Recommend a fine press edition of The Odyssey?

I have decided to commit to the serialized Ulysses from Thornwillow, and am thinking it would be good (and fun) to reread the classic that inspired its structure as a warm-up.

Do you have a favorite edition to recommend? And what's the latest Book of Copious Notes for Further Understanding of The Odyssey?

Thank you! As a newbie, I am learning so much about this world from all of you.

The only fine press Odyssey I'm aware of is the Limited Editions Club (LEC) version which by all accounts is exquisite. For copious notes I always turn to Penguin. I just read The Odyssey for the first time this fall for the very same reason you are endeavoring to do so. I read the Fagles translation from Penguin Deluxe. Thoroughly enjoyable experience from the introduction through to the end notes.

>1 goldenotebook: There are several Fine Press editions of Homer's Odyssey:

Bruce Rogers, 1932 - T.E. Lawrence (Shaw) Translation - hands-down the pinnacle of book arts. Only 530 un-numbered copies were printed. If you have the money, this is the one to own.

Nonesuch, 1931 - Pope Translation, bi-lingual (Greek and English), printed by Jan van Krimpen, Illustrated with small engraved ornaments by Rudolf Koch and Fritz Kredel. Arguably after Bruce Rogers' version, the most impressive edition produced in the last 200 years.

Limited Editions Club, 1931 - Pope Translation, also printed by Jan van Krimpen

Limited Editions Club, 1981 - T.E. Lawrence (Shaw) Translation, Frontispiece Illustrated by Barry Moser. Extremely readable translation by "Lawrence of Arabia" fame.

>2 L.Bloom: and >3 Sport1963: I think the one thing that recommends the Nonesuch edition above the Bruce Rogers edition is that it pairs with the Nonesuch Iliad. I don't believe Bruce Rogers ever produced the Iliad.

>1 goldenotebook: There is a discussion of translations over at the Folio Society board (not sure this link will work)
https://www.librarything.com/topic/120143

Editions other than those mentioned already include the William Morris translation published by the Chiswick Press in 1901 and, for the ambitious fan of Renaissance English literature (or John Keats), George Chapman's translation of the Whole Works of Homer (originally published in 1616) published by Shakespeare Head Press in 1930 (5 vols.).

>4 ultrarightist: All of the editions mentioned are gorgeous but the Nonesuch matching Iliad is a huge bonus. I LIKE the Odyssey. I LOVE the Iliad.

Only half of Pope's Odyssey was actually translated by Pope, as Wikipedia notes:

"Encouraged by the success of the Iliad, Bernard Lintot published Pope's five-volume translation of Homer's Odyssey in 1725 and 1726. For this work Pope collaborated with William Broome and Elijah Fenton: Broome translated eight books (2, 6, 8, 11, 12, 16, 18, 23), Fenton four (1, 4, 19, 20) and Pope the remaining 12. Broome provided the annotations. Pope tried to conceal the extent of the collaboration, but the secret leaked out. It did some damage to Pope's reputation for a time, but not to his profits. Leslie Stephen considered Pope's portion of the Odyssey inferior to his version of the Iliad, given that Pope had put more effort into the earlier work – to which, in any case, his style was better suited."

I will step in and ring the bell again for both the Bruce Rogers and Nonesuch editions.

As I mentioned in another post recently, the paper and printing in the Rogers edition is spectacular. Also the gold leaf rondel illustrations based on vase paintings is terrific. And, rumor has it, the ink was scented to have an exotic aroma, though I must say I don't particularly smell anything exotic about the ink anymore. The binding isn't great... the leather is surface dyed and is often cracked. That said, don't let this hold you back.

The Nonesuch is fabulous too... particularly the type. Very very special... and having the Iliad and Odyssey together is wonderful.

Both are GREAT.

I really like the way Thornwillow is doing Ulysses in parts. I wonder what other titles they might approach in the same way (In 10 volume installments, some leather collector sets, and a yearlong reading)?
Maybe thats a subject for another thread...

Moby Dick?
The Iliad and the Odyssey (as we're on that thread)?
Great Expectations?
Remembrance of Things Past?
100 Years of Solitude?
For Whom the Bell Tolls?

>3 Sport1963:
>4 ultrarightist:
>6 L.Bloom:
>8 FvS:

As beautiful as the Nonesuch Press editions of the Iliad and the Odyssey are, the antiquated Alexander Pope translations make them a non-starter for me. Although the T.E. Lawrence translation in the great 1932 Emery Walker/Bruce Rogers edition of the Odyssey is unconventional, it is an interesting and entertaining read that is readily understandable.

As mentioned above, the William Morris translation published as part of an 8-volume set by Longmans, Green & Co.(1901-1902) is an excellent choice, with beautiful letterpress printing by the Chiswick Press on handmade Kelmscott ("Primrose") paper. The William Morris translation is poetical, as one would expect from someone who was also a world-class poet.

>8 FvS: Your musing on future Thornwillow installment editions has inspired happy thoughts for me regardless of the likelihood or feasibility of any of these happening. Thornwillow, please do this and take my money!

>8 FvS: I would love to have Thornwillow (or some other fine press) produce Laura Ingalls Wilder "Little House" books... sigh :)

What are the Fine Press options for just The Iliad?
I have the ‘81 LEC The Odyssey, would like a Fine Press version of The Iliad as well.

>8 FvS: If TW did Moby Dick perhaps they could do 3 editions to match the 3-volume Lakeside Press edition.

https://www.abaa.org/book/1355462779

>5 Flaubie: I perused the translations discussion, and after looking at some PDFs and ordering the new verse translation by Peter Greene, I realized--I actually prefer the Fagles translation too, which I already have a crappy paperback of in my library! :-(

The Fagles translation really captures the magic for me in a way that makes me want to continue reading. Unfortunately, it seems all the lovely fine press editions mentioned here utilize earlier translations.

Thanks to all for the responses and information. Enlightening.

>11 astropi: The Library of America does include her work in their clothbound subscription series. Far from a fine edition, but it's have to know they're taking her seriously.

Have you read Prairie Fires? Really sheds some new light on the real-life Laura.

This is not letterpress, but the Chester River Press version of the Iliad and the Odyssey is the most beautiful version of them I own. The Pope translation, which isn't my favorite, but gorgeous illustrations and great construction and facing-page Greek text. The LEC is also nice but also the Pope translation. The nicer version with the best translation imo is probably the Folio Society one (the Fagles translation).

>16 katielouise: The 1931 LEC Odyssey uses the Pope translation; the 1981 LEC Odyssey uses the T.E. Shaw translation. Not sure how they compare though.

Is the Shakespeare Head Press The Whole Works of Homer worth acquiring? I have an offer but what turns me off is the antiquated translation???

>18 Lukas1990: It is beautiful printing on wonderful paper. I also like the John Farleigh illustrations, but you might have a look at those online to see if they appeal to you. It is extremely difficult to find in a well-preserved binding, however. You would certainly not want to have it as your only English text for Homer, but if you want to collect a range of translations, this one is important.

>19 Flaubie:

I didn't know of it: personally I might well choose it if I could only have one Englished Homer (my current edition of Chapman's translation is the 1957 one from R+KP). No copies currently on sale in the UK, and it will probably always be a little way beyond what I'm disposed to pay, but I will keep it in mind.