New LE: Ulysses by James Joyce

New LE posted. I think I’m going to pass. Given what I’ve heard of the book, I’m not sure I would ever feel any interest in reading it and I’m not a fan of the illustrations. At the same time, the book looks quite nice - and it has two ribbon markers just to add another twist to the discussion on them in another thread!

>1 vmb443: Has FS done two LEs of the same book before?

Video presentation of the new edition:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fkuDf84c8u8

> I don’t think so, there is also the Fine Edition. It is - to the best of my knowledge - the first time that three separate versions of the same book have been published by Folio in such a relatively short period of time (three versions in eighteen years including two LEs). This clearly being the most expensive.

>1 vmb443:

I can't find the site page. Do you know the price and limitation?

>5 Jobasha: Limited to 500. Cost $795 (USA)

I’m not a big fan of this approach to creating a LE - tipping in the signature, using a SE (or fine edition, if you will) textblock. Echoes of Monte Cristo. Like the 2017 SE (FE?) this is also much too big for my liking, though I prefer this binding!

(Genuine question: Is gold ”blocking” the real deal or an inferior solution to high temperature stamping?)

To clarify are these the same images as the newer standard edition?
I have the older blue leather goatskin version. Is cowskin better? I was always under the impression goatskin. Was tops for books.

This makes the Tristram Shandy LE look affordable in comparison. Sneaky Folio..

Maybe it's the angles but the proportions shown the video and the still shots on the page look kinda off to me, rather comically on the chunky side given its height and width. Munken pure paper isn't something I've noticed used for any previous LEs, or is there one I've missed that people can describe their experiences of this paper? Given the thickness of the volume I'd imagine the paper itself is also rather thick stock.

>8 trentsteel: Yes, this appears to be a rebind of the 2017 edition in much the same way as the 1998 edition was later rebound in blue leather for the 2004 limited edition.

Little bit of enablement from Stephen Fry.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wL_rXp-T4tc

I haven't read the novel, but given his encouragement I find myself rather tempted.

It looks as if there is some two-colour printing in the text, and the cover design is on the title page, but apart from the leather the fine edition seems nicer to me; I am not a fan of shouty spines, myself.

However, if Folio can take a quick half million to perk up their balance sheet, why not?

Glad I got Thornwillow more than ever - although this edition is cheaper I suppose. Kind of looks like an Easton Press volume with a great slipcase. Agree with the comment above about Tristram Shandy which looks much nicer at half the price. I feel like it is poor taste and lazy to do ANOTHER limited edition of the same book when there so many books to choose from. I'm not sure if it's even an upgrade from the prior limited edition.

It’s a no from me - however I would need a spectacular looking Ulysses to tempt me, so Folio were always on an uphill battle with me for this title

>12 red_guy: It looks as if there is some two-colour printing in the text

"Printed in two coours throughout".

>10 wongie:
Munken Pure has been used before: Micrographia comes to mind. In that book it is quite stiff, and certainly very nice. Ulysses has more than twice as many pages, however, and it looks as if that paper has made a very thick book - the website gives a thickness of three and a half inches, including the solander; the SE is just two inches.

This is a handsome production of a great book, but I can't see any reason to replace my SE - as that was issued just five years ago, I wonder how much of the potential market for this expensive re-issue will feel the same?

>9 NLNils: As an aside, Tristram Shandy seems to be down to 33 remaining in stock (I think an excellent edition from Folio).

I'll be passing on this, primarily because I haven't read Ulysses, and my impression is I wouldn't enjoy it enough to warrant a £500 edition.

I'm probably being dense, but I can't see where this was printed and bound.

>18 affle: If I squint hard enough it appears to be printed by Northend, Sheffield. At the very least with a paper name like Munken pure the production, both printing and binding, would have at been within Europe.

>18 affle: >19 wongie:
I can't spot it anywhere on the page on the FS site, but pausing the video at 9 seconds to show the colophon page indicates printed at Northend, Sheffield as noted by >19 wongie: and bound at Smith Settle, Yeadon.

>15 folio_books: Ah, yes. I did watch the video, but that's me all over - just looking at the pictures.

Will you buy it? I know you have a penchant for LEs, but does this seem an improvement over the last edition?

>18 affle: You’re right. If you watch the video and pause at the limitation page or get a clear view in the photos, it says the text is printed by Northend, Sheffield and bound by Smith Settle, Yeadon.

Edit: Wasn’t fast enough on posting, sorry to duplicate information given by others.

