LE: Dante's The Divine Comedy

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LE: Dante's The Divine Comedy

1CLWggg
Sep 7, 2021, 5:27 am

2Levin40
Sep 7, 2021, 5:46 am

Lots of nice aspects and I'm sure it'll sell well. New strategy of 'pre-ordering' for LEs I note. And the 700 years / 700 copies / £700 is amusing (except for the wallet). However, I'll probably give it a miss: my days of spending such amounts in non-letterpress books are over I think.

3vmb443
Sep 7, 2021, 5:52 am

I ordered it - surprised to see the pre-order - that seems to be a bit of a throwback to older Folio days.

4folio_books
Sep 7, 2021, 5:57 am

We knew something was coming. I'm a sucker for LEs so it's a high probability for me. It's far more expensive than most recent LEs which makes me pause, and I'm not at all happy with the pre-ordering idea. With Folio,when I pay for a book I want it delivered tomorrow, so I'm not pre-ordering straight away.

5CLWggg
Sep 7, 2021, 5:58 am

>4 folio_books: Might pre-ordering snag you a lower limitation number? But, of course, that's only a benefit if you're interested in such things.

6ironjaw
Sep 7, 2021, 6:07 am

It's a miss for me.

7Hamwick
Sep 7, 2021, 6:16 am

It is a nice size to hold as well, 8¾"  x 5½", I just preordered. I wonder what the reasoning was for the preorder strategy, to anticipate demand? Due to the price to ensure there was a demand for them to run a batch? Unless they produce them all in one go.

8plasticjock
Sep 7, 2021, 6:36 am

This looks amazing...

I certainly can't afford this AND Gormenghast though, so I'll probably wait a while...!

9vmb443
Editado: Sep 7, 2021, 6:43 am

>4 folio_books: I agree - not a fan of ordering and then having to wait. I wonder if >7 Hamwick: it had something to do with production delays due to Covid and this was a last minute thing or, given that the volumes are hand lettered on the sides of the pages they will produce them in batches - can’t imagine the artist doing 2100 books all in one go.

Edit: Not clear if the pages are done by hand- it says “printed with hand drawn lettering” - doesn’t mean they are done individually by hand.

10CLWggg
Editado: Sep 7, 2021, 6:45 am

>9 vmb443: The edges are "printed with hand-drawn lettering", so I don't think the artist will be lettering them by hand, rather that the hand-drawn lettering has been reproduced and then printed on.

Edit: vmb443 edited the original post while I was posting, hence my duplication!

11_WishIReadMore
Editado: Sep 7, 2021, 6:47 am

I think the preorder is likely a cash flow thing. They look pretty expensive to produce, more so than Dune, for example, so they wanted to sell as many copies as they could before having to produce 700 final copies.

>9 vmb443: Note the description says block edges are printed in hand-drawn lettering. Seems it’s actually printed, not hand written on each? Though I notice they don’t describe the illustrations as printed hand-drawn illustrations, so I can only imagine the intent was to confuse.

12vmb443
Sep 7, 2021, 6:51 am

>10 CLWggg: and >11 _WishIReadMore: Yes, on second thought I realized I may have interpreted it wrong - I guess it could be “the artist printed” or “the press printed.” I suspect it’s the latter though would have loved the former.

13assemblyman
Sep 7, 2021, 7:08 am

It will be an easy no for me due to the price but it looks fantastic from what I see. I am glad they did not go the oversized route as it looks a far more readable edition. The case with the shelves/levels is a nice touch. I love the simplicity in binding design and the illustrations are suitable in tone. Overall on initial view I cant really fault it, except I cant afford it :(

14gmacaree
Sep 7, 2021, 7:08 am

Holy crap that thing looks impressive. Glad to see Folio taking some big swings at classical literature, modern translation too

15coynedj
Sep 7, 2021, 7:17 am

It looks tremendous, but at a tremendous price of $1,095. Looks like my "no LEs" pledge will hold yet again.

16_WishIReadMore
Sep 7, 2021, 7:23 am

>15 coynedj: Looks like upon converting the GBP to USD, the premium is $135USD. Then adding taxes and shipping. This is an expensive one for sure.

17adriano77
Sep 7, 2021, 7:37 am

Looks pretty cool in the video linked in the email. Was tempted. Then I saw the price on the website. $1340 CAD + whatever the shipping and tax will amount to. Very few books I'd spend that on and sadly a "pretty cool" Dante isn't one of them.

18Joshbooks1
Sep 7, 2021, 7:43 am

The first limited edition in some time I'm truly excited about (although i'm sure i'll buy Sterne and Flaubert when numbers are low). Strange with the pre order and unsure If I should buy it now or wait? It looks gorgeous.

19abysswalker
Sep 7, 2021, 7:46 am

I collect Dante in translation, and this looks beautiful, but that price...

I'll probably get it, but I doubt I'll be one of the early cash flow enablers unless the limitation looks likely to sell out early.

20plasticjock
Sep 7, 2021, 8:02 am

>19 abysswalker: Do you have a view on the Kirkpatrick translation? Versus, say, the Hollander or the Sayers? Or the Clive James?

I've just looked inside my Everyman's edition and realise that the Mandelbaum is the only version I've read...

21Tom9019
Sep 7, 2021, 8:19 am

Ordered faster than flipping a pancake.

22assemblyman
Editado: Sep 7, 2021, 8:43 am

I wonder how many has sold? It seems to take any number in the quantity box when buying so I cant check the current number left the usual way.

Edited

23folio_books
Sep 7, 2021, 8:38 am

>5 CLWggg: Might pre-ordering snag you a lower limitation number? But, of course, that's only a benefit if you're interested in such things.

I am indeed interested in such things though to my mind the Divine Comedy is one of those few classics that would be enhanced with a limitation number of 666. I emailed Folio and was reassured that pre-ordering wouldn't upset their now-established system of number allocation. My order is in.

>9 vmb443: I agree - not a fan of ordering and then having to wait. I wonder if >7 Hamwick: Hamwick: it had something to do with production delays due to Covid and this was a last minute thing

I am reliably informed it's nothing to do with Covid or even Brexit, which carries the can for everything else these days (usually quite correctly). They just wanted to get some pre-publicity out ahead of the launch.

24wongie
Sep 7, 2021, 8:48 am

An impressive enough production for me to preorder; pricy as single listing but 233 per book doesn't seem all to bad considering all volumes are full goatskin. It also looks like they put some effort into the slipcase design to ensure it can bear the brunt of the combined weight.

I'll be curious how this'll impact the secondary market for the quarter leather Divine Comedy volumes. While I like the different artistic styles they feature I think I'm more drawn to this more cohesive approach to having a single artist illustrating a single author.

Still not convinced on the value of including separate prints though; I've never done anything with the print that came with Birds Drawn for Gould nor the posters that came with Dune or Lovecraft and just ends up being clutter for me.

Won't be looking forward to the end of the month all things considered; I'll be feeling the hit to my wallet once my No Reply Press edition of Enuma Elis preorder also goes though.

25behemoththecat
Sep 7, 2021, 8:49 am

There’s one on eBay for a grand if anyone fancies paying a premium...

26SF-72
Sep 7, 2021, 8:51 am

Quite a price, and fortunately completely unappealing illustrations (to me at least), so that's an easy miss.

27terebinth
Editado: Sep 7, 2021, 10:50 am

Visually interesting, but I'm not tempted to purchase. I haven't found many translations to offer very much over a plain prose version as found in the old Temple Classics Dante: Laurence Binyon's remains something of a favourite and among the more recent C.H.Sisson's maintains a credible voice, which to me the first few pages of this one don't succeed in so well. There have been some interesting experiments, the most recent to come my way is Shadwell's translation of the Purgatorio in the metre of Andrew Marvell's Cromwell ode. But I spent a certain amount of time forty years ago trying to hear and construe parts of the Italian, and that's what mostly stays with me.

28Uppernorwood
Sep 7, 2021, 8:56 am

Looks to be a hell of a production, but a hell of a price too.

I’m not sure I like the illustration style though.

I’m not decide either way but think I’ll pass.

29folio_books
Sep 7, 2021, 9:08 am

>25 behemoththecat: There’s one on eBay for a grand if anyone fancies paying a premium...

Impressive, given even Folio won't have any copies before October. I venture the opinion this is one Folio that definitely doesn't need its price inflated.

30joco30
Sep 7, 2021, 9:14 am

8 3/4" x 5 1/2". So the volumes themselves are smaller then the Folio Collectibles books. I would have preferred if they used a simpler and smaller box and cut down on the price a bit if you ask me.

31RRCBS
Editado: Sep 7, 2021, 9:15 am

It looks really nice and glad they used a modern translation. Out of my price range, and I find I prefer more scholarly version of classical texts (I have the Everyman’s).

ETA: thumbs up for smaller size though!

32Dr.Fiddy
Sep 7, 2021, 9:31 am

Looks like an impressive production, and I don't want to regret not getting it. So, caved in...

Do wish the books themselves were a bit larger though.

33cronshaw
Editado: Sep 7, 2021, 9:43 am

I like the fact that, for once, Folio's offering a limited edition of a comfortable reading size. 8¾"  x 5½" volumes are small by Folio standards. However, as the illustrations don't grab me, I'm happy to not feel remotely tempted to part with £700. This is definitely one for collectors. I imagine scalpers will be keeping a beady eye on the sales of this one too.

>25 behemoththecat: Unbelievable!

34MobyRichard
Editado: Sep 7, 2021, 9:38 am

Looks amazing, but I think the 700 copy limitation, ribbon markers, cloth-covered slipcase, and the additional prints are a mistake. Adds little to the value but a whole lot to the price. Even the laid paper is not all that necessary when you're talking offset printing. I do like that Dante is printed in Dante.

35folio_books
Sep 7, 2021, 9:40 am

>24 wongie: I'll be curious how this'll impact the secondary market for the quarter leather Divine Comedy volumes.

Their price has been sliding lately based, I assume, on the knowlege that the new LE was imminent.

I picked my 1979 Folio first edition off the shelf earlier, knowing I'll be saying goodbye to it shortly. I'd almost fogotten the beautiful John Flaxman engravings, all 111 of them. But I've decided that's the one that has to go, to make even a little space for the LE and whatever titles from the Autumn Collection I deem indispensible.

36UK_History_Fan
Sep 7, 2021, 10:16 am

I'm completely torn on this release. On the one hand, as one of the old-school curmudgeons on here who has loudly bemoaned the decline of traditional Folio Society, I applaud them for *finally* releasing a classic title that is much desired by us traditionalists. My gut instinct is to buy in support to "vote with my dollars" and encourage additional classics in the future. The presentation overall looks beautiful with an innovative "book holder" as well as full goatskin and the thematic colors (red for Inferno, neutral grey for Purgatorio, and heavenly blue for Paradisio).

But I am conflicted about ordering due to several considerations:

a) Price - fortunately I am in a position to afford it, but that is not the same as determining the price worthwhile
b) Size - not sure what a larger format would do to an already eye-popping price, but not sure I want a "miniature" Divine Comedy
c) Illustrations - while I don't actively dislike them, I am also not enamored with them and feel this was a major lost opportunity to produce a must-have edition

Packer would certainly not have been the artist I would have commissioned given his previous work for the FS. As an American, the price works out to $1,227.19 after shipping and tax or $409 per volume. Not worth it under a purely objective consideration.

That said, I do wonder about the FOMO aspect of not owning what could be a major evolution in the FS LE program. A part of me does still want these despite my lack of enthusiasm for the illustrations.

In the end, I do not expect anything close to a quick sell-out so I will likely have plenty of time to make up my mind and evaluate against other opportunities to spend $1200+.

That was the same final conclusion (wait and see) I reached on the recently sold out Arthur Rackham illustrated Cindarella & Sleeping Beauty. Now that it is gone, I do not feel any remorse for having waited and ultimately decided to pass. I am not lacking in copies of The Divine Comedy in a variety of translations, bindings, and illustration styles to tide me over in the meantime while I finalize a purchase decision.

In the final analysis, I am pleased that Folio Society released this and hope it augers a new era where classic titles such as this are included amongst a variety of limited edition releases. I am not hoping to eliminate the recent sci-fi projects (all of which I passed on) as it is clear there are strong proponents for them, but an occasional return to the era of the great facsimiles or reimagined classics would meet with enthusiastic reception from me and likely others with the disposable income to purchase them.

37_WishIReadMore
Sep 7, 2021, 10:37 am

>36 UK_History_Fan: Thanks for sharing your thoughts. They're well-articulated and resonate with my own feelings.

38ironjaw
Sep 7, 2021, 10:41 am

>36 UK_History_Fan:

Sean, it is good to see you back. I have always enjoyed your posts and sorely missed them. I concur your reasoning. Whereas, in the past, I would have picked up all the limited editions produced by the Folio Society, without question (to support the Society; they really had a great offering under Joe Whitlock Blundell, and to widen my reading and interests), I now have calmed down and ventured into more calmer waters (and reasoning). In short, I've become more selective with my purchases, but also with the growing library that's exceeding my physical space and causing much concern on the question: "will I get the chance to read all these books that I've acquired?"

39Hamwick
Sep 7, 2021, 10:44 am

Art is such a subjective thing, by it’s nature I guess. I do not mind the pictures in this LE, would I hang them on my wall, certainly not, but neither has it put me off purchasing, as happened with Rob Roy. The Madam Bovary pictures by Nushka I liked so much I considered buying some pieces by the artist, I may yet do so,
I am quite excited by this release and looking forward to receiving my copy in October. I was going to buy the previous releases, illustrated by Blake and Dali, I will happily stick with this now.

40Inceptic
Sep 7, 2021, 12:10 pm

Some elements of this edition are outstanding, and others are tacky by contrast. Price is too high too, so easy pass for me.

41Lukas1990
Editado: Sep 7, 2021, 12:52 pm

"Limitation tip printed letterpress on Woodstock Betulla paper."

What's the point of it? Print the whole book letterpress! It's like a SE with some bling.

