The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson – CENTIPEDE PRESS 2019

The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson – CENTIPEDE PRESS 2019

A PICTORIAL REVIEW

Limited edition of 250 copies
Introduction by Caitlín R. Kiernan.
Six original hand-tipped color interiors, ten black & white spot illustrations and full color wraparound dustjacket by Matt Mahurin.
Signed by Matt Mahurin and Caitlín R. Kiernan.
Essay by Stephen King (from Danse Macabre).
Essay “Experience and Fiction” by Shirley Jackson.
Afterword by Laurence Hyman, Jackson’s son.
A suite of drawings of Hill House by Shirley Jackson.
Two- and four-color printing throughout on 125gsm Canaletto paper.
Printed endpapers.
Maroon top page edge stain.
Letterpress signature page.
Ribbon marker, head and tail bands.
Mylar dustjacket protector applied.
Bound in full Dutch black cloth with three-color stamping on spine and blind stamp on front board.
Two-part German cloth slipcase, stamped on spine, lined with special paper.
Lenticular holographic image embedded in front of slipcase.
34.6x22.1cm.. 256 pages US$635
Viking Press published The Haunting of Hill House in 1959 and it was immediately hailed as one of the best novels of the year, and was a finalist for the National Book Award. and it is now generally regarded as the greatest novel in the history of the horror genre.

















Cloth cover


Endpaper at front. Back is mirror image.
































An index of the other illustrated reviews in the "Folio Archives" series can be viewed here.

Thanks for the pictures looks absolutely lovely!

and it is now generally regarded as the greatest novel in the history of the horror genre.
Heh, that made me chuckle. Regarded by whom? The Shirley Jackson Society perhaps :)
There is no "greatest" horror novel. I definitely think it's one of the finest "horror" novels, but no better than Poe, Stoker, Shelley... and to be honest, the most convincing case I've heard for "greatest" (however that's defined) horror novel would have to go to Mary Shelley for Frankenstein of course.

>3 wcarter:
“and it is now generally regarded as the greatest novel in the history of the horror genre.”
That phrase is taken directly from the Centipede Press blurb - not necessarily my opinion.

Wow, fantastic production! I skipped this one because I honestly wasn't a huge fan of the novel, but I loved We Have Always Lived in the Castle, so I'll certainly pick up Jerad's edition (which I'm sure will be another several years from now, haha).

3: thanks for clarifying :)

I do have an "extra" (got an unexpected gift) I would ship you for 610.00

Anyone know what a Roman numeral copy might be valued at?

>7 astropi: $1,200-1,500

Thank you! This is the first time I've seen a Centipede Press book in such detail. The paper texture looks very interesting - a bit rough and not entirely white. Is this because of the picture or is it how it's printed?

>9 bacchus.: The story itself is written on white paper. The supplementary information is on gray paper.

8: Not sure where you pulled those numbers from? Typically there are only a handful of Roman numeral copies made. In the case of Hill House, 20. I think every now and then a Roman numeral CP book is on the market, but very rarely. Curious if anyone has one or has seen one for sale?

>11 astropi: Based on previous eBay listings, all roman numerals tend to go for $1,000 and upwards. The older titles for even more, such as Falling Angel.

12: I never noticed any Roman numeral listings :/
I think every edition has them, they just rarely show up. Imagine a complete Roman numeral edition of Book of the New Sun!

>13 astropi: They are quite rare, actually. Very!

I'm afraid numbers, roman or other, make no difference to me. :)

I just love a fine-made and well-loved book.

14: I hear you. I don't think there's a difference between the numbered and Roman numeral editions, other than scarcity?

>15 astropi: Yep! Some publishers' Roman Numeral editions though are on a completely higher production level, such as Suntup's Wells set. Each book is at $12-13k!

16: Why, in all that is holy, would someone pay $13K for The Time Machine??
If it was signed by H.G. Wells okay, otherwise I think this is ridiculous. I honestly do not believe that Suntup's books are higher production than the LEC.

Really good book, but I hate those illustrations. So corny

>17 astropi: I own most of the Suntup numbered edition but 0 LECs, so I can't really comment, haha.

>17 astropi: I'm guessing a large part of the cost comes from the fact that the binding is done by S&S. It's probably gonna be superb though, Suntup always delivers on bindings.