>17 EdmundRodriguez: It's just laziness and pure greed. They've already done both a beautiful LE and SE in the past and for Joyce's centennial all they do is copy the nice standard edition, put some leather on it, and make a solander case? I mean at least if they are going to do another LE (didn't know this was a thing and as for someone who owns many Folio LE what makes anything limited now?) be creative and try to produce something as stunning as Thornwillow. And, on top of everything, have the gall to charge $800 on a reprint? It leaves a sour taste in my mouth.

Also thank you about Tristam have been meaning to buy this and just made the purchase.

Down to just 312 copies already!

I had hopes this year to upgrade my 1998 FS edition. An SE reprint would of been more affordable and would include the same text and illustrations. It's just a leather rebind of that edition. It is way out of my budget. I'm still tempted.

>24 ThisLifeIrl: I noticed that! Was wondering if perhaps the entire run wasn’t available at the start, or if it did indeed already sell 200 copies almost.

This centenary limited edition follows the most authoritative text to date. Joyce scholars and long-term collaborators Danis Rose and John O’Hanlon returned to the original 1922 typescript, which was read and corrected by the author. By incorporating Joyce’s later revisions and corrections they have created, as nearly as possible, the Ulysses that James Joyce wanted to have published.

I won't be buying this book, or the Fine edition for that matter as both are out of reach financially. But I'm wondering if there exists a nice trade version of the now often mentioned "authorative text" quoted above from the Folio website?

>21 red_guy: Will you buy it? I know you have a penchant for LEs, but does this seem an improvement over the last edition?

It's arriving tomorrow: ) Got to get in quick to get the low numbers.

It's a huge improvement over their first attempt at an LE which was let down by the illustrations. This one has the John Vernon Lord illustrations from the fine edition, enhanced by the leather binding. Can't go far wrong with goatskin anyway but it's bound by Smith Settle so I know I can rely on a quality job. And I'm expecting to make a not insubstantial sum selling my fine edition on eBay.

This has been a Good Day for me.

>28 folio_books:

Hope you get a good low one, Glenn, and that your Good Day will not be ruined by the fact that it's calf not goat. Just be even more careful handling it.

Well, at last I'm glad to hear from someone in this group who is is enthusiastic!

But I hope Folio have got over their flirtation with Hermes - they left poor Madame Bovary under a bush just before Christmas (fortunately Folio refunded all charges when I pointed out she'd suffered enough).

>27 NLNils:
There is no "authoritative" edition of Ulysses, and never will be. Rose's "Reader's Edition" was published around 1998 to the usual storm of criticism from adherents to earlier editors, notably Gabler. The points at issue are unlikely to be of much interest to the general reader. Joyce scholars are like those ancients who worried over how many angels could stand on the head of a pin.

>29 affle: and that your Good Day will not be ruined by the fact that it's calf not goat.

Thanks for pointing that out, Alan. No idea where I got goat from. I'm happy with calf.

>30 red_guy: But I hope Folio have got over their flirtation with Hermes - they left poor Madame Bovary under a bush just before Christmas

Hermes are the pits and I have previously given Folio the benefit of my opinion of employing them. Fortunately the LEs are sent by DPD.

>31 Jayked: Glorious response! I thank you.

I do think this is a gorgeous edition. If this had come out before the Thornwillow I would have probably jumped at it.

Dithering but calfskin leather? Great feel, but so easy to damage...

>8 trentsteel:
“I have the older blue leather goatskin version. Is cowskin better? I was always under the impression goatskin was tops for books.”

Yes, FS use to tout their Moroccan goatskin leather for their LEs and a few standard editions. But like all publishers they will buy whatever is available at a price they are willing to pay and then claim it is the best. I don’t really have a preference, although my cowskin/pigskin books have proven extremely durable over my 40-50 year collecting experience (mostly Eastons and Franklins). I’ve never treated them with any conditioner or cleaner, and they still look and feel as good as the day I bought them. I don’t have enough long-term experience with goatskin to render an opinion.

I can’t tell the difference between pigskin and cowskin, but they feel thicker and sturdier while goatskin has a softer, gentler feel to it. Like most things about book collecting, it comes down to personal preference.

Longevity seems to depend mainly on the preparation of the leather rather than its source. I've numerous volumes more than a century old bound in calf by the most reputable London bookbinders, and most of them are standing the test of time very well indeed, whilst ordinary commercial leather bindings from the same period and later are often found splitting or crumbling.

I wouldn't have guessed from the photographs that the binding of Ulysses is calfskin. The look of it reminds of the "Wright's smooth grain leather" of Moby Dick: do we know what manner of beast supplied that?