42Quicksilver66
Sep 7, 2021, 1:15 pm

I think I’ll skip it. It looks like a beautiful edition but I’m not sold on the illustrations. But I already have a nice Dante that I’m happy with and I’m not enough in love with it to spend £700.

43abysswalker
Editado: Sep 7, 2021, 5:45 pm

>20 plasticjock: I have not read the Kirkpatrick translation in depth. One of the wonderful things about Dante is the profusion of translations (more than 100 serious full translations of the Comedy in English alone, I believe, not to mention the translations of just the Inferno or other forms of partial translation, often by distinguished poets).

Notably, one of the big original selling points of the Penguin release of Kirkpatrick's translation when it came out was bilingual presentation, so it is interesting that Folio decided to eschew that aspect. Kirkpatrick does maintain the meter, but not the rhyme.

Though I haven't read it, I know the reputation of Kirkpatrick's translation is that it prioritizes poetic beauty and accessibility to a modern audience, but also that he manages to capture Dante's intended meaning. The Penguin edition went with endnotes rather than footnotes, a sign that he hoped to be read without substantial digression.

The question of archaism is particularly interesting in the case of Dante, because English speakers tend to think of the Comedy as a medieval poem, and so some degree of old-fashioned diction or prose style feels appropriate. And there is something to be said for a translation done around the time of an original work, though in this case the English of 700 years ago may not work so well for us now. Additionally, Dante was the harbinger of vernacular splendor, so there is a case for accessibility in terms of that intent.

I don't have strong opinions about Hollander or James, but I do not care for Sayers. The poetry of it just doesn't work for me. I have heard her notes are useful from a philosophical perspective. Off the top of my head, I like Ciardi, Mandelbaum, and Mackenzie (the last was the translation used by the 1979 Folio Society edition bound in blue buckram with the Flaxman illustrations).

Here is a portion of an academic review from 2008 of Kirkpatrick's version of Inferno:

...
Kirkpatrick’s excellent translation is well documented in his note on the translation, in which he indicates, through a number of examples, the painstaking care taken in bringing out the internal rhyme, assonance, and alliteration patterning of the original and rendering with fastidious accuracy Dante’s syntax and choice of words. It suffices here to refer to Inferno 1:8, "ma per trattar del ben ch'i' vi trovai," where the "ma" is usually translated by "yet," but Kirkpatrick argues cogently that the conjunction “marks a determination to seek a new direction, which is immediately confirmed by the purpose expressed in the preposition per ..." (xciv). This prompts the translator to offer the following superb rendering: “So bitter, that thought, that death is hardly worse./ But since my theme will be the good I found there,/ I mean to speak of other things I saw" (vv. 7-9). Kirkpatrick’s evaluation of the impact of gerunds and verbs in general in the original attests to the accuracy of the translation and the elegance of the English equivalent. The translation is accompanied by a set of notes for each canto divided into two parts: a commentary on the canto as a whole and a more specific text- and/or theme-related comment on particular lines.

Without any doubt this is the best translation of the Inferno in circulation and, given its availability in paperback, it will certainly prove to be popular as a textbook. One can only hope that Kirkpatrick’s translation of the other two cantiche will not be long in coming.

Ferraro, B. (2008). Review of Dante Alighieri, The Divine Comedy I: Inferno, A Bilingual Edition, Trans. and ed. Robin Kirkpatrick, Penguin Books, 2006. Annali d’Italianistica, 26, 467–468.

44elladan0891
Sep 7, 2021, 4:12 pm

I really, really like what I'm seeing. I love the illustrations, treatment of edges, the binding design, the cohesiveness of the whole package. Really glad they starting using laid paper again.

I don't think an impressive, expensive production must necessarily be of impressive size. Size might be desirable for facsimiles of some paintings, for example, but for text - quite honestly I think this is the perfect size for reading. The books are about the same size as the Douglas Adams series, Breakfast at Tiffany's, etc.

Pre-order doesn't make much sense. It's an expensive LE, so it won't sell out by the time they start shipping, and there are no early discounts or any other extras for pre-ordering.

I buy few expensive LEs new from printers, and even fewer $1K+ ones. The chances of me ever ordering this are low. But after seeing the details I have to admit I'm tempted. Beautiful production.

45antinous_in_london
Sep 7, 2021, 4:18 pm

>36 UK_History_Fan: Yes - this covers almost all of my own feelings too - even on the Cinderella too where I vacillated & eventually could not bring myself to buy, and now it’s gone I feel zero remorse, so I know I was right not to buy. FOMO often tends to cloud judgement.

46Sorion
Sep 7, 2021, 4:21 pm

I love it. The illustrations are wonderful, a modern translation, perfect size(my number one gripe with LE's and Private Press) and leather bound. If it was letterpress my head might explode.

The price though... Wow. Hopefully I'll have some time to think about this before it gets too low.

47antinous_in_london
Editado: Sep 7, 2021, 4:38 pm

>44 elladan0891: I would assume that, as has been mentioned, it’s partly about cash-flow & getting some money in the bank. If they sell 50 on pre-order that’s a pretty substantial sum up front.
It also gives them some pre-launch publicity - this seems to be a trend at the moment, as with the recent ABBA comeback which got them tons of publicity & preorder cash last week, when their music isn’t even released physically until November.

48DMulvee
Sep 7, 2021, 4:37 pm

That is nice. I would be tempted, but I think that the price is a little high given the number of copies that will be made. Still, it is the strongest LE I have seen in a while

49antinous_in_london
Sep 7, 2021, 4:37 pm

>46 Sorion: I’m guessing that letterpress would have pushed it over the £1000 ? I have no idea how much letterpress adds to the cost…

50Gilded_Tomes1
Sep 7, 2021, 4:58 pm

Crazy thought here.... Anyone think Folio will release a regular edition of Dante's Divine Comedy, kind of like what they've done before? I saw that for their book Doctor Zhivago

51plasticjock
Sep 7, 2021, 5:10 pm

>43 abysswalker: thank you so much, that's very illuminating

52whytewolf1
Sep 7, 2021, 5:39 pm

>49 antinous_in_london: Yes, I would expect to be a good half again as much if it were printed letterpress, especially since despite the modest size, it is printed on fine paper and bound in full goatskin.

53elladan0891
Sep 7, 2021, 7:06 pm

>47 antinous_in_london: Right, but how many people would go with it, I wonder? Since there are absolutely no incentives to finance FS early, I expect many people would wait till it's actually in stock.

54antinous_in_london
Editado: Sep 7, 2021, 7:23 pm

>53 elladan0891: Agreed, unless you really HAVE to have a low limitation number (or want to give FS a helping hand), why wouldn’t you wait it out. An early-bird discount would have made more sense if you were going to offer pre-orders.

55whytewolf1
Editado: Sep 7, 2021, 8:25 pm

As far as preorders, why bother waiting it out? You want it and have the funds available, just be done with it. No having to remember about it later. No worries about missing out. Literally, just about every other publisher of collectible books out there does some to all of their business through preorders and often for books that won't ship for 6-9 months. Why should FS be any different?

56AnnieMod
Sep 7, 2021, 8:43 pm

Folio did pre-orders for the first GRRM book as well - so not the first time they are doing it either...

>54 antinous_in_london: Technically we do not know if the price won't jump at publication. I suspect that if that was the plan, they would have mentioned it but still... you never know.

57elladan0891
Sep 7, 2021, 11:33 pm

>55 whytewolf1: Those are usually mom & pop shops that need cash flow early. And in order to secure the needed early cash flow, most still offer early bird discounts/perks. Limitations are also lower, so there is the factor of fear of missing out for their customers. FS is not a mom & pop shop.

58AnnieMod
Editado: Sep 7, 2021, 11:48 pm

>57 elladan0891: Neither is Subterranean Press but the way it ends up working with them is that if you do not pre-order, you may not have a copy on publication day - so people pre-order even titles which are not that likely to sell out - despite the lack of bells and whistles and incentives to order early. It is a valid business model.

At the end of the day everyone decides if they want to preorder or not. I like knowing what is coming - makes it easier to plan my budget ;)

59_WishIReadMore
Sep 7, 2021, 11:57 pm

I also don’t get the issue with preordering. If you want it, and you’re not going to miss £700 over the next few weeks, why not just get it done?

Also, I’d hardly describe presses that preorder as mom and pop shops. No Reply Press, Thornwillow, Suntup (100% preorders), Subterranean Press, etc. all do preorders.

60lekduith
Sep 8, 2021, 12:09 am

SOLD!

61elladan0891
Editado: Sep 8, 2021, 1:04 am

>59 _WishIReadMore: Hardly? How else would you describe them? No Reply is two guys with a couple of helpers printing thin books under 100 pages out of a small studio. Suntup is pop without the mom - Paul Suntup.

They need to pre-sell in order to produce. They're very small, they need the cash. And as I already mentioned, shops like Suntup also have small limitations and a dedicated group of customers, so FOMO drives pre-orders.

But with FS Dante I simply question how effective the pre-order campaign will turn out.

62kdweber
Sep 8, 2021, 1:07 am

There's not a chance in hell that this title at this price point will sell out before it comes into stock. Personally, I'm with >36 UK_History_Fan: and am undecided about whether I will purchase this LE but I'm sure I'll have plenty of time to decide.

63Cat_of_Ulthar
Sep 8, 2021, 1:43 am

I doubt this will fly off the shelves but I'm not waiting this time. I held off on Cinderella and Gargantua and the prices of both went up in the meantime.

But mostly this looks gorgeous :-)

64terebinth
Sep 8, 2021, 4:03 am

I'm another who would have ordered already if I were going to order at all. Buyers are in a wide variety of circumstances, I'm retired with a certain amount of capital to see me through the rest of my days: might as well commit it now as later and a low limitation number and helping the FS cash flow would be welcome bonuses. Very different for anyone trying to keep a regular eye on their income and outgoings. Still, it can't hurt to know exactly what's coming a little in advance, though a month may be long enough for a few intending buyers not disposed to pre-order to lose their ardour for the purchase altogether.

65hiclik
Sep 8, 2021, 6:24 am

I ordered the moment I got the notification e-mail. I like the art style overall. Simple but with personality and to the theme. The frame-able prints are gorgeous. Call it heresy, but I am not a fan of Dore style drawings. They are too "realistic" and not imaginative enough in my opinion. I like that there is some level of "interpretation" in the drawings.

The size is also exactly as I would have picked if they asked me. "Holy Books" are supposed to be smaller, well, at least according to my tastes.

What about the price? It all depends on what you are expecting from the book. For me, it is getting "Inferno" in my hands, while there is a storm raging outside, just with candle light, with a glass of wine on my study desk. and thinking, about humanity, its sins, and my own sins. So, the price is worth it.

I never buy Folio Society books "just for reading". I appreciate beauty and experiences I am going to have with them.

66vmb443
Sep 8, 2021, 6:53 am

>65 hiclik: Well said. I do like Dore but also like these illustrations - they have a somewhat dreamlike quality to them which seems fitting for Dante. I also like the smaller size for reading. The more I look at the set, the more I am enamored with it. I agree with your summary and you put into words much of my own motivation in ordering them and looking forward to owning them. I don’t purchase Folio books simply because I want to read them - that’s the heart of it of course - but because they have an element of beauty and quality and creativity which brings the reading experience to a different depth, and, for me, helps me to engage the text differently and I think Folio books actually make me a better reader and make reading even more enjoyable. If I was not interested in those aspects of the books outside of the text, I would save money and read in cheap paperback or go to the library, but I am, and this set nicely takes the text and by its design goes another step and creates an experience.

67Hamwick
Sep 8, 2021, 7:39 am

>65 hiclik: Well said. Now though I am thinking they should ship a bottle of a good red wine with the books!

68kb-42
Sep 8, 2021, 9:37 am

Easy pass, what a spectacular joke, 8¾"  x 5½ for Dante

69antinous_in_london
Editado: Sep 8, 2021, 9:58 am

>59 _WishIReadMore: Sometimes it’s nice to wait until a paying customer has actually held the books in their hands & can give first hand testimony on the books & presentation rather than just relying on the Folio PR before slapping down £700

70Cat_of_Ulthar
Sep 8, 2021, 10:22 am

>68 kb-42:

How many inches to one Dante?

71terebinth
Sep 8, 2021, 10:52 am

>68 kb-42:

It sounds then as though your favourite edition isn't the same as mine, the bilingual Temple Classics at 6"x4". Admittedly my eyes would thank me for something larger.

72Gilded_Tomes1
Sep 8, 2021, 12:14 pm

>68 kb-42: Yeah, the pricing is a bit excessive for what you get. I wouldn't pay any more than 700 USD for something like this. It seems to me they are hurting for money, especially with the pre-order thing. Maybe they should print books people want, and then make money that way. I dunno about like FS, but like with Easton Press, I've made several suggestions and they weirdly enough re-printed those babies within a month or two, which was pretty cool in my opinion!

73whytewolf1
Sep 8, 2021, 12:30 pm

>72 Gilded_Tomes1: "Maybe they should print books people want, and then make money that way."

I'm a little confused. What is it you think they're doing now?

74antinous_in_london
Sep 8, 2021, 12:31 pm

>72 Gilded_Tomes1: Recent quick sellouts would suggest that if they printed ‘books that people want’ (which I think they do anyway) then they would end up selling purely science fiction.

75fp13
Sep 8, 2021, 1:20 pm

Ordered. I was postponing my first read of Dante for some time now. From all the discussion, it seems it is an appropriate translation and good size to read the work for the first time. And I really like full leather bindings, and the box looks gorgeous!!. And having spent so much money, now I will have to read it.

76abysswalker
Sep 8, 2021, 2:17 pm

>68 kb-42: while the Divine Comedy is a work that seems appropriate to present as heavy tomes, that has been done many times already.

Additionally, the poem itself is not that long compared to other great works of literature, though it is of course long for a single poem. The layout in Folio's 1979 single volume breathes easily even with the many Flaxman engravings, and that book is standard size, I would say traditional octavo or perhaps royal octavo.

