Saturday 30 April 2011

Emma

When it comes to books I generally prefer mine with a little age.  The softened corners of often turned pages are hallmarks of being so well loved they've been carried around in various pockets or bags to read on the move and if there are notes or inscriptions then so much the better . . . . Yet show me a brand spanking new copy of an old favourite in a special/limited edition binding and I've got to have it.  I'm a walking contradiction!


That was exactly what happened with this copy of Emma by Jane Austen: it screamed 'buy me' before I'd even glimpsed it properly and was bought and bagged inside 2 minutes as there was only 1 in the shop and I knew it wouldn't be left on the shelf very long!


This edition is from the White's Fine Editions series produced by White's Books of London.  The pattern on the clothbound cover and the endpapers is by textile designer Amy Gibson and although it bears little relevance to the novel it totally won me over!


The title page is simple and elegant and I've really enjoyed reading it because the paper feels amazing.


Even the typeface had me swooning and now I have Emma I'm already eyeing up the other editions from the series . . . we'll see if I can exercise some self control though!

Take care,
Jem xXx

11 comments :

  1. Hi Jem!
    This book is absolutely gorgeous and a wonderful find. I can see why you couldn't pass it up :)
    Hugs,
    Sabre'

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  2. omg thats beautiful! I would have had to buy it too, and maybe look a bit of a freak sniffing the newly printed pages! lol. Scarlett x

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  3. oh how gorgeous !! id love one,dont blame you snapping it up super fast!

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  4. Wow so pretty, I bet it's lovely to touch too x

    Just a Thought

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  5. That is gorgeous, although I still covet your AMAZING copy of Pride and Prejudice. Sigh...

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  6. beautiful covers!! sooo much different from the other copies of Jane austen's...gorgeous! gotta keep an eye on it and buy for myself!!

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  7. What a gorgeous book! I would not be able to resist that book either, especially as it is one of my favorite novels too! X

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  8. I too love my books old and well loved BUT I can never pass up a book bound with a beautiful old fashioned cloth cover! I can see why you had to have this one, it's just beautiful.I so wish more books were printed this way, with beautiful endpapers etc. I suppose it's cost that precludes it being seen more often. Enjoy this lovely addition to your library.

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  9. I love old books as well and am still kicking myself about the old Emma book I saw last year and left behind and when I went back it was gone.

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  10. I have just found your blog and it is lovely!

    x

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