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Thank you very much for the kind comment!

Thanks for commenting. Yes, some of the high end books get pretty crazy. I only get to see the lettered - level books because I review them. But you can spend less than the cost of a high street hardback and end up with some really nice examples of printing or book design, so there's something for everyone. Glad you enjoy watching!

Great points. I do treasure my LEC Verne's but those Victorian translations are dreadful!

Ah, yes, this issue. We are eagerly awaiting Paul Kershaw's next book from Nomad Letterpress. Apparently, people were already discussing that book in 2002. Sometimes the hobby demands a modicum of patience...

Largely for pragmatic reasons: I don't own any of those books and it's hard to make a video without any video footage, or to comment extensively on the production if I have never seen it! As I said at the start, I can't mention everyone and at least where I'm from I think Folio Society is a much more common entry point for collectors.

@@UbiquitousBooks I would be very curious to see your thoughts on those publishers. Both are relatively cheaply available on the second hand market, Franklin Library in particular is an interesting study as they did full leather, quarter-leather, and leatherette editions all slightly different. On a side note, as far as common entry points, at least in the US, Franklin and Easton titles are very common in used bookstores. I knew what Easton Press was long before I ever heard of the folio society.

Points well-taken. Yes, I'd also be curious to look at those books, and hope to get around to it one day.

Easton Press and Franklin Library books are not collected by most private press book collectors because they are cheaply made, using inferior papers and materials. Most are also not printed with letterpress technique. They also have a monotonous, uniform appearance that is unappealing. The Folio Society books have nicer book designs and their illustrations are newly commissioned and fresh, much more attractive than Easton or Franklin Library books. Easton Press does have a handful of special edition books that are made to a higher standard but I can always find another private press alternative that is nicer and often less expensive. Bottom line: avoid Easton Press and Frankliin Library books because you will regret buying them years later.

Congratulations. I guess by now you have it. I hope you enjoy your deluxe copy, it's certainly very nice!

@@UbiquitousBooks It's incredible, one of the most beautiful books I own. I love the illustrations. The end pages look better in person, and the feel of the paper is a joy.. I also happen to have a massive painting of Neverland on my wall... so this suits very well. Completely worth it.

Yes, they are nice. I think I have about five of their books, but only go around to reviewing two of them so far. But those two can be found here: th-cam.com/play/PLWgRlZtI_L6GOzW-iaq6dseHtRYXvpfWw.html&si=phi0dfs_E61bGRVS

Thanks very much!

Thanks very much!

Thanks for the kind words!

Haha, I occasionally go out to the garage to see whether I think there's space for a press. Then my girlfriend pokes her head in and asks "what are you doing?" and I say I am looking for the secateurs.

Sage advice. I have invariably come to regret taking the cheaper option (except in perhaps two cases where the inferior copies were so cheap as to be scandalous). I plan to make a future video on how sellers describe book condition. I just need to identify copies that make good examples of each grade.

@@UbiquitousBooks An additional but very important addendum regarding book condition. If you are purchasing an expensive private press book, it is crucial that you do your homework to understand what the range of book condition is for a particular private press book. Some books can easily be found in fine condition or "as new" condition and other very famous and highly sought after books are rarely, if ever found in fine condition. You must know and understand what is an excellent copy of the book you wish to purchase. In some instances, a book in VG+ condition may be "as good as it gets", e.g., the famous Cresset Press edition of Gulliver's Travels with Rex Whistler's iconic rococo color illustrations is near impossible to find in NF (near fine) or fine condition and a VG+ copy will be collectible and desirable.

Thanks very much for the tip. Hopefully, others see it too. The more people checking these presses out, the better!

The Perishable Press books are amongst the most beautifully designed and crafted and ALWAYS are printed on exceptional handmade or mould-made papers. However, the literary content is extremely quirky, especially Hamady's Gabberjab books, and they are not to everyone's taste. Since many are quite expensive, costing thousands of dollars, make certain you know what you are buying into before making the purchase.

@@dlphcoracl9645 Yes, I know, Mr. Hamady generally printed his books on paper that he called "Shadwell." In addition to the aforementioned Library of Congress video about Mr. Hamady, there is a video of a one-hour lecture given by Ruth Lingen at New York's Cooper Union called "The Typographical Genius of Walter Hamady."

Thanks for spotting the typo. Some books about books I have enjoyed include Pages From Presses II (published by Whittington Press), The Doves Press by Tidcombe, A History of the Golden Cockerel Press by Cave and Manson, The Private Presses by Franklin, and A Quarto-Millenary (from the Limited Editions Club). Most of those focus on Private Press books, which are my main personal interest.

