Everyman vs. Penguin Hardcovers

How do the new (patterned cover) Penguin hardcovers stack up against the Everyman editions? I'm slowly replacing my yellowed and dog-eared Penguin, Oxford, and Modern Library paperback editions with nicer hardcover ones, and I'm trying to decide which direction to go in. They're comparably priced on Amazon.

The new Penguins have more decorative covers, but Everyman's Library has a clear advantage in the quality of binding and paper. Between the two, I would definitely opt for Everyman's.

That's exactly what I was looking for, thanks! I've never really thought about the quality of paper over time. Is there a certain kind of paper that stands up to the ages?

You want acid-free paper. Everyman's says each of its volumes is printed on "acid-free, cream-wove paper with a sewn full cloth binding." The Penguin Hardcover bindings may be sewn, but I don't think they open as nicely and I don't think the paper is as nice. I also like Everyman's rounded spines. Recently I've been on a Folio Society shopping spree, but I still think that Everyman's Library has a lot going for it. Its editions are classy without being flashy, and they feel sturdy--like you don't have to worry about damaging them if you take them off the shelf and actually read them.

The Penguin hardbacks I've seen so far have very prettily patterned boards but the paper is not acid-free (otherwise I think they would state that) and is of noticeably poorer quality to the eye and touch. Also, from the few volumes I saw in my local bookstore in London, the bindings appear to be glued rather than sewn. The Everyman series then, though more restrained in appearance, is the far more robustly manufactured of the two, and with superior paper, likely to last far longer.

Before you go on and buy to many please see the other thread in this group. Not all Everyman's have a sewn binding. In my opinion the whole purpose of Everyman's Library editions are lost because of this as it's a gamble whether you get glued or sewn.

Reading a lot of posts here and other sources on the internet I did get the idea that Everyman's were sewn (also their website does state it in an rather odd way), but my last two purchases indicated otherwise. I believe many buy EL books because they think they should be superior to other hardbacks and for the thicker book this have proven true for now but the thinner one seems to be inferior (glued).

If you have any books, could you please report: Title, number of pages, publishing date and if it is glued or sewn so that I (we) could get some guideline about which titles to pass.

I don't know anything about the Penguin Hardcovers.