This is exactly what I predicted that Folio would do for the centenary — dress up the fine edition in leather and issue as a LE. That said, I don’t really blame them. Their fine edition was already fantastic - from the JVL illustrations to the acclaimed Rose/O’Hanlon edited text - and there wasn’t much to improve on. Full leather is great. The solander looks beautiful (thank you Folio for giving us solander cases again, finally!). The paper is Munken Pure (fine edition used Abbey Pure, not sure how similar these two are) and the upgrade to two color printing throughout is a nice touch (though at the moment I’m not sure if just the titling is a second color or how this plays out). For about the same price as the scarce 2017 fine edition was selling for on the secondary market, I’m pretty happy with this. Now, how many years till the matching Finnegans Wake LE comes out?!

Overall longevity about the same yes, but calfskin is easier to visibly mar/scratch the surface. It's more about maintaining the appearance of a $795 book.

>39 MobyRichard:
I don’t have any scratches or nicks on any of my several hundred leather books, most of which cost less than $100.

>38 ChampagneSVP: Not long to wait. 2039 for the centenary edition :)

Looks lovely to me and I have ordered it but I had to phone them because, again, the website doesn't like my credit card despite it being in date and my chosen payment option in my account details. Hopefully they can work out what the problem is.

And may I echo >38 ChampagneSVP:
A matching Finnegans would be the cream on my Irish coffee, but I won't hold my breath ;-)

>40 jroger1:

Are they mostly Easton Press/Franklin? I'm assuming if they use "cow" leather they would use "cowhide" and not "calfskin", which are different. I had also heard somewhere EP mostly uses pigskin, but I don't recall EP being exactly up front about that kind of thing so I don't really know.

>43 MobyRichard:
I should have used the word cowhide instead of cowskin. Most EP limited editions state on the limitation page that they use cowhide leather imported from Italy. I once half-facetiously asked on the EP forum why Italian cows are better than Oklahoma cows and got 2 or 3 different answers.

My understanding from reading various posts on the EP forum is that they are now using cowhide in their standard editions (I don’t know what grade) after years of using an embossed pigskin. Apparently, customer service will tell you if you ask, but I’ve never bothered because I can’t tell them apart anyway.

Franklin Library rarely specified the kind of leather they used, but when they did it was cowhide. The grade varied from series to series.

Many collectors seem to think that leather requires tender loving care including the frequent use of leather conditioners. I’ve never used one and would be afraid that it might dull the gold lettering and design.

>42 Cat_of_Ulthar: the website doesn't like my credit card despite it being in date and my chosen payment option in my account details.

Presumably they could take your credit card over the phone, though? Irritating.

>24 ThisLifeIrl: Down to just 312 copies already!

It's now between 250 and 300 (didn't have the patience to refine it any further) so whichever way you look at it they are moving quite fast. Those hoping to wait until it's in a sale will, I expect, be disappointed.

>44 jroger1: fine calf for bookbinding is much softer than the leathers uses by Franklin and Easton. It can be much more easily marred by encounters with corners or fingernails (though if the leather is decent quality, this can add to the character of the piece, just like with a quality briefcase or handbag).

The best bookcalf can acquire a deep lustrous sheen that I haven't seen from any other binding material. See J Hewit & Sons "bookcalf" leather:

https://www.hewitonline.com/Bookcalf_p/le-020.htm

Our Bookcalf originates mainly from New Zealand and Scandinavia. The skins are vegetable tanned using Tara and/or Sumac. They are then aniline dyed and dried on our 'glass' drying machine to enhance the natural smoothness and beauty associated with this quality of leather. The surface is absorbent and lends itself well to additional dyeing by the user.

This is a good example of the possible effect:

https://www.hewit.com/showcase/view/?item=15

>25 assemblyman: It is not out of my budget and I still would not buy this given you're buying the SE and paying an extra $CDN700 for leather. It's poor behaviour, but it's Folio's business and for those who don't own a copy I suppose I understand. I bet you can find the SE for a good price.

>47 ProbisPateo: In all honesty, considering the price of the SE on the secondary market this LE looks like a bargain.

>48 L.Bloom: The price of the SE may end up dropping a bit, but if it stays close to what is was, then may as well add a few hundred more and get the LE.

Argh. Such a missed opportunity by the Folio Society to do something truly unique, but not surprising these days. I own the 2017 FE, and have the Thornwillow Press letterpress version on order, so I'll be passing.

>37 terebinth: I was also curious about whether the Moby Dick LE is cow or goat leather, if anyone knows?

>51 Nightcrawl: Per the old Limited Editions brochures on the group website (years 2010 and 2011), the Moby Dick LE was bound in goatskin leather.