While this new three-volume triple breviary probably wouldn't be the format I would choose if I could have only one, I like that the set distinguishes itself without attempting something too autre.

77gmacaree
Sep 8, 2021, 6:10 pm

I'm trying to figure out how £233 per full-leather volume is bad value and failing. Those bindings by themselves are going to be expensive, never mind the costs of commissioning artists and the rights to a translation etc. I don't think Folio are being unreasonable here.

78_WishIReadMore
Sep 9, 2021, 4:03 pm

>77 gmacaree: Some of the criticism might be from people not in the UK, where the price is a lot more.

The total price to Canada equates to £860, when all the costs are considered. Much different from the £712 or so it might cost someone in the UK.

79ChampagneSVP
Sep 10, 2021, 7:06 pm

I think the explanation for Folio offering a “pre-order” is the simplest one and I’m surprised it hasn’t been mentioned - they wanted to announce the book now to coincide with the anniversary of Dante’s death (9/14) but the production isn’t complete on time. Rather than wait until October, they announce now and ship later.

80bacchus.
Editado: Sep 11, 2021, 4:03 am

>79 ChampagneSVP: Well spotted!

As for myself I can't afford it but If I was financially better I would probably add to cart.

I really wanted FS to attempt a gargantuan Dore to match the other but what they produced is nevertheless beautiful.

On the other hand I'm not fan of over-complicated slipcases (If I can call this monstrosity such). I can imagine they could have kept the cost down considerably with something simpler. At the end of the day a library is supposed to hold books not boxes - would be shame to hide such leather beauties inside that thing.

81Pellias
Sep 11, 2021, 3:15 pm

A solid amount of price seem to go at producing special traycases like with Dune, the Dicks, and now this. They have even changed the name to handmade presentation box to make it even more exlusive. And like new publications they bring on the extras like 3 prints by the illustrator to pimp it even more. Rarely do collectors frame these extras, I can`t, my wood panel is to nice to cover with just anything, and then there is lack of wall space. But who knows. Still a nice addition, now likely to be expected with these limited eds.

.. with that in mind, and the fact that it is 3 books. The price seem okay to me.

I like the presentation, and the mood and colours of the illustrations.

Not throwing money at this project just yet, when push comes to play I might. But, I still will have to justify the expenses (with that I mean, I will want to really read this edition, not just have it standing besides Vita Nuova in all it`s splendor.

So, I will need to read me up on some Dante first, on this translation, AND if reading Dante in english will be like reading the poetic Edda in english, like in the case of the latter it will not be for me.

It will be safe to buy though, to just pass on and resell if it`s really a sort of missmatch. Some collector will always want this edition especially at the original price. This seem to be the mentality for many collectors nowadays and that will not change at first. Expensive only if you keep it, and if you want to keep it, it will likely be worth it`s cost anyways. A win win so to speak.

82abysswalker
Sep 11, 2021, 4:09 pm

It may be of interest to people people here that Penguin has an audiobook edition of this translation. It is available on Audible (which I use), but I am sure there are other ways to get it as well. I am listening to it right now (almost done with Inferno). The quality of the reading is good, though there are different readers for Dante, Virgil, and so forth, almost like a dramatization, and it took me some time to get used to the transitions. One of the readers does different voices for the demons, which is fun.

But the main point is that this is an easy way to sample the translation (which I hadn't read before, despite being a Dante enthusiast) for those considering this LE.

83Pellias
Sep 11, 2021, 4:22 pm

>82 abysswalker: +1 The way to go. Audible (or any other) here I come. Wrong way, that way, where do I go, back to start, let`s try again .. (breaths heavily) .. audible .. I will give it a go !

84MobyRichard
Editado: Sep 11, 2021, 6:11 pm

>81 Pellias:

Just watched the video...the box actually looks pretty impressive in real-time. Although a nine volume Dante housed in a circular nine-tier box would have been better.

85Pellias
Sep 11, 2021, 7:09 pm

>84 MobyRichard: It does look nice .. and some extra cash ! About that other project, I hope they keep it with books. Books with case, not case with books, that sounded ecually the same :)

86-Ophidian-
Sep 12, 2021, 1:46 am

Are there any other nice versions with this translation? Folio's price for that size of book is a bit offputting.

87DMulvee
Sep 12, 2021, 4:12 am

I just watched the video and have been enabled. Looks great

88astropi
Sep 12, 2021, 4:13 pm

>86 -Ophidian-: The Franklin Library has an edition which can be found for very cheap and includes the iconic Dore illustrations (although I'm certain not all the illustrations). Easton Press released a Deluxe Edition with all the Dore illustrations and that edition sells for crazy prices on the secondary market, HOWEVER there are other EP editions which can be found for cheap. I have to say, this FS edition looks superb, but after shipping it's over $1100! Alas...

89jsg1976
Sep 14, 2021, 9:54 am

I’m still mulling this over, because it looks amazing but it just so expensive, but just in case it helps anyone decide one way or the other, FS just responded to my question by confirming there are no footnotes/endnotes in the books, just the introductory essays and a short glossary of Italian words/translations at the end of each volume. I definitely understand that from a design decision, though I did find the endnotes in the cheap paperback I read in college pretty useful.

90cronshaw
Sep 14, 2021, 11:36 am

>89 jsg1976: I'm sorry to learn that Folio dropped the endnotes, it makes the Penguin paperbacks look all the more attractive considering that they have Dante's original Italian text on the facing page too.

91hiclik
Sep 14, 2021, 12:01 pm

I will use FS edition for "pleasure reading". Many volumes of supplementary material are needed/available for a deep analysis/scholarly reading of the Divine Comedy. So, just waiting my copy of this LE to arrive.

92abysswalker
Sep 14, 2021, 12:38 pm

>91 hiclik: I agree. If a person were only to buy a single copy of the comedy with the intent to read it carefully, I think this edition would probably not be a good choice.

On reflection, I am also actually glad they did not include the Italian on facing pages or extensive notes. I think such additional content would bulk up the volumes too much and would detract from the book design for this particular edition. (I am an academic and am normally in favor of scholarly apparatuses, but in my opinion they should always serve the particular expression of the work.)

A commentary volume would have perhaps been the way to go (and might have been a better use of resources than the three prints), but really that is just nitpicking. Most people who are willing to spend this kind of money on an edition of the comedy and plan to actually read it probably have other editions or secondary works with plenty of explanatory commentary in any case.

I think I have switched solidly from I like it but I am not sure it is worth so much money to me personally to I like it and will almost certainly buy a copy.

93coynedj
Sep 14, 2021, 10:04 pm

I ordered the FacsimileFinder edition referenced in post 66 of the other Dante thread (do we really need two?), and also wanted notes to help me through all of the references that a dull lad such as I would otherwise not understand. So I picked up a copy of The Complete Danteworlds: A Reader's Guide to the Divine Comedy, by Guy Raffa. I'm sure it was at the recommendation of someone on these boards. Since the Divine Comedy hasn't arrived yet, I haven't delved into the Reader's Guide yet, but it seems to be a well received volume.

94Atheistic
Sep 14, 2021, 10:42 pm

93coynedj
How or maybe I should say where did you order it?

Paul

95Stephan68
Sep 15, 2021, 3:33 am

>93 coynedj: >92 abysswalker: As far as I understand, the English edition of the Facsimile Finder Dante uses the translation is by Charles S. Singleton. It was originally published by Princeton University Press. Singleton also published separate commentary volumes for each of the three parts of the Devine Comedy:

https://press.princeton.edu/books/paperback/9780691018959/the-divine-comedy-i-in...

The commentary for the Inferno alone is 700 pages long. Singleton’s commentary might be the ideal companion for a deep reading of Dante, but is probably too academic for most of us.

96wcarter
Editado: Sep 15, 2021, 3:41 am

>94 Atheistic:
Available here
https://www.facsimilefinder.com/articles/la-divina-commedia-the-new-manuscript-e...
Not sure if you can still order as it was a subscription project.

97assemblyman
Editado: Sep 15, 2021, 4:01 am

>96 wcarter: >94 Atheistic: They still appear to have some listed as I had been monitoring it. Different options and numbers left are on the right hand side of the page on the link below.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/newdivinecomedy/la-divina-commedia-the-new-...

Most were due for delivery this month.

98Atheistic
Sep 15, 2021, 6:02 am

Thanks to you both!!!

99UK_History_Fan
Sep 15, 2021, 9:57 am

>89 jsg1976:
Well thank you very much for finding out this detail (no notes). That finalizes my decision against purchasing this edition.

100UK_History_Fan
Sep 15, 2021, 10:02 am

>38 ironjaw:
Thank you Faisel, I have been around lurking and reading but not as actively contributing. No particular reason, but likely related to my significant slowdown in reading and collecting. My interest in and love for books is unabated, I just keep seeming to find other priorities to which I have allocated a limited free time. However, being on the verge of retirement in the next 45 days, that is likely to change soon!

101N11284
Sep 15, 2021, 11:03 am

>100 UK_History_Fan: And like the rest of us you will find after retirement that you have no free time at all.

102Quicksilver66
Editado: Sep 15, 2021, 11:34 am

From what I remember of reading Dante, some years ago, Hell was excellent. From then on it was all downhill, with Paradise being deadly dull. It’s the same in Paradise Lost. The best bits feature the Devil - all the Jesus stuff is utterly paralysing. A good editor would have advised Milton to cut Jesus altogether.

If this was cheaper I would buy it. It does look exquisite. It really depends on how flush I’m feeling at the time.

103abysswalker
Editado: Sep 15, 2021, 2:24 pm

>102 Quicksilver66: I recall having the same reaction originally, and I think it is not uncommon. I suspect many people are somewhat nonplussed by the Florentine politics, but beyond that you go into Inferno expecting demons and you get demons. In contrast, I think many people don't quite have a sense about what to expect from Purgatory.

Listening to this translation now though, I find myself in some ways more impressed by Purgatory than Inferno. Partly I think it is that I know Inferno better (as probably most do), so Purgatory (the poem) feels fresher. Additionally, after having lived a bit longer, the psychological resonance of Purgatory is more relatable. Anyone who has worked on a gruelling project spanning years (or longer) will recognize the experience of trudging up that mountain.

I haven't reached the part on Paradiso yet in this listen, but I suspect Paradiso will also be more engaging this time around. Paradiso dramatizes goal accomplishment, but in the most archetypal manner possible. The idea of something worth pursuing even if you will never reach it.

104Quicksilver66
Sep 15, 2021, 3:32 pm

>103 abysswalker: Excellent remarks, abysswalker. Thank you. I hope on my next reading I will also get more out of the later sections.

I wonder if anyone has tried the recent Alasdair Gray translations of Dante?

105Eumnestes
Sep 15, 2021, 3:57 pm

>102 Quicksilver66: >103 abysswalker: Yes, there is little doubt that for modern readers, and probably premodern ones, Paradiso is/was a slower read than the two earlier canticles. The philosophical expositions tend to get longer: if one is not already interested in Thomistic metaphysics, the lecture on necessary and contingent creation in canto 13 is a bit of a slog. But there is real excitement, as well, not only in terms of the idea of accomplishment, but in Dante's ingenious efforts to create variety (different heavenly spheres and intensities) where we might expect sameness (i.e., heaven). And even in heaven Dante sometimes allows himself a little humor, as when Beatrice tells the pilgrim in canto 21 that she cannot smile at him because her smile, being transcendently beautiful, would simply burn him to ash. Talk about drop-dead gorgeous. Hopefully the FS LE illustrations capture some of this excitement.

106Jayked
Sep 15, 2021, 6:56 pm

>104 Quicksilver66:
"I wonder if anyone has tried the recent Alasdair Gray translations of Dante?"
Here's a good review: https://www.wordswithoutborders.org/book-review/in-hell-alasdair-gray-creates-a-...
(Because he wrote it so late in life the later books lack illustrations)
It's just possible that some non-British readers might require a glossary.

107UK_History_Fan
Sep 15, 2021, 10:15 pm

>101 N11284:
So true. I already sense that, as my final days at work don’t have me doing much and yet I seem to have less free time than when I worked 12 hour days! Every retired person I know says the same thing “I’m so busy I don’t know how I ever had time to work!”

108UK_History_Fan
Sep 15, 2021, 10:19 pm

>102 Quicksilver66:
David, that gave me a great chuckle. Not sure if you intended it that way. It reflects my memory from reading both works as well. Though I was surprised how much I still enjoyed Milton overall as a present day atheist (formerly raised baptist so well versed in the biblical stories).

109coynedj
Sep 15, 2021, 10:51 pm

>107 UK_History_Fan: - As a recently retired guy, I agree that the abundant free time I was expecting hasn't materialized. I think this has two main causes. Firstly, I retired from my job just to take on something else, in my case building an Ebay business (only part time). Secondly, the time it takes me to do things has certainly expanded, as the sense of urgency my work schedule once provided is no longer there. I can easily take an hour to do a 20-minute project, and think I'm being efficient.

110d-b
Sep 16, 2021, 12:19 am

Hey everyone -

This might have been posted already but starting Sep 8th there is a 100 days of Dante reading group here: www.100daysofdante.com

Three times a week they will upload a video from a different scholar commenting on the canto. The first is Ralph Wood - you can watch the video here: https://100daysofdante.com/canto-videos-listing/

111Quicksilver66
Sep 16, 2021, 1:22 am

>105 Eumnestes: Indeed. There has to be a lot of depth in Dante for him to have inspired so many other artists and poets.

112Quicksilver66
Sep 16, 2021, 1:24 am

>106 Jayked: Thanks for the link Jayked. Always found Gray a bit of a curmudgeon- but an intriguing writer. Lanark was excellent and is a good candidate for Folioisation.

113Quicksilver66
Sep 16, 2021, 1:27 am

>108 UK_History_Fan: I knew it might raise a chuckle, Sean. I was also worried I might offend. However, I hold to my premise. Milton’ s Devil is one of the best and most sympathetic characters in English Literature. And Jesus, as a literary character, is usually as dull as ditchwater.

