1ramboknows
Does anyone here have FS Letterpress Shakespeare editions. I'm planning to buy LP Hamlet from them and want to know your opinion about FS letterpress editions.
2EclecticIndulgence
Dit bericht is door zijn auteur gewist.
3Pellias
(monologue): If i should use my voucher on anything - it should be the Hamlet .. especially after Greg & i came up with a certain Saxo Grammaticus .. i just wounder, is this one of them holes people are writing about (monologue, ended - and no questions asked)
4BINDINGSTHATLAST
>1 ramboknows: I have 6 now and I think they are Folio's most stunning volumes: simple, practical and wonderfully tactile. I think the FS descriptions are quite accurate - they let the text "breathe". I only have one non-Shakespeare LE so please bear that in mind. They are an affordable luxury.
The marbling is better in person than shown in the pictures. They are completely hand bound so expect that sort of variance between volumes and the deckled edges are a nice (and necessary) touch.
Anything you want to know specifically?
Tim
P.S. don't let a certain vulgating and promulgating perennial pedagogue of a Latinist, lurking around here somewhere, convince you to step down to LEC Shakespeare editions! :)
The marbling is better in person than shown in the pictures. They are completely hand bound so expect that sort of variance between volumes and the deckled edges are a nice (and necessary) touch.
Anything you want to know specifically?
Tim
P.S. don't let a certain vulgating and promulgating perennial pedagogue of a Latinist, lurking around here somewhere, convince you to step down to LEC Shakespeare editions! :)
5kdweber
>1 ramboknows: I have 19 of them. They are my favorite edition and yes, I also own a full LEC set.
6BINDINGSTHATLAST
>5 kdweber: I have nothing against the LEC set - I just think they are ugly :) However, as that same Latin litterateur in 4 would point out, I could always buy them and then have them rebound...
7Pellias
>4 BINDINGSTHATLAST: Haha. It was not like that at all, but okay .. it came up later in the dialogue - offcourse you might say. I am not ready for LEC yet, but someday armed and dangerous with more money - then i`m ready, but again LEC was actually not the main theme (at first at least - joke)
I see you are from Canada to, and i take a wild guess that you & Greg have no problem standing along each other singing `oh Canada`and have the full and utmost respect for eachother .. thats lovely! :)
I see you are from Canada to, and i take a wild guess that you & Greg have no problem standing along each other singing `oh Canada`and have the full and utmost respect for eachother .. thats lovely! :)
8BINDINGSTHATLAST
>7 Pellias: "...standing along each other singing `oh Canada`and have the full and utmost respect for each other"
actually no. To start with, Greg sings Falsetto and I croak like a frog. Plus I suspect Greg knows all the words to "God Save The Queen" whereas I would more likely be caught singing La Marseillaise, and we order our favourite tragedy plays of Shakespeare COMPLETELY differently :) - I favour Macbeth over Lear whereas Greg is the complete opposite - shocking!
Greg is a hard conservative oil and gas eat-their-dead Albertan whereas I am a hippy left leaning mother Gaia beatnik no-goodnik BC'er. So really, as you can see, we are quite often at odds and can never be friends.
Tim
actually no. To start with, Greg sings Falsetto and I croak like a frog. Plus I suspect Greg knows all the words to "God Save The Queen" whereas I would more likely be caught singing La Marseillaise, and we order our favourite tragedy plays of Shakespeare COMPLETELY differently :) - I favour Macbeth over Lear whereas Greg is the complete opposite - shocking!
Greg is a hard conservative oil and gas eat-their-dead Albertan whereas I am a hippy left leaning mother Gaia beatnik no-goodnik BC'er. So really, as you can see, we are quite often at odds and can never be friends.
Tim
9EclecticIndulgence
Dit bericht is door zijn auteur gewist.
10BINDINGSTHATLAST
I am live in the Okanagan valley - full of grapes, sunshine and transplanted Calgary conservatives.
I live in the most sun worshipper of sun worshipping BC communities. I will PM you the specifics.
Viva La beatniks!
Thou striketh me as an islander? Yes?
I live in the most sun worshipper of sun worshipping BC communities. I will PM you the specifics.
Viva La beatniks!
Thou striketh me as an islander? Yes?
11BINDINGSTHATLAST
>9 EclecticIndulgence: awww, you are like our hippy 3 way love child!
" who is a cute little love child? EclecticIndulgence is, yes youuu are, yes you are sooo cute"
" who is a cute little love child? EclecticIndulgence is, yes youuu are, yes you are sooo cute"
12scholasticus
>3 Pellias:
Good ol' Saxo! ;) Shakespeare certainly made sure to rip off only the best of the classical and medieval authors!
>4 BINDINGSTHATLAST:
How about I recommend the Oxford Shakespeare instead? In paperback! (Which, incidentally I own seven volumes of, and will eventually complete.) Exact same text and commentary as the Letterpress, but a lot more compact and cheaper! ;)
>7ff.
Indeed, I have no problems singing 'God Save the Queen'; far more interesting than the lyrics for 'God Save the King'! That will be an enormously sad day when St James Palace announces that Regina mortua est; vivat Rex!
And you have never heard me sing - trust me, your croaking is infinitely better than my singing!
Okanagan and Victoria, eh? Maybe I should head out west to visit some wineries and bookshops one summer....
To return to our regular programming: I will never succumb to the Letterpress series, simply because if I do, I'll be compelled to finish it and, quite frankly, I'd rather spend my money on other things right now, given that I already have a whole pile of Shakespeare editions on my bookshelves (Heritage Press, LEC, and incomplete Oxfords and Nortons here and there). It's a beautiful series, though! If FS had produced the entire series in slipcases, we might be talking!
Good ol' Saxo! ;) Shakespeare certainly made sure to rip off only the best of the classical and medieval authors!
>4 BINDINGSTHATLAST:
How about I recommend the Oxford Shakespeare instead? In paperback! (Which, incidentally I own seven volumes of, and will eventually complete.) Exact same text and commentary as the Letterpress, but a lot more compact and cheaper! ;)
>7ff.
Indeed, I have no problems singing 'God Save the Queen'; far more interesting than the lyrics for 'God Save the King'! That will be an enormously sad day when St James Palace announces that Regina mortua est; vivat Rex!
And you have never heard me sing - trust me, your croaking is infinitely better than my singing!
Okanagan and Victoria, eh? Maybe I should head out west to visit some wineries and bookshops one summer....
To return to our regular programming: I will never succumb to the Letterpress series, simply because if I do, I'll be compelled to finish it and, quite frankly, I'd rather spend my money on other things right now, given that I already have a whole pile of Shakespeare editions on my bookshelves (Heritage Press, LEC, and incomplete Oxfords and Nortons here and there). It's a beautiful series, though! If FS had produced the entire series in slipcases, we might be talking!
13BINDINGSTHATLAST
>12 scholasticus: Norton is releasing 3rd editions of their Shakespeare series next month...
14terebinth
I would be much more at risk from the Letterpress Shakespeare if it didn't use modernised spelling: I find the earlier forms never an obstacle to comprehension and often an aid to reading. My most common resort is to the four-volume New Nonesuch edition, which follows the First Folio text but gives in addition six of the plays in their entirety in First Quarto versions. The Folio books, though, are indeed quite superb in their production standards and scale. I just have Hamlet, Macbeth and The Tempest, each procured on the secondary market at around 100GBP. A further volume, or two, or three, may sooner or later be added, but I haven't the will to make any attempt to pursue (and pay for, and make room for) a complete run.
15scholasticus
>14 terebinth:
Well, if you want the orthography (spelling and grammar) used in the First Folio, look no further than the LEC series! Or if you want to save some coin, get the Heritage Press editions (compressed into three volumes rather than individual volumes, but using the same text as the LEC edition.)
Well, if you want the orthography (spelling and grammar) used in the First Folio, look no further than the LEC series! Or if you want to save some coin, get the Heritage Press editions (compressed into three volumes rather than individual volumes, but using the same text as the LEC edition.)
16terebinth
>15 scholasticus:
Oh dear, yes, and what a complement of illustrators! I have noticed occasional mentions here of the LEC Shakespeare and managed hitherto not to investigate, as the LEC seems to have had practically no UK members and their books rarely turn up on these shores. I've gathered four since discovering here that the publisher existed, two eBay bargains and two titles I particularly craved and so had sent from the USA.
So I'm seriously considering buying a volume of the LEC edition, which probably means it will happen before the day's out, and only hesitant because the deed would seem to represent placing a foot over the edge of the longest, steepest and most slippery slope to which bibliophily has ever led me. And, as I'm inwardly screeching at myself already, the New Nonesuch edition is perfectly adequate....
Oh dear, yes, and what a complement of illustrators! I have noticed occasional mentions here of the LEC Shakespeare and managed hitherto not to investigate, as the LEC seems to have had practically no UK members and their books rarely turn up on these shores. I've gathered four since discovering here that the publisher existed, two eBay bargains and two titles I particularly craved and so had sent from the USA.
So I'm seriously considering buying a volume of the LEC edition, which probably means it will happen before the day's out, and only hesitant because the deed would seem to represent placing a foot over the edge of the longest, steepest and most slippery slope to which bibliophily has ever led me. And, as I'm inwardly screeching at myself already, the New Nonesuch edition is perfectly adequate....
17kafkachen
> terebinth
If you like folio society , then don't look into LEC, the path will lead you to a place where no FAD virus might survive.
I recently acquired a set of LEC Shakespeare and here is my two cents, they were using paper of old fashion , could be musty to sensitive nose, cloth spine are usually fading or darken by light, no slipcase or shining leather, not notes unless you are lucky, and you would get a flimsy glassine paper which would keep you in the dilemma whether to keep it or throw away , on top of all that , my set are all uncut , make it quite inconvenient for reading..
If you like folio society , then don't look into LEC, the path will lead you to a place where no FAD virus might survive.
I recently acquired a set of LEC Shakespeare and here is my two cents, they were using paper of old fashion , could be musty to sensitive nose, cloth spine are usually fading or darken by light, no slipcase or shining leather, not notes unless you are lucky, and you would get a flimsy glassine paper which would keep you in the dilemma whether to keep it or throw away , on top of all that , my set are all uncut , make it quite inconvenient for reading..
18ramboknows
Okay, I made a decision and ordered Hamlet LP from FS. Thank you all.
19scholasticus
>17 kafkachen:
The old paper is rag paper, so it's immensely better than today's paper.
The spine darkening is a perennial problem with the LEC Shakespeare set, and mine has this same problem. You can get the books rebound if you desire, or hold out for a near-fine set, but that'll be at least $1000-1200 USD, most likely. More if you want to have all the letters and commentaries, though you can download these from the Dropbox account used over on the GMD boards. (PM Faisel (ironjaw) if you want access.)
And your set is completely uncut?! Oh dear God. That very likely means you can be guaranteed that while the boards aren't in the best of shape, the interiors of all your books are absolutely Fine. Do consult the GMD forums as to how to best cut the uncut pages - there has been some discussion on this subject.
Trust me, you made out pretty well, all things considered!
The old paper is rag paper, so it's immensely better than today's paper.
The spine darkening is a perennial problem with the LEC Shakespeare set, and mine has this same problem. You can get the books rebound if you desire, or hold out for a near-fine set, but that'll be at least $1000-1200 USD, most likely. More if you want to have all the letters and commentaries, though you can download these from the Dropbox account used over on the GMD boards. (PM Faisel (ironjaw) if you want access.)
And your set is completely uncut?! Oh dear God. That very likely means you can be guaranteed that while the boards aren't in the best of shape, the interiors of all your books are absolutely Fine. Do consult the GMD forums as to how to best cut the uncut pages - there has been some discussion on this subject.
Trust me, you made out pretty well, all things considered!
20Pellias
Question: Thinking of the voucher i don`t seem to use. But if, which letterpress shakespeare would one recommend?
http://www.shakespeare-online.com/plays/topplays.html
* Hamlet
* Julius Caesar
* Anthony & Cleopatra
* King John - a "funny" supplement to the charter (magna carta)
* Romeo & Juliet
Thx
http://www.shakespeare-online.com/plays/topplays.html
* Hamlet
* Julius Caesar
* Anthony & Cleopatra
* King John - a "funny" supplement to the charter (magna carta)
* Romeo & Juliet
Thx
21scholasticus
>20 Pellias:
Oh dear lord. Pick one. You can't lose this game. :)
And King John is one of Shakey's lesser-known and -performed plays. It's certainly not a comedy, let me tell you.
If this were me, Hamlet, hands down. After that, Tim and I would be arguing the merits of King Lear and Macbeth. ;)
Oh dear lord. Pick one. You can't lose this game. :)
And King John is one of Shakey's lesser-known and -performed plays. It's certainly not a comedy, let me tell you.
If this were me, Hamlet, hands down. After that, Tim and I would be arguing the merits of King Lear and Macbeth. ;)
24BINDINGSTHATLAST
>20 Pellias: From your list and given your thoughts on Caesar, I say Julius Caesar: "Cry Havoc!, and let slip the dogs of war" - you can't beat that line.
After all, "he doth bestride the narrow world..."
Julius Caesar will likely be my next FS LE purchase, or perhaps The Tempest, or perhaps Romeo and juliet, or perhaps....
Tim
After all, "he doth bestride the narrow world..."
Julius Caesar will likely be my next FS LE purchase, or perhaps The Tempest, or perhaps Romeo and juliet, or perhaps....
Tim
25NYCFaddict
I think King Lear is the greatest dramatic work in English.
26kdweber
>25 NYCFaddict: That's how the FS suckered me in - the first four offerings were King Lear, Hamlet, Macbeth and Othello. These were also my first four purchases from the Folio Society itself.
27Pellias
I have the Barnes & Noble edition of Shakespeare .. i think i just take a sunny day outside to make my decision, on which one in letterpress i`m going to buy through that .. chew on it (and it also depends on my earnings and priority in August - bookbuying eat of my budget)
29LesMiserables
If I had to throw myself off a financial precipice and buy a Letterpress Shakespeare, I would probably go for the usual suspects which we all love (I think) Macbeth, Hamlet, King Lear, A Midsummer Night's Dream and stop there ;-)
30ironjaw
>20 Pellias:
I would pick Hamlet. One of my favourites. Maybe because I like the reference to helsingør
I would pick Hamlet. One of my favourites. Maybe because I like the reference to helsingør
31terebinth
Yes, King Lear would be the foremost candidate for addition to my present three, and the only reason it hasn't joined them yet is that I've not seen a copy on offer in the 100GBP vicinity. Alternatively, petty creature or incorrigible aesthete that I am, a history play - any history play - so I could gaze now and again on the intoxicating combination of blue leather spine and marbled boards.
Then, I've just placed an order for the 1939 LEC Henry V - it had as low a price to here as any volume of the LEC edition I could find, and the play was my introduction to Shakespeare. I already have a feeling that somewhere in the reasonably near future I'll be negotiating with an American seller over shipping the full 72lb LEC set to the UK. I can live with a few darkened spines, and my nose has learned positively to revel in the scent of old rag paper.
Then, I've just placed an order for the 1939 LEC Henry V - it had as low a price to here as any volume of the LEC edition I could find, and the play was my introduction to Shakespeare. I already have a feeling that somewhere in the reasonably near future I'll be negotiating with an American seller over shipping the full 72lb LEC set to the UK. I can live with a few darkened spines, and my nose has learned positively to revel in the scent of old rag paper.
32Pellias
You all really make it easy, that`s why i love you all (though love) - no romantics here - no Romeo`s or Juliette`s? (should maybe ask the ladies that question, not you barbarians) ;)
33HuxleyTheCat
>31 terebinth: I've just been to an Auction (estate sale) of books and ephemera and in one of the lots was the LEC Henry IV pt 1 - included as there was a substantial Barnett Freedman element to the auction - in completely pristine condition. If only these sets had all held up so well...
34HuxleyTheCat
>32 Pellias: Tragedies and Histories for me - I hate all that romantic comedy stuff.
35Pellias
>34 HuxleyTheCat: Ok Bouddica ;)
36BINDINGSTHATLAST
>34 HuxleyTheCat: I like the Comedies, but sometimes I wonder just how far cross dressing goes in completely hiding one's identity :)
Merchant Of Venice and The Tempest are my favourite comedies. It is important to remember that at the time "Comedy" didn't mean funny per se, it meant the drama would resolve itself "happily" (I say with some trepidation).
Tim
Merchant Of Venice and The Tempest are my favourite comedies. It is important to remember that at the time "Comedy" didn't mean funny per se, it meant the drama would resolve itself "happily" (I say with some trepidation).
Tim
37HuxleyTheCat
>35 Pellias: That's the second time in a week I've been referred to as she of the chariot. Hm...
>36 BINDINGSTHATLAST: The Merchant of Venice I like and I have a bit of a soft spot for Much Ado, too, but, anything with fairies, yuck!
>36 BINDINGSTHATLAST: The Merchant of Venice I like and I have a bit of a soft spot for Much Ado, too, but, anything with fairies, yuck!
38Conte_Mosca
>37 HuxleyTheCat: No fairies in my two favourite comedies, As You Like It and Twelfth Night (although I am perpetually irritated by Sir Toby Belch and Sir Andrew Aguecheek in the latter). Much cross-dressing there too of course...
I don't know why there is such ambivalence (or indeed outright hostility) to MND these days. Whilst not my favourite play (those rest amongst the tragedies), it is possibly the Bard's most flawless and perfect piece of poetic drama. When not mutilated by Calista Flockhart, that is.
I don't know why there is such ambivalence (or indeed outright hostility) to MND these days. Whilst not my favourite play (those rest amongst the tragedies), it is possibly the Bard's most flawless and perfect piece of poetic drama. When not mutilated by Calista Flockhart, that is.
39HuxleyTheCat
>38 Conte_Mosca: I saw an interesting (and good) version of Twelth Night at the Abbey Theatre in Dublin last year, which was enjoyable but I'd really prefer to watch Coriolanus, which I think says rather more about me than general taste. Likewise, I don't know whether there has been a reduction in the appeal of MND generally, but I have never enjoyed it from my first exposure to it many years ago aged about twelve.
40Conte_Mosca
>39 HuxleyTheCat: Well, my favourite is King Lear, which I suspect also says a lot about me! Coriolanus is a good choice. Now if you said you favoured Titus Andronicus I might feel obliged to avoid you in a dark alley!
I think you may have hit the nail on the head about MND. From those I speak to, they had any chance of a love of MND beaten out of them thanks to our education system! It appears that MND is one of the most commonly chosen school texts. Luckily I didn't have it enforced on me at an early age! Mind you, I did have Henry IV Part I forced on me, and it remains one of my favourites, but I was lucky to have a very good English teacher who I also happened to have a crush on. Ah, Miss Roberts...
I think you may have hit the nail on the head about MND. From those I speak to, they had any chance of a love of MND beaten out of them thanks to our education system! It appears that MND is one of the most commonly chosen school texts. Luckily I didn't have it enforced on me at an early age! Mind you, I did have Henry IV Part I forced on me, and it remains one of my favourites, but I was lucky to have a very good English teacher who I also happened to have a crush on. Ah, Miss Roberts...
41BINDINGSTHATLAST
>38 Conte_Mosca: " mutilated by Calista Flockhart" amen brother!
43Constantinopolitan
>42 JeromeJ: Is that a radio or tv version?
44LesMiserables
I'm considering buying Hamlet. Am I mad?
45Conte_Mosca
>44 LesMiserables: Only if you think you can stop with just Hamlet :-)
These are wonderfully crafted volumes, and I would highly recommend them. I won't be collecting them all, but I do have the 9 I desired the most (at there are several more I still want). I would just say that If you buy new from FS, don't expect it to hold its value. It is the FS LE (series) that depreciates in value the most. These can typically be bought on the secondary market for less than half the price FS is now asking (having hiked the prices considerably recently for no obvious reason). Indeed I have picked up some of mine for as little as £100, compared to the £295 per volume FS is demanding. Much as I like to support FS by buying in-print publications direct from them, that is too much of a difference for my humble budget to swallow.
These are wonderfully crafted volumes, and I would highly recommend them. I won't be collecting them all, but I do have the 9 I desired the most (at there are several more I still want). I would just say that If you buy new from FS, don't expect it to hold its value. It is the FS LE (series) that depreciates in value the most. These can typically be bought on the secondary market for less than half the price FS is now asking (having hiked the prices considerably recently for no obvious reason). Indeed I have picked up some of mine for as little as £100, compared to the £295 per volume FS is demanding. Much as I like to support FS by buying in-print publications direct from them, that is too much of a difference for my humble budget to swallow.
46wcarter
>44 LesMiserables:
You are ill (as you said in another post), feverish and delerious! Control yourself until you regain full health before taking the plunge into the Letterpress Shakespeare, because, as >45 Conte_Mosca: said, they are addictive, and you will soon find yourself with a collection of the world's best ever editions of Shakespeare, and a huge credit card debt.
Stop surfing the net, do some reading and get some rest.
You have been warned!
You are ill (as you said in another post), feverish and delerious! Control yourself until you regain full health before taking the plunge into the Letterpress Shakespeare, because, as >45 Conte_Mosca: said, they are addictive, and you will soon find yourself with a collection of the world's best ever editions of Shakespeare, and a huge credit card debt.
Stop surfing the net, do some reading and get some rest.
You have been warned!
47LesMiserables
46
Yes Doctor Carter :-)
Yes Doctor Carter :-)
48scholasticus
Warwick, I fear this particular strain of 'letterpress influenza' has made its way to Canada, as Tim has slowly been convincing me to at least countenance the possibility of going in for 'only a few'(!) of the LP Shakespeares next year.
'Perhaps just start with the Henriad?....'
So far I've been able to resist it, but if the Shakespeare volumes are on sale again next summer with the LE discount voucher, that'll be a tough call between Richard II and Arabia Deserta!
'Perhaps just start with the Henriad?....'
So far I've been able to resist it, but if the Shakespeare volumes are on sale again next summer with the LE discount voucher, that'll be a tough call between Richard II and Arabia Deserta!
49gmacaree
Don't do it. I had high hours of stopping with the Sonnets and this year alone I acquired eleven more plays
50LesMiserables
46
Still laid up, but not any poorer, excusing the pun. Sage advice.
Still laid up, but not any poorer, excusing the pun. Sage advice.
51BINDINGSTHATLAST
>50 LesMiserables: also keep in mind we have two more LEs to be released this year:)
52LesMiserables
51
Enlighten me!
Enlighten me!
53kermaier
>49 gmacaree:
I, too, began with the Sonnets, and have since acquired Macbeth, Hamlet, A Midsummer Night's Dream and Twelfth Night.
They're extremely well-printed and nicely bound, and I'm very pleased with them. As has been mentioned above, the marbled paper sides are fabulous; and I love the feel of the goatskin.
I'm not planning to complete the set, though, for three reasons:
1. I don't have that kind of cash.
2. I don't love all of the plays enough to enshrine my adoration in such a luxurious monument.
3. I'm a firm believer that variety is the spice of life, so I'm spreading the love around among different publishers, including Grabhorn Press, Allen Press, LEC and hopefully others.
I, too, began with the Sonnets, and have since acquired Macbeth, Hamlet, A Midsummer Night's Dream and Twelfth Night.
They're extremely well-printed and nicely bound, and I'm very pleased with them. As has been mentioned above, the marbled paper sides are fabulous; and I love the feel of the goatskin.
I'm not planning to complete the set, though, for three reasons:
1. I don't have that kind of cash.
2. I don't love all of the plays enough to enshrine my adoration in such a luxurious monument.
3. I'm a firm believer that variety is the spice of life, so I'm spreading the love around among different publishers, including Grabhorn Press, Allen Press, LEC and hopefully others.
54Neil77
I don't think the Shakespearan plays ever looked this gorgeous as in these Letterpresses. I have about 17 of them and that includes all that I would like to have. I don't intend to have a complete set.
55wcarter
Check out the vendor Alibossa on Ebay.
He has three Letterpress Shakespeare and the Luttrell Psalter with a 99pence starting price, and only a five day auction.
Will certainly go much higher, but will be interesting to see what the final bid will reach.
He has three Letterpress Shakespeare and the Luttrell Psalter with a 99pence starting price, and only a five day auction.
Will certainly go much higher, but will be interesting to see what the final bid will reach.
56TheExplorer
>55 wcarter: So I guess I'm not the only one who spotted them... May the deeper pockets win!
57scholasticus
>55 wcarter:, >56 TheExplorer:
Notlookingnotlookingnotlookingnotlookingnotlooking....
Mostly because I've just renewed a raft of subscriptions to various digital source repositories for medieval documents. Academia isn't cheap these days!
That, and I have the LEC series, plus I got the new Norton four-volume set over the Christmas hols, so I think I'm good as far as Shakespeare's concerned, for now. Goodness only knows what I'll be like when the 400th anniversary to-do really winds up this spring and summer.
Notlookingnotlookingnotlookingnotlookingnotlooking....
Mostly because I've just renewed a raft of subscriptions to various digital source repositories for medieval documents. Academia isn't cheap these days!
That, and I have the LEC series, plus I got the new Norton four-volume set over the Christmas hols, so I think I'm good as far as Shakespeare's concerned, for now. Goodness only knows what I'll be like when the 400th anniversary to-do really winds up this spring and summer.
58TheExplorer
>57 scholasticus: I promised myself not to spend more money on LEs for a while but I really want RICHARD III. So I guess you staying out is a benefit to both of us :)
59scholasticus
>58 TheExplorer:
Richard III, you say? Thank goodness there's an extra Roman numeral in there, or I'd be bidding madly.
Richard III, you say? Thank goodness there's an extra Roman numeral in there, or I'd be bidding madly.
60wcarter
>58 TheExplorer:
Relax - I am not bidding.
I decided long ago that I was not going to start down the slippery Letterpress Shakespeare slope.
You will certainly have some other competitors though.
Getting them for less than £200 would be a bargain.
And as for the Luttrell - who knows!
Relax - I am not bidding.
I decided long ago that I was not going to start down the slippery Letterpress Shakespeare slope.
You will certainly have some other competitors though.
Getting them for less than £200 would be a bargain.
And as for the Luttrell - who knows!
61scholasticus
>60 wcarter:
Likewise, though if it ever comes up, I probably will cave and get Richard II at the very least. And fortunately I already have the Luttrell, so I'm at least safe from that quarter! :)
Likewise, though if it ever comes up, I probably will cave and get Richard II at the very least. And fortunately I already have the Luttrell, so I'm at least safe from that quarter! :)
62gmacaree
>61 scholasticus: alas, I must inform you that Richard II is one of the titles up for auction.
63wcarter
The three on sale are King John, Richard II and Richard III.
The Luttrell is up to £50, but the Shakespeares remain at 90p.
The Luttrell is up to £50, but the Shakespeares remain at 90p.
64folio_books
>60 wcarter: Thanks for the heads-up. I'll watch the Luttrell until it goes beyond reason. Not interested in the Shakespeare - where would I put a complete set? :)
65TheExplorer
>60 wcarter: Most likely im going to stay out of this anyway. While I do love the Letterpress series, I already own several of them and since completing the set is far out of my reach, I might as well stop and instead focus on other LEs.
There is really no reason not to be patient with the Letterpress Shakespeare, and I even managed to buy one for under 100 GBP once, and, because of adjustment heuristics I always think I should be able to get every volume for this price, which is of course nonsense. Funny how these psychological tricks influence us.
There is really no reason not to be patient with the Letterpress Shakespeare, and I even managed to buy one for under 100 GBP once, and, because of adjustment heuristics I always think I should be able to get every volume for this price, which is of course nonsense. Funny how these psychological tricks influence us.
66elladan0891
There is a curious new listing on ebay - Macbeth for sale for only £99.99. No solander sarcophagus, just the LE itself and the commentary volume. The curious thing is the picture of the limitation page - there no copy number/letter whatsoever. It's blank. I wonder where this volume is coming from.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Folio-Society-Macbeth-Leather-Limited-Edition-Letterpres...
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Folio-Society-Macbeth-Leather-Limited-Edition-Letterpres...
67TheExplorer
>66 elladan0891: The same seller also offers http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Folio-Society-Twelfth-Night-Leather-Limited-Edition-Le...
It seems weird that the limitation number is missing on these copies. I don't feel comfortable buying these.
It seems weird that the limitation number is missing on these copies. I don't feel comfortable buying these.
68Pellias
`Here`s the thing;; neither case is present, but bear in mind .. etc` - some seller this chap
The thing is - the case is more often than not, very important for a devotee
and offcourse one can make a case, but to be told that one can do - is a to desperate move for me in terms of enablement, i`m not a child :)
There is always a buyer out there, but good luck to you finding that chosen one - funny, entertaining in a way
The thing is - the case is more often than not, very important for a devotee
and offcourse one can make a case, but to be told that one can do - is a to desperate move for me in terms of enablement, i`m not a child :)
There is always a buyer out there, but good luck to you finding that chosen one - funny, entertaining in a way
69elladan0891
>68 Pellias:
I love slipcases, but I can't stand solander sarcophagi. Especially those of the Letterpress Shakespeare. I think the famous Joe's bookcase full of LSs looks like it belongs in my mother in law's office (she's an accountant). I could also care less about limitation, so the only thing that's stopping me from getting a £100 Letterpress Shakespeare is the fear that this rabbit hole leads straight to the Land of Financial Ruin. That, and a lesser worry that since no limitation number or letter was ever assigned to those copies, there might be something wrong inside the books. But mainly it's the fear that the occasional completist in me will raise its head.
I love slipcases, but I can't stand solander sarcophagi. Especially those of the Letterpress Shakespeare. I think the famous Joe's bookcase full of LSs looks like it belongs in my mother in law's office (she's an accountant). I could also care less about limitation, so the only thing that's stopping me from getting a £100 Letterpress Shakespeare is the fear that this rabbit hole leads straight to the Land of Financial Ruin. That, and a lesser worry that since no limitation number or letter was ever assigned to those copies, there might be something wrong inside the books. But mainly it's the fear that the occasional completist in me will raise its head.
70Pellias
>69 elladan0891: ..`solander sarcophagi`.. Well. Hard to disagree on that term. Don`t need to dig the hole so deep though, and start with the most well known, or something - collect all the green, or all the "red", or the blue, or the etc .. letterpress Shakespeare will in the next 5 or 10 years be a relatively easy pray in the secondhand market .. so it`s no stress, with any FS volume as i see it (based on what i see these days around - tangled in the world wide web)
Anyway - a deep and wide hole, fitting for a man, or a small one, i bet you are a man with a plan .. collecting FS or books or anything really, is addictive, and often unrational (but rational in the moment) .. good luck anyway - just stop and breath sometimes
I only have Hamlet (in this series), but i`m quite familiar with the `must complete this set` as we all are, from time and again .. i have also learned, it`s no stress, they show up time and again - they all do, even if some would like to protest on that - or not
`solander sarcophagi` - yes it is, but in the right bookcase or the like, they look quite fitting - i bet, but i bet that you bet they don`t :)
Now i will just lean back and follow the bids on this one, from time and again .. Luttrell - who knows .. maybe or maybe not, i think the latter for now
Anyway - a deep and wide hole, fitting for a man, or a small one, i bet you are a man with a plan .. collecting FS or books or anything really, is addictive, and often unrational (but rational in the moment) .. good luck anyway - just stop and breath sometimes
I only have Hamlet (in this series), but i`m quite familiar with the `must complete this set` as we all are, from time and again .. i have also learned, it`s no stress, they show up time and again - they all do, even if some would like to protest on that - or not
`solander sarcophagi` - yes it is, but in the right bookcase or the like, they look quite fitting - i bet, but i bet that you bet they don`t :)
Now i will just lean back and follow the bids on this one, from time and again .. Luttrell - who knows .. maybe or maybe not, i think the latter for now
71boldface
>69 elladan0891: ". . . and a lesser worry that since no limitation number or letter was ever assigned to those copies, there might be something wrong inside the books."
They may be extra copies printed as spares, in case it is subsequently found that a numbered copy is itself defective. If so, it's hard to see how they have "escaped" to the open market. More likely, they are extra copies printed to be sent out for review. Just possibly, they could be proofs, final or otherwise, but on an important edition like this I'd be surprised if such copies were not clearly marked "Proof".
They may be extra copies printed as spares, in case it is subsequently found that a numbered copy is itself defective. If so, it's hard to see how they have "escaped" to the open market. More likely, they are extra copies printed to be sent out for review. Just possibly, they could be proofs, final or otherwise, but on an important edition like this I'd be surprised if such copies were not clearly marked "Proof".
72Constantinopolitan
>66 elladan0891: >67 TheExplorer: >68 Pellias: >69 elladan0891: >70 Pellias: >71 boldface:
Thanks for the tip about the Twelfth Night without the solander box on eBay. I negotiated a much cheaper price with the seller and received it this morning. I've been right through the volume and can find no faults. I agree that the resale value is substantially reduced because it is incomplete; however, I have the essential volume for less than half the price of a second hand volume. Frankly, the seller could have dispensed with the completely unnecessary commentary volume and I would not have minded.
I asked the seller if he could shed any light on the provenance of this unnumbered volume, he could not (or would not).
Thanks for the tip about the Twelfth Night without the solander box on eBay. I negotiated a much cheaper price with the seller and received it this morning. I've been right through the volume and can find no faults. I agree that the resale value is substantially reduced because it is incomplete; however, I have the essential volume for less than half the price of a second hand volume. Frankly, the seller could have dispensed with the completely unnecessary commentary volume and I would not have minded.
I asked the seller if he could shed any light on the provenance of this unnumbered volume, he could not (or would not).
73Constantinopolitan
I've just looked on eBay and seen a copy of Richard III. On the limitation page it states "Only 1000 copies of this edition have been printed, but they are numbered in harmony with earlier volumes in the series, and therefore may bear a higher number." There is a small piece of paper over the spot where the number is usually written which states 1307.
I'm baffled. What can " numbered in harmony with earlier volumes" mean?
I'm baffled. What can " numbered in harmony with earlier volumes" mean?
74HuxleyTheCat
>73 Constantinopolitan: A possible explanation is that when the Letterpress Shakespeare was originally offered, I believe that members could subscribe and be guaranteed the same limitation number throughout the course of the subscription. The first four volumes: Macbeth, Hamlet, Lear and Othello, were offered in far higher limitations, 3750, than those released subsequently.
Edited for typo.
Edited for typo.
75Constantinopolitan
Thanks, Fiona. That makes some sort of sense. It's a curious choice by FS though.
76ironjaw
Not a curious choice; there was not much demand for the Letterpress Shakespeare, 3750 was too large a limitation and way off estimate on demand for these made by Folio. To save them from loss Folio lowered the limitation to 1000 as rightly informed by Fiona
77terebinth
>76 ironjaw:
I thought Constantinopolitan was meaning that 1307 was oddly high for Folio to use even as someone's uniform limitation number for the set. Which it would be, unless my memory's right in thinking that intending subscribers to the series were allowed to choose their limitation number, within the range 1-3750, on a first-come, first-served basis: in that case, 1307 may just have been a number with personal significance for the original buyer and all oddnesses are cleared away.
I thought Constantinopolitan was meaning that 1307 was oddly high for Folio to use even as someone's uniform limitation number for the set. Which it would be, unless my memory's right in thinking that intending subscribers to the series were allowed to choose their limitation number, within the range 1-3750, on a first-come, first-served basis: in that case, 1307 may just have been a number with personal significance for the original buyer and all oddnesses are cleared away.
78ironjaw
I have Macbeth and though I can't recall the limitation at the moment, it's higher than 1000.
I think what made many reconsider the Letterpress Shakespeare was the "accountant filing" look of those humongous solander boxes as well as the steep price of £295 per play. Folio did react to the negative feedback of these large solander boxes (many members were dissatisfied that the whole collection would crave so much shelf space) by issuing a version with only a slipcase and no commentary volume at a cheaper price. This was unfortunately short lived and I don't know why the pulled back offering them. Though I must stress that I love the commentary volume. I would forgo the solander box. They were too cumbersome because whenever you had to read the plays you had to take the solander box down and open it to take the play out. T
If folio ever reconsidered issuing the slipcases again and still offered the commentary volume, I would definitely bite.
I think what made many reconsider the Letterpress Shakespeare was the "accountant filing" look of those humongous solander boxes as well as the steep price of £295 per play. Folio did react to the negative feedback of these large solander boxes (many members were dissatisfied that the whole collection would crave so much shelf space) by issuing a version with only a slipcase and no commentary volume at a cheaper price. This was unfortunately short lived and I don't know why the pulled back offering them. Though I must stress that I love the commentary volume. I would forgo the solander box. They were too cumbersome because whenever you had to read the plays you had to take the solander box down and open it to take the play out. T
If folio ever reconsidered issuing the slipcases again and still offered the commentary volume, I would definitely bite.
79terebinth
>78 ironjaw:
I suppose someone close to the source may many years from now disclose the whole logistics of printing, binding and assembling the Letterpress Shakespeare offering. Presumably 3750 sets of sheets, or a few more, of the early titles were printed, but most of them will never be bound: but were 3750 commentary volumes bound in buckram or at least their text blocks set aside? I think the FS has said that demand for slipcased versions just wasn't large enough to induce them to continue with the option. They can't - surely - have produced and stockpiled thousands upon thousands of solander boxes, so it's hard for me to see why they wouldn't be willing to supply slipcased volume plus commentary at a modest discount, say £25 rather than the £50 reduction there used to be for taking a slipcased volume on its own.
I would never say no to a solander box, so the second largest deterrent to my buying the entire set was the five-figure sum required: second only to the use of modernised orthography. I'd bought Hamlet, Macbeth and The Tempest on the secondary market before becoming enamoured of Herbert Farjeon's texts as used in the Nonesuch and LEC editions. With first the New Nonesuch and now the LEC sets in residence, the sensible part of me says my three Folio volumes should be sold as surplus to requirements, even while my inner shameless aesthete murmurs in favour instead of seeking out a history play, any history play, for the beauty of that binding in blue...
I suppose someone close to the source may many years from now disclose the whole logistics of printing, binding and assembling the Letterpress Shakespeare offering. Presumably 3750 sets of sheets, or a few more, of the early titles were printed, but most of them will never be bound: but were 3750 commentary volumes bound in buckram or at least their text blocks set aside? I think the FS has said that demand for slipcased versions just wasn't large enough to induce them to continue with the option. They can't - surely - have produced and stockpiled thousands upon thousands of solander boxes, so it's hard for me to see why they wouldn't be willing to supply slipcased volume plus commentary at a modest discount, say £25 rather than the £50 reduction there used to be for taking a slipcased volume on its own.
I would never say no to a solander box, so the second largest deterrent to my buying the entire set was the five-figure sum required: second only to the use of modernised orthography. I'd bought Hamlet, Macbeth and The Tempest on the secondary market before becoming enamoured of Herbert Farjeon's texts as used in the Nonesuch and LEC editions. With first the New Nonesuch and now the LEC sets in residence, the sensible part of me says my three Folio volumes should be sold as surplus to requirements, even while my inner shameless aesthete murmurs in favour instead of seeking out a history play, any history play, for the beauty of that binding in blue...
80TheExplorer
>72 Constantinopolitan: I also just bought one of the volumes without limitation number or solander box. I think 85 pounds is a low enough price to glance over a few missing accessories. There seems to be a glut of these volumes recently, or is this a regular occurence and I'm just new to the show?
Edit: My newest acquisition is Titus Andronicus
Edit: My newest acquisition is Titus Andronicus
81terebinth
They drift on to the market at a reasonable rate: my own three were bought in the middle of 2013 for £90-£100 each. Prices for the full assembly in Fine condition rarely seem quite so low since then, but I think it's only since then that the Folio price has been standardised at £295 - the volumes with larger limitations used to be £50 less.
82Constantinopolitan
>80 TheExplorer: I presumed that it was very rare to find a copy without the solander box. Obviously not so scarce then.
>79 terebinth: I also have three of the "full assembly": Macbeth, Hamlet and Lear. I'm considering using the boxes to keep pamphlets and prints in.
>78 ironjaw: I'd love to find slipcases for the books.
>79 terebinth: I also have three of the "full assembly": Macbeth, Hamlet and Lear. I'm considering using the boxes to keep pamphlets and prints in.
>78 ironjaw: I'd love to find slipcases for the books.
83scholasticus
>55 wcarter:, >56 TheExplorer:
So what did the three titles you two originally brought up here end up going for if you know? I don't dare look in case the seller's offering other LPs. Oh, academia, why couldn't you have waited another month or two? ;)
So what did the three titles you two originally brought up here end up going for if you know? I don't dare look in case the seller's offering other LPs. Oh, academia, why couldn't you have waited another month or two? ;)
84TheExplorer
>83 scholasticus: I saw a few for 99 each, but ebay says that the seller accepted a lower price; So I guess they sold around 80 or so. Which means that you pay around 30 to 50 extra for the solander box plus commentary volume. And while I do enjoy reading the commentary, and knowing that the books will come in pefect condition as the box also protects them rather well during shipping, that is more than I am wiling to pay. Unless its Henry V of course :=)
Edit: Betraying my earlier statement I just bought Henry VII and Henry IV part 2 for 112 each, with limitation number, solander box, and commentary volume.
Edit: Betraying my earlier statement I just bought Henry VII and Henry IV part 2 for 112 each, with limitation number, solander box, and commentary volume.
85elladan0891
>83 scholasticus: >84 TheExplorer:
I think scholasticus was asking about the 3 listings by a seller called alibossa, dog tagged properly withservice identification limitation numbers and laid to rest in solander sarcophagi.
King John - £133, Richard II - £142, Richard III - £161.
I think scholasticus was asking about the 3 listings by a seller called alibossa, dog tagged properly with
King John - £133, Richard II - £142, Richard III - £161.
86terebinth
>73 Constantinopolitan:
Regarding the small piece of paper over the number, I've just looked at a photo of one of these volumes and I think that's something often used in Folio LEs, a transparent sheet that I've always assumed was there in a blotting role so that any moist ink would pass to it rather than affect the facing page. So the little sheet is loose and the limitation number is on the page underneath.
Regarding the small piece of paper over the number, I've just looked at a photo of one of these volumes and I think that's something often used in Folio LEs, a transparent sheet that I've always assumed was there in a blotting role so that any moist ink would pass to it rather than affect the facing page. So the little sheet is loose and the limitation number is on the page underneath.
87TheExplorer
>85 elladan0891: That is where i bought Henry VII and Henry IV part 2 just a moment ago. The only thing that is not quite to my satisfaction that I have to pay for shipping twice since ebay's global shipping program makes updating invoices impossible, or so I am told.
88scholasticus
>85 elladan0891:
Thank you! That was what I was asking, yes. Apologies for not being clearer in my query.
Thank you! That was what I was asking, yes. Apologies for not being clearer in my query.
89Constantinopolitan
>86 terebinth: Thanks for that-it makes sense.
90ironjaw
>84 TheExplorer:
So it was you who beat me on the price :) I had 110 at a maximum. Congratulations hope you enjoy them
So it was you who beat me on the price :) I had 110 at a maximum. Congratulations hope you enjoy them
91TheExplorer
>90 ironjaw: Sorry about that :D I had my maximum on 115 but I usually wait until 2 seconds before the auction ends to place any bids. I finally have Henry IV part 2; part 1 has been sitting here all too lonely for months and months.
92ironjaw
That's alright. I'm not in a hurry to buy these anyway. As someone mentioned earlier, Letterpress Shakespeare are selling well below the 295 selling price
93wcarter
An Ebay book dealer, Louis'88Books, has six Letterpress Shakespeare volumes for sale at a very low price. See:-
http://www.ebay.com.au/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2056350.m570.l1313.TR0....
BUT, these books do NOT have a solander box or slipcase, do not come with the commentary volume, and are not numbered.
One wonders how they were obtained.
http://www.ebay.com.au/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2056350.m570.l1313.TR0....
BUT, these books do NOT have a solander box or slipcase, do not come with the commentary volume, and are not numbered.
One wonders how they were obtained.
94terebinth
>93 wcarter:
Perhaps sent to a major newspaper or magazine for publicity purposes, or used in a promotional exhibit? Can't be the usual thing of an LE being offered for sale after a replacement copy has been claimed, since the limitation page is there (at least in the volume I looked at), just not completed with a number.
Perhaps sent to a major newspaper or magazine for publicity purposes, or used in a promotional exhibit? Can't be the usual thing of an LE being offered for sale after a replacement copy has been claimed, since the limitation page is there (at least in the volume I looked at), just not completed with a number.
95kermaier
>93 wcarter:
Wow, I would've dearly loved to snag that Richard III -- and the lack of solander box and commentary volume is actually a plus for me! :-)
Wow, I would've dearly loved to snag that Richard III -- and the lack of solander box and commentary volume is actually a plus for me! :-)
96wcarter
>95 kermaier:
It seems four of the six have sold - there are others like you who do not care for the extras or provenance.
It seems four of the six have sold - there are others like you who do not care for the extras or provenance.
97kermaier
>95 kermaier:
Some of the earlier copies came in a plain slipcase, without companion volume -- I'm lucky enough to have found a copy of Twelfth Night in that state. I picked up my copy of the Sonnets & Poems on eBay, stripped of box and companion volume, for a similarly good price, so that's fine with me.
The boxes and companion volumes for my copies of Hamlet, Macbeth and A Midsummer Night's Dream lie miserably in the darkness of a file cabinet's bottom drawer in my office. If anyone here bought one of these as bare volumes but wants the matching accoutrements, I'd be willing (nay, eager!) to sell mine at a very reasonable price.
Some of the earlier copies came in a plain slipcase, without companion volume -- I'm lucky enough to have found a copy of Twelfth Night in that state. I picked up my copy of the Sonnets & Poems on eBay, stripped of box and companion volume, for a similarly good price, so that's fine with me.
The boxes and companion volumes for my copies of Hamlet, Macbeth and A Midsummer Night's Dream lie miserably in the darkness of a file cabinet's bottom drawer in my office. If anyone here bought one of these as bare volumes but wants the matching accoutrements, I'd be willing (nay, eager!) to sell mine at a very reasonable price.
98hiphopopotamus
I just picked up Richard III un-numbered, and with no box/companion volume, from ebay UK for £60. Seemed a nice way to attempt a first foray into the folio letterpress Shakespeare... but perhaps it's a gateway drug...
Interested to hear what others think of these un-numbered volumes, and if any more information has come to light on them since?
Either way, it seemed like too good a deal to pass up, and a cost effective way to get my toes wet...
Interested to hear what others think of these un-numbered volumes, and if any more information has come to light on them since?
Either way, it seemed like too good a deal to pass up, and a cost effective way to get my toes wet...
99MST-3000
>98 hiphopopotamus:
I bought an un-numbered Twelfth Night a while back (for a bit more than your Richard III, but bundled with the companion volume). My initial suspicion was that I'd find some sort of fault with it, but it appears to my eyes entirely pristine. Not a bad way to get hold of a copy if you're willing to sacrifice some of the extras/value.
I bought an un-numbered Twelfth Night a while back (for a bit more than your Richard III, but bundled with the companion volume). My initial suspicion was that I'd find some sort of fault with it, but it appears to my eyes entirely pristine. Not a bad way to get hold of a copy if you're willing to sacrifice some of the extras/value.
100Fierylunar
>98 hiphopopotamus: As long as it's for your personal library and not as an investment buy, I don't see why you wouldn't want an unnumbered copy. The costs are way less for the exact same aesthetics.
Then again, that puts us in the middle of a debate held on FSD before: does the LE number (high or low) actually matter for your personal enjoyment of the book? If it doesn't, no number shouldn't bother you much. If the resale value of the book is a part of why you appreciate the book, unnumbered copies are virtually useless.
Then again, that puts us in the middle of a debate held on FSD before: does the LE number (high or low) actually matter for your personal enjoyment of the book? If it doesn't, no number shouldn't bother you much. If the resale value of the book is a part of why you appreciate the book, unnumbered copies are virtually useless.
101hiphopopotamus
>100 Fierylunar: I received my copy of Richard III this week, and was not at all prepared for the experience of handling this book for the first time.
It is massive, gorgeous, and so beautifully readable. Suffice to say it will not be leaving my library - in fact I have already picked up another (Anthony and Cleopatra) as a result. I really couldn't care less about the numbering.
I was partially asking the question earlier to see if there was any more information on where these originally came from - is the most likely conclusion that they were pre-release review copies?
It is massive, gorgeous, and so beautifully readable. Suffice to say it will not be leaving my library - in fact I have already picked up another (Anthony and Cleopatra) as a result. I really couldn't care less about the numbering.
I was partially asking the question earlier to see if there was any more information on where these originally came from - is the most likely conclusion that they were pre-release review copies?
102SingingSands
I happened to be on my way to London for a rare visit when I first noticed these unnumbered copies a few years back, and so asked on my (compulsory) visit to Eagle street.
Whoever was behind the counter was shocked, as no unnumbered copies should have been available. Their view was that, given the large numbers printed someone in the supply chain had walked home with a couple and that this had gone unnoticed, especially since they had already slashed the limitation numbers.
Pre-release copies are lettered and you see these cropping up now and again.
Whoever was behind the counter was shocked, as no unnumbered copies should have been available. Their view was that, given the large numbers printed someone in the supply chain had walked home with a couple and that this had gone unnoticed, especially since they had already slashed the limitation numbers.
Pre-release copies are lettered and you see these cropping up now and again.
103scratchpad
Tartarus Press are selling off some stuff that’s cluttering up their warehouse including some unnumbered books simply explained as over-runs.
104venkysuniverse
>103 scratchpad: Can't see on their website?. Where do I purchase them from?
105scratchpad
>104 venkysuniverse: Available from eBay (UK) not website:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/tartarusrussell/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_ipg=&a...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/tartarusrussell/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_ipg=&a...
107malc79
Re. the unnumbered Shakespeares, I see there are a couple on offer on ebay UK at the moment - Coriolanus and As You Like it at £70 to £80. No solandar boxes or companion volume as i remember (possibly for the latter) I don't suppose we'll ever find out where these came from! I bought a couple myself two or three years ago for about the same price and they look and feel absolutely genuine.
108ubiquitousuk
Does anybody have an overview of what the secondary market for LP Shakespeare is like (i.e., what is a good price to buy at and how frequently do they come up)?
I am relatively new in the market and picked up a few, but it's getting hard to find used copies of many of the OOP plays and any of those I find are in the £300+ range. Is that the kind of price I should expect to pay, or is it just a matter of waiting?
I am relatively new in the market and picked up a few, but it's getting hard to find used copies of many of the OOP plays and any of those I find are in the £300+ range. Is that the kind of price I should expect to pay, or is it just a matter of waiting?
109Pellias
>108 ubiquitousuk: It has been stabile cheaper to buy them secondhand if i use the cheaper ones as reference, like at for instance Ardis.co.uk in fine/fine condition .. but, now that they sell out one by one from the company (FS) it may be harder to predict in the future what they will sell for. Now and again, you will probably find a good deal on the letterpress Shakespeares, search and you will find. Some of the letterpress volumes also have higher limitations than others, like Hamlet ..
* I sometimes use Ardis just as a referance, but just a referance not a rule of law. They are located in the UK though
* Ardis sell for around £190 or a little more, i think that is a good price
But again, when these volumes now sell out, we might see a slight price difference also secondhand, but .. a good deal is to be found now and again if you search the right places
* I sometimes use Ardis just as a referance, but just a referance not a rule of law. They are located in the UK though
* Ardis sell for around £190 or a little more, i think that is a good price
But again, when these volumes now sell out, we might see a slight price difference also secondhand, but .. a good deal is to be found now and again if you search the right places
110ubiquitousuk
Does anyone know what shipping method FS use for the LP Shakespeare within the UK? My last FS order was left out in the elements on my drive. I'd rather they don't do that for a shipment of £200 books.
111folio_books
>110 ubiquitousuk:
Mine (LP Shakespeare & other LE's) are delivered by DPD. They require a signature so will not be left on a doorstep.
Mine (LP Shakespeare & other LE's) are delivered by DPD. They require a signature so will not be left on a doorstep.
112BionicJim
It looks like only three plays are still available, including Othello (22 remain). A buyer’s comment published there reads “ Certainly a sumptuous and desirable edition. Marred only by an unfortunate typographical error in line 149 on p 88 which is really inexcusable in an edition for which the highest production claims are made.”
Not owning this edition myself, anyone care to detail the typo and even add a picture? Finding typos in nearly every book I read, it’s usually nothing I would find notable (unless it’s on the Title Page, but that’s another thread).
Not owning this edition myself, anyone care to detail the typo and even add a picture? Finding typos in nearly every book I read, it’s usually nothing I would find notable (unless it’s on the Title Page, but that’s another thread).
113affle
>112 BionicJim:
It's really, really bad: I transcribe:
'There, giveit your hobby-horse.'
A missing space, can you believe it.
It's really, really bad: I transcribe:
'There, giveit your hobby-horse.'
A missing space, can you believe it.
114boldface
>112 BionicJim:
>113 affle:
The Letterpress Shakespeare (LS), according to the copyright page, is "using texts of The Oxford Shakespeare". I don't know how the actual text is set up in the LS, but in the underlying Oxford text "give" comes at the end of line 149 and "it" is the first word in line 150 (Act 4, scene 1; page 334 in the Oxford edition). So, if a typesetter is physically setting up the type, letter by letter, from a copy of "The Oxford Shakespeare", he/she might just possibly overlook the implied space in the copy-text when glancing from the end of one line to the beginning of the next.
>113 affle:
The Letterpress Shakespeare (LS), according to the copyright page, is "using texts of The Oxford Shakespeare". I don't know how the actual text is set up in the LS, but in the underlying Oxford text "give" comes at the end of line 149 and "it" is the first word in line 150 (Act 4, scene 1; page 334 in the Oxford edition). So, if a typesetter is physically setting up the type, letter by letter, from a copy of "The Oxford Shakespeare", he/she might just possibly overlook the implied space in the copy-text when glancing from the end of one line to the beginning of the next.
115BionicJim
>113 affle:
>114 boldface:
Thanks for your input on this. I was wondering if the anonymous reviewer had been referring to the controversy regarding Indian/Judean in the final speech, what may be one of the most aggravating typos of all if it is in fact a typo (in the first folio). A missing space is definitely of the “not-notable” variety for me.
>114 boldface:
Thanks for your input on this. I was wondering if the anonymous reviewer had been referring to the controversy regarding Indian/Judean in the final speech, what may be one of the most aggravating typos of all if it is in fact a typo (in the first folio). A missing space is definitely of the “not-notable” variety for me.
116jveezer
Wait until you see my review of the Black Sun Les liaisons dangereuses. My tolerance for typos, especially in handset type, has officially been increased. I haven't added them up but I think it might be in triple figures. Still an amazing book I'm lucky to have but, oh, for a copy editor. Harry had a bit too much absinthe.
I'm much less tolerant of mistakes in trade editions done on computers, where spell check and grammar checks are available but ignored.
I'm much less tolerant of mistakes in trade editions done on computers, where spell check and grammar checks are available but ignored.
117wcarter
The last of the Letterpress Shakespeare editions still for sale direct from the FS, Othello, is down to a mere 14 copies. When this sells out it will be the end of an extraordinary 14 year saga as the series were first released in 2007.
These are arguably the most beautiful editions of Shakespeare ever produced.
These are arguably the most beautiful editions of Shakespeare ever produced.
118RogerBlake
Dit bericht is door zijn auteur gewist.
119LBShoreBook
>117 wcarter: I grabbed Othello when it was 1/3 off earlier this year and it is stunning. Glad I made the purchase.
120itacal1001
Does anyone know how many of the later-published titles were produced? I know on the limitation page, It reads 1,000, but I once read somewhere that the Folio Society cut production of some of the later-published titles to 300 copies each. I can't find that reference now ...
Thanks
Thanks
122wcarter
>121 Hamwick:
THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT EVENT IN FOLIO SOCIETY HISTORY!
The Folio Society Letterpress Shakespeare program produced magnificent solander cased books (a few early editions were available in a slipcase instead of a solander box) that were limited to between 3750 (earlier editions) and 1,000 copies.
They were individually numbered on a special limitation page, and were half-bound in goatskin leather, blocked in gold with hand-marbled paper sides, gilded top edge and ribbon marker. Set in 16pt 'Monotype' Baskerville, printed by letterpress on mould-made paper.
They were accompanied by an Oxford University Press text with extensive explanatory notes, edited by Anthony B. Dawson & Paul Yachnin under the General Editor Stanley Wells.
The series of 39 volumes started in 2007 and was completed in 2014. They were priced at £295, except for the Sonnets and Poems, which was £345 (prices are representative only and have varied from time to time).
These titles have now sold out in after 14 years.
They were the brainchild of Joe Whitlock-Blundell, and have been described as the finest set of Shakespeare's works ever produced.
Their price on the secondary market is already often above the original sale price, and is only likely to rise.
THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT EVENT IN FOLIO SOCIETY HISTORY!
The Folio Society Letterpress Shakespeare program produced magnificent solander cased books (a few early editions were available in a slipcase instead of a solander box) that were limited to between 3750 (earlier editions) and 1,000 copies.
They were individually numbered on a special limitation page, and were half-bound in goatskin leather, blocked in gold with hand-marbled paper sides, gilded top edge and ribbon marker. Set in 16pt 'Monotype' Baskerville, printed by letterpress on mould-made paper.
They were accompanied by an Oxford University Press text with extensive explanatory notes, edited by Anthony B. Dawson & Paul Yachnin under the General Editor Stanley Wells.
The series of 39 volumes started in 2007 and was completed in 2014. They were priced at £295, except for the Sonnets and Poems, which was £345 (prices are representative only and have varied from time to time).
These titles have now sold out in after 14 years.
They were the brainchild of Joe Whitlock-Blundell, and have been described as the finest set of Shakespeare's works ever produced.
Their price on the secondary market is already often above the original sale price, and is only likely to rise.
123GusLogan
>122 wcarter:
They may well end up rising in price, but surely it is not the case that they currently often sell above the original price of £295-ish? Depends on what you mean by ”often”, I suppose…
(I think they’re wonderful and wish we lived in a world where the FS could have sold 3 750 copies of each and every play!)
They may well end up rising in price, but surely it is not the case that they currently often sell above the original price of £295-ish? Depends on what you mean by ”often”, I suppose…
(I think they’re wonderful and wish we lived in a world where the FS could have sold 3 750 copies of each and every play!)
124Hamwick
>122 wcarter: I was going to write “end of an era” when I commented that the last had sold, but I came late to the party, so to speak, and missed most of it unfortunately. So I thought someone else could comment on the significance. They are wonderful and like with many other releases by Folio, I am playing catch up on the collection! It will be quite a few years I think for me to have a significant quantity of them!
125Jayked
For those who missed it, JWB on numbering in "The Private Library":
'At the time that The Letterpress Shakespeare was initiated (2007), an extremely bullish management team was in charge at Folio. Their enthusiasm for the project knew no bounds, their sales forecasts spiralled to dizzy and wholly unrealistic heights. In consequence, the original limitation of 1,500 (which I thought already rather generous) was pushed up again and again, finally reaching 3,750 copies. The series sold well, but not that well, and print runs of later volumes dropped considerably. As a result, since some of our loyal collectors of the entire series had been allocated high numbers, we came up with an ingenious -- and probably unprecedented -- statement on the limitation page, thus: "Only 1,000 copies of this edition have been printed, but they are numbered in harmony with earlier volumes in the series, and therefore may bear a higher number," As far as I am aware no one has yet queried this rather curious rationale.'
'At the time that The Letterpress Shakespeare was initiated (2007), an extremely bullish management team was in charge at Folio. Their enthusiasm for the project knew no bounds, their sales forecasts spiralled to dizzy and wholly unrealistic heights. In consequence, the original limitation of 1,500 (which I thought already rather generous) was pushed up again and again, finally reaching 3,750 copies. The series sold well, but not that well, and print runs of later volumes dropped considerably. As a result, since some of our loyal collectors of the entire series had been allocated high numbers, we came up with an ingenious -- and probably unprecedented -- statement on the limitation page, thus: "Only 1,000 copies of this edition have been printed, but they are numbered in harmony with earlier volumes in the series, and therefore may bear a higher number," As far as I am aware no one has yet queried this rather curious rationale.'
126TroyKenny
Just a call out to anyone looking to sell the FS-Oxford companion volumes. If so, don't hesitate to reach out!
127GusLogan
Reading my out of series (unnumbered) Macbeth tonight ahead of seeing the new movie version tomorrow, and it really is a joy - as a book, that is, the play itself is dark indeed! Knowing the Zerkall mill has closed provides a slight sidenote of sadness. Tomorrow I’ll leaf through my LEC for the illustrations.
128LBShoreBook
>127 GusLogan: Is that a slipcased version? I have Othello with the solander case and that thing is huge. Thinking about looking for an unnumbered slipcase edition in the market to manage space can't tell if many were made.
129abysswalker
>128 LBShoreBook: my understanding is that most slipcased editions are also numbered. (I have a slipcased edition of Titus, and it is numbered.)
I don't think anyone understands why there are some unnumbered copies floating around.
I don't think anyone understands why there are some unnumbered copies floating around.
130abysswalker
>128 LBShoreBook: regarding space considerations, I think I have eight of the solander-encased letterpress Shakespeare editions now, and I just store the books on shelves separately. I keep the solander cases with other product packaging that I keep because it will be useful if I move, or if I decide to sell any of the books.
131ChampagneSVP
>130 abysswalker: this is what I was going to suggest. If you have enclosed bookcases or an otherwise safe environment, they’re much more beautiful with the spines displayed. And you can fit the full set of 39 in the space of about 15 solander boxes. Then store the cases elsewhere and perhaps stack the companion volumes out of sight for reference when necessary.
132GusLogan
>128 LBShoreBook:
>129 abysswalker:
My understanding is a bunch of unnumbered Othellos, Twelfth Nights and Macbeths with neither slipcase nor solander box ended up in circulation when the limitation was cut from 3,950(?) to 1,000. Presumably they’d been completed but such a ”surplus” could be avoided for plays produced later.
>129 abysswalker:
My understanding is a bunch of unnumbered Othellos, Twelfth Nights and Macbeths with neither slipcase nor solander box ended up in circulation when the limitation was cut from 3,950(?) to 1,000. Presumably they’d been completed but such a ”surplus” could be avoided for plays produced later.
133ubiquitousuk
The plays I have seen sold unnumbered are A Midsummer Night’s Dream, As You Like It, Coriolanus, Hamlet, Henry V, Julius Caesar, Macbeth, Othello, Richard III, The Tempest, Titus Andronicus, and Twelfth Night. I always found it a bit confusing that there are at least unnumbered copies even of plays that started with a limitation of 1000.
In any case, it used to be fairly easy to find the unnumbered copies selling for around £60, but the supply has now dried up and prices tend to be a bit higher. In fact, on at least one occasion I managed to sell one of my unnumbered copies and buy the numbered and boxed version without ending up out of pocket (I seem to be one of the few who actually like the solander boxes).
In any case, it used to be fairly easy to find the unnumbered copies selling for around £60, but the supply has now dried up and prices tend to be a bit higher. In fact, on at least one occasion I managed to sell one of my unnumbered copies and buy the numbered and boxed version without ending up out of pocket (I seem to be one of the few who actually like the solander boxes).
134terebinth
>133 ubiquitousuk: I always found it a bit confusing that there are... unnumbered copies even of plays that started with a limitation of 1000.
I can't remember which of the 1000 limitation volumes were the last to sell out, but memory says they weren't all from among the more obscure plays by any means: which to me strongly suggests that there are a number of titles of which far fewer than 1000 numbered copies were ever put into circulation.
I can't remember which of the 1000 limitation volumes were the last to sell out, but memory says they weren't all from among the more obscure plays by any means: which to me strongly suggests that there are a number of titles of which far fewer than 1000 numbered copies were ever put into circulation.
135GusLogan
>133 ubiquitousuk:
Interesting, not quite greatest hits but not far off?
Interesting, not quite greatest hits but not far off?
136affle
>133 ubiquitousuk:
To add to your list, I have Henry IV i in the unnumbered state - like Henry V, this was one of those limited to 1000 copies.
>134 terebinth:
I agree, Paul - they struggled to sell 1000 R & J, so I can't believe they managed 1000 Timon of Athens, for example.
To add to your list, I have Henry IV i in the unnumbered state - like Henry V, this was one of those limited to 1000 copies.
>134 terebinth:
I agree, Paul - they struggled to sell 1000 R & J, so I can't believe they managed 1000 Timon of Athens, for example.
137AnnieMod
>136 affle: Maybe. On the other hand, there are hundreds of good editions of R&J out there, a lot of them Letterpress and not that many of Timon or Cymbeline. So I suspect that the minor plays may have sold unexpected copies to people who did not want another copy of the major plays. Maybe not 1,000 (although who knows) but probably more than one would expect - not everyone wants a matching set and for some of those plays, that may be the first modern Letterpress edition after the precious Folio one.