I love the FS LEs and own about 80% of those they have published, but I cannot see myself upgrading to this LE from the fine edition I own.

This looks like a very nice version, of a book I do not own but have read. I do like to reread a lot of my books, the thought of rereading Ulysses though fills me a sense of dread! With that in mind, I think I will skip this one as it would be nothing more than a very nice ornament. On the plus side, I am already thinking of the money I have saved and as a reward will buy some other Folios on my list!

Looks like a well put-together LE, albeit lacks the wow factor of some recent efforts due to being an "upgrade" of an existing version.
As I own the 2004 LE and the Vernon Lord fine edition, no incentive for me to consider this. I have directed my centenary investment to this instead: https://otherpress.com/product/ulysses-9781635420265/

I prefer not to own leather bound books at all merely because I think's its rather sad to have my books covered in a bit of a long dead animal.

Certainly for the English publishers and booksellers circa 1800 they would usually sell their new books without an animal skin covering, mainly so that the purchaser would then be able to have the book bound - often in leather - just so they could decide on the design and material of the binding - often in their own chosen uniform binding so their library would have books with matching bindings.

What's wrong with a fine cloth binding? They take decoration well. They can look wonderful and last for many years with careful handling.

>56 English-bookseller: I love a fine cloth but leather has a very pleasing look, feel and smell. There's a reason we make everything from clothing and bags to books and instruments from it. For most people it's not a moral problem, and the consumption of meat produces a lot of hides as a byproduct that are just wasted if not used.
I have many bookcases but there's just one with all leather bindings and that's the one people will stop and admire when they visit.

Creating a limited edition from a fine edition several years old is pretty poor.

When paying £500 for a book one should expect something very special. Newly commissioned illustrations which will not be available elsewhere is a minimum.

>59 Uppernorwood:

I can't quite agree there - nothing wrong in my book with the Doré-illustrated Rabelais or Rockwell Kent Moby Dick, etc.. Doubtless John Vernon Lord will be paid fittingly for the new edition. Still, it does feel a tad exploitative and predictable to me, and with my half price sale copy of the fine edition waiting patiently on a shelf here I'm not tempted to consider a purchase.

Before we turn this thread into a debate on the morality of using leather to bind books, may I suggest we move that potential topic to a new thread, and keep this one focused on the merits of the LE in question.

>60 terebinth: I wonder if the order matters. Does it matter that the FS often makes standard/fine editions after publishing a LE, reusing the artwork and design, e.g. Dracula, The Call of Cthulhu, Moby Dick, Dr. Zhivago, BOTNS, etc., and in this case is doing the reverse?

Would the disappointment fade had this LE been released first, then the SE? Does it matter?

They did the same with Dune.

>61 What_What: Good point. How about the fact that many people are complaining that this is a rebind of the SE? Isn't this something that most of us are in favor of (albeit in the reverse order of release)? When FS did this for Moby-Dick it was met with applause. I'd like to see the same treatment for most of the LE's they produce. The Divine Comedy comes to mind. A one volume SE or something would be nice.

>62 What_What: Ha, we were writing the same thing at the same time!

I have been chasing the 2017 Ulysses SE for 2 years. With one being sold 2 weeks ago for £576 best offer... it made this purchase a no-brainer.

>62 What_What:

Well, there's scope for disapointment either way. Can't say I've felt any myself, as one who bought Kelmscott Chaucer, Moby Dick, Four Gospels and BOTNS LEs then saw (to my mind) lesser SEs of each making them available to a wider audience: but I know others here have felt unhappy about, even cheated by, some of those editions. Simultaneous release seems a good idea, allowing, while stocks last, everyone to obtain the edition they prefer given the price they're willing to pay for it: then there's clearly some advantage in being guided by demand for the LE in deciding whether to follow it with an SE at all.

>65 Fung: I agree being in the same boat. I stupidly passed this one up on sale (because I had the original FS leatherbound LE). I am very happy to finally acquire this one.

234 left.

>68 NLNils: I checked it a few hours ago and it was around 275. Seems to be selling quickly!

If I wanted to pay this much for Ulysses I would have bought the Thornwillow half-leather, printed letterpress. Excuse me while I climb back into my hole.

>70 Sorion: That would have got you one Thornwillow volume out of four...

>70 Sorion: You are correct and it is clear evidence of why you should not post when you only slept for two hours. Exit stage right.

>55 ian_curtin:

I am sorely tempted by that, thank you. Also found this:
https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/books/story/2022-01-25/for-its-100th-...