114UK_History_Fan
Sep 16, 2021, 9:17 am

>113 Quicksilver66:
Prepandemic (April 2018), I was fortunate to complete a long-desired trip to Ravenna. My primary motivation was to see all the UNESCO world heritage sites and admire the mosaic covered churches. It is one of my favorite art forms. I completely fell in love with the charming city.

But I also took the opportunity to pay my respects at Dante’s grave and to visit the interesting and informative Dante museum nearby. The kind staff at the Dante library (a room containing thousands of books about Dante and versions of his works from various publishing eras) allowed me to view and handle a gorgeous facsimile of a particularly impressive edition. A much higher quality facsimile than most Folio editions. I was so impressed I immediately contacted a seller through Facsimile Finder and was dismayed to learn the price was over 6000€, greatly exceeding the cost of my entire 2 week vacation to Italy! Obviously I had to pass and relegate my experience to a brief holiday examination rather than enjoy the pride of ownership.

Link to facsimile below if it still works:

https://www.facsimilefinder.com/facsimiles/divine-comedy-of-alfonso-of-aragon-fa...

115Quicksilver66
Sep 16, 2021, 10:16 am

>114 UK_History_Fan: You do have the most fantastic Bookman’s holidays, Sean.

That facsimile is amazing.

116Dr.Fiddy
Sep 21, 2021, 9:48 am

According to the FS site, they have already sold over half of the Dante sets.

117hiclik
Sep 21, 2021, 10:53 am

>116 Dr.Fiddy: I suspect it will be sold out before end of October. Mid-November maximum considering the Christmas season.

I ordered the moment I saw the notification e-mail am really wondering what would be the number of my copy. Normally I don't care much about it but somehow this set already has a special place in my hearth.

118cronshaw
Sep 21, 2021, 11:16 am

>117 hiclik: but somehow this set already has a special place in my hearth

That would be an expensive way to evoke Inferno.

119folio_books
Sep 21, 2021, 11:46 am

120Dr.Fiddy
Sep 21, 2021, 1:28 pm

>117 hiclik: >118 cronshaw: Inferno is coming my way too... 😉

121punkzip
Sep 21, 2021, 6:25 pm

Anyone have any thoughts as to why the Dante LE is selling so quickly (over half sold already)? I'm surprised given the cost and the (relative) difficulty of this work compared to other classics. I purchased this myself but not without some hesitation due to the cost (I'm in the US which makes it worse). It looks like this is selling faster than Bovary or Tristram Shandy (and definitely much faster than Rob Roy), all of which are substantially less expensive. Rob Roy I understand as I think the appeal is limited and the edition has a very negative review posted. However, Bovary is definitely more accessible, very well known, and the edition has some interesting features.

122dlphcoracl
Sep 21, 2021, 7:17 pm

>121 punkzip:

The Dante LE is selling briskly because it checks nearly all of the boxes one would want in a Limited Edition of Dante, namely:

1. One of the two highly regarded modern translations (Note: the Hollander translation is the other).
2. An attractive set of 100 illustrations that are a bit off of the beaten path and not overly detailed, leaving something to one's imagination.
3. Luxe full morocco bindings.
4. Elegant and manageable reading size.
5. Attractive hand-made cloth-covered case.
6. Outstanding choice of types and page design (wide page margins, nice spacing between sentences, proper size type, etc.), making for a very
pleasant reading experience.
7. Top quality craftsmanship from L.E.G.O., Vicenza, Italy, one of the finest firms that FS outsources to.

What's not to like? Perhaps the price, but it is not outrageous for all of the above, especially the generous suite of original illustrations and the three full morocco bindings.

123abysswalker
Editado: Sep 21, 2021, 9:29 pm

>121 punkzip: doesn't surprise me at all that it's selling faster than the others you mention. Bovary could have sold faster maybe, but the marketing pictures don't have much spark. Maybe it's more impressive in person. Tristram Shandy is important historically, but not popularly read much, as far as I can tell, at least not like some other classics. Rob Roy has divisive art direction and even if you like the style (though I don't) I think the wow factor is low. Both Tristram Shandy and Rob Roy feel like very UK choices so maybe that also constrains the appeal to some degree.

In contrast, people seem to like the idea of reading Inferno, whether or not they actually do, and that's enough to drive a purchase, assuming someone can afford it. In addition to the luxurious presentation, the bindings also have a transitional style (in the interior design sense of that term), harmonizing both with more traditional bindings (compare to a Jansenist binding) and more adventurous avante garde styles.

(And this is in addition to all the rational attribute-based benefits >122 dlphcoracl: enumerates.)

124punkzip
Sep 21, 2021, 9:34 pm

>123 abysswalker: I'm curious how long it took the Gargantua LE to sell out. I'd group that with Tristram Shandy as a lesser-read classic.

125abysswalker
Editado: Sep 21, 2021, 9:48 pm

>124 punkzip: around 18 months I believe. It was released during February, 2019.

Gargantua has the pro (from a selling perspective) of the Doré illustrations (a perennial favorite) but the cons of price (second highest price I've ever paid for a single work; third if you count this Dante pre-order) and the easy (though misplaced, in my opinion) criticism of not enough leather on the binding. Along with the point you raise of being lesser read, though it does have a bit of fantasy gloss with the giants and so forth.

126punkzip
Sep 21, 2021, 10:18 pm

>122 dlphcoracl: Agree with all your points except for 4. When I debated this purchase the major con for me was the small size. I don't like the very large formats (e.g. like those used for the Paradise Lost editions which severely compromise ease of reading) but I would have liked (and paid a bit more for actually) 10x7. Other cons for me were the lack of Italian (which I don't read at all but would definitely like to have looked at) and the lack of footnotes (I've read the Inferno before and these were definitely helpful). The last was the least significant con for me as I could just look at commentary elsewhere.

127punkzip
Sep 21, 2021, 10:21 pm

I am glad that an excellent modern translation was used. One peeve of mine is the use of public domain translations in expensive limited editions (e.g. Count of Monte Cristo). I would not have purchased this if (say) the Longfellow translation was used.

128amp123
Sep 21, 2021, 10:22 pm

I've pre-ordered the Dante because it looks like a first rate production. I knew I would order it sooner or later and I've learned from experience that later is sometimes too late.

Years ago I read the Mandelbaum translation and found I would have been lost in a dark wood at times without the notes. I've also read the Hollander translation of Paradisio and found those notes exceedingly scholarly but more detailed and lengthly than necessary. Since the FS LE apparently does not have the Kirkpatrick notes, I'm thinking of buying a paperback copy just for the notes. Does anyone familiar with those notes think that would be a good idea?

129punkzip
Sep 22, 2021, 9:17 am

FWIW, there was a thread (I think on the Facebook Folio Fans page) when this announced where someone was wondering how fast this would sell out (as they were hesitant about buying and wanted to wait). As I recall, no one predicted anything near to how quickly this is actually selling.

130abysswalker
Sep 22, 2021, 10:33 am

>128 amp123: if you do plan to read Dante carefully, some form of companion volume would probably be useful. My vague memory is that Kirkpatrick's notes were not as extensive as some others, and also presented as endnotes rather than footnotes (indicating the expectation of less immediate necessity of consultation when reading the text). I also believe his translation style is to integrate more explanation into the verse itself. Though, now having finished listening to the Kirkpatrick translation in audiobook form, there are still many references and allusions which probably require explanation.

131amp123
Sep 22, 2021, 12:20 pm

>130 abysswalker: Thanks for the info. It's too bad FS didn't include the Kirkpatrick notes, preferably in a separate companion volume so as to not detract from the "look" of the volumes and those who want/need them wouldn't have to go elsewhere to find them. (The Facsimile Finder version that will be coming out soon also doesn't include any notes, so FS is not alone in this.)

132BionicJim
Sep 22, 2021, 12:49 pm

>127 punkzip: While I agree that a generally accepted excellent translation is a requirement, why does it need to be modern or not in the public domain?

Having read The Divine Comedy all the way through (for the first time) this year, it was the Longfellow translation that had the richness of language that really made me feel like I was reading something inspired. I also re-read many cantos by other translators at the same time, both modern and classic (eg: Pinsky, Sayers).

“Who could be more impious than one who’d dare to sorrow at the judgment God decrees?” -Pinsky
“Who is a greater reprobate than he who feels compassion at the doom divine?” -Longfellow

One is easier to understand, but for me the classic language of Longfellow is so much more visceral.

My experience was most enhanced by diving into notes and YouTube videos, which I believe is a necessity because so much of Dante’s references are obscure, especially the local Florentine politics and the astronomy in Heaven.

This edition of The Divine Comedy is certainly a wonderful production, but I don’t believe the experience can be constrained within it. Each of us will need to bring other material to fully comprehend the genius of this poem.

133cronshaw
Sep 22, 2021, 1:02 pm

>132 BionicJim: But wasn't Dante's language very modern for his contemporaries? For that reason, I prefer a modern translation that uses a current English idiom. I think Kirkpatrick's translation is wonderful.

134Forthwith
Sep 22, 2021, 1:08 pm

I ordered the FS The Divine Comedy but I am also looking for a companion commentary book. I use the Landmark Herodotus alongside the FS Herodotus and those work well together.
It does call for a tabletop reading setup though.

135punkzip
Sep 22, 2021, 1:25 pm

>132 BionicJim: For me, the issue is that while many public domain translations are adequate, if one is going to spend a large amount of money for a book, it should use the best or one of the best modern translations - e.g., one that would be assigned in a college course for example. I also think that if one is going to spend a large amount of time with a book, looking for the most suitable translation is important and I usually take quite of bit of time researching this. Taking the Count of Monte Cristo LE as an example - it's a long book and would take a while to read (I haven't read it). If I'm going to both spend a large amount of money and a large amount of time with a book, why shouldn't it be the most accurate and contemporary translation? At least for Monte Cristo, one could argue that the public domain translation was relatively contemporary with the original, that's not the case with Dante and Longfellow.

I've also purchased the Cochrane Edition which I understand is the Singleton translation. I look forward to reading both contemporaneously and hope the Cochrane illustrations will add to the experience.

136BionicJim
Sep 22, 2021, 1:28 pm

>133 cronshaw: Yes, my understanding is Dante wrote in the vernacular of the time so his poem could be read to everyone and it became immensely popular. The Folio Society’s choice in translation is completely valid and I’m not arguing with it, I just don’t automatically assume all modern translations of any book are better than what’s gone before. For me, the Longfellow was inspiring, though practically impenetrable without notes and references, but I think that is because of the content rather than the translation.

137BionicJim
Sep 22, 2021, 1:36 pm

>135 punkzip: It sounds like you are tackling The Divine Comedy a good way - comparing translations and having additional illustrations, which in themselves are a form of interpretation. It’s a big task (well, it was for me), but worthwhile.

138cronshaw
Sep 22, 2021, 1:36 pm

>136 BionicJim: Absolutely. I'd definitely want (and need) notes so as to understand context and references more fully, which is why I was disappointed that this FS limited edition has removed the endnotes available in the Penguin paperback edition, as well as the facing-page original Italian.

139StillSealed
Sep 25, 2021, 2:03 pm

I noticed some figures from the recent Mythical Beasts, specifically the centaur and minotaur, appear on the Divine Comedy LE’s Inferno endpapers and separate print. Are there other examples in Folio’s catalog of artwork being reused for different publications?

140punkzip
Editado: Sep 27, 2021, 9:21 am

I just got a notification to pay for shipping from my copy of the Cochrane Divine Comedy (I ordered the Collector edition). So it looks like we will be getting this slightly before the FS LE.

141Hamwick
Sep 29, 2021, 2:11 am

Good morning all, I received notification from DPD parcel delivery that my Folio Book will be delivered tomorrow the 30th of September. The only one I have on order is Dante's LE. Unfortunately I am out of the country until Thursday night. It looks though as if they are starting to ship.

142folio_books
Sep 29, 2021, 4:19 am

>141 Hamwick:

I received a notification this morning, too.

143hiclik
Sep 29, 2021, 5:21 am

>142 folio_books: The same here, ordered from US. DHL is the carrier.

144Chemren
Sep 29, 2021, 6:47 am

145podaniel
Sep 29, 2021, 11:23 am

Me too--I didn't know what it was for. Thanks for the head's up. Mine is to be delivered Monday.

146Cat_of_Ulthar
Sep 29, 2021, 11:30 am

Friday for me.

147SyllicSpell
Sep 29, 2021, 12:25 pm

Mine is arriving tomorrow. I'm pleasantly surprised as I only put my order in last Saturday.

I'm very excited to see it.

148folio_books
Sep 30, 2021, 8:57 am

It's here. Quick look:



It's in a surprisingly big box with loads of packing. I doubt we'll see many of these damaged in transit.

149punkzip
Sep 30, 2021, 9:13 am

>148 folio_books: There are more extensive pics on the Folio Fans FB page.

150DMulvee
Sep 30, 2021, 9:21 am

Surprised at how much packaging there was! Pleased with it. I think I ordered mine 5 days after the announcement and I have number 199

151wongie
Editado: Sep 30, 2021, 9:30 am

I've been fondling my copy over my lunch break. Definitely a home run for FS. The production values are very reminiscent of what I remember of Odes to Horace that I fondled back in the old dMR. The case is actually rather big considering the size of the volumes, it'll definitely have a presence on the shelf.





I didn't take many shots of the exterior of the volumes as they're easily seen on the Folio site, but I have included a couple shots of the front board graining and the spines from the top so you can get an idea of the binding quality but being bound in L.E.G.O. I don't really expect anything other than near perfection from them; it's tight and the print is sharp. The only gripe I would pick up is that the leather on mine doesn't feel particularly smooth as silk, there's a little dryness to it but nothing that a little of my own wax won't smoothen up. I also think they've done a good job with the grey images in Purgatorio, I find it a tricky shade between looking too washed out and being too dark as to might as well be black. As others have also mentioned this volume is a perfect reading size, this is not a show piece. The spacing on each page is very easy on the eyes.



And a word of caution to those expecting their own copy soon, make no mistake the case is a solander box so you do have to open it up with the back flat against a surface otherwise if you try to open it whilst it's standing upright Inferno will tip out.



My biggest and only problem is Folio's decision in which way to orient the direction the flap opens up. It opens at the back of the case so you have to put the front board face down like the really old FS volumes from the 60s which isn't that intuitive if you're use to putting the back of the book/case bottom down on a surface.

There's already been some discussion on the lack of commentary but I think it's art is what really makes or breaks this edition for those on the fence. I will say that for those who aren't huge fans of other volumes illustrated by Neil Packer ie One Hundred Years and both Eco books, that there more tamer illustrations sprinkled throughout these books. Instead of spamming this page with an excessive amount of photos I've uploaded 10 close ups from each volume here.

https://imgur.com/a/BayZB5c

If anyone wants to see the illustration for a specific Canto let me know and I'll take a snapshot

It comes with a hefty price tag but for 3 full leather volumes with 100 illustrations I have zero buyers remorse.

I'm also curious what number everyone else got. I purchased mine a few hours after the pre order went live and I got a rather high number of 245.

152folio_books
Sep 30, 2021, 9:30 am

>149 punkzip: more extensive pics

And that is the reason I tend to avoid the Facebook groups and stick with FSD. If people are desperate to see pics of the Dante I would direct them to the Folio website. Pics AND a video.Woohoo!

153folio_books
Sep 30, 2021, 9:33 am

>151 wongie: if you try to open it whilst it's standing upright Inferno will tip out.

Yes, I had the same problem - Inferno and Purgatorio ended up on the floor. No damage done, fortunately. It most certainly is not a solander box, pretty though it is

154bacchus.
Sep 30, 2021, 9:41 am

>151 wongie: Best looking spines I've seen - these would look awesome standing exposed.

155antinous_in_london
Sep 30, 2021, 9:59 am

>151 wongie: Nice photos & i love your reading stand too ! It’s only a tiny thing but I wish they had used thicker paper on the sides where the magnets are indenting the paper & showing through so you get the 2 round marks - its more noticeable with the plain dark covering.

156punkzip
Sep 30, 2021, 10:07 am

>152 folio_books: well Wongie did just post pics here :)

157assemblyman
Sep 30, 2021, 10:17 am

>148 folio_books: It fits like a glove on your shelf :)

158folio_books
Sep 30, 2021, 10:17 am

>156 punkzip:

Excellent. So now you have Facebook, the Folio website AND FSD to choose from. This must be Paradiso.

159red_guy
Editado: Sep 30, 2021, 10:29 am

Beautiful illustrations!

If this ever appears as a standard edition with three volumes in a slipcase, I will buy it instantly. And thanks, >151 wongie: for those pictures, they show it off a treat.

160folio_books
Sep 30, 2021, 10:34 am

>157 assemblyman: It fits like a glove on your shelf :)

Ah, you didn't see me clearing other books out of the way to accommodate it :) I suspect that's a temporary resting place for it - when I get the new books from the Christmas collection I'll have to change it all around again. I am now desperately short of shelf space, again!

161Quicksilver66
Sep 30, 2021, 10:40 am

The grain on that leather looks beautiful.

162SyllicSpell
Sep 30, 2021, 10:57 am

Number 280 for me. I ordered mine on Saturday 25th.

I think, on balance, I would have gone for a simpler, three compartment slipcase over this more elaborate design. I certainly looks the part on the shelf though. I was initially unsold on the prints, but holding them in my hands they look wonderful and I'm pleased that they were inculded.

I can't fault the books themselves - the quality of the binding, the look, the feel. Neil Packer's artwork is superb. It brings to mind the surreal creatures that appear in the margins of medieval manuscripts, is entirely appropriate to the work and is beautifully reproduced.

Did I spend too much on it? Probably. Am I glad I did? Absolutely.

163wongie
Editado: Sep 30, 2021, 11:02 am

>161 Quicksilver66: Here's a better shot of the grain.



I also neglected to mention that the paper, while not the most tactile that has been used in a LE but still very lovely to handle, with a thickness somewhere between Abbey Wove and Rough, being a laid paper (Corolla) has an absolutely beautiful appearance.

164cronshaw
Sep 30, 2021, 11:00 am

>151 wongie: Many thanks for posting all those photos of the illustrations, they look superb! I don't understand why Folio doesn't show more images on their website.

>159 red_guy: snap!

165assemblyman
Sep 30, 2021, 11:05 am

>160 folio_books: Your not alone with that problem. I must put fully furnished library room on my Santa letter this year :)

166RRCBS
Sep 30, 2021, 11:15 am

>151 wongie: those are absolutely gorgeous

167punkzip
Editado: Sep 30, 2021, 12:28 pm

>151 wongie: I thought numbers were in order of time of order? Looks like someone ordered on 9/25 and got 280 so is it random this time? I ordered in the first 24 hours and will get mine on Monday so I'm curious to see what number I will get.

168Quicksilver66
Sep 30, 2021, 12:29 pm

>163 wongie: Beautiful. A very worthy FS LE.

169averagegatsby
Sep 30, 2021, 12:40 pm

>162 SyllicSpell:

I ordered mine the moment I received an email from FS notifying me about the book and I got 300something!

170Sorion
Sep 30, 2021, 1:20 pm

>151 wongie: Beautiful photos. You may have put me over the edge.

171Cat_of_Ulthar
Sep 30, 2021, 1:21 pm

>148 folio_books:, >151 wongie:

Thanks for the pics, The bindings look wonderful. I don't think they would look out of place in either Miskatonic or Unseen University's libraries.

Can't wait to get my hands on my own set :-)

172SyllicSpell
Sep 30, 2021, 1:24 pm

>169 averagegatsby: I'm never overly concerned which limitation number I receive when it comes to LEs. That said, I wouldn't have minded 666 in this case...

173folio_books
Sep 30, 2021, 1:33 pm

>171 Cat_of_Ulthar: Can't wait to get my hands on my own set

That's tomorrow, isn't it? You'll not be disappointed. They really do look as good as the pictures indicate. I do believe it might just be the best LE Folio have put together since Joe's retirement.

174Hamwick
Editado: Sep 30, 2021, 6:43 pm

I ordered on the first day, in the first couple of hours I think. I received copy number 232. It appears to be random for the preorders. That is not an issue for me.

My initial impression is that they are wonderful to hold. The books feel solid and robust. The size is great for me and it is all about the text when you open it, on nice paper (I am no paper expert, someone else can comment on that, I will say it seems to have a good thickness and texture).
There is no clutter of an academics thoughts, it is purely Dante’s story. I will purchase an appropriate commentary, but I like that I have the pure story by itself.
Each book feels like that it is meant to be read, not just to sit on a shelf to be admired. The quality of the materials suggests to me that they will tolerate a lot of handling and perhaps even improve with age and use.

The smell stands out of course, it reminds me of the smell of a new pair of leather shoes, I like good leather shoes, so that is ok!

I did notice what I first thought was a small blemish in the leather of Inferno, but it is just a natural part of the leather grain.
I have not opened the separate pictures that came with the books.
The case is better than I thought. I actually like that you can slide the books out and that the ‘drawer’ does not fully come out.
Each book had an introduction by George Holmes. The start of every Canto has a picture, I have not checked whether the pictures relate to the canto, I am expecting they will.
I also like that the contents page for each book has a short summary on the content of each canto, for simple reference later on if you are looking for a specific event.

Ok, those are my first thoughts. As a summary, expensive, but worth it. Beautiful and robust at the same time.

P.s. thanks Wongie for all those pictures. You are right, when opening the case Inferno fell out for me as well.

175_WishIReadMore
Editado: Sep 30, 2021, 7:26 pm

>152 folio_books:
And that is the reason I tend to avoid the Facebook groups and stick with FSD. If people are desperate to see pics of the Dante I would direct them to the Folio website. Pics AND a video.Woohoo!

By that standard, wongie's effort just above yours was a complete waste of time, as the photos are on the FS website? And you yourself posted a pic?

>151 wongie: Great photos - beautiful, and lots of detail. And very easy to find by scrolling through the thread, whereas on FB things tend to disappear quite quickly.

176_WishIReadMore
Sep 30, 2021, 7:42 pm

>149 punkzip: I realize why your name looked so familiar - you also got another rude reply in the Madame Bovary thread.

177SDB2012
Sep 30, 2021, 8:53 pm

>151 wongie: that looks fantastic and better than I expected Thanks for the pictures. I get mine on Monday.

178vmb443
Oct 1, 2021, 6:00 am

>174 Hamwick: That is interesting to see that there seems to be a random assignment of numbers, even though Folio gave the impression >23 folio_books: that they would assign numbers as they have in the past which seems to be basically one after another starting low. Not sure if going random is such a smart idea on any future pre-orders (if they use this system again) since one would think the potential low number would help drive some of the pre-orders and, since Folio is good at indicating roughly how many copies have been sold (meaning no chance for someone who is paying attention to miss out by delay), there would really be less incentive to pre-order and may actually encourage people to wait until the copies are actually in people’s hands for evaluation.

179antinous_in_london
Oct 1, 2021, 6:51 am

>178 vmb443: Not sure that they have ever strictly shipped ‘one after another’ as if they were picking them off a single sequentially numbered pile. On the last few LE’s I bought, which had a limitation of 750 & where there were only 5-10 left for sale when I purchased I received numbers in the 600’s - if they were shipping sequentially I would have received numbers 743 & 745. There was a suggestion that each packer receives a pile & the number partly depends on which packer you get & which numbers they have in their pile - not sure if this is actually how they work.

180folio_books
Editado: Oct 1, 2021, 7:11 am

>178 vmb443: that they would assign numbers as they have in the past

That was my clear understanding, yes. I have to say they've been pretty good following that for, what, the last 3 or 4 years. I do agree that the numbers quoted here seem rather high, though as they're claiming over half sold that would suggest they should be up into the mid 300s now. But I have emailed to check that "lowest first" policy is still intact.

>179 antinous_in_london: where there were only 5-10 left for sale when I purchased I received numbers in the 600’s - if they were shipping sequentially I would have received numbers 743 & 745.

My interpretation of what they are doing is not sequentially for the whole of the stock. I think the first few dozen or so , maybe into three figures. I honestly don't know, the aim seems to be that everyone who orders "immediately" gets a suitably low number. I know it unravels down the line. Usually, with an LE, I order on the day of release so I'm usually successful in acquiring low numbers. Some LEs don't grab my attention on day 1 - Cinderella/Sleeping Beauty is a good example. My efforts in the past to time these purchases so I can get at least an "interesting" number (666 is, I'm told, the most requested number) or the last of a limitation (eg 750/750) have been unsuccessful. Waiting for the last few copies to try to snag the latter has not been successful.

181antinous_in_london
Oct 1, 2021, 7:48 am

>180 folio_books: Yes , I always imagined that for the first tranche they would stick to low numbers so early purchasers got the ‘reward’ of suitably low numbers & that this would fall apart further down the line , though one commenter above said that they ordered on day one within an hour or two of the listing going live & received number 232 which seemed high for someone purchasing so quickly. Maybe the floodgates opened & they receive hundreds of orders in the first few hours & then things subsequently slowed down to normal levels.

182Hamwick
Oct 1, 2021, 8:09 am

>181 antinous_in_london: yes, that was me. To be precise I received confirmation of my order from Folio, on Thursday the 7th of September at 11.11am British Summer Time. I am pretty sure that I placed it within the first hour of being posted. Perhaps the first 11 minutes. I am not worried about a low number, receiving number 232 just tells me they were not distributed in numerical order, based on when the purchase was placed. I am still happy.

183wongie
Oct 1, 2021, 8:24 am

Like >182 Hamwick: I'm not too bothered about my number either though interestingly I got my confirmation a 11:02 and got number 245. Maybe the packers accidentally starting taking them from the wrong end of the pallet.

184DanGoddard98
Oct 1, 2021, 10:04 am

>183 wongie: Could it be the case that everyone who pre-ordered is guaranteed a number lower than anyone who didn't - for example say there were 300 pre-orders, all of those people would then get a number between 1 and 300, but within that the order is random?

185Cat_of_Ulthar
Oct 1, 2021, 11:29 am

>173 folio_books: 'I do believe it might just be the best LE Folio have put together since Joe's retirement.'

It's here and, on first impressions, I think you might be right. This is a beautiful thing indeed. And doesn't that leather smell wonderful?

They're not taking any chances on these arriving damaged - that is a serious box! I guess they have got stung too many times having to dole out replacements.

Off to spend some quality time with my new arrivals :-)

186Cat_of_Ulthar
Oct 1, 2021, 11:32 am

So far nobody is quoting a number less than 200-plus. My set is in the 200s as well.

I wonder where the first 200 are? In Paradisum?

187folio_books
Oct 1, 2021, 11:32 am

>185 Cat_of_Ulthar: Off to spend some quality time with my new arrivals

Enjoy your smelly new books :)

188amp123
Oct 1, 2021, 1:21 pm

>186 Cat_of_Ulthar: I ordered on September 19 and got mine yesterday. The number is 107. So it looks like they're not going by order date.

189DMulvee
Oct 1, 2021, 1:40 pm

>186 Cat_of_Ulthar: I posted my number earlier (#199, message 150) I waited 5 days before ordering

190amp123
Oct 1, 2021, 2:17 pm

A stunning production all around. I hesitated to order at first because the size of the volumes seemed a bit small. Now that I have actually held them in my hands, they don't seem too small at all. On the contrary, they enhance rather than detract from the beauty of this edition. Like an illuminated Book of Hours, very fitting for this work of art. Glad I pulled the trigger and got off the fence.