20: The FS has sold books with full goatskin binding and hand marbled endsheets for a mere fraction of that price (under $1000). Oh, and the FS books are substantially larger. No, this is just an insane cost with huge profit margins. I suppose if you're wealthy enough to toss $10,000+ on a book which really doesn't offer anything particularly remarkable apart from the letterpress -- although as I said, the LEC letterpress edition is just as good so in my mind nothing remarkable at all, well then, I guess Suntup has accomplished what any "good" company wants. It has created demand for a product which in principle there shouldn't be much demand. Perhaps people are purchasing these lettered editions in the hopes they will appreciate over time. Maybe it will. Myself, I wouldn't pay $1300 let alone $13,000 for these books, but of course, to each their own.

19: Well, you are missing out on many of the most gorgeous, beautiful, books ever published. It's never too early to start acquiring some of the fabulous LEC books that have been published over many years :)

>21 astropi: were the Folio editions bound by S&S though? I would be extremely surprised if they could pull off a full goatskin by Sangorski for 1k. That's not saying Suntup doesn't make a good profit here, but I'd guess he makes a lot less than you'd think. I also seem to recall that he has to give one of these away to their lifetime patron or whatever it's called, so out of 5 really only 4 are for sale.

22: I don't mean to sound too harsh, but I really wonder how many people actually care if it was bound by S&S (which I've never heard of. Do they have a website or anything?) or some other high-quality company? Honestly, I think you kinda prove my point, which is that people are purchasing it for the name and hoping it will appreciate in value. Reminds me a bit of people that wear a Rolex. Why? mostly for the name. Again, they're high-quality watches, but it's the name which sells. Don't get me wrong, people are entitled to do what they want with their money! Maybe it will appreciate in value, I honestly don't know, but (and just my opinion) I think spending $13k on this is nuts.

Now, if each of those five books came with an authentic letter written by Wells or something historic like that, I think that would make the edition truly one-of-a-kind. I could honestly see the justification for that price, although still would be far beyond my price-range, but anyway. As it stands, the lettered edition is the same as the numbered edition with a nicer (arguably) cover at 10 times the cost.

>23 astropi: You've never heard of Sangorski & Sutcliffe?

24: Now that you mention it, perhaps they were the ones that binded this ultra-luxurious copy of the Rubaiyat that I examined at my alma mater's rare book library. Beautiful... but holy heck, I think it's reasonable to say it was a bit extreme. They're still around? And I haven't changed my mind about the $13k, that is really insane even if they use a 1000 year old goat dipped in honey, jasmine, and gold dust...

>23 astropi: I think the watch analogy is really good, but I think you're missing the point why people would buy an ultra expensive watch like Rolex (or, say, a car like a Ferrari). It's definitely not just the name. These watches are super high quality, basically the pinnacle of engineering in watchmaking and just look amazing. If I had the money I'd totally get an IWC (Rolex I don't like that much) and not because of the name. Similar for expensive cars -- people buy them because they enjoy driving fast cars and they look really nice. I don't think anyone buys a Ferrari for the name or because they expect it will appreciate in value. And the thing with luxury items is that the quality-price follows a logarithmic curve. To get something that's 10% better quality you have to pay 2-3 times as much. Personally for $13k I'd get some other book but I totally get why someone would spend this money on the Roman numeral.

26: These watches are super high quality, basically the pinnacle of engineering in watchmaking and just look amazing
Can't argue about "look amazing" but how are they better than much cheaper brands such as Omega? Omega is still incredibly high quality, made in Switzerland, heck might even look as good any Rolex. But with Rolex, it's a status thing. Pure and simple.

I don't think anyone buys a Ferrari for the name or because they expect it will appreciate in value.
You obviously were never a fan of such cars! I've never ever been close to being able to purchase a luxury car let alone anything like a Ferrari, but I loved reading about them when I was younger, and ABSOLUTELY people purchase cars because they appreciate over time. It's an investment.
https://www.jamesedition.com/stories/cars/2019-2020-rare-and-valuable-supercars-...

And the thing with luxury items is that the quality-price follows a logarithmic curve. To get something that's 10% better quality you have to pay 2-3 times as much.
Thing is, many of these items are NOT 10% "better" than the cheaper alternative. It's all in the name. Look at Apple. People pay $1000 for their phones because it's a status thing. If people actually bothered to do research they would find that a $500 android phone is just as good if not better than the Apple phone. But people don't think. It's not about "good" or "bad", it's about status. Same thing with these books. I think people will say "oh, yeah, this book was bound by S&S and there are only 5 of them in the whole world..." maybe technically true. But, considering it's just a pretty coating and there are actually hundreds of copies with everything other than the cover and Roman numeral being exactly the same... I think the whole thing is, and will remain in my mind, asinine. BUT, as I've said from the beginning, that's my opinion. People should feel free to spend $13k however they want, even if it's for just a status symbol :)

I would take an Omega Moonwatch over a Rolex any day. I would be more likely to buy a Moonwatch for $3000 than any book for $3000. And while I'm here, I hadn't ever heard of Sangorski & Sutcliffe before. I've seen the initials S & S before was never compelled to figure out what it stood for.

28: I looked up Omega Moonwatch, and sure enough


I didn't see price listed anywhere, so I'm guessing "a lot" :)
But definitely a work of art...

What FSD thread has ever stayed on topic ;-)

>30 wcarter: This is CP forum tho...

>29 astropi: Btw the watch you posted is in the 11-13k range. You can also get a Rolex or IWC for that price, so I'm not sure what is the point being made.

I think in the end we agree that people can do whatever they want with their money, but saying it's just a status symbol is a bit reductionist and insulting IMO. You don't know why people get these books/watches/cars just like I don't either so let's leave it at that.

Regarding phones I will say (as an Android owner) that Iphone is a better phone. The ecosystem and the integration is much better than in Android and I do know a thing or two about this. Let's not muddy the waters here.

>31 filox:
Oops!! But seems to apply to any LT thread, regardless of forum.

>29 astropi:

Haha, I didn't know that existed and unfortunately, I wouldn't want a design like that. "Moonwatch" was the colloquial name for the Omega Speedmaster, which was chosen by NASA for its test pilots and astronauts during the Gemini program. At the time it was (as >26 filox: said) the pinnacle of engineering in watchmaking. I believe the original design is still sold today; variations, including automatics, certainly are.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Omega_Speedmaster

To try to satisfy wcarter's concern in #30, I had to pass on this version of The Haunting of Hill House. I had just finished reading my EP version the Fall before this one was announced. Coupling that with my dislike of the illustrations and the high cost, I couldn't justify it. I might have been swayed if the illustrations better matched my own perception of the story. For instance, the one of the girl on the cover being sucked into the house looks very "childrens book" too me. The idea of personifying the house with the door as its mouth is clever but the house should have been far more impressive in size and detail. What is their house supposed to be, Hill House's shed? In reviewing some of the other illustrations, I find all of the ones depicting people lacking in a certain realism. I'm not asking that ghost stories show realistic imagery but they should at least be haunting. The one of the Eleanor or Theodora kicking the mirror - the close-up crop used on Centipede's website, specifically - probably single-handedly turned me off on Centipede's book. That being said, I did really enjoy reading the story, at least.

32: I'm not saying a Rolex is just a status symbol, but it most definitely is one. And we absolutely do know why people get these books/watches/cars, there is nothing new under the Sun here. Someone that gets a $10k+ watch or book, is likely the same person that gets the $250k+ car. They do so to show their status, power, and yes they like having "high-quality" items. But, high-quality is often synonymous with high price. This has been studied numerous times
https://www.businessinsider.com/sc/why-we-like-expensive-things-2018-12

By the way, as someone that has a very expensive ipad (I got it from work), I can say I find it far worse than android. Also, I know a thing or two about this as well.

34: I think the illustrations are really beautiful, but of course it comes down to personal taste. Did you like the Suntup press illustrations?

>35 astropi: I think the illustrations are really beautiful, but of course it comes down to personal taste. Did you like the Suntup press illustrations?

Yes, of course, illustrations are subjective. I can see why they would appeal to many. They might have worked for me for a different story.

I only just now looked at the Suntup version's illustrations. I like them better than Centipede's. Are they what I envisioned in my head while reading the book? No. Well, maybe one or two might work. The cup of stars was a nice touch - at that point in the story the tone is still pretty happy and it's a relatively unique illustrative opportunity for the physical manifestation of a clever turn of phrase. The long path through the leafless woods, bordering between plain winter and just creepy, is probably the closest to what I had in mind, landscape-wise.

Look at the time! I missed out on a lot, lol ;)

Speaking of which, I have put down my name for SWTWC with Jerad, and...New Sunup next week! :) Shirley Jackson's "We Have Always Lived in the Castle"