Thanks to scanning by folio_books (Glenn), the brochure for the new Ulysses LE is now available for download from the FSD wiki here.

Unfortunately the brochure arrived slightly damaged.

>64 L.Bloom: Haha, nice job!

Down to 209 copies already.

I have a paperback version from 1996. I've read 129 pages of it. I think the guilt of that is enough for now. It's a shame as I was really enjoying it (years ago), but life happened and by the time I started reading again I'd forgotten what had happened!

>75 What_What: I am able to add 288 copies to my cart right now. Perhaps they weren’t all available at launch.

>73 kcshankd: Good find! Thanks for sharing. My copy is supposed to ship today, so am hoping to have it soon.

>77 ChampagneSVP: Yes definitely not all added at launch. Looking back on this thread, the highest number availble was 312, went down to 209, then lept back to 288 this morning (UK time).
So they have sold over one hundred at least, who knows apart from Folio.

It is an incredible book, at a high price. I think is very much worth it, if there wasn't all the shenanigans with making a LE of a SE, and re-releasing a LE of the same title. I could see if you owned these already, you might get irked. Not having them, I'm on the fence, but that's for me to work out.

If it is just a money grab, then that's fair play as it bank-rolls a wonderful organisation which continues to produce some jaw-dropping books. To me they are managing to navigate between making money on the more popular productions, still putting out more traditional titles and managing to create their more interesting projects (Aurora Australis, The Divine Comedy...). Good on them.

I was skimming through the LE just now and it occurred to me that this is not the first time they've upgraded a fine/standard edition to a LE. Cast your mind back to 2005, when they published Wind in the Willows with Charles van Sandwyck's illustrations. Step forward three years to 2008 and the Centenary Edition of Wind in the Willows LE with the CvS illustrations. Relying on memory, I seem to recall he may have added a few more for the LE but it's essentially the same as the 2005 edition with enlarged dimensions. You won't find too many people complaining about that now. The LE is devilishly difficult to find and priced out of reach of most FS collectors. Might be worth bearing that in mind.

>80 folio_books: How do you find it now that you have it in hand?

>80 folio_books: Not to mention Count of Monte Cristo and The Three Musketeers.

>80 folio_books: The list goes back further back than that; the standard editions that I know of include that were reissued in new full leather bindings include:
>81 assemblyman: Beat me to the Dumas books...

Decameron (1954/5), rebound in 1969 and then again in 2007
Don Quixote (1995) rebound in 2005
War and Peace (1971), also available that same year in full leather, rebound again in 2006
Monte Cristo (1999) rebound in in 2017
Three Musketeers (2001) rebound in 2021
Even the 1998 standard edition of Ulysses was rebound in 2004

There's probably one or two others that I'm missing. Don Quixote and the previous edition of Ulysses specifically were two that I know where the text block were exactly the same, not even any upgrades like the two-tone printing this reissue of Ulysses has which doesn't seem much appreciated.

A few of these came out before I started collecting Folios so I don't know if they too were criticised as heavily when they were initially reissued. I don't recall any where as as much "cash grab" criticism in the more recent threads for the Dumas books. I guess a standard issue needs to be around for at least 10 years before people generally are more accepting of a rebind.

>83 wongie: War and Peace (1971), also available that same year in full leather, rebound again in 2006

Only to add that the 2006 LE was in fact a rebound version of the 1978 photo-reduced single volume, inferior to the two-volume edition in my opinion.

>81 assemblyman: How do you find it now that you have it in hand?

I like it very much, thank you, but I don't suppose that's too surprising. Anyone familar with the JVL edition from 2017 will know precisely what to expect. There are a few "extras", like the two-colour printing mentioned by >83 wongie:. The binding is magnificent, one of Smith Settle's finest efforts for Folio. All the elements harmonise, as one would expect. Money very well spent as far as I'm concerned. I'm told it's selling very well, too.

I never bought a LE, but I will probably do so one day when the edition appeals me enough. Out of curiosity I checked what the shipping cost would be in the EU, and it was 49 pounds :S. My god, is the CEO delivering the book in person, or what? you can buy a cheaper TV on Amazon with free shipping lol. I am joking with the comparison, but I really don't get it why shipping is so damn expensive with Folio? (on top of an already expensive / relatively low weight item)

>85 folio_books: is the two-color printing throughout (e.g. chapter headings, etc.) or only on the title page?

I have no doubt that the binding is fine. Calfskin is high quality and Smith Settle deserves its good reputation. Also, how is the paper in the LE compared to the fine edition?