191Cat_of_Ulthar
Editado: Oct 1, 2021, 2:42 pm

>189 DMulvee:

So you did. My bad. And my beautiful theory (or, at least, poor joke) is shot down by facts. This is a good thing.

I'm still curious about where 1-198 are but that's their own business. The mistake is nobody's fault but mine:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=la-zf2TgCjw

edit: type out 100 times, 'I must get my numbers correct'.

>188 amp123:

Okay, so that's 1-106.

Doh!

192amp123
Oct 1, 2021, 2:29 pm

Does anyone know the translation of the words printed on the edges of the text blocks on the books? (I don't know Italian.)

193Cat_of_Ulthar
Oct 1, 2021, 2:38 pm

>187 folio_books: 'Enjoy your smelly new books :)'

Enjoying them very much, thank you. Jhumpa Lahiri's introduction turns out to be quite stimulating.

Happily, I had just acquired Kirill Gerstein's recording of Busoni's mammoth Piano Concerto which seemed to fit quite nicely with the whole experience.

Meantime the mighty arms of Atlas are requiring my attention.

:-)

194Tom9019
Editado: Oct 1, 2021, 3:49 pm

>191 Cat_of_Ulthar: I got #34. I'm in the U.S. I ordered fairly quickly, I think. Within the hour it was posted.

195terebinth
Oct 1, 2021, 4:03 pm

>192 amp123:

I don't have the LE, but it looks as though the sides of each volume are printed with three successive lines of the Divina Commedia.

Inferno: canto 3, lines 7 to 9, part of the inscription over the gate to Hell. "Before me were no things created, but eternal; and eternal I endure: leave all hope, ye that enter" in the old Temple Classics translation by John Aitken Carlyle.

Purgatorio: canto 6, lines 76 to 78, Dante inveighing against Italy. "Ah Italy, thou slave, hostel of woe, vessel without pilot in a mighty storm, no mistress of provinces, but a brothel!" (Temple Classics translation by Thomas Okey)

And Paradiso, canto 33 lines 143-145, the final three lines of the poem: "but already my desire and will were rolled - even as a wheel that moveth equally - by the Love that moves the sun and the other stars" (Temple Classics, P.H.Wicksteed's translation).

196hiclik
Oct 1, 2021, 5:04 pm

Just got mine, in US. It surpasses even my high expectations of this LE. Holding this LE of Divine Comedy is actually "divine". I really feel that way. I rarely was so happy and thrilled since my childhood.

197abysswalker
Oct 1, 2021, 8:15 pm

Mine shipped Wednesday and arrived Friday (to Canada). Limitation number mid-100s. As noted by others, the packaging is extremely well-designed. I am happy with the product as well. Impressive production all around.

198Nightcrawl
Oct 1, 2021, 8:34 pm

I joined today so that I could share my limitation number. I purchased after the notification was posted on the site that over half were sold, and I received #8! Pretty psyched about the low limitation. But this does support the theory that the numbers were assigned at random.

199amp123
Oct 1, 2021, 9:49 pm

>195 terebinth: Thanks for the translations. Looks like they tried to chose lines that represent one of the themes of each volume.

200wcarter
Editado: Oct 1, 2021, 10:27 pm

For those who find the LE beyond their means, the 2007 FS fine edition 3 volume set of the Divine Comedy is available on the secondary market. Still not cheap, but a beautiful set and far cheaper than the LE.
See a review here - https://www.librarything.com/topic/335654

201_WishIReadMore
Editado: Oct 2, 2021, 12:27 am

>200 wcarter: Is the complete set of three Dante really far cheaper than the LE? The LE is $1,095 plus taxes and shipping to the US, which I suppose might be close to $1,300 at the end of the day.

On eBay the Fine set is $1,080 and $1,300. So even at the lower end it seems $300 cheaper. Which is a lot, but relative to the LE, may as well spring for the limited edition, full leather binding, etc.

202abysswalker
Oct 2, 2021, 12:56 am

>201 _WishIReadMore: the LE also uses a modern (and I would say superior) translation.

203terebinth
Oct 2, 2021, 3:10 am

>199 amp123:

I think of the Inferno and Paradiso lines they've used as among the best known, perhaps the very best known, in the poem, and, yes, very redolent of their respective volumes. To me at least the Purgatorio quote is a more puzzling choice, not so familiar and not at all representative of the volume's intent.

204Juniper_tree
Editado: Oct 2, 2021, 5:21 am

Regarding the limitation numbers I reckon all of the preorders were just grouped together as a ‘preorder’ and so within that it is random.

First time they’ve done this with a LE so all a learning curve for them I guess.

205vmb443
Oct 4, 2021, 9:08 pm

Just opened my copy. It was sitting at the courier's place over the weekend here in the US and just came today. My first impressions - the shipping box is much larger than I expected and I was pleasantly surprised to see the quality packaging - I know other posters had mentioned this, but I wasn't expecting what I saw. It would take a catastrophe to the package to damage the books. Despite the size of the box, I was also surprised at how light the set actually is, I was expecting something much heavier.

The solander box itself looks nice - not as deep as I was thinking it would be and (thanks to all of you who learned the hard way) I was able to open it properly. I liked the prints, once again - narrower and taller than I expected (maybe I should read the size dimensions on the website more closely!) and I liked them, I could definitely see them framed and mounted together. The trays didn't pull out as much as I thought they should for easy removal of the books, but that's a minor gripe. The designs on the bottom of the trays were fine, but just "background" more than works of art in and of themselves.

The books themselves are marvelous - some of the softest most sumptuous leather I have felt, they are a pleasure to hold. I like the size of them - they're a very good reading size, the printing on the side of the pages is very delicate looking, in the sense that the letters are a good size for the size of the book and aren't too big or bold to where they seem to be crowding together. I am not generally a fan of more modern illustrations, but these are fitting - they have an almost dreamlike quality to them, real yet otherworldly with a hint of the strange and mysterious. The imprint on the leather with the names of the books reflect the light nicely.

Overall this is a homerun on the part of Folio - if the Mole is reading: more like this, please. I think it has to rank up there with some of the finest LEs I own for the quality, creativity, readability, visual appearance, etc. I know they are expensive and I am grateful to be in the position to purchase them, but I think they're worth it - they are a stunning edition of one of the world's greatest works of literature - I don't think, had I sat down to design an edition, I would have come up with what Folio did - but, in seeing them and holding them, I don't think I'd change a single thing about them.

I received Copy #28. Not sure how that fits into the numbering question - I ordered about half an hour after the Library Thing post, but not sure how long they were live on the website prior to that, but it seems reasonable to me that they would have sold about 25 copies or so in that first half hour before I got my order in.

Very pleased Folio customer right here right now.

206Jobasha
Oct 5, 2021, 1:16 am

>203 terebinth:

If I remember from my reading years ago there was a lot of criticism of the then current Italian aristocracy and church and that the book itself was in some part written for that purpose. So the Purgatorio seems to me to very relevant to that point.

207hiclik
Oct 5, 2021, 6:00 am

Now over two thirds sold.

After perusing my copy in detail in a meditative mindset, I can easily that that it is "worth it". This potentially will be one of the few items I will be taking to my grave.

208LoveAlice
Oct 5, 2021, 6:08 am

I think there are 210 copies possibly left, just tried adding to cart and that’s all I could add.

209DannyFrankland
Oct 5, 2021, 7:48 am

>151 wongie: Sorry to jump back a bit, but what exactly is the book holder you've used to show us the pages in that photograph?

Looks very elegant and I'd love to buy one for my own photos. Not keen on most book stands.

210punkzip
Oct 5, 2021, 9:20 am

>208 LoveAlice: That trick no longer works

211_WishIReadMore
Editado: Oct 5, 2021, 9:42 am

>210 punkzip: It does, now that they appear to have the entire inventory in stock and are no longer doing pre-orders.

>209 DannyFrankland: It's called Stilt, and I really enjoyed how they were used by >151 wongie:. Their Kickstarter ended a few months ago, and so did the discount - now a Folio-sized set would cost 333 Euros, which I find exorbitant (even in a thread where we're talking about a 815 Euro book).

212abysswalker
Oct 5, 2021, 9:42 am

The low stock counter is up and shows 209 copies remaining as I write this comment.

213assemblyman
Oct 5, 2021, 9:52 am

Hopefully FS are encouraged enough to release an SE Divine Comedy based on how well the LE is selling.

214wongie
Oct 5, 2021, 10:38 am

>209 DannyFrankland: As >211 _WishIReadMore: has already answered they are STILT cradles. The Kickstarter page with all the info should still be searchable so you can see all the background info there. I believe they do plan to take new orders direct from their website stiltbookcradles.com some time in the future.

Here's a few snaps of the largest Folio-size production cradle from various angles https://imgur.com/a/pebHLXX

... and more shots of various other books to give you an idea how they fit https://imgur.com/a/TimNPil

As >211 _WishIReadMore: mentions it's very pricey but sometimes a classy book needs a classy display. The construction is solid and can be assembled, folded up and stored very easily. The material is very suitable for ensuring it doesn't abrade the books themselves, similar to a felt material, though this does mean, especially the base, can be a dust magnet. It can be used as a reading lectern well enough but I don't recommend using their own weights for this purpose as they can be quite fiddly and I find the stand better utilised purely for display anway. Otherwise I would recommend a far cheaper book pillow as a more practical alternative for a reading surface.

215podaniel
Oct 5, 2021, 10:43 am

I think I win the high number sweepstakes for an early order: 360.
Not sure what FS is trying to tell me. In any event, I second all the positive comments about this LE.

216SDB2012
Oct 5, 2021, 11:07 am

I haven't spent much time with mine yet but my initial impression is that it has exceeded my expectations. I love the size for reading.

A few people have commented about the shipping box- I'm grateful for this as someone along the way apparently left the box in a pool of water as the bottom outside layer was completely soaked through. The interior bottom support was also wet but the water didn't make it up to the top of the support so the books stayed dry.

217Sand_Man
Editado: Oct 5, 2021, 11:26 am

>215 podaniel: I received #373. And I thought I ordered pretty early! I placed my order on September 7, apparently not early enough. Although I am a bit disappointed with the number I received, I am very much pleased with the overall quality of this production.

218hiclik
Oct 5, 2021, 11:33 am

>215 podaniel: I ordered the moment I saw the very first announcement e-mail. I got 348. I am based in US so that may have played a role in this though.

219PrestigeWorldWide
Oct 5, 2021, 11:59 am

I'm curious about the reasoning of why people are disappointed with getting certain numbers?

220Jayked
Oct 5, 2021, 1:00 pm

In the day of letterprint and woodprints straight off the block, the first copies off the press were sharper than later ones where wear to the type had inevitably occurred, or a replaced character stood out from its neighbours. That doesn't apply to modern methods, but the preference for a low number seems still to resonate with some collectors.

221fp13
Oct 5, 2021, 2:48 pm

I rescheduled and DHL confirmed my new delivery date but still delivered as initially scheduled and to some unrelated address, to someone in my neighborhood. Good my neighbor is not into FS books and personally brought the big box and handed it to me this morning. Don't they require signature this days? I feel need to report to FS and ask for refund for the DHL charges.

222Nerevarine
Editado: Oct 5, 2021, 3:42 pm

>221 fp13: « I feel need to report to FS and ask for refund for the DHL charges. »

I’d report it to FS, but in all honesty, why ask for a reimbursement of the shipping charges ? That seems a bit excessive considering you now have your package. It’d obviously be another thing if the package was lost or if you would have gone through bigger problems in order to get ahold of it. But it wasn’t the case.

223abysswalker
Oct 5, 2021, 5:00 pm

>219 PrestigeWorldWide: it may interest/amuse people to know that consumer researchers have studied this preference:

Smith, R. K., Newman, G. E., & Dhar, R. (2016). Closer to the creator: Temporal contagion explains the preference for earlier serial numbers. Journal of Consumer Research, 42(5), 653-668.

Consumers demonstrate a robust preference for items with earlier serial numbers (e.g., No. 3/100) over otherwise identical items with later serial numbers (e.g., No. 97/100) in a limited edition set. This preference arises from the perception that items with earlier serial numbers are temporally closer to the origin (e.g., the designer or artist who produced it). In turn, beliefs in contagion (the notion that objects may acquire a special essence from their past) lead consumers to view these items as possessing more of a valued essence. Using an archival data set and five lab experiments, the authors find the preference for items with earlier serial numbers holds across multiple consumer domains including recorded music, art, and apparel. Further, this preference appears to be independent from inferences about the quality of the item, salience of the number, or beliefs about market value. Finally, when serial numbers no longer reflect beliefs about proximity to the origin, the preference for items with earlier serial numbers is attenuated. The authors conclude by demonstrating boundary conditions of this preference in the context of common marketing practices.

While there might be some rational basis underlying the preference for low numbers in the relief printing context (due to how the type or blocks wear down gradually, as mentioned by >220 Jayked: ), it also seems to be a general preference bias that can't be explained by scarcity alone (number 273, or whatever, is just as rare as number 1, since there is exactly one of each). It has been a while since I read the article, but I believe one of the experiments uses Beatles albums for the product stimuli.

224_WishIReadMore
Oct 5, 2021, 6:30 pm

I think it’s simply about feeling closer to being the first of its kind that was made, simple as that. If you got copy 1, in some way it may feel as if you got the very first one that was printed and bound. There’s a certain prestige to that I suppose, for some people.

In my mind it’s similar to a fancy new restaurant opening - it’ll be the same menu two months from now, but it’s usually crowded the first week or so.

225punkzip
Oct 5, 2021, 7:47 pm

Ordered in the first 24 hours. In US. Got 365. Not bad for a higher number as it has some significance although it ain’t 666

226wcarter
Editado: Oct 5, 2021, 8:03 pm

Ordered a week ago, and copy number 74 just arrived in Australia. Truly random.

>223 abysswalker:
When it comes to manufactured things like phones, cars etc. it is far better to wait a couple of months after they are released so they get all the bugs out of them. The same may have applied to the Dahl set where volumes were stuck together. Those who have received later copies seem to have stopped complaining about this issue and it may only have occurred at the beginning of the print run.

227fp13
Oct 5, 2021, 9:15 pm

>226 wcarter: nice, mine is number 75, who is next?

228fp13
Oct 5, 2021, 9:23 pm

>222 Nerevarine: was not really going to ask for any refund. The name of the book is printed on the box and I might not want my neighbors know what I am buying. This has happened in the past with my order of Kamasutra LE, that delivery went really wrong.

229Chemren
Oct 5, 2021, 9:57 pm

#344 here. Also in US. Also day 1 order. I think we are starting to see a regional trend.

230punkzip
Oct 5, 2021, 10:42 pm

>229 Chemren: yep 300s for US day 1

231wcarter
Oct 5, 2021, 11:44 pm

>229 Chemren: but >227 fp13: is in USA and I am in Australia and we received consecutive numbers below 100.

232kdweber
Oct 6, 2021, 12:00 am

>62 kdweber: I stand by my prediction, the book did not sell out before shipping. That said, it is selling much better than anticipated. Wow, almost universal acclaim from those that have received their books. I was on the fence about this LE but have taken the plunge and ordered a copy. This will be my 11th edition of this classic.

233gmacaree
Oct 6, 2021, 3:48 am

I'm going to have to pick this one up earlier than anticipated, eh?

234folio_books
Oct 6, 2021, 10:27 am

Regarding limitation numbers, I've heard back from Folio and they assure me that the policy of despatching LEs in sequence according to the order number has not changed, so for future LEs we can expect the status quo to apply and I'll be watching closely, especially if it turns out the next LE is Gormenghast. It seems good intentions have been ravaged by the decision to allow pre-orders for the DC. Folio have never attempted pre-orders before and won't be doing so in the future. DC was a one-off for reasons that have already been mentioned in this thread.

235vmb443
Oct 6, 2021, 12:05 pm

>234 folio_books: Thank you for the information - I do like low numbers for some reason. I have to say that the flip side of the number confusion is that they apparently sold faster than expected which is good for Folio financially and will hopefully encourage them to continue to publish LEs with the same qualities as DC.

236azure_hours
Oct 6, 2021, 2:21 pm

I'm in the U.S. as well, waited a few days after the announcement to order, and ended up with 93, which I'm pleased with for not only being a low number, but a significant one in occult circles.

237Dr.Fiddy
Oct 6, 2021, 2:23 pm

Another happy owner here :) First day order; got #314...

238InVitrio
Oct 6, 2021, 3:57 pm

π. Nice.

239Hamwick
Oct 6, 2021, 7:27 pm

I am intrigued, has anyone ever posted on here that they have received copy #1, of any LE from Folio?

240ChampagneSVP
Oct 6, 2021, 7:56 pm

>239 Hamwick: No because it goes to Lady Gavron (and before her, Lord Gavron).

241wcarter
Editado: Oct 6, 2021, 8:31 pm

>239 Hamwick:
But I did get copy No.2 of The Kama Sutra LE!
The Gavron's effectively own the Folio Society.

242Nerevarine
Oct 6, 2021, 8:39 pm

>228 fp13: ‘‘This has happened in the past with my order of Kamasutra LE’’

I can see this one being awkward lol.

243UK_History_Fan
Oct 6, 2021, 10:09 pm

>241 wcarter:
Would you deserve my friend since your collection is probably second only to the Gavrons!

244InVitrio
Oct 7, 2021, 2:25 am

I had a single-digit number for the first four of the Shakespeare letterpress editions. Given I had that, I felt duty-bound to get the series with that number matching.

245GusLogan
Oct 7, 2021, 2:46 am

>244 InVitrio:
An expensive sense of duty, to be sure! Such a shame that project wasn’t a roaring succes - commercially, that is, narrowly considered.

246wcarter
Oct 7, 2021, 4:07 am

>243 UK_History_Fan:
Thanks
I have over 800 FS books, but there are others on FSD (including folio_books) who have far more.

247DMulvee
Oct 11, 2021, 4:12 am

129 left. It seems to be selling well, perhaps it will sell out this month?

248astropi
Oct 11, 2021, 12:06 pm

>246 wcarter: What are your top ten? :)

249wcarter
Editado: Oct 11, 2021, 8:41 pm

>248 astropi:
I find it impossible to choose a top ten, particularly when you are trying to choose between a superb limited edition like the Luttrell Psalter (here.) and a classic pre-slipcase edition like The Sofa (here.). Then there are the superb fine editions such as Beowulf, which was also published as an excellent standard edition (here.)

The hundreds of standard editions each have their claim to fame, although the more recent publications seem to have more attractive qualities at a higher price, while those from the 1970s and 80s lacked creativity while having a certain charm (eg. Bird Poems here.)

The one FS book that I absolutely dislike is the useless music-less Folio Book of Carols (here.)

250DannyFrankland
Oct 12, 2021, 10:48 am

This is quite frankly a daft question, but I'm really at a loss here - where the heck can I get a frame for the art pieces?

Ideally I'd have all of them mounted in a single frame with a nice plain border around each, but I don't even know where to begin. They're an odd size and local picture framing stores haven't been helpful.

I'm in the UK if that's any help. Guidance would be appreciated!

251ChampagneSVP
Oct 12, 2021, 12:17 pm

>250 DannyFrankland: You most likely want a gallery framing boutique. One that makes custom frames for fine art. You should be able to take your portfolio prints to them and have an associate suggest frame, matting, and glass options. I'm in the US so I can't suggest a specific boutique but I'm sure you want to stay away from large/chain stores.

252DMulvee
Oct 12, 2021, 5:30 pm

>250 DannyFrankland: I’m surprised a local picture framing place hasn’t been able to help you. I can only suggest to try another they will suggest mountings as well as different frame options if you need help

253Levin40
Editado: Oct 14, 2021, 6:47 am

I noticed that the kindle edition of the Penguin Classics Kirkpatrick translation is currently available for 99p on Amazon UK, if anyone wants to try it before purchasing this.

ETA: and for anyone who has already purchased it might also be worth picking up for all the notes etc

254jroger1
Oct 14, 2021, 7:54 am

>253 Levin40:
Thanks for the tip. Sometimes we forget how useful a Kindle can be.

255folio_books
Oct 14, 2021, 8:26 am

>253 Levin40:

Thanks for letting us know. Perhaps because I joined Kindle Unlimited a while back I got mine free!

256DannyFrankland
Oct 14, 2021, 11:35 am

>252 DMulvee: I've managed to find a place that were happy to help. Should be ready for next Wednesday. Appreciate the help! :)

257_WishIReadMore
Oct 15, 2021, 6:59 am

>256 DannyFrankland: Share photos when you get it!

258RogerBlake
Editado: Oct 16, 2021, 5:33 pm

Decided to order despite previous strong reservations. I finally came round to the illustrations and also thought
that given the insane pricing of Folios on the secondary market it was a no-lose decision. It arrived yesterday
and I am well pleased - the production is simply superb. I am glad you folks here persuaded me - even at £720!

And today I received the Arcturus Press version, printed in China, with the Gustave Doré illustrations.
Very nicely produced and with a sewn binding - which surprised me - and in an acceptable slipcase all for £13.40!
I like this one too :-)

259BangkokYankee
Editado: Oct 16, 2021, 4:50 pm

For most folks, trying to comprehend Dante’s Divine Comedy today without notes or commentary (or a degree in medieval studies) would be like Dante trying to make sense of a recent People or Hello! Magazine – there are that many references to once-famous, now-forgotten 13th century celebrities and mythic figures of the past.

Over the last 40 years I’ve probably picked up the Commedia 3 or 4 times, abandoning it each time before I got out of the third circle of Hell. That pattern came to an end a couple of months ago after I started listening to the Dante lectures from the Great Courses/ Teaching Company. The two SUNY professors who teach the course present a lively and entertaining discussion of the work and the political and social milieu in which it’s set. So far it’s been one of the most enjoyable of the hundred or so Great Courses I’ve acquired.

As the lectures point out, don’t worry too much about the translation – if five Dante scholars were asked to make a recommendation, you’d get six different responses. I have it in at least seven translations, including original text and commentaries, and I‘m enjoying flipping between at least four (Musa, Ciardi, Kirkpatrick, and White (for the Doré illustrations).

It’s one of those life-changing works that sparks self-reflection. I wish I could afford the new FS LE edition. (Where does that place me among the Damned? - among the Uncommitted of Hell’s vestibule? Among those who've subjected Reason to Desire? - the Lustful, the Gluttonous, or the Hoarders and Wasters of the Fourth Circle?)

If you are among the lucky Seven Hundred, consider planking down another $25 for the instant audio download of the twenty-four 30-min. Dante lectures. If you reside in the States, your local library may well have a copy of the course on CD. And if somehow there’s not already enough video in your life, it’s also available on DVD. https://www.thegreatcourses.com/courses/dante-s-divine-comedy

260abysswalker
Oct 16, 2021, 3:17 pm

>259 BangkokYankee: I second the recommendation of the Great Courses lectures on the Divine Comedy. Also, it is available on Audible.

261Forthwith
Oct 16, 2021, 5:46 pm

>259 BangkokYankee: These Courses are quite numerous on a wide range of topics by University Professors. They have a streaming service too with a growing library of documentaries added. The service is now called Wondrium.
My only affiliation is as a long time customer.

262BangkokYankee
Editado: Oct 17, 2021, 1:00 am

Este mensaje fue borrado por su autor.

263DannyFrankland
Editado: Oct 20, 2021, 12:01 pm

>257 _WishIReadMore: Finally got my framed pieces back. Very pleased with the job they've done.


264SyllicSpell
Oct 20, 2021, 12:12 pm

>263 DannyFrankland: It looks superb! I've been wondering what to do with my prints. You've inspired me to seek out a picture framer myself.

265folio_books
Oct 20, 2021, 12:41 pm

>264 SyllicSpell: It looks superb!

It does indeed. I think mine are destined to remain inside the box, as I have the same problem with hanging prints as I do with adding books to the collection - out of space.

266Hamwick
Oct 20, 2021, 12:42 pm

>263 DannyFrankland: They did an excellent job, I am surprised at how good that looks. I initially thought the prints were of little value to me, but you may have just changed my mind.

267RogerBlake
Oct 20, 2021, 12:53 pm

>263 DannyFrankland:
Looks terrific. I am definitely going to get mine framed too!

268SyllicSpell
Oct 20, 2021, 1:05 pm

>266 Hamwick: >267 RogerBlake:

Framed print enablement?

269Nightcrawl
Oct 20, 2021, 2:15 pm

>263 DannyFrankland: Looks great! What are you going to do with the lovely marbled folder now?

270DannyFrankland
Oct 20, 2021, 5:40 pm

>269 Nightcrawl: Keep it safely in the solander forever. Logically, I know there's no reason to keep it, yet the idea of doing anything but repulses me, haha.

271BionicJim
Oct 20, 2021, 7:05 pm

>270 DannyFrankland: >269 Nightcrawl:
You could use it to house ephemeral material related to the production like this interview with the artist:
http://neilpackercouk.ipage.com/?p=1949

272_WishIReadMore
Oct 20, 2021, 9:36 pm

>263 DannyFrankland: Looks great! Thanks for sharing!

273vmb443
Oct 21, 2021, 6:38 am

>263 DannyFrankland: Agree with the other posts - nicely done! If I decide to frame mine, I’ll take your photo with to show them what I’d like!

274amp123
Oct 25, 2021, 11:15 am

As of now the low stock count shows only 46 copies left. Not surprising in spite of the high price. As many have noted, everything about this LE is of the highest quality. Destined to be regarded as a classic of the fine press editions of this classic.

275Caput_Lupinum
Oct 25, 2021, 11:29 am

>274 amp123: I think it might be gone by the end of this week. I still haven’t quite summoned up the courage to pull the trigger yet, but I think it’s only a matter of time before I do…

276hiclik
Oct 25, 2021, 11:55 am

I hope the very warm reception of this offer would be a strong message to Folio Society what most customers expect from Limited Editions: High Quality and "really special" classics with unique craftsmanship.

277dlphcoracl
Oct 25, 2021, 1:39 pm

>275 Caput_Lupinum:

You are going to outsmart yourself and it will be gone while you procrastinate. If you want it, buy it. If not, forget about it.

278jsg1976
Oct 27, 2021, 1:55 am

I caved and bought it. 24 copies left, for anyone still wavering.

279LoveAlice
Oct 27, 2021, 4:19 am

>278 jsg1976: I think that was very wise, as of now only 15 copies remain. They’ll be sold out buy the end if the day.

280Caput_Lupinum
Oct 27, 2021, 4:41 am

I caved in too! Just 13 copies remaining now…

281InVitrio
Oct 27, 2021, 7:02 am

I'm going to resist. Had it the Italian text I would have perhaps taken the plunge. But given I have several Dante editions already - including the Penguin Classics Kirkpatrick - this would be £700 on an artifact.

282LoveAlice
Oct 27, 2021, 7:19 am

2 copies left!

283Nerevarine
Editado: Oct 27, 2021, 7:41 am

And it’s now out of stock. It went down very fast in the last 12 hours or so.

284Caput_Lupinum
Editado: Oct 27, 2021, 7:56 am

>283 Nerevarine: I noticed that. I wonder if people were waiting for it to drop to 30–40 copies remaining in the hope of picking up limitation no. 666? It did cross my mind.

Once that window had passed, maybe those wanting to buy it just placed their orders.

285Nerevarine
Editado: Oct 27, 2021, 8:17 am

>284 Caput_Lupinum: The infamous no. 666. That makes a lot of sense!

286boldface
Oct 27, 2021, 8:38 am

Notice that the website says "Out of stock", not "Sold out".

287folio_books
Oct 27, 2021, 9:17 am

>284 Caput_Lupinum: I wonder if people were waiting for it to drop to 30–40 copies remaining in the hope of picking up limitation no. 666?

According to a reliable source number 666 is the most often requested limitation number for all LEs. I doubt anyone who waited for the last forty was successful but hearty congratulations to the lucky person who did. I've been in search of it myself for a long, long time.

288folio_books
Oct 27, 2021, 10:25 am

>286 boldface: Notice that the website says "Out of stock", not "Sold out".

I checked with Folio, Jonathan. They definitely mean "sold out".

289InVitrio
Oct 27, 2021, 10:45 am

Of course, the proper number to want is 616...

290agitationalporcelain
Oct 27, 2021, 11:27 am

>289 InVitrio:
My copy arrived yesterday... number 617! Probably for the best, my recently ordered copy of the Penguin Book of Exorcisms arrived today, not sure what the consequences of having both that and the Divine Comedy 616 under the same roof might have been.

291antinous_in_london
Editado: Oct 27, 2021, 12:45 pm

>284 Caput_Lupinum: Yes i thought that as it slowed right down for a day or so, then once it got down to about 40 copies they all went in a day.

292boldface
Oct 27, 2021, 4:11 pm

>288 folio_books: "They definitely mean "sold out"."

Why don't they say so, then!? The two are not the same.

I shall now climb back into my box marked Pedantic Curmudgeon, an endangered species if ever there was one!

293antinous_in_london
Oct 27, 2021, 4:27 pm

>292 boldface: if it helps to soothe your curmudgeonly spirit the website now says ‘Sold Out’ !

294folio_books
Editado: Oct 27, 2021, 4:33 pm

>292 boldface: Why don't they say so, then!?

Couldn't agree more. It's unnecessarily confusing.

>292 boldface: Pedantic Curmudgeon, an endangered species if ever there was one!

At least you're not alone. Budge over in the box.

Edited to add:

>293 antinous_in_london: if it helps to soothe your curmudgeonly spirit the website now says ‘Sold Out’ !

Ah. Did I mention I summoned my curmudgeonly spirit guide and emailed them about the error ...

295amp123
Oct 27, 2021, 8:47 pm

Already listed on Ebay for $1,655.

296Uppernorwood
Oct 28, 2021, 4:25 pm

>295 amp123: that was up before it sold out!

297L.Bloom
Oct 28, 2021, 4:30 pm

While this particular edition was not for me, I am very happy to see that FS can still produce and quickly sell out classic LEs like this one. It is encouraging for the future.

298dlphcoracl
Oct 28, 2021, 9:23 pm

>297 L.Bloom:

"If you build it, he(they) will come."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Ay5GqJwHF8

299jeremyjm
Oct 29, 2021, 12:45 am

I bought a copy and happened to be working my way through the Thornwillow 'Inferno' at the time it arrived. I'm now reading these side by side and each brings a little something different to the experience. From a translation perspective, if I had to pick - I prefer the Esolen translation the Thornwillow edition uses - just for clarity. I'm glad I grabbed a copy of this before they sold out - it's a really nice package from the books themselves (the binding, paper, type) to the traycase to the included prints. I may have to get the prints framed, really like them.

300goldenotebook
Nov 2, 2021, 9:16 pm

>151 wongie: Thank you for sharing these. What ingenious device is holding open your book in the second-to last-photo? I see and covet. I have the Levenger editing desk, but this seems a cut above.

301jeremyjm
Nov 2, 2021, 9:30 pm

>300 goldenotebook: - Looks like a Stilt cradle. Very cool setup, great for display & photographs - https://stiltbookcradles.com/

302goldenotebook
Nov 2, 2021, 9:43 pm

>114 UK_History_Fan: Wow, I did not know about the facsimile editions--thank you!! I also regularly schedule my vacations along literary lines. In fact, after a lifetime of book collecting, I have just discovered the Folio Society. I ordered Night and Silent Spring immediately, devouring the former overnight, and was going to skip the gorgeous Dante because of its price tag--but then I got really into The Bookseller of Florence. It covers the career of a famous bookseller in 15th-century Florence that spanned the time when books copied by scribes began to be supplanted by letter press tomes. Between all the details on production methods as well as which specific ancient volumes were resuscitated to contribute to 15th-century intellectual life--well, I couldn't resist this production of The Divine Comedy, early editions of which show up in Bookseller several times.

I ordered about 4 days before it sold out, received the volumes miraculously within 48 hours, and it felt like Christmas morning when I opened them. Between the overall size, font, illustrations, and lack of notes and en face Italian, I think this edition is created for maximum reading pleasure. Of course it would be good to have an academic version to accompany this one so you can grasp all the technical shades of meaning, and I'm sure most people ordering this would already, but the poetic meaning is all here.

When you hold it in hand, this edition has *style*, even a bit of attitude that perhaps matches Dante's tone, and it begs to be read.

On a fun note, I also thought it would be cool to get print run #666, but didn't realize you could ask for that. (Note to self: At this price, definitely ask.) Bizarrely, I received #662, and when I looked up the meaning of the number, here's what I got:

"...#662 can also suggest that a significant new acquisition or purchase will be entering your life shortly and this is something you have worked hard towards, or is specifically meant to enhance your life."

:-)

303goldenotebook
Nov 2, 2021, 10:22 pm

304goldenotebook
Nov 2, 2021, 10:23 pm

>291 antinous_in_london: Oh man--that is when I ordered, it was a Monday night in the US! So glad I didn't wait any longer.

305goldenotebook
Nov 2, 2021, 10:32 pm

>301 jeremyjm: Ooh, thanks for the link! Of course my book babies need cradles, ha!

306abysswalker
Nov 2, 2021, 11:41 pm

>303 goldenotebook: "Papyrus 115 (which is the oldest preserved manuscript of the Revelation as of 2017), as well as other ancient sources like Codex Ephraemi Rescriptus, give the number of the beast as χιϛ or χιϲ (transliterable in Arabic numerals as 616) (χιϛ), not 666;"

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Number_of_the_beast

307goldenotebook
Nov 4, 2021, 1:12 am

>306 abysswalker: Wow--had no idea!

308DMulvee
Nov 6, 2021, 7:03 am

I had a look at eBay to see if anyone had sold the LE and 5 have sold. 1 at £1050, 1 at £1150 and three accepted offers but were listed between £1100 and £1200

309RogerBlake
Nov 6, 2021, 5:08 pm

>308 DMulvee: nice to know it has investment value but I will not be selling mine!

310kdweber
Nov 6, 2021, 8:37 pm

>309 RogerBlake: From my perspective in the US they're basically selling at cost.

311abysswalker
Nov 6, 2021, 9:49 pm

>310 kdweber: surprisingly close to at cost (surprising to me, at least), for the lower end of those sales:

US cost = $1095 USD
+ shipping, tax = $1300 USD

Sale £1050 = $1470 USD
× .88 (~12% eBay fee) = $1293 USD

(Back of the envelope, but probably close to a more careful estimate.)

312Caput_Lupinum
Nov 10, 2021, 10:00 am

Quick question, if anyone can help.

The Dante is only the fourth LE I've bought, but it's the first to come in a solander case. I remember reading a few threads on here that discussed the merits and demerits of shelving solanders upright v. on their sides.

Given how the three books fit into this particular case, can anyone say whether I'd be better storing it on its side, or whether a normal vertical placement will be fine? By 'better', I mean in terms of protecting the books.

Thank you in advance for your help.

313What_What
Nov 10, 2021, 4:35 pm

I also had a question - for those reading theirs, do you take the volume out, and keep it out while you're going through it? Or do you return it to the solander every time a reading session is done?

314folio_books
Nov 11, 2021, 5:46 am

>312 Caput_Lupinum:

I can't give a definitive answer but my copy is shelved with the title label on the solander the right way up. I have no worries about damaging such sturdy volumes.

315Dr.Fiddy
Nov 11, 2021, 6:57 am

>312 Caput_Lupinum: >313 What_What:

Like >314 folio_books: I also shelve it vertically with no worries. I'm half way through Purgatorio now, keeping it out until I'm done reading it.

316Caput_Lupinum
Nov 11, 2021, 8:02 am

>314 folio_books: >315 Dr.Fiddy:

Thank you both, that's good to know. I'll shelve mine vertically as well. It certainly looks better that way, at least to my eyes.

317What_What
Nov 11, 2021, 9:12 am

>315 Dr.Fiddy: Thanks, I think I'll do the same. It seems like quite the bother to be opening up the whole production each time. Maybe I'll just rest in safely in the bookshelf when I'm done each night, and return it to the solander when I've reached the end of that volume.

Maybe the entire bookshelf will smell like leather by the time I'm done!

318gmacaree
Nov 12, 2021, 4:08 pm

>312 Caput_Lupinum: These books are so small and light I'd be shocked if storing them upright caused any sort of sagging

319BooksFriendsNotFood
Editado: Jul 17, 2023, 4:10 am

This set was expensive from FS, and doubly expensive secondhand. Imagine one's dismay to read the pretty Purgatorio and find that prodigality, or the act or habit of spending too much money, will grant one a special place in purgatory. 🫣 (😂)

320AlexBookshelfFrog
Jul 17, 2023, 6:04 am

Este mensaje fue borrado por su autor.

321BooksFriendsNotFood
Jul 22, 2023, 2:51 am

>320 AlexBookshelfFrog: Yeah the design of the older FS editions look dated so hopefully they're looking into creating new SEs!

322CJDelDotto
Jul 22, 2023, 1:29 pm

On a not unrelated note, in case anyone from FS actually looks at these boards, it would also be nice to get an edition of the complete Canzoniere by Petrarch, whom FS has surprisingly never published...

323folio_books
Jul 22, 2023, 2:15 pm

>322 CJDelDotto:

I can assure you that Folio staff pay close attention to FSD but the chances that a casual mention of a specifiic title might be added to their "must publish" list are vanishingly small.

324CJDelDotto
Jul 22, 2023, 3:45 pm

>323 folio_books: I know, but given the enormous amount of canonical European literature that FS has published in the past, Petrarch seems like a notable omission.

325abysswalker
Jul 22, 2023, 4:16 pm

>324 CJDelDotto: slightly off topic, but have you seen the LEC sonnets of Petrarch? It's stunning, and designed by one of the all time masters (Mardersteig). Last time I checked it could be had quite reasonably on the secondhand market (it is worth looking for a copy with the slipcase AND the dust jacket, as those copies tend to have been better preserved).

326dlphcoracl
Editado: Jul 22, 2023, 6:54 pm

>325 abysswalker:

OT: The George Macy LEC editions designed and printed by Giovanni (Hans) Mardersteig are amongst the finest LECs and you can hardly go wrong acquiring any of them. Many were printed at his Officina Bodoni (as opposed to the Stamperia Valdonega) and the presswork is outstanding. There are approximately 18-20 Mardersteig LEC's and the editions I especially recommend are:

1. Ovid's Metamorphoses. Outstanding illustrations by Hans Erni.

2. The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri. Somewhat wayward translation by Melville Best Anderson.

3. The Little Flowers of Saint Francis of Assisi

4. The Toilers of the Sea by Victor Hugo

5. The Sonnets of Petrarch

6. The Georgics by Virgil

327gmacaree
Jul 23, 2023, 2:26 am

>325 abysswalker: I actually find the LEC Sonnets quite annoying. Not the design, which is impeccable, but the use of multiple translators, which subtly disrupts the flow of the poetry and makes reading it more challenging than it ought to be. (I think their Horace does this too?)

328dlphcoracl
Jul 23, 2023, 8:42 am

>327 gmacaree:

This is one of the major Achilles Heels of the George Macy LEC bibliography. There are many other LEC books with dreadful translations, in many cases hundreds of years old in which the English translation is nearly as incomprehensible as the work in its original language. Some of this is unavoidable as they were the best or the only English translations at that time, translations that have now been superseded by far superior modern English translations.

Caveat emptor in this regard. What oft appear to be LEC bargains are inexpensive for good reason.

329coynedj
Jul 23, 2023, 9:59 am

I have the LEC Toilers of the Sea, and it's quality is such that I never considered buying the FS edition.

330mr.philistine
Jul 23, 2023, 11:02 am

>329 coynedj: I bought my $50 copy of the LEC Toilers of the Sea since I could not afford the Folio Society Limited Edition for £500 on the secondary market. Shame that FS have not released a standard edition.

331EdmundRodriguez
Jul 23, 2023, 12:05 pm

>329 coynedj: I have both LEC and FS LE. Both good, but FS definitely my favourite due to having Hugo's illustrations, prefer the translation, and also feels more robust. But it is one of my favourite books so the extra cost of FS was not a barrier for me (also when I bought it was closer to £200).

332Forthwith
Jul 24, 2023, 3:03 pm

The FS LE "Toilers of the Sea" is my favorite FS book out of my library. The illustrations by Hugo added to the text makes this a near perfect book to me. A close second is the FS LE of Madame Bovary. The translation and illustrations show great care.

333L.Bloom
Jul 26, 2023, 8:25 am

>332 Forthwith: Reading the Bovary LE right now. I agree with you on the translation and illustrations. One thing strikes me about this LE though, I don't see what is LE about it. It really seems like it is a standard edition with a silk binding, maybe a fine edition even, but not an LE.

334LBShoreBook
Jul 26, 2023, 2:22 pm

>333 L.Bloom: I agree but didn't the price reflect those factors? Far lower price relative to many recent LEs

335Cat_of_Ulthar
Jul 26, 2023, 2:58 pm

>333 L.Bloom: 'One thing strikes me about this LE though, I don't see what is LE about it. It really seems like it is a standard edition with a silk binding, maybe a fine edition even, but not an LE.'

Maybe, but that's the case with many Folio LEs going back many years: for example, the leather bound Lord of the Rings/Hobbit/Silmarillion were the standard editions bound in some nice Nigerian goatskin. The recent Shirley Jackson volumes, among others, are following in that tradition. Basically the same book (same paper, maybe a couple of extra illustrations, different binding, maybe a nice box instead of a slipcase). Whether you think they are worth the extra money is a personal choice.