where to buy special editions of books

[makingitupaswegoon]

Hi I was wondering the best places to buy special hardback editions of books - I'm not particularly interested in signed books, it's more about having some lovely books on my shelves!

I like all sorts of books, classics, modern literature, young adult and fantasy and almost took out a subscription to fairyloot / illumicrate but didn't fancy the first books, couldn't skip that month and couldn't justify the expense.

I've looked at folio society but think they are way overpriced, penguin clothbound classics and a quick glance at waterstones. I have all the persephone books I want so that's not an option. Anywhere else you could recommend?

How about looking for second-hand Folio Society? Should be easy enough to find what you want in good condition.

The British Library bookshop has some lovely editions.

Chiltern Classics are lovely and not too pricey, but there’s only a small selection.

Try looking in charity book shops. There are loads of those sortof thing in our local one.

I mean on their website or selling page on Facebook or similar at the moment!

Try AbeBooks, bookshops sell online through them.

Sorry I've maybe not expressed myself very well but I don't want second hand books to be honest. Had my fingers burned with so-called 'excellent' condition buys previously. Charity shops out at the moment.

i was wondering if there were any other subscription-only, or small publishing houses or places to try for exclusive editions, similar to penguin clothbound editions

Oh have just been on Chiltern Classics and they are beautiful - thank you@ChessieFL

You might like this blog

www.bluestockingbookshelf.com/blog-1/2019/3/21/chiltern-classics links to other beautiful collections at the bottom of this article.

Have you looked at Macmillan Collector's Library? They are lovely, small hardbacks with gilt edges and lovely slipcases. Not too expensive and much easier to hold (and read) than regular hardbacks.

Check out upcoming releases on Waterstones for exclusive editions (sprayed edges, different artwork, etc).

Barnes and Noble leatherbound editions are lush too! Some available in Waterstones/Amazon. I sometimes find them in TK Maxx (when they are open).

Puffin Clothound Classics are rather lovely ("children's" collection, though includes Dracula, Frankenstein, etc). A new updated set is slowly being released.

Slightly Foxed editions are very good quality.

Thanks everyone. I've just bought a couple of hardback books of poetry from Fabers 90th anniversary collection but am off to check out Macmillan and slightly foxed now.

Have a look at Everyman's Library. I've been considering them myself.
www.everymanslibrary.co.uk/defaultnew.aspx
Search on Youtube for reviews. They look well made and are reasonably priced for nice hardbacks.

Virago Modern Classics has some "Designer" hardback editions of some of their books, see the publisher website for what is on offer.

I have bought a couple of special edition/first edition from Abebooks

@Acqua
Just bought everyman's library Doris Lessing short fiction selection. The book is quite nice for the price I paid - approx £11. My only criticism is that the paper is thinner in comparison to some other hardbacks I've got but very nicely produced nevertheless and there's lot of choice. Think I will get more.

@makingitupaswegoon I've just got a lovely edition of The Railway Children from the Wordsworth Collector's Editions series: hardback, with gorgeous covers and only £6.99 each list price (there are 22 currently available, I think).

However, I don't think anyone has suggested the Goldsboro Premium Membership? Do take a look at this, I think it might be more closely related to what you've been looking for. It is £24.99 a month plus postage, but these are special, signed first editions of newly published books in a wide variety of genres.

On thinner paper, I think sometimes good quality editions etc often use finer, thinner paper than the mass market editions. It may actually be more expensive than the thicker paper in some books. I have a recent Everyman edition of short stories by Katherine Mansfield and it has fine, good quality paper which feels and looks lovely but seems thinner than in a lot of books. I think it's a plus.

With some books publishers bring them out in editions that are a lot larger and bulkier than they need to be - I see it with a certain kind of "bestseller" fiction, though maybe that's less of an issue now some readers are getting ebooks instead.