Rudyard Kiplings's Rikki-Tikki-Tavi by The Prototype Press

From today's newsletter:

"With binding of Consider the Oyster wrapping up, I have begun work on the next publication, an edition of Rudyard Kiplings's Rikki-Tikki-Tavi. The UK based artist India Rose Bird will be doing a series of carvings. You can check out her instagram @indiarosebird. "

I'm really interested to see how this comes along, as I may be interested in purchasing. Though considering the press's last release is priced at $1500, I think it would have to blow me away for me to justify it.

Here are some examples of the artist's work...

One of my fave Kipling stories (and movie adaptation) along with the White Seal. This would be an instant buy for me at a price point I could stretch too. But regardless, it will be amazing along with all the other Prototype Press work.

Looks like a great artist for the illustrations as well.

>2 jveezer: "Looks like a great artist for the illustrations as well."

I completely agree. Aside from the title itself, that's a big part of what makes this so intriguing for me. It's nice to have things to look forward to. :)

Beautiful.

That does hold the potential to be gorgeous indeed.

Hopefully the price of this release is more in line with other past editions that are much more affordable. Either way, looks to be a great edition.

A bit off-topic, but to those who purport to admire and prefer the "pure-play" fine presses like Prototype and eschew such gimmicky publishers as Suntup and Amaranthine (the two most often mentioned along with the term), I point out that TPP's $1500 edition of "Consider the Oyster" appears to come with a matching oyster shucking knife. lol

>7 whytewolf1: Just about every press has a "gimmick" that they use to attract attention and carve out a unique space for themselves.

As far as the gimmicks of individual publications, some of the most respected presses on this forum like Foolscap and Arion are among the most frequent applicants of novel bindings and book designs. I guess there's a thin line between innovation and gimmickry!

>7 whytewolf1:
At least it doesn’t appear to be part of the binding or clamshell (pardon the near-pun).

>8 NathanOv: Indeed!
>9 kermaier: True enough! And lol.

>8 NathanOv: Slightly off-topic, but if you're interested in the fine line between innovation and gimmickry, this entertaining (albeit somewhat academic) book discusses this facet of aesthetic theory at length: Theory of the Gimmick.

News for Prototype Press:

"Winter Press News

New Book
Rudyard Kiplings's Rikki-Tikki-Tavi.

Printing will begin any day on the next Prototype book. However, the artwork will be a bit different than originally planned.

The initial idea for printing the short story came about when my daughter watched the 1970's Rikki-Tikki-Tavi cartoon, designed and directed by acclaimed animator, Chuck Jones. It was a childhood favorite of mine, as well as my introduction to Kipling. As a way to add artwork to the story, I have been talking to Chuck Jones Enterprises in an effort to include some preliminary artwork of the title character that Chuck made for the movie. The film and Kipling's text are now tied to each other in this project, which feels very personal due to my own affection, and now that of my daughter, to the story via Chuck Jones' imagery.

The paper for the book was handmade in Montreal in a light jungle green, with a watermark bearing the mark of the King Cobra. The 18pt Italian Old Style type was cast in foundry metal for the project for hand-setting and extra sets are now for sale as...

Proto · Type™"

I have to admit to being disappointed with the change in artwork. I was quite excited about the artist that they originally floated. I am very fond of the old cartoon, though, so I'll reserve judgment for now.

Rikki-Tikki-Tavi is a favorite Kipling story of mine as well, along with the movie/cartoon adaptation. Be great if he followed up with The White Seal at some point in the future.

I will definitely be wanting this one but most of the press' output is out of my financial league at this point in my life. Hope to review for The Whole Book Experience it though.

This will probably end up being out of my price range no matter who illustrates it, but I agree that the change of illustrators is unfortunate here. The original illustrations look really stunning, and while I enjoy the 70s cartoon I just can’t imagine that it will translate as well to print.

>12 whytewolf1:
>14 SpoonFed:

The change in illustrator is a game-changer for me and it is no longer a consideration for acquisition. The original illustrations by UK-based artist India Rose Bird were phenomenal, perfectly suited to the novel. Cartoonish illustrations for Rikki-Tikki-Tavi ? I think not.

>15 dlphcoracl: Fully agree.

>15 dlphcoracl: I was trying to think positively about how it still might turn out, but I'm afraid you're right, especially considering the likely price range for this edition.

Well, I'm attached to the images from the movie, and that's how I "see" RTT. So the illustrations will probably still work for me. But I do love India Rose Bird's art.

I bet there are some Indian artists that could really evoke the setting and feel of the story. That would also have been a nice touch. Alas, I don't know any to suggest.

>18 jveezer: "I bet there are some Indian artists that could really evoke the setting and feel of the story. That would also have been a nice touch. Alas, I don't know any to suggest."

I'll bet the folks at Tara Books could suggest one or two!

>18 jveezer:
>19 Glacierman:

An Indian artist familiar with and sympathetic to the Rikki-Tikki-Tavi story would be a marked improvement over Mark Sarigianis's current plan to illustrate it with cartoonish drawings. I strongly disliked this approach in the Thornwillow Press edition of Frankenstein.

There are some pictures on the press’s Instagram of the printed pages. Looks like a very nice large, green colored paper, and I like the choice of font

That does look nice. Can't wait to see more of the illustrations and the finished product.

Thanks for the heads up as I had not seen those posts. IG is now more interested in showing everything but the posts of people I actually follow. Like Prototype Press.

I received a wonderful printed prospectus for Rikki-Tikki-Tavi.

The book is unfortunately beyond my means. I would love to pass on this ephemera to someone that is interested.

Send me a message and I'll forward it your way - preferably in the USA.

This remains an opportunity missed. The original illustrator/illustrations by India Rose Bird were far superior. See above.

>23 kcshankd:

The prospectus has found a home

>24 dlphcoracl: Far superior is actually an understatement in this case.

I may be in the small minority, but I think the illustrations are clever and unique.



Don't get me wrong, the art by India Rose Bird is gorgeous. It's definitely more what I think you would call "traditional" fine-press art. Clearly, PP was aiming for something unique and original. As for gimmicky, I've never been a fan of "gimmicks" with fine press books. Myself, I would hate to have to deal with an oyster shucking knife tied to my book! In this case, what they did is provide A copy of the 1975 animated film by Chuck Jones is included on a USB drive and is housed in the slipcase. - the way it's incorporated into the slipcase is clever and if that were the case for the oyster knife and other such "gimmicks" I would be more prone to accepting them :)

At the end of the day, it's still $1500 for a short story. And imagine if this production had been signed by Chuck Jones... alas.

I was looking forward to this one, but ultimately decided to pass on it.