The Great Gatsby

CharlasGeorge Macy devotees

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The Great Gatsby

1GusLogan
Editado: Sep 9, 2020, 12:47 pm

I’ve got an opportunity to pick up this LEC at 100 USD including shipping - VG, spine slightly darkened, no slipcase, no ML. That seems cheap considering what I see other copies offered for, though I prefer to buy Fine or NF books. I’d be happy to be nudged either way on this one - I’ve read the novel, so it’s really a q of whether the LEC is particularly good vs. other LECs I’d otherwise spend my money on!

Edit: I’ve searched the forum, of course, and read the Ubiquitous Books blog post!

2ubiquitousuk
Sep 9, 2020, 3:17 pm

>1 GusLogan: perhaps I could add a few reflections not contained in the post/video.

I love the edition! It's probably in the top 5 books in my personal collection. But I love it for some very particular reasons: its clever design, interesting illustrations, nice typographic design, and neat small format. On the other hand, this does not stand out in my collection as the very finest example of bookmaking as a craft. In short, I think all the things I like about the edition are things that could equally be enjoyed even if the spine is a little discoloured. The question, then, probably turns on two issues that you can only answer by introspection. First, are the you kind of person who will be forever irked if you put something less than perfect on your shelf (or are you more of an instrumentalist). Second, if you don't buy it, are you likely to be in the financial position to pick up a fine copy later, or is this likely to be your only shot at the LEC GG?

Regarding the slipcase, it's not a particularly nice one and the imperative to protect the book will be lower if you are already picking it up at a steep discount. So I guess it again boils down to whether the lack of a slipcase offends your collector sensibilities or not. For the record, I am a shallow individual who would absolutely be annoyed at myself for accepting such a compromise, so I make no judgement!

3Django6924
Sep 9, 2020, 7:46 pm

>1 GusLogan:

Patience is especially a virtue when it comes to collecting books.

Frankly, I don't understand the outrageous prices for Gatsby; even with the felicities noted by >2 ubiquitousuk:, it doesn't match the beauty of the Limited Editions Club Tender is the Night which sells for much, much less.

I would wait, myself.

4skyschaker
Sep 10, 2020, 12:17 am

I got a F/F copy of Gatsby in 2004, with glassine paper, and Monthly Letter. That time it cost me $65. The book belongs to 45th series, which happened to become the first series, issued under Syd Shiff. It is a nice looking book, but... nothing very special, that happened during Macy Rule in 30s or with Shiff Rule in 90s. The up-shift in price is a miracle for me as well.

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