We are of the ilk that a book should be purchased to be read and loved rather than to symbolize status or become a signifier of wealth and taste. At the same time, there is hardly a thing we enjoy more than our collection of gorgeous (and well-read) coffee table books. That is why we are enamored with these gorgeous editions of popular classics…
Fine Editions of Classic Novels by White's Books
White’s Books, former Penguin Books designer David Pearson’s new publishing house, is bringing forth affordable fine editions of the best-loved classics. Renowned artists are commissioned to design the binding for each of these beautifully crafted hardcovers. Petra Borner (a fashion designers that has worked for Louis Vuitton) Stanley Donwood (a wood- and lino-cut artist that is best known for designing Radiohead’s album covers) and Joe McLaren (an illustrator for The Times and Monocle) are just a few of the great designers White’s Books has recruited to create original covers.
Using brass printing blocks, the designs created by these artists are printed onto cloth covers. On sewn-in pages, the text is manually typeset and the page design is adapted to each book. These are gorgeous and affordable fine editions of great classics that become design pieces as well as gorgeous keepsakes.
Currently, White’s Books has published Jane Eyre, The Christmas Books, Treasure Island, and Sonnets and Poems. Look for Wuthering Heights and Pride and Prejudice coming in June. Right now, White's editions are available in the U.S. only through Amazon.com, but they plan to begin distributing in the states later this year.
We love the idea of having a set of old favorites to display—and also to keep for years and years to come. We see these potentially becoming a new family heirloom that can be passed on!
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books, guides & resources, books, Treasure Island, Pride and Prejudice, Jayne Eyre, Sonnets and Poems, The Christmas Books, White's Books, Wuthering Heights, popular classicsRelated Links
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I can't seem to find them on amazon. Anyone have a link?
view c8te's profile
all I found them on is amazon.co.uk , the british amazon. you have to go to an advanced search to put in "White's Books" as the publisher and the title of whatever one you want.
view mmepatty's profile
ISBNs
978-0955881831
978-0955881824
978-0955881800
978-0955881817
view LaDonnaNichole's profile
oh, lovely. I always look for beautiful, hardcover, quality copies of classic books that I love. I prefer covers that are timeless rather than photos of the current movie remake or stamped with the oprah's book club logo... it also encourages everyone to take care of them and make them last rather than tossing them when they start to get ragged. I always wonder if the books made today will last as long as some of the antiques I have on my shelves.
view foodefafa's profile
Simply beautiful!
On this subject, does anyone know where to buy the Penguin classics special edition books? I can only find them in the UK for quite a bit of money! They are also a wonderful addition to any collection.
view ShamWOW!'s profile
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0955881803/ref=pd_luc_mri?_encoding=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&v=glance
here is one link to Jane Eyre, I had a hard time time finding them at first, but all you need to do is put "(fine edition)" after the Title when you do a search, and you should them them (the ones available).
view pinktea6's profile
Please, please -- it's enamored of, not enamored with, JessicaBlake.
Ahem. Calming self.
I have well-worn editions of Wuthering Heights and Jane Eyre that have gorgeous woodcuts as illustrations. I consider them treasures. I am pleased to see that someone is still making beautiful books.
view Forestdweller's profile
I think I need that P&P and Treasure Island. Thanks for the ISBNs, LaDonnaNichole.
Why is it all the best books with the most exquisite covers are more readily available in the UK than the states?
view bookgirl's profile
I don't think they'll be available until June...
view Emily B's profile
I looked online to see whether I could find the Bronte books I have, and I found one... but it has been turned into a book safe! It's a crime to do that to books. And it's on that AT favorite, Etsy:
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=18215832
view Forestdweller's profile
These would be great in a more colorful home than mine- I love the retro look.
As for me and my more traditional home, I've been collecting books from the Everyman's Library Collection for many years. Beautiful jewel-toned covers embossed with gold... perfect ivory pages... an essay and timeline to introduce every work... and a sweet little ribbon bookmark. *Swoon* Better yet, the children's classics have vintage illustrations.
This link give you an idea of the collection- but they're much more beautiful without their dust jackets:
http://www.amazon.com/Everymans-Library-Contemporary-Classics-Set/dp/0307383954/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1235512724&sr=8-1
view shockthebourgeois's profile
Gorgeous!
view sawdustanddiamonds's profile
This is as good as it gets. The books they are choosing are some of the books that were the building blocks of my consciousness. To think that they are going to be put into editions with beautiful covers and hand-set type ... I just wish we had more small ones coming up in our family. I've found that one of the best ways to get children to read is to have books around that are appealing and to be a reader, setting an example.
Also, I agree that the Everymans Libraries editions are beautiful. I have a few of those. If I had the space and the money -- I'd have every single one of both collections.
By the way, does anyone know anything about the editors they chose to select the texts? This is always an important consideration, because texts can vary widely in quality. Some books that are in the "public domain" and therefore picked up by for-profit mass market printing houses (like some old classics Barnes and Noble publishes) don't get the careful editorial work they deserve.
view AustinSarah2's profile
These are beautiful. Well-timed, too, as all my crappy university-era paperback editions are falling apart and due for replacing.
view TammyE's profile
I want these as posters! Love!
view Lilli K.'s profile
Forestdweller--
I'm pretty sure both "of" and "with" are acceptable.
Anyway, these are stunning!
view salamander's profile
Thank you for drawing these to my attention! I hope you don't mind, but I posted a link to this article on my blog:
http://bookcoverjudge.blogspot.com/
Hurrah for book design!
view skitterypigeon's profile