I think we've all been there. My secret agenda with this channel is to get people buying Folio books so that one day they end up supporting a bunch of private/fine presses.

Oh, congratulations! I hope you enjoy those books. Yes, once you start it's a slippery slope.

Your comment misses the point because people can buy both a paperback and a fine copy of the Three Musketeers. Some people are interested in understanding how to find a copy of their favourite book that is well-made, especially since some apparently "fine" copies are actually badly made. Also, book design is no less of an art form than authorship is, while book production is itself a high-skill craft when done by hand. So, it is not apparent why those art forms should necessarily be of any lower or greater priority than any other.

​​@@UbiquitousBooksyes, collecting "things" ,especially shiny things, seems to be of greater value than gaining wisdom or substance. I apologize for my jaded outlook in regards to subjects such as "art", I assure you the labor of fine craftsmanship is not in the least lost on me. I own a fine copy of The Cruel Sea & a dime store paperback copy of The Count of Monte Cristo, both of which are absolute treasures to me of the same level, irregardless of their grade, simply because of their content. I do understand that others collect and appraise many different things than I for a variety of reasons. It is a bit off-putting to me, sometimes, to see people hold a shiny piece of tinfoil in higher esteem than a geode, if that makes sense. Again, I apologize for causing offense by my holier-than-thou comment.

@@jamesa7506 Thanks for replying. No offense taken, and I didn't mean to be snappy in my response. Truth be told, I am also a bit disdainful of the "TikTokCrowd" (I write this knowing full well that I am running a TH-cam channel!!) who just want to flash the latest bling. But my mission here is to help introduce people to the pleasures of book craftsmanship. Of course, fine copies of divine literature are the best of all worlds! Glad you are nourished by your personal treasures.

​@@UbiquitousBookscarry on my friend!

are you playing on sotf version?

Thanks. I don't cover any paperbacks but I would probably use a stiffer material. In fact, I often see library books in book protectors like these and think they work quite well for also protecting the bottom edge from rubbing: www.care4books.com/products/OnlineShop/BookCovers/AdjustablePaperbackBookCovers

@@UbiquitousBooks Ah, this is wonderful! Thank you!

Thanks oracle, I couldn't agree more. Few collectors will start with the likes of Ashendene and Doves, but those who follow the journey that far are in for a treat. Of course, they are also just the foremost of a range of exquisite presses running right up to this day (I know you could show people some real gems).

It's polyester. If you look at the link in my pinned comment I have another video with more information.

Sharp eye.

Occasionally, you do see that. But full-colour, digitally-printed images look more vibrant and crisp on bright white paper with a slightly satin or gloss surface. Text, on the other hand, is often more comfortable to read on a slightly off-white paper and that paper is nicer to handle if slightly rough. So it makes sense to use different papers for the different purposes.

​@@UbiquitousBooks some say that mixing paper types is not great durability wise? im probably overthinking this but these are expensive stuff so if that's true, some people might rather have the simpler illustrations with duotones or non-full-color. would be nice if you can show some samples from your collection of both and tackle it on your upcoming videos.

@@avefreetimehaver5154 There is no durability problem from mixing different types of paper. The only time that would be a problem is if one of the papers was non-archival and leached harmful chemicals into adjacent sheets. But the Folio Society does not use acidic or non-archival papers. You can see examples of books with colour printed straight onto the same paper as the text in the recent reviews of Charline and the Chocolate Factory, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, and The Great Gatsby on my channel.

Yeah, it's a nice edition that goes a bit under the radar.

Thanks very much. Yes, the next in the series is already in planning. Stay tuned!

Glad it was helpful!

Thanks very much for commenting!

Yes, I know the design is decisive. As I said, I can understand the trade-offs involved. But not surprised that it's a deal-breaker for some.

Yes, I think the lettered is for people with all of the following: a generous book budget, a keen interest in Treasure Island, and an aesthetic appreciation for this particular binding design. That's a niche group, but the press only needs 26 such people from a world of 8bn--and it found them!

Thanks very much!

I agree that the loose sheets seem a bit expensive, especially compared to the bound editions.

Oh, interesting. Good luck with your project.

Glad it was helpful. Yes, that lettered state is really nice.

Yeah, at those prices you've really got to want it. But when I priced up a designer binding I found that they start from about £2,000 and that doesn't even include the book. So I can understand why these top editions end up being quite expensive. I guess they are aimed at people who have the magic combination of enough of a book budget, a particular interest in the book in question, and an aesthetic taste that matches the book's design. Only 26 out of 7bn such people are needed.

Thanks, glad to hear the videos might be useful. Yes, let's see what comes next!