Versatile and unique type integrated with illustration in a varied super-serialized design… well-printed with beautiful foil-stamping; not our typical fare but I’m very much in love with this series. This is the way books ought to be. If anyone wants to let me know who the design team was on this, I’d appreciate it. These are the W.W. Norton Annotated editions; we’ve been wanting to redesign their scholastic Critical Editions for years.
What’s not to like? A book cover that tells a story…
There is a charm and care in this type of cover design that is perfect for these fairy tale type books, but it is nice to see it done with contemporary editions as well. This is what book making was all about—care, attention to detail, foils, tip ons, unique and custom letter forms… You don’t see that much more these days: Books that are meant to last and be treasured and kept for years on your shelf for future generations…
Chin-yee Lai did most if not all of these—I am sure with help…
I can appreciate what’s happening with these covers, but I am also not as moved as I could be. I like the “Huckleberry Finn” bit the best. Ultimately, I think there’s just a bit too much happening in these designs… I realize that’s the point, but I’ve seen each of these books done better.
They look geared for children, what with the graphic assault that’s happening with these versions. Adults don’t really need to be bombarded with quite so many attention-seeking decals… it’s almost off-putting. I don’t hate them, I would just be more apt to reach for the bare-bones Barnes & Nobel editions.
I just want to peal that giant leather belt of a boarder off of that Stowe cover, along with its four mammoth belt buckle pictures. Just drop it and that center bit would POP.
I can appreciate what’s happening with these covers and I love the classic borders with elegant detail. I would love to have this series on my bookshelf.
I’m a little confused about the type- it looks art nouveau to me, but wasn’t the book written pre-Civil War? Maybe it’s an anachronism, or maybe there are things I have to learn about 1850’2 type. (anyone?)
But I love it anyway. My favorite one of them is Classic Fairy Tales.
Howz about an observation about the covers Steven??? It’s getting to be really redundant to have folks commenting on other peoples comments…
What I did add to the discussion was:
“Chin-yee Lai did most if not all of these…”
All that aside: It is interesting that for a good number of these the design style is very consistent—with the 4 corners featuring bits form the story. But then with Finn and Holmes there is a stylistic departure. You would think they would want them all to have the same series (Annotated) flavor…
The type treatment for Uncle Toms Cabin is superb. Almost like it was picked up from an original version of the book. It would be nice to hear the story behind some of these… Most of them look similar in their execution though.
I particularly like how at first it appears that the Sherlock Holmes cover deviates from the heavy border treatment like the rest—but no, indeed, good old Holmes is merely kneeling down to get a better look at one corner of his border like the good detective that he is. Nice.
Uncle Tom’s Cabin looks like mid-19th century sheet music, which is certainly appropriate. This series is very impressive, and doesn’t overdue the special effects. I think, however, the Holmes is quite weak, especially given the Victoriana available.
You should check out Penguin’s edition of Hans Andersen Fairy Tales. http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/reader/0713996412/ref=sib_dp_pt#reader-page
The scan on Amazon isn’t great but the book is beautiful in the flesh. Cloth binding with foil blocking and gold page edges. I think it’s part of a series with this poetry collection, same designer presumably
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/reader/0713999616/ref=sib_dp_pt#reader-page
I’m a big fan of this site, but mostly because I’m a big fan of books, not too much of a design nerd in general. But I have to say, I’m a student, and I took a class in British Modernism this past semester. Nearly all of the prof’s recommended editions were Norton Critical. Since the extra materials weren’t assigned and there were no translation issues, I deliberating took the time to find other editions, and the inconvenience of having differently numbered pages than the rest of the class all semester, because I didn’t want those ugly pieces of trash on my bookshelf.
All this to say, yeah, I hope you get your wish too.
Versatile and unique type integrated with illustration in a varied super-serialized design… well-printed with beautiful foil-stamping; not our typical fare but I’m very much in love with this series. This is the way books ought to be. If anyone wants to let me know who the design team was on this, I’d appreciate it. These are the W.W. Norton Annotated editions; we’ve been wanting to redesign their scholastic Critical Editions for years.
— Chris Papasadero, 2008-04-29 09:39:00
What’s not to like? A book cover that tells a story…
There is a charm and care in this type of cover design that is perfect for these fairy tale type books, but it is nice to see it done with contemporary editions as well. This is what book making was all about—care, attention to detail, foils, tip ons, unique and custom letter forms… You don’t see that much more these days: Books that are meant to last and be treasured and kept for years on your shelf for future generations…
Chin-yee Lai did most if not all of these—I am sure with help…
Hope you guys get the Critical Editions.
— ian shimkoviak, 2008-04-29 10:48:00
I can appreciate what’s happening with these covers, but I am also not as moved as I could be. I like the “Huckleberry Finn” bit the best. Ultimately, I think there’s just a bit too much happening in these designs… I realize that’s the point, but I’ve seen each of these books done better.
They look geared for children, what with the graphic assault that’s happening with these versions. Adults don’t really need to be bombarded with quite so many attention-seeking decals… it’s almost off-putting. I don’t hate them, I would just be more apt to reach for the bare-bones Barnes & Nobel editions.
— C-Dog, 2008-04-29 16:44:00
I just want to peal that giant leather belt of a boarder off of that Stowe cover, along with its four mammoth belt buckle pictures. Just drop it and that center bit would POP.
— C-Dog, 2008-04-29 16:52:00
peel*
— C-Dog part 3, 2008-04-29 16:53:00
and border*
— shorty, 2008-04-30 05:30:00
I can appreciate what’s happening with these covers and I love the classic borders with elegant detail. I would love to have this series on my bookshelf.
— Arthur, 2008-04-30 07:06:00
Didn’t Chris essentially sum up Ian’s comment with “This is the way books ought to be.”? That guy is 200% redundant.
— Steven Gulie, 2008-04-30 09:11:00
I’m a little confused about the type- it looks art nouveau to me, but wasn’t the book written pre-Civil War? Maybe it’s an anachronism, or maybe there are things I have to learn about 1850’2 type. (anyone?)
But I love it anyway. My favorite one of them is Classic Fairy Tales.
— kellyc, 2008-04-30 10:50:00
Howz about an observation about the covers Steven??? It’s getting to be really redundant to have folks commenting on other peoples comments…
What I did add to the discussion was:
“Chin-yee Lai did most if not all of these…”
All that aside: It is interesting that for a good number of these the design style is very consistent—with the 4 corners featuring bits form the story. But then with Finn and Holmes there is a stylistic departure. You would think they would want them all to have the same series (Annotated) flavor…
The type treatment for Uncle Toms Cabin is superb. Almost like it was picked up from an original version of the book. It would be nice to hear the story behind some of these… Most of them look similar in their execution though.
— ian shimkoviak, 2008-04-30 11:15:00
I particularly like how at first it appears that the Sherlock Holmes cover deviates from the heavy border treatment like the rest—but no, indeed, good old Holmes is merely kneeling down to get a better look at one corner of his border like the good detective that he is. Nice.
— JR, 2008-04-30 11:49:00
Uncle Tom’s Cabin looks like mid-19th century sheet music, which is certainly appropriate. This series is very impressive, and doesn’t overdue the special effects. I think, however, the Holmes is quite weak, especially given the Victoriana available.
— Tom McKeveny, 2008-04-30 13:33:00
I’ve seen the Sherlock Holmes in person, and it’s actually really beautiful. You can see a picture if you follow the below link:
http://designarchives.aiga.org/?s1=2|s2=1|eid=2562
— nate s., 2008-04-30 16:33:00
Wow, that Holmes box set looks very slick. Nice post.
— C-Dog, 2008-04-30 20:34:00
You should check out Penguin’s edition of Hans Andersen Fairy Tales. http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/reader/0713996412/ref=sib_dp_pt#reader-page
The scan on Amazon isn’t great but the book is beautiful in the flesh. Cloth binding with foil blocking and gold page edges. I think it’s part of a series with this poetry collection, same designer presumably
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/reader/0713999616/ref=sib_dp_pt#reader-page
— Dan, 2008-05-01 08:36:00
Oh, OK. I figured there was something I missed…Thanks, Tom.
— kellyc, 2008-05-01 10:31:00
I’m a big fan of this site, but mostly because I’m a big fan of books, not too much of a design nerd in general. But I have to say, I’m a student, and I took a class in British Modernism this past semester. Nearly all of the prof’s recommended editions were Norton Critical. Since the extra materials weren’t assigned and there were no translation issues, I deliberating took the time to find other editions, and the inconvenience of having differently numbered pages than the rest of the class all semester, because I didn’t want those ugly pieces of trash on my bookshelf.
All this to say, yeah, I hope you get your wish too.
— Nathan, 2008-05-10 04:48:00