various errors and omissions, and you know, what? The charitable explanations are, more often than not, the right ones.

Cloth for me. Really looking forward to this one.

Hmmm.....
Early bird half leather sold out while I was asleep on this side of the planet, so guess I’ll skip this one.

>23 wcarter:
Would contacting Luke and explaining the situation to him help getting the special price? It might be worth a try.

>15 whytewolf1: thanks for sharing this info!

>23 wcarter: >24 booksforreading: As of now, there are still 7 half-leather copies available for the special Kickstarter price of $695, which if history is any guide will be sold afterward for $995 (or more) in TW's web store. Not as good of a deal as $595, but still a pretty darn good deal IMO.

>25 abysswalker: You are very welcome. Glad I could help. :)

>26 whytewolf1:
US$600 plus postage for the half-leather version is borderline value for me, particularly as it is a title of greater interest to Americans than the rest of the world. The extra US$95 now that the early bird has gone makes me consider that I can get better bang for buck buying books from other publishers. The early bird numbers seem significantly lower for this edition than those previously published by Thornwillow.

I do rather wish Thornwillow would just have left the half-leather as an open order at $595. For most of us that is a lot of money for a book regardless of quality. Furthermore I agree with >27 wcarter: that the extra $100 for the half-leather is a bit of a tipping point. Still, all editions are quite attractive in my opinion!

>27 wcarter: Everyone certainly must make their own decisions about what is of value to them. I’m sure there are many people who feel that their money is better spent elsewhere than even on the more modestly priced editions.

It was only my intention to point out that the current half-leather price was objectively still a a good deal relative to the likely post-Kickstarter price.

>28 astropi: someone pointed out earlier that this time around Thornwillow has stated max numbers for their editions and that it could be due to contractual limitations. Seems like a reasonable surmise.

>30 whytewolf1: This is almost certainly the case, as contracts with author estates always stipulate edition limitations. The only other reason would be that the Thornwillow team wanted to get a head's start on production to decrease the wait time for subscribers, and have already begun printing the edition.

>31 grifgon: Good point.

As seems to often be the case the cloth edition seems to be the standout value play. Not a fan of Toni Morrison , though I know I’m in the minority on that so I’ll be passing on this. Really pleased to see the kickstarter filling up so quickly!

>33 Sorion: I purchased the half-cloth Poe and if you really think about it, there's no way the small amount of cloth / leather is worth nearly as much as the price difference right? Is the actual text block is identical in all versions? I may purchase just the paper boards after some consideration

>34 Soup811: Slightly different Mohawk paper plus the half and full leather editions come in a very nice tray-case. Their half cloth editions are always the best bang for the buck. I doubt they make any money at all on the paper copies. I think Luke wants to encourage more people into the trap of reading beautiful editions.

>34 Soup811: kdweber is correct. The more limited editions do use superior paper stock which varies depending on the particular edition (see post #15).

Also, as the Kickstarter copy states: "All Leather Bound Editions (including Half-Leather) are presented in an elegant Clamshell Box.

As established collectors of our leather bound editions know, Thornwillow's signature black clamshell boxes are an elegant way to preserve and protect your books and to unite the collection on your shelf. The clamshell boxes are wrapped in cloth, lined in suede and have a gold tooled leather title label on the spine."

I believe it was grifgon who in another thread indicated they at most break even on the paper editions.

>34 Soup811: The paper-wrapper editions are good value even if on lesser paper than the others. I'm glad Thornwillow continues to offer them because they are issuing so many titles I want to read and I'd rather pay $100 for a letterpress paper-wrapped book than shell out for a trade edition or wait until I run across the title in a used bookstore.

If they ever publish a known fave author/title, I'd be tempted to at least jump to the cloth. But I can't afford that for every title. I probably wouldn't have a Thornwillow book yet if they didn't have the paper-wrapped option but only because of budgetary concerns. As it is, I have six.

I haven't read Morrison but she's long been on my radar to read and thus I'm sure I'll be going in for the copy and reading it here in the cheap seats, third tier, Stretford End...

If they offered an optional slipcase for the cloth editions for +$50 or something I'd be all over those. I actually don't love the Thornwillow clamshells, they're quite same-y. Ought my copies of Genesis, Frankenstein and The Waste Land look so similar on my shelves?

>39 gmacaree: I agree 100%. Another revenue stream for them too, though I imagine some people upgrade to the half leather because the half cloth are unprotected. (I know I’ve used that excuse to myself before.)

I was interested to learn from the "About" section at the bottom of the kickstarter page that " Thornwillow has published more than 100 titles." Anyone have their older non-Kickstarter books? I'm assuming that's what they mean, b/c they definitely haven't run 100 Kickstarter campaigns...

>41 MobyRichard: it looks like the total includes minor releases, such as chapbooks. Full list here:

https://thornwillow.com/books/collector-resources/publications

>41 MobyRichard: Thornwillow’s publications page lists 96: https://thornwillow.com/books/collector-resources/publications

It’s worth noting the count includes shorter works like the chapbooks published for subscribers of the Thornwillow Dispatch over the past year and a half.

EDIT: Too slow; >42 abysswalker: beat me to it.

In their Death on the Nile campaign you could add on one of the few remaining archived copies of Remembering the Moon, one of the first titles published, from 1989. It’s a lovely edition, larger in size than the most current Thornwillow campaigns, with text by Walter Cronkite and illustrations by the artist Irena Martens (also Luke Pontifell’s mom). In truth it is one of my favorite editions by them, and I’m glad I picked it up. I hope other works from the archive make appearances from time to time.

>41 MobyRichard: I have a couple of earlier editions, including a gorgeous full leather Bill of Rights. Worth seeking out.

>41 MobyRichard: I’ve got two - a very nice half-leather Civil Wars: Three Tales of Old New York by Louis Auchincloss and a full-cloth The Presidency by Hugh Sidey, which is one of the only Thornwillow publications I am aware of that came with a slipcase

I selected half-cloth for the Morrison title. It will be my first Thornwillow book. I am not in the market for the more expensive options, but waffled between the paper and half-cloth options.

Generally I don't care for paperback books, but I expect the paper quality is much higher and perhaps thicker? I worry about the book not holding together over time, although my fears may be unwarranted (and the paperbacks I have that are falling apart are glued). I would appreciate hearing from those who own paper editions of Thornwillow books. How are they to handle and how are they holding up?

>47 wdripp: presumably the paper-wrappers copies are still sewn? That would be a useful point for anyone who owns a copy in paper-wrappers to clarify. (I don't own any Thornwillow copies in paper-wrappers and continue to pass on paperbacks when there is a hardcover option because I invariably ding the corners of paper covers at some point, even when the covers have more durable fold-over edges.)

>45 gmacaree:
>46 jsg1976:
>47 wdripp:

Interesting...I'd say the Kickstarter books are more interesting to me. I am interested in their John Adams retrospective but $1500 a bit much...lol.

>49 MobyRichard: Indeed, the costs on Thornwillow’s website tend to increase as stocks dwindle. The Half-Cloth Beauty is the Beginning of Terror, for example, is currently listed for $485 USD. I think $1500 USD is the upper bound for their Half-Leather books.

>47 wdripp: - I've no personal experience with their paper wrapped copies, but there was a previous thread on this topic here - https://www.librarything.com/topic/310247

>48 abysswalker: I can confirm that the paper wrappers editions do have sewn bindings. Even the little chapbooks they publish have sewn/stitched bindings.

>41 MobyRichard: This forum and the internet at large were introduced to Thornwillow primarily through its recent Kickstarter campaigns. I have a near-complete Thornwillow collection (90+ of the press' editions, dating back to 1985) and strongly recommend exploring their pre-Kickstarter work. While Thornwillow's recent releases are wonderful and represent enormous bang for your buck, this is only just the latest in several "eras" of Thornwillow Press.

Thornwillow has an illustrious history going back decades. Its work has often been more orientated toward institutional collecting than the private fine press community. For just one example, three U.S. presidents have given Thornwillow books as state gifts (H.W. Bush, Clinton, and Biden) and the Lincoln Bedroom at the White House is stocked with a small Thornwillow library. In my opinion, private collectors routinely undervalue the press because, until recently, its editions were simply not in circulation among them.

Thornwillow's best books come from when the press was based in the Czech Republic (roughly mid-90's to early 2000's). At that time, the press was simultaneously operating the largest handmade paper shop in the world, and so all of their editions were on glorious paper, all gold tooled half-leather, most heavily illustrated. I'll see about posting a few photos from what I'd consider to be Thornwillow's finest editions. (And if anybody has a past TWP edition that they'd be interested in seeing, let me know.)

>51 jeremyjm: Thank you. That is very helpful. I should have thought to search for the topic but didn’t.

From the previous thread and a related thread with photos, it appears the paperback books are sewn and may be opened flat without any creasing to the binding. It does appear the patterned paper is a wrapper/DJ with plain, thicker paper binding underneath.

>53 grifgon: Thank you for this history. I would love to see photos of some of their older editions.

>55 wdripp: I forgot to mention! For anybody who is interested in pre-Kickstarter Thornwillow, this article is the definitive synopsis:

https://specialcollections.vassar.edu/exhibit-highlights/2006-2010/thornwillow/h...

>53 grifgon: I’d love to see pictures of the JFK, Bill of Rights, Cronkite, Monticello, and Obama books

>56 grifgon: This was a very good read, thank you for sharing.

Received my copy this morning, it’s the paper copy, didn’t think I’d see it until some time in January.

>59 yolana: Congrats, which version?

>59 yolana: Oh wow! I wonder if that's what I've got coming in the mail from them - assumed it was my dispatch, but this would be a nice surprise.

>60 kdweber: It's the paper wraps version. For whatever reason, Thornwillow's process is typically to start with paper, move on to half-cloth, and then on up the ladder and to ship as each batch is ready.

>62 whytewolf1: I went full leather on this one, I guess I need to temper my excitement for awhile longer. :)

>63 LBShoreBook: :D Indeed. I did my typical half-leather, so I'll be waiting for a bit, as well. But hopefully not too long!

It’s the paper, I was a little cautious because it was my first time ordering a fine press book, of course, after being in the forum about two minutes I realized in absolutely needed the no reply Enuma Elis and the Century Press Gatsby. Next time I’m going for half cloth!

>65 yolana: I'm also really looking forward to Enuma Elis... I really like what No Reply is doing. Really beautiful. Can't wait!!!

Was not enthusiastic about what I saw with Century Gatsby. I thought the typography and binding looked poor. What do you think? how is it in reality?

I think the Thornwillow Gatsby is the best fine press Gatsby. The typography, illustrations, bindings (especially paper and cloth versions... though the top tier leather ones get pretty amazing too... I think they are all gone now)... have a look at the previous thread on Fine Press Gatsby options... Curious what you think.

here are pics of Thornwillow's https://thornwillow.com/the-great-gatsby-by-f-scott-fitzgerald

I also have a leather SoS coming ... so must be patient. :(

>66 FvS: Was not enthusiastic about what I saw with Century Gatsby. I thought the typography and binding looked poor. What do you think? how is it in reality?

Sorry to barge in- I think the printing and typography were solid/good. I read the book last weekend and enjoyed the experience a lot. It's certainly designed with the reader in mind and from a reader's perspective, it's a big win.

The materials used for the binding have been critiqued in another thread but, again, the experience as a reader was really good. I will say that the binding is a little uneven. The front cover sticks out a little farther than the back cover.

>66 FvS: I agree! Thornwillow's "Gatsby" is the best one out there. LOVE the cover. No other edition comes close to it.

>67 SDB2012: In fairness to FvS point about the typography, there were some mistakes which were a bit amateur. For example, no tracking on full or small caps, or no use of oldstyle figures. Stuff like that isn't a matter of taste, but rather a well-established typographic orthodoxy based on readability. Overall, though, I agree that the book was a very pleasant read!

>66 FvS: I have no experience with fine press books, but I’m enjoying reading the gatsby, the feel of the cover is very supple, the print is clear and legible, and it’s the perfect size for reading.

Got my paper-wrapped copy today. Haven't unboxed it yet...

>68 grifgon: In fairness to FvS point about the typography, there were some mistakes which were a bit amateur. For example, no tracking on full or small caps, or no use of oldstyle figures.

I don't even know what that means so my comments should be taken with a grain of salt. This and the discussion of paper in the other thread are prime examples of why my fantasies of publishing fine press books will remain fantasies. +)

By the way, I received the No Reply Poe and I'm looking forward to spending some time with it over the weekend. I love the color. Thanks for getting it to me.

Having recently received my "Ferocity of Beauty" (deluxe half-leather) copy of Song of Solomon, I must say I'm disappointed with the quality. The stamping on the spine looks like the tool must have slipped a few times, the leather spine label is uneven, so is the top edge of the front board, and, worse, it looks like instead of gilding the text block with gold leaf or foil, some sort of gold spray paint was used to color the top edge as there appears to be overspray onto the adjacent side edge of the text block. I hope I'm wrong about that because it is unfathomable to me that a fine press would resort to spray painting a book edge. And while I'm aware, and appreciative, that I can reach out to Luke and exchange my copy for another, it's disappointing to receive such a dud in the first place. Has anyone else received a half leather state (or higher) yet and is yours any better?

>72 ChampagneSVP: The gilding looks awful

I’d be quite disappointed if I received that as well. Hopefully there is some sort of explanation.

>72 ChampagneSVP: I've never seen the gilding issue in your pictures in any other fine press publication. Not sure how this could have happened as it looks obvious on a cursory inspection. I wonder if the issues are related to the recent high staff turnover. While it's reassuring to know that Luke will eventually make it right, it is a bit of a hassle to deal with. I'm a bit concerned about my half-leather Ulysses now. Going forward, I'm more likely to back the paper wrapper or half-cloth states. The book you show was $795 during Kickstarter, more afterwards. At that price, I don't want to have to deal with issues like this.

>75 punkzip: I share your concern regarding the half-leather Ulysses, which I also backed it at that level. If the pictures in >72 ChampagneSVP: are an indication of what to expect, we're in for a disappointing end of the year...

>72 ChampagneSVP: Aside from the top-edge gilting issue, which does look schlocky and concerning, that state looks quite beautiful. I'm not really seeing the other two issues from the photos. But hopefully the press can remedy your concerns.

>76 Dr.Fiddy: Although the non-installment versions of Ulysses were initially scheduled for December, after the last email I am pretty sure we will not see it this year.

Has anyone received their normal half-leather Song of Solomon yet? I received my own copy of the 'Ferocity of Beauty' half-leather last week - >72 ChampagneSVP: ChampagneSVP made me run to the shelf to double check mine but I was I was luckier with my 'gilding' - but also pledged for the regular (yellow) half-leather, couldn't resist. Just curious, thanks.

>79 goldenbowl: Glad to hear they're not all like that. Also just heard through the grapevine that "real gold leaf" is what Thornwillow uses to gild the edges so that's good.

>79 goldenbowl: >80 ChampagneSVP: I’m also able to report my ‘Ferocity of Beauty’ half-leather is free from obvious defects.

>81 const-char-star: All good to hear!

There been an update from Luke on the leather editions as a response to a commenter on the Kickstarter page asking for an update.

"We had a number of bumps in the road. But things look like they are on the road to settling. I am very sorry for not providing an update in a while. First the leather was delayed and when it came, it had a strange spotting on it because of a problem with the tanning. So we are still waiting for another shipment of leather to come. Additionally, we have had some some unexpected turnover at the press which delayed things further (our experienced anchor team is all still here, but a number of the new people in our training program left unexpectedly which slowed down our schedules quite a lot). The good news is that we are finally seeing light at the end of the tunnel. I am told the new leather is on its way. Also, new people have been joining (both experienced and trainees) and additional people will be coming in July and August. So things are looking brighter. I hesitate to give you an exact date for your book because the new leather is not here yet. But I am told to expect it soon. I will endeavor to make an update soon when I have more to report. Please contact me any time if you have further questions."

>84 mholt: I am full leather, guitar edition. Will have to think carefully before participating in another TW Kickstarter campaign. Things happen, but the absence of communication on a 1 year+ interest-free loan is frustrating, at best.

>85 LBShoreBook: Agreed. I think most people are accepting of delays, but I think the most common complaint I see in this industry is lack of communication, especially when a company has already taken money for a pre-order. Some presses are great at giving updates, but some are pretty horrible. If I were suggesting one process change to these companies, it would be to set up a cadence of intentional communication for each project you have running.

"The greatest problem in communication is the illusion that it has been accomplished." – George Bernard Shaw

>86 mholt: “Some presses are great at giving updates, but some are pretty horrible.”

Yes, and I think this is more tolerable from small press operations that don’t have a strong (or any) internet presence, but when a press makes use of Kickstarter to sell books, creates video sales pitches, and has a regularly updated website, one wonders why there is no communication with the subscribers who make the editions possible.

>85 LBShoreBook: I just received mine last week, full leather, guitar edition, and very underwhelmed and plan to return it or ask for a refund. The yellow leather has so many black spots throughout that it looks it was covered in dirt with compromise to the spine. Out of four or five fine press books I received this summer it is definitely the most underwhelming. Hope yours turns out better! I have several Thornwillow books and this is likely the exception, but disappointed nonetheless.

My most surprising purchase has been La Divina Commedia, don't remember what edition, but the artwork and presentation is gorgeous. I was expecting an above average edition for how inexpensive it was but I prefer it over the Folio limited edition and wouldn't sell it for 3 times the purchase price.

>88 Joshbooks1: Could you share a photo? I haven't received mine.

>88 Joshbooks1: "The yellow leather has so many black spots throughout that it looks"

Let me know what response you get. I made the same remark on my half-leather Parable of the Sower and was told it was simply a feature of the yellow leather used - I wonder if this is the same material. Then again, with that one I was also concerned by the warped / wrinkly endpaper and what I felt to be an exceptionally loose binding, but was told the same as far as those concerns; just a "feature," all copies the same.

>90 NathanOv: Can confirm: Yellow leather often has darker spotting or veining. This is because yellow is the hardest color by far to dye leather (or anything, really) uniformly. Cheap faux leathers can be chemically dyed for pure banana yellow, but I haven't seen many examples of high end vegetable dyed Morocco where this is the case. I have a $500 hide of yellow leather in my workshop, about the highest end stuff you can get, which is definitely varied. I'm not totally sure this an area where "feature" deserves scare quotes. In the same way that handmade paper is never really uniform, if we wanted perfectly uniform leather without any variation, we'd only be able to get the mass-produced stuff. That said, I haven't actually seen these books, and spotting could also be caused by greasy fingerprints or that sort of thing!

>91 grifgon: We’ll that’s good to know! I was just doubtful because of some of the other quality issues, but I’d assume then it’s the same case with the yellow Song of Solomon.

Not sure what scare quotes are - just wanted to emphasize that was the word they used.

>92 NathanOv: Man I LOVE scare quotes. One of my favorite corners of punctuation.

And I don't mean to contradict that there might be quality control issues, rather that the press' line about the yellow variation is totally believable, without having seen the books themselves!

>90 NathanOv: "a feature of the yellow leather used - I wonder if this is the same material. Then again, with that one I was also concerned by the warped / wrinkly endpaper and what I felt to be an exceptionally loose binding, but was told the same as far as those concerns; just a "feature," all copies the same."

The leather may or may not be a "feature" but I'd be concerned about the endpapers and loose binding regardless. Sure for a handmade book there is some variation, but as fine press collectors we have a sense of what sort of variations should reasonably be seen in a well-made book. I can't say anything as I haven't handled the book but I'd be hesitant to accept warped endpapers and a loose binding as a "feature" of being handmade. I

>94 punkzip: I should’ve included more details - I’ve kept the book, accepting that it is what it is, but basically the endpapers are this thick reflective foil material that apparently was naturally warped and contributes to the looser binding.

I think those are huge issues to accept as a compromise to accommodate the endpapers they wanted, which I do not personally like the look of, but I guess it was an intentional choice they made.

I had a talk with Marc Lamb the owner of Harmatan Leather (one of the finest suppliers in the world for bookbinding leather and the supplier of Thornwillow's leather and many other fine press publishers and custom binders). He told me that the spots are inherent in the natural process of tanning and dying the leather. These spots don't show in the darker colors, but do show up more dramatically in the brighter colors. He says it is unavoidable. Period. He also pointed out (in keeping with Grifgon's comment) that this is part of what gives the high quality leather it's patina and beauty. He mentioned that the leather supply chain (the skins come Africa and India and are dyed and polished in England) has been a complete and utter disaster. He said Thornwillow's leather was six months late and when they got it, many were found to have more spots than were acceptable, so he is replacing about 20 skins.

Regarding the quality of Thornwillow's craftsmanship, I have mentioned this several times in other threads, but I'll say it again for this discussion. Some of the finest half leather and full leather bindings I have in my collection come from Thornwillow.

Moreover, when I have had a concern, I've found them to be responsive and eager to make it right. Several years ago I received a book box that had a dinged corner, a defect that very likely occurred during shipping. I called Thornwillow and they immediately replaced it with a new box. Whenever I call them, I find them to be attentive and eager to please.

I just finished reading my copy of Song of Solomon (I hope you all read yours) and it is glorious! I regret not shelling out for more than the paper bound edition. This was written by a master. Now I want to revisit Beloved. Any chance that Thornwillow does an edition of that?
Anyway, please excuse my effusive praise. The joy of reading a great and perhaps perfect book doesn't come along very often...

>97 stopsurfing: It's such a fantastic novel! I believe the Kickstarter survey asked about interest in another Morrison book such as Beloved, but the Parable of The Sower and Death on The Nile surveys included similar questions. Hopefully the next book is a continuation of one of these series, though!

>98 NathanOv: Any idea when Thornwillow will announce their next release?

>99 Joshbooks1: They were on a fairly consistent twice-a-year release schedule for 4-5 years before Ulysses threw things off in 2021, with one Spring and one Fall preorder being most common.

I'd guess at May - June if they're catching up on Ulysses, but I have not been following it terribly closely since I skipped that one.

>100 NathanOv: Song of Solomon is still being bound and all versions of Ulysses are still being printed.

>101 SDB2012: Titles always overlap like this, so that's not unusual. I assume it's just a question of when they're comfortable enough with the progress for another announcement.

>102 NathanOv: yes, but with one going on two years overdue and the other almost a year overdue and ten dispatches in various stages of completion, I'd love to see them get caught up a bit before raising more funds. I'm a fan of the press, but have grown a bit weary over funds committed without seeing a book.

>103 SDB2012: I had a call with them today and it sounds like things are getting caught up. Volume 4 of Ulysses is in the bindery and they finished printing volume 5 today. Only a few copies remain in the bindery for Song of Solomon. And it sounds like the delayed Centaur bindings are going to come in a bit of a wave. I'm optimistic that they are getting back on track. I too very much look forward to the next announcement. I agree that it would be wise for them to get caught up a bit more before announcing the next, but I'm also fine to have projects overlap. I wouldn't want them to wait until Ulysses is 100% complete. Once Song of Solomon is totally complete and Centaur editions are caught up, I have no problem with them announcing the next.

>104 FvS: That's excellent news.

>104 FvS: Just remember the stress that is put on the minimal amount of workers at Thornwillow when titles keep piling up behind them as fast as they can (sometimes) keep up.
Ideal production quotas projected by a company can sometimes become not ideal if it pushes morale too low.