>85 folio_books: That's good to hear, I'm envious. Its nice to get a view from someone who have received it and seen it up close. It's down to 270 left now. It will be interesting to see how long it lasts. If it lasts a few more weeks I may be tempted but at the rate it's going it will be well gone by then.

>85 folio_books: Is it just titling that's printed in the second color, or how do they go about it?

Earlier today Folio came to my aid an email that addresses many of the concerns expressed on FSD. I'm going to quote a whole chunk of it here as it mentions the paper used and other relevant stuff:

"The illustrations for the new limited edition of Ulysses, which marks the centenary of publication – something we very much wanted to celebrate – are those that John Vernon Lord created for the 2017 edition, and for this limited edition there is so much more: an exclusive full-colour print presented in a folder featuring the artist’s wave design, a hand-drawn map printed on the endpapers, new Celtic-inspired motifs at the start of each book and a portrait of James Joyce inset on the clamshell box – all by John Vernon Lord.

The illustrations have been printed on Natural Evolution Ivory paper, ideal for such intricate works, whilst the text, printed in two colours, is on Munken Pure. The artist has also updated his introduction to the illustrations. Then there is the gold-blocked leather binding with a new spine design by John Vernon Lord, gold page tops and two grosgrain ribbon markers. And to finish this extraordinary edition, each of the 500 copies has been numbered and signed by John Vernon Lord. Once the limitation is reached, no more can ever be made."

I can only add that "two colours throughout" is technically correct but rather sparse once you get past the title page and initial chapter heads.

>90 folio_books: Is any of this new information? It sounds very similar to what’s on the website.

They also said it’s selling well, which does seem to align with the fact that it’s halfway sold through, so that’s good.

>91 What_What:

Yes, pretty much as per the website but maybe some people haven't been absorbing the information that has been readily available. You'd need to ask them.
I tend to doubt they've elready sold half the limitation but it seems to be going at a steady rate. Initially not all of the stock were made available when the website went live which accounts for the early fluctuations. Whatever, I think it's safe to say that this is not an LE destined for the sales.

>92 folio_books: Agreed completely. I imagine soon they may add the “Half sold” note on the listing, or whatever is applicable at the time, which would only then provide an accurate estimate.

I plan to purchase it, but I’m the kind of person who usually waits till the counter is put on.

Likely not a good idea this time especially, as the packaging doesn’t seem up to the usual LE standard - what were your thoughts on that aspect of it? I wouldn’t want it to get damaged and there is no replacement.

>93 What_What: as the packaging doesn’t seem up to the usual LE standard

The packaging was well up to the usual standard - no knocks, no dings. Having said that the courier is DPD in the UK and I've never had a problem with them.

>94 folio_books: Good to hear, thanks.

55 ian_curtin
Do you have any details about that edition of Ulysses? Anything special other than the illustrations?

>91 What_What: They also said it’s selling well, which does seem to align with the fact that it’s halfway sold through, so that’s good.

From an email reeived earlier this morning "Closer to 250 now". Half of the limitation sold in less than 4 days is pretty good going.

>86 capiri: "Out of curiosity I checked what the shipping cost would be in the EU, and it was 49 pounds"

Are you having to pay VAT on top of that as well? If not, then the £49 includes the VAT and the fees associated with collecting the VAT (which are often higher than a reasonable person would expect).

>98 TheEconomist: You do. The quoted £49 is just the shipping charge. In The Netherlands the low tier VAT is 9% and this is shown separate on the invoice. In this case I would be billed £495 for the book, £49 VAT and £49 P&P. Combined with the CC conversion charge the sum is £603/€725 to purchase this LE.

>99 NLNils: It's quite costly to the EU and more so to Denmark with its 25% VAT and separate Post Denmark charges. Makes me shiver sometimes. I try to forget those insufferable days. If I still lived there, I would never have bought that many Folio books.

>99 NLNils: So that's the thing. VAT might be quite a lot, but ok, VAT is VAT. What I do not really understand is the 49 pounds/ 60 euro shipment cost. Surely DHL is not charging as much for a express delivery? As I said, you can buy a TV or a more expensive item from Amazon in UK and have free or cheap shipment with DHL... so where is it coming from? pure curiosity..

>101 capiri: you need to look at the volume of logistics. The higher the volume the lower the price per order. Whereas in other regions such as Europe the frequency and volume is much lower to offer free or lower shipping costs. U.K. compared is wholly on steroids with regards to free shipping. My own experience included. I’ve had Amazon and/or eBay deliveries every single day of the week since 2 January. It’s just so easy with prime. Missing batteries? Done. A certain book? Done. Paints? Done.

