1scunliffe
Since I reached my 70's I have been trying to rebuild a library that has been repeatedly decimated by moves from country to country and continent to continent.
If I am going to 're-buy' a book it is worth buying it in a good edition. So far my exploration has been limited to the Folio Society, from whom I first bought a book in 1966. But now, looking at the posts in this group I realize that there are many more and finer options out there.
My request is for some sort of introduction to Fine Presses in general, who they are and how to acquire them, and I would greatly appreciate being pointed in the right direction.
If I am going to 're-buy' a book it is worth buying it in a good edition. So far my exploration has been limited to the Folio Society, from whom I first bought a book in 1966. But now, looking at the posts in this group I realize that there are many more and finer options out there.
My request is for some sort of introduction to Fine Presses in general, who they are and how to acquire them, and I would greatly appreciate being pointed in the right direction.
2jroger1
I see from your bio that you have retired in the American west, so you have a couple of options our European friends don’t. Easton Press has some excellent publications, especially their “deluxe limited editions,” and others that are quite ordinary except that they are all leather bound. Library of America has a large selection of books by American authors, although their binding is nothing special. Both publishers are represented by forums here on LT.
3abysswalker
>1 scunliffe: the forum has a wiki which is a good introduction.
For "... mostly history and fiction, from around the world ..." the Limited Editions Club (and the associated less-fine-though-often-still-nice Heritage Press) are good entry points. In addition to having published a number of books that will probably fit your taste, if you pay attention to the printers and so forth, you will learn about other presses to which you may become partial. LEC/Heritage Press has a dedicated board on Library Thing as well.
Depending on how deep down the rabbit hole you want to go, there are also many books about the history of the private press movement more generally.
For "... mostly history and fiction, from around the world ..." the Limited Editions Club (and the associated less-fine-though-often-still-nice Heritage Press) are good entry points. In addition to having published a number of books that will probably fit your taste, if you pay attention to the printers and so forth, you will learn about other presses to which you may become partial. LEC/Heritage Press has a dedicated board on Library Thing as well.
Depending on how deep down the rabbit hole you want to go, there are also many books about the history of the private press movement more generally.
4abysswalker
>1 scunliffe: you may also find this thread (Advice for a New Collector) to be useful:
https://www.librarything.com/topic/319492
https://www.librarything.com/topic/319492
5ubiquitousuk
I found this website useful when getting started: https://artunderwraps.com/publishers.html It has a list of fine/private press publishers. Clicking on the names of many of the publishers leads to a bibliography (although occasionally incomplete). Some of my personal favourites are Limited Editions Club, Golden Cockerel Press, and Whittington Press. These are typically one or two rungs up the book collecting ladder from Folio Society, which sounds like it might be what you're after.
Golden Cockerel and Whittington Press are examples of so-called private presses, which often publish unique and more niche books. If you're trying to rebuild a library of classics, they might not be the right starting point. But there's a whole world of interesting artisanal books out there if you're willing to branch out and experiment.
>3 abysswalker: mentioned Heritage Press, which I think is worth special highlight because these books are typically similar in quality to Folio Society, but often widely available at scandalously low prices in the used market, especially in the US.
Some blogs to check out to learn about nice editions of books from various publishers (the last one is mine, which I include here with all due humility):
https://booksandvines.com/
https://www.thewholebookexperience.com/
https://georgemacyimagery.wordpress.com/
https://ubiquitousbooks.wordpress.com/
It's a bit random, but I enjoyed this talk, which I think helps to get into the mind of a books collector: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JFbpeB_Glq4
Once you find one or two books of interest, take a look at the websites of dealers who sell them. You will probably find quite an eclectic mix of titles by various publishers and this is a great way to learn what's out there and in what price bracket.
If there are particular titles you are interested in then you will often find that there are one or two publishers with credible offerings. This forum would be a great place to ask for more info about the merits of each. For example, there is active discussion going on about the best edition of The Great Gatsby right now.
Golden Cockerel and Whittington Press are examples of so-called private presses, which often publish unique and more niche books. If you're trying to rebuild a library of classics, they might not be the right starting point. But there's a whole world of interesting artisanal books out there if you're willing to branch out and experiment.
>3 abysswalker: mentioned Heritage Press, which I think is worth special highlight because these books are typically similar in quality to Folio Society, but often widely available at scandalously low prices in the used market, especially in the US.
Some blogs to check out to learn about nice editions of books from various publishers (the last one is mine, which I include here with all due humility):
https://booksandvines.com/
https://www.thewholebookexperience.com/
https://georgemacyimagery.wordpress.com/
https://ubiquitousbooks.wordpress.com/
It's a bit random, but I enjoyed this talk, which I think helps to get into the mind of a books collector: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JFbpeB_Glq4
Once you find one or two books of interest, take a look at the websites of dealers who sell them. You will probably find quite an eclectic mix of titles by various publishers and this is a great way to learn what's out there and in what price bracket.
If there are particular titles you are interested in then you will often find that there are one or two publishers with credible offerings. This forum would be a great place to ask for more info about the merits of each. For example, there is active discussion going on about the best edition of The Great Gatsby right now.
6dlphcoracl
>1 scunliffe:
Thoroughly familiarize yourself with this website:
https://booksandvines.com
https://booksandvines.com/index-of-book-reviews/
Thoroughly familiarize yourself with this website:
https://booksandvines.com
https://booksandvines.com/index-of-book-reviews/
