Century Press - The Sun Also Rises

Now available for preorder for 121 USD (after 16 USD preorder discount) plus shipping/tax here: https://www.centurypress.ca/products/the-sun-also-rises

Fully bound in vegetable-tanned, Oxblood-dyed goatskin leather from the Hudson Valley

Letterpress printed on premium 100% cotton paper with a 1956 Heidelberg 'Windmill' platen press

Smyth-sewn by hand for maximum durability

Italian, tight-weave, cotton ribbon bookmark

New introduction by Daniel Hannah, Professor of Literature at Lakehead University

Original gold-stamped artwork on front cover, back cover, and spine by Mac Pogue

Frontispiece illustration by Calvin Laituri

Century Press can count on me to support all future offerings. The value for the craft is superb.

I'm pleased with all details released about The Sun Also Rises — it would be great if Alex can disclose the typeface they've used and the sourcing of the cotton paper.

>1 jsg1976: where is the $121 coming from? Mine says $149 after the $20 discount

>3 Objectr: American versus Canadian dollars, I think.
I'll pass. I appreciate what Century Press is trying to do, but I thought Great Gatsby just had too many problems to justify even the relatively low price. Might have given it another shot with Sun Also Rises, but I'm put off by the art. The interior artwork looks great, but the exterior artwork looks amateurish. Just my 2 cents though (or 1.6 canadian cents).

>4 realto: what kind of problems with Gatsby?

I'd be interested to know what kind of paper was used beyond the generic 100% cotton statement. It would also be great to see some photos of the interior to get a sense for the typesetting.

jsg1976 My copy of Great Gatsby had uneven printing, misaligned spine with the foil stamping diagonal across, the leather on every corner with bulging, which tells me the binder didn't skive it, and the leather felt very loose to the binding overall. I also didn't particularly care for the typesetting, it felt very crammed. I understand that it was a novice effort so I really don't mean to be overly critical, but besides the letterpress printing not much about it said "fine press" to me. Letterpress printing was the norm until recently, so letterpress alone is not nearly enough for me like it is for many fine press collectors. I believe fine press must encompass good design and craft as well. I considered asking to exchange the copy for another one, but from the photos which Century Press has posted it seems like the problems with mine are on other copies as well.
filox If I remember correctly the paper on Great Gatsby was Boxcar Flurry which is one hundred percent cotton, so I expect it is the same on Sun Also Rises. I have done amateur letterpress and some book rebinding for almost two decades and get all of my supplies from Boxcar, which supplies many if not most letterpress shops. Their Flurry paper is a very good standard paper which many use, maybe equivalent to Mohawk Superfine.

>5 jsg1976: A few issues discussed in this thread with a reply from the press at 72. I thoroughly enjoyed the reading experience and have already ordered The Sun Also Rises. If the press continues to improve and can keep prices this low, it's an incredible value.

https://www.librarything.com/topic/332644#n7680437

Edit: Low prices, not slow prices...

I agree with some criticisms levied toward the Press, namely:

1) The uneven letterpress printing is a fundamental QA error given it is not being hand-set.

2) The exterior of Gatsby has a nice design, but the finished product isn't as polished as bigger presses' works — for me, the big issues were the hollow-feeling spine and the somewhat loose fit between the headband and book joints.

3) Although this is not a lack of execution, I do think the size of the book combined with the typesetting can turn off some readers: the words don't have a ton of room to breathe. However, I expect this can't be helped if costs are to be kept in the current range.

The reason I will continue to fervently support the press is because it seems like it's a new outfit run by folks new to the craft — unlike many new outfits which are run by folks with years if not decades of experience. I love the direction Century Press wants to go in and I appreciate its earnest, dogged approach to getting the process down pat. Alex took a lot of criticism in stride last year and acknowledged virtually every issue laid out by his supporters. I have no doubt he and his team will deliver a better product this time around with all they have learned.

As a fellow twenty-something settling into his career, how can I not be excited about the passion being shown here? Thank you, Century Press, for your additions to the growing trove of contemporary fine presses. :)

>1 jsg1976:

Price has already gone up. With preorder discount it's now at $149. Or the original price was a mistake?

>10 MobyRichard: Canadian versus U.S. dollars

>11 SDB2012:

Oh my mistake. 😅

I got The Great Gatsby from century press, and aside from the aforementioned quality control issues, was very happy with it. I’m sure the quality control issues will be ironed out for the second edition.
Can anyone explain to me what’s so great about Ernest Hemingway? I read The Old Man and the Sea when I was younger, and I found it a bit uninspiring. I think I’ve attempted other works by him but they also seemed (dare I say it) kind of pointless.
I had a similar view of the great Gatsby but the century press edition give me a new appreciation of it, as it was such a lovely tactile reading experience and maybe because I’m a little bit older I could appreciate the underlying themes a little more too. I’m sure that physically the Hemingway will be an awesome reading experience as well, but the book itself? Can any discerning readers out there tell me why it’s so great?

I do hope the introduction is of a different calibre this time around - the one for Gatsby was actually difficult to read. The tone didn’t suit the novel well (I know I’m not articulating this well).

>13 stopsurfing: In my opinion The Sun Also Rises is his best work. It has all the quintessential Hemingway hallmarks (blood and testosterone spewing all around) but also demonstrates his ability to capture nuance and sensitivity. There is a longing and melancholy laced throughout the story that stays with you. For me personally, the book is superior to Gatsby in almost every way.

(I confess to a bias as I had the privilege to spend my early twenties in the same regions in which the story takes place as a member of the US military)

>13 stopsurfing:

Hemingway's biographer Carlos Baker believed that as a writer of short stories Hemingway learned "how to get the most from the least, how to prune language and avoid waste motion, how to multiply intensities, and how to tell nothing but the truth in a way that allowed for telling more than the truth."

(Quote taken from the Wikipedia article on "Iceberg" theory; I think it captures Hemingway's style and influence well.)

There's a wonderful documentary on Hemingway by Ken Burns on PBS. It's around 8 hours and wonderfully done with many famous authors interviewed about his brilliance and how many authors copied him afterwards.

https://www.pbs.org/kenburns/hemingway/

>15 L.Bloom: >16 abysswalker: >17 Joshbooks1: I’ve decided to take a punt on it. These books are so lovely to hold in the hand and read (sheepskin binding, small size) so this will maximise my chances of liking it, maybe in spite of the ‘blood and testosterone spewing all around’! Thanks for your input

My copy arrived today. Initial thoughts:

- Handsome binding. The goat leather (sourced from Texas) is supple and sturdy, fuller than the recycled leather used for Gatsby; and oxblood is a perfect color match for the spirit of the story.
- Compared to Gatsby, the typesetting is much more pleasing throughout the book with a consistent baseline and a very satisfying bite to the letterpress.

Considering the above, ballpark $100 USD for 250 pages and an original frontispiece illustration — I think this one of the best deals of the year for fine press. An excellent sophomore effort from Century Press.

>19 PatsChoice: I got mine today also. I agree with everything you said. A couple additional thoughts:
- I was surprised by the form factor. It’s a small book, but a nice size for reading. A little bit larger than a LOA book. That said, I didn’t see anything on the website so I don’t know why I thought it’d be bigger.
- maybe as a consequence of the size, there aren’t much in the way of margins on each page, so the pages feel a little cramped.
- I like that they use drop caps at the start of each chapter. And there’s a little design on the pages for each of the “books” within the story. They’re not intricate or fancy, but are a nice touch.
- the cover design is simple, yet striking

Overall I’m really happy with this purchase. Excellent quality for the price.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts! Would love to see some photos, particularly of the text.

Got mine yesterday as well and was really happy with it. I won’t be able to read it until mid-June but just leafing through it looks lovely and I love the size which, like the Gatsby, is perfect for reading.

I read the book over the weekend. I hadn't read the book since my freshman or sophomore year of high school.

It was a good reading experience. I love the size of book that Century Press is producing for reading stories. The paper is particularly enjoyable. There are a few spots where the ink is noticeably darker for a few words. I think the only criticism I have is what >9 PatsChoice: states above. Point #3. The text could have a little more room to breathe but then the book is going to be a lot bigger and costs a lot higher. The value is good.

I enjoyed the novel more than I did many years I ago but I have mixed feelings about it. Most the reasons for that would get into spoiler territory so I'll just say I get why it's a classic and influential. The dialogue is the strength of the book, in my opinion, with the exception of British characters who all seem to start every sentence with "I say." and use the word "chap(s)" in every other sentence.

I was able to spend some time with my copy today and took pictures. For the highest resolution, click on the embedded picture and then click again on the Flickr display.























I'm pleased with the sophomore effort of Century Press. The quality of the leather and general typesetting are the highlights for me. Compared to Gatsby, the spine is much sturdier, and the foil block designs more striking. Regarding the interior, I enjoy the healthy margins, the full-bodied typeface, and the pliancy of the cotton paper. My two criticisms are that the ends of the text block seem smushed on the headband-side; and the letterpress, while featuring a pleasing bite and handsome typesetting, is missing some of the depth to the blackness of the text; this is apparent under a focused reading light.

Congratulations to Alex & Company on their growth! No doubt future releases will embody further improved craft.

I’m curious about the word “centre” in the caption of the illustration above. Did Hemingway actually use the Canadian/British spelling there?

>25 kermaier:

I have an ebook published by Delphi Classics which also spells the word as "centre".

>9 PatsChoice: Could you expand on your first point? I know that if working with bad/worn type, the best printer can only achieve well-printed worn type. But if that's not the issue, is there a correlation between the consistency (quality) of printing achieved & the matrix from which it is printed (Mono, Lino, foundry, poly)? Or do you mean hand-set type is more difficult to print with even/consistent results than the others? Interested to know more.

>27 H-M: I'm not an expert so I welcome other members to correct me, but my understanding is it's significantly easier to achieve a consistent force of impression with any method compared to hand-set. Therefore, an inconsistent impression with, say, monotype is seen as a technical failure rather than "imperfect charm" as may be attributed to hand-set type.

>28 PatsChoice: I'm wary of anyone who tells you they're an expert, so I won't be doing that, but I think you may be referring to the result when people are using worn type. It's increasingly difficult to buy type for hand setting, and I don't think anyone's making actual foundry type anymore. (There might be a place in Europe, I don't know.) What type is being cast generally uses a Monotype caster or similar, & they're not supposed to use an alloy as hard as foundry. I believe it harms the actual matrices from which the type is cast - the mats get "burned out." (I'm well beyond any claims to expertise here...)

The point being, people setting by hand are using what type they can get their hands on. If it's actual foundry type, it's old and often will have been rode hard & put away wet – serifs are worn or broken off, letters are dinged etc. That's what I meant about even the best printer's results being limited by what they're printing from.

But if your type is in good shape, whether foundry or Monotype-cast, hand setting shouldn't affect the result. In fact, aside from things like custom kerning letters, I'm not sure how someone could tell if type has been hand- or machine-set. If anyone can, please explain!

Back to the topic of this thread, it's interesting to note that the colophon has nothing to say about the type. That's usually the first thing mentioned, since that's where it starts. The printer is a commercial outfit hired by the publisher (nothing wrong with that, but it's a different thing than a press run by a printer). It's unclear if the printer is responsible for the typography, or just sets to a spec (you could drive through the word spaces in some lines of the colophon). From the image of the press on the Letter #13 page of their site, you see the book was printed from polymer (nothing wrong with that). Stating "first edition/first printing" is odd - are they really planning on a second printing of a limited edition? The image of a pile of Gatsby cases on that #13 page isn't doing them any favors. And the leather on that case (the books are cased, not bound) definitely has not been pared. What's the point of rounding/backing the spine if you don't then set the boards into the groove? Leather for binding is by definition vegetable tanned – chrome-tanned leather (i.e. everything but books) is less supple and doesn't take tooling well. But this is a young operation, they'll gain experience as they go, and they certainly have ambition.

>29 H-M: "And the leather on that case (the books are cased, not bound) definitely has not been pared. What's the point of rounding/backing the spine if you don't then set the boards into the groove?"

I had similar thoughts. The rounding is not done well. The outside sections should be backed to 90° so the boards sit in snug against them. If doing a French groove, it should still be backed to that angle, but this cover doesn't exactly have a groove, either. If not doing a groove, then the depth of the backing should be greater than the thickness of the boards, English style, with the boards set snug and the extra leather providing the hinge. The image shows a huge gap between the cover leather and the backed sections. The bindery could have done a much better job here.

>28 PatsChoice: To my understanding (also decidedly non-expert), the force of impression is the result of the action of the press, not the method of typesetting. For example, the impression force of an old-style handpress is the result of how hard the pressman pulls on the lever -- so consistency would be up to the individual's strength, skill and attentiveness. In the case of a more modern handpress, like a Vandercook, the impression is controlled by the depth to which the bed is set/padded. And another thing that could affect perceived consistency of printing is the consistency of inking of the press, rather than just the force of the impression.

>31 kermaier: Another important aspect of it is the make-up, making sure the type surfaces are all at the same height. That can be tricky. Now, if using polymer plates, that is less of a problem.

>30 Glacierman: "The rounding is not done well."

Are you referring to the Gatsby or the Sun Also Rises (or both)?

>33 ultrarightist: Sun

I'm on the fence about whether to acquire this edition. The feedback on the quality of the binding and the unevenness of the printing is a deterrent. On the other hand, it is a letterpress edition of Hemingway, which is a major merit.

>35 ultrarightist: I think it's a great reading copy. It's relatively small, feels good in the hand, has a noticeable bite to the letterpress and decent typography (though my one gripe is pretty small margins).

It's not a particularly luxe edition, but I love having new affordable letterpress to read.

I have decided against acquiring this edition. The hand-wringing in the press's blog posts over censorship is nauseating, and I cannot abide the woke introduction to the book. I will not support this press on principle.

>29 H-M: "The image of a pile of Gatsby cases on that #13 page isn't doing them any favors. "

To be fair to the press, they used that image as an example of output that failed their quality control.

>29 H-M:
>30 Glacierman:

I don't know enough to understand this critique. Could you explain it a bit more?

Overall, I am very pleased with this volume for the price. It is about the perfect reading size. I greatly enjoyed revisiting Pamplona with Jake and friends.

>38 ultrarightist: Ah, missed that detail. I removed that line from the post. Thanks.

That the book costs $110 or so should also be kept in mind when making these critiques or observations. At that price point, you’re getting what you pay for - expectations should be aligned.

>29 H-M: >30 Glacierman: >31 kermaier: Thank you, all. This was an enlightening read. Perhaps the printing of The Sun Also Rises suffered from an inking issue, then? The blacks just aren't very deep/saturated, which is in strong contrast to many other books in my library.

Just got an email today - my guess is that the next book is Call of the Wild.

>43 punkzip: that was the first thing that came to mind for me as well

>44 stumguy: I think White Fang is also a strong possibility, since the illustration seems to be of two wolves.

Either way, almost definitely Jack London.

Looks like The Call of the Wild has been confirmed. I own the LEC editions of The Call of the Wild and White Fang, I like the former much more than the latter so I was hoping this Century Press title would be White Fang. Regardless, I’ll still be subscribing.

Interesting how they are trying to stimulate sales by offering 3 special editions in a lottery for the first 50 copies. Reminds me of the recent SubPress Martian Chronicles rerelease where a small percentage were signed.

The Spine design with the century press candle is an interesting inclusion but there’s something about the whole design which reminds me of Easton Press.

>48 Charon49: it’s because everything on the spine is segmented into boxes. I prefer the more modern look of the first two releases but I’ll be getting this one all the same.

>48 Charon49: reminds me of Easton Press too with the full leather, gold stamping, and box segments. At least Century uses better materials and methods.

How is the novel? I know it was popular a hundred years ago but is it a good read now?

Preorders are live now.

Call of the Wild by Century Press - Ltd 500

Jack London's 1903 breakthrough novel, The Call of the Wild, reinvigorated turn-of-the-century American literature with a new assertive voice that sang a paean to the primitive world, overflowing with instinct, sensation and emotion.

Century Press is pleased to present a striking new edition of The Call of the Wild, limited to 500 letterpress printed copies.

Fully bound in vegetable-tanned, Slate Blue goatskin leather from the Hudson Valley
Two-colour letterpress printed on premium 100% cotton 'Flurry' paper with a 1956 Heidelberg 'Windmill' platen press, typeset in Caslon
Four brand new, full-page illustrations from Calvin Laituri
Italian, tight-weave, cotton ribbon bookmark
New introduction by Jack London historian, Jonah Raskin
Original silver-stamped artwork on front cover, back cover, and spine by Mac Pogue
Smyth-sewn by hand for maximum durability
Shipping Autumn 2022
Early Bird Bonus!
The first 50 pre-orders will be entered into a drawing for three special editions of The Call of the Wild with handmade paste papers from master Canadian artist Susan Kristoferson

The Call of the Wild (centurypress.ca)

>52 whytewolf1: The illustrations are just up my alley.

>53 yolana: Yeah, I think they're very nicely done and appropriate for the era of the novel.

>52 whytewolf1: Lovely! this is easily a "must-buy". Century Press - please more books like this, and, if I had my druthers, now that you're becoming established consider producing a fine-press production of books that have not had the royal treatment. Let me just say, I do not know of any fine press editions of Anne of Green Gables - please make it so!!

ps Maybe we should change the name of the thread from "Century Press - The Sun Also Rises" to just "Century Press" :)

Anyone have the LEC Call of the Wild? If so what is your opinion?

>56 punkzip: I do not have it, but I looked at acquiring that editiion at some point. However, I was not a fan of the illustrations.
Here is a picture I found on the web -



I will add that Easton Press also released a nice facsimile of the 1903 edition which is absolutely gorgeous!
https://www.eastonpress.com/all-categories/deluxe-limited-editions/jack-londons-...

Of course the EP edition is not letterpress and finding a 1903 edition in NF is basically impossible - okay, NOT impossible, just a bit expensive. Lowest price for a true 1903 edition in supposedly "NF" condition is a mere $12,000 :)
https://www.ebay.com/itm/265412041063

Interestingly enough, there is also one for $22,000 -
https://www.ebay.com/itm/333683631859

It seems The Call of The Wild is now shipping.

>58 NathanOv: Yup. Got my shipping notification, as well.

>58 NathanOv: mine arrived today, and looks a beauty from the first flip through. Their books get better each time.

I just got a copy of Into the Wild, and I do think it looks good. In particular, the quality of the letterpress seems high at first glance. I will say, though, that even on this third book the corners are still very puffy and the head and tail squares are a little strangely proportioned compared to the foredge square. Overall it’s a pretty book, but I think they’ve still got some small detail kinks to work out.

>61 Tambien: I'd agree with all of this.

>61 Tambien: How are the margins? That’s the main problem I have with The Sun Also Rises.

Has anyone heard any rumors on what book they will do next?

>64 ExLibrisDavid: Funny you should ask because they want the people to decide in a survey sent to newsletter subscribers. It's between Bartleby the Scrivener and Dostoyevski's The Crocodile.

I voted for Bartleby but sent them a note as well with my usual gripe.

>63 Nightcrawl: The margins are definitely small, but I wouldn’t say they feel particularly cramped. I’m able to hold the book open and read comfortably without covering up any text.

>65 AMindForeverVoyaging: anyone have any insights into the winner/front runner? I voted crocodile.

>69 EdmundRodriguez: I'm told there will be an announcement 3/31.

>70 AMindForeverVoyaging: looks like the crocodile won.

For anyone interested, it looks like Century Press is offering 20% off of The Sun Also Rises and Into the Wild as well as free shipping in Canada and the US until the 27th. The code is WILDSUN20

>9 PatsChoice: Fascinating point on the size of the book - I know this is a late reply, but I have quite small hands and LOVE the size of Century Press books. They are very easy for me to hold, and they use quality leathers so they feel quite good in the hand.