>102 ironjaw: Not sure I get it. I meant Amazon UK shipping to continental Europe with much lower shipping fees or free (not within UK). I've sent packages from Continental Europe to UK for 15 pounds as an individual (not company)

>103 capiri: Interesting. It might be price fluctuations or squeezing the margin from the shipping companies due to covid. I know that oil costs and forex do impact on shipping quotes. Let's just wait for the behemoth Amazon to launch its drones lol

PSA: From the Folio site - Over half sold now.

>103 capiri: You have to ask who is carrying out the service of submitting the VAT to the government of the importing country. NLNils has quoted the Netherlands as an example - I don't know whether that is your country of residence as well, but for the time being I will assume it is.

For B2C (as opposed to B2B) orders where the total cost of the order is less than 150 euros, Amazon are responsible for collecting the VAT and relaying it to the Dutch government for all orders placed on their website. Amazon are required to deal with the governments of all EU states to which they ship (I imagine that this is all of them). It's a faff - but for an organisation the size of Amazon, it is a fairly minor overhead.

For an organisation the size of the Folio Society, however, it would be a severe overhead. So much so, that I imagine FS are not prepared to deal directly (or indirectly, via an intermediary) with the VAT departments of overseas states. In that case, their only realistic option is to get the courier to remit the VAT on their behalf (sending the parcel duty unpaid is also theoretically a possibility, but at present it is not a realistic option as last year's changes are still bedding in - there are many stories of parcels being lost/returned if the VAT has not been paid in advance, and even if the parcel is delivered the charges can be excessive).

Several couriers, including Royal Mail, are offering to provide this service - it is known as DDP (delivered duty paid). Here is a link to a helpful Royal Mail webpage explaining the various options:

https://www.royalmail.com/business/international/guide/delivered-duties-paid-ios...

DDP services are more expensive than standard courier services, as the courier is also charging for the service they are providing over and above delivering the parcel.

That said, whether £49 is a reasonable charge is another matter. I do not know how much couriers are charging to provide this service, but Royal Mail are developing DDP services that are very competitively priced. The problem is that the Royal Mail services are only available to a handful of EU countries at present. Here is a link to the current RM rate card for business parcels:

https://www.royalmail.com/sites/royalmail.com/files/2021-12/International-Busine...

Tracked DDP to the Netherlands is currently priced at £6.39 plus £2.70 per kg - that's about £17 for a 4kg parcel, for example.

Hope that helps!

>55 ian_curtin: I have directed my centenary investment to this instead: https://otherpress.com/product/ulysses-9781635420265/

I received my copy today. Very impressed with the artwork and the overall presentation. A big heavy book--not suitable for lap reading. This is truly an illustrated edition with numerous full page drawings and many other small sketches in the wide margins. The paper is glossy and the boards are paper covered. The FS editions are obviously superior in that regard. But for the price it's a bargain and well worth it. (I also own the FS fine edition which is excellent and a facsimile of the original 1922 edition. All three look great on my bookshelf.)

>73 kcshankd: kcshankd
>55 ian_curtin: ian_curtin:

Thanks for posting this info and alerting me to this edition.

A question for those who have received a copy. Can it be comfortably read in your lap or does it need to be placed somewhere when reading? The original SE was large to begin with and with the added thickness in width I assume the LE is much heavier to hold.

Everyone please tweet and email Folio demanding a 2017 Standard Edition reprint

>109 assemblyman:

I estimate that the book is about 2.5 kilos - not one to hold in the hands unless you want to strain your wrists. You could sit it on your lap but I find I have to hold my head at an uncomfortable angle to read if I do that so some sort of support would help.

Looks like the price of the fine edition has come down, as predicted - now there’s a copy signed by Lord available for a mere £325. If you can get past the deceptive marketing of it as a “first edition Limited Edition,” whatever that means, and are comfortable buying from a seller who was hawking the in-print Murukami for a premium soon after it was released, it’s not a bad option.

>112 Cat_of_Ulthar: I was curious as I saw a picture of it on the Facebook group beside the Fine edition and the previous LE which highlighted it’s impressive size. I have been hesitant of larger size books previously but if it could sit comfortably on a lap then there wouldn’t be an issue personally speaking.

>113 What_What: it seems another topped up at £95. I believe the recent crazy surge in inflate prices has finally come down to normal and roe covid levels.

>114 assemblyman: I have all the Folio Society Ulysses publications except the new one volume large LE. I just don’t have the space and am happy for the 2017 Fine Edition

>116 ironjaw: If you had not bought the fine edition at the time would you be tempted by this LE or would you be holding out for the fine edition prices to come down?

>117 assemblyman: That’s a really good question. I might have picked this up but seeing the recent pictures on Facebook at the size comparison, it’s definitely a No go. I’m not rally a fan of larger cumbersome volumes. Ulysses Fine edition by itself is quite large but the LE is wider. I’m quite happy with the Ulysses Fine edition and would highly recommend you purchase that instead of the LE.

>108 amp123: Welcome - and thanks for sharing your initial impressions. My copy is out for delivery, so hopefully is imminent.

The ticker is on...155 copies left.

>120 Neil77:

And that's after just a week.

Are there many here who have gone for it or are going to? There have been many with some valid points on why not to get it but only a handful who stated they would or would like to. Just curious as today is the books centenary and Joyce's birthday.

Yes. 100th today - 2nd Feb 2022. It was first published in book form in a limited run - to mixed reviews. As the FS has become a worker-owned trust I just bought number 155 almost as a donation to the book creating world.

As was the case when Sylvia Beach took the risk and published Joyce in 1922. She never made her money back, and spent much of her time and own money supporting Jimmy J's writing and family.

"....As you are now so once were we.”

>122 assemblyman: If I hadn't gotten a lucky break on the SE last year I would go for this for sure. The secondary market price for the SE makes this LE an easy buy. In my opinion this LE will be one of the top 5 Ulysses ever produced.

1. Arion
2. Thornwillow
3. LEC
4. Probably this LE
5. The SE of this LE
6. The previous LE

>124 L.Bloom: the new LE looks like an Easton Press though. And are the illustrations mostly copied over from the SE?

>125 RickFlair: I wouldn't put this in the garish pile of EP editions personally. As low effort as this LE is, it is still lightyears beyond EP in terms of quality of materials and artwork. While it is essentially a rebind of the SE, the current prices of the SE make this price justifiable to anyone in search of that SE. The SE was already one of the best editions of Ulysses even without the upgraded materials.

I think this looks like a great edition. If I hadn’t already committed to the Thornwillow half-leather, I definitely would have gotten this one.

>125 RickFlair: why does it look like Easton Press? Because it is full leather with gilt stamping? Those are the only similarities I see and the Folio is bound by Smith Settle in what looks like (my copy is in the US but not here yet) a sumptuous and beautifully grained leather, nothing like the hard Easton Press stuff, and gilt stamping is pretty much standard on leather bound books.

As to the illustrations, Folio commissioned John Vernon Lord, an acclaimed illustrator whose style resonates with me personally, for their 2017 edition of Ulysses and I wouldn’t have expected them to start fresh when the JVL ones work so well. The 2017 fine edition is a fantastic book and had little room for improvement so I’m not surprised it was outfitted in leather for a more upscale limited offering.

>125 RickFlair: There are a number of instances discussed where the Folio Society “regurgitated” or “copied” existing illustrations to make popular and successful LEs, so it genuinely doesn’t feel as quite the knock some are making it out to be.

What specifically makes this look like an EP book though?

>129 What_What: Could be the intense green color although I find it entirely appropriate for this work. After all: "The snot green sea. The scrotum tightening sea."

>130 L.Bloom: Ha. Just finished reading that chapter. FS should of used that in their marketing campaign.

>128 ChampagneSVP: Yes, I assume the Folio leather and overall build is wonderful in comparison to Easton. However, on the shelf it will be easily confused with an Easton if not in the clamshell. I don't feel a release should be called an LE if it copies all the illustrations from the SE. And why do we need two ribbon markers? The only thing I like about this release is the price. And if that SE gets a reprint... wow. And if they are going to do a SE reprint of course it will be after the LE is sold out.

>132 RickFlair: I have the Book of the New Sun LE, and it doesn't bother me one bit that they released an SE with basically the same text block, including illustrations (apart from the volume count and paper).

I agree with you that it feels slightly different going the other way (SE to LE), though not so much that the process seems objectionable. My different reaction to the two cases (which are distinguished only by temporal order) almost feels like some sort of cognitive bias.

(Notably, George Macy regularly did this with LEC to HP releases, but always fancy first and then downgraded to Heritage Press standards.)

FYI, there is also this exciting new trade edition from Other Press! Three hundred illustrations! Boo Ya. I went in for it yesterday and when I checked out it auto-filled a discount code for 20%. Don't know if that was just a birthday special or not but seems like an amazing edition for those on the fence about spending LE money on a book they are worried about reading. (I am of the "read it over and over" camp, you might have guessed.)

>134 jveezer: please post a review/photos when it arrives!

>7 GusLogan:

I’ve tried reading my way to an answer but failed - is anyone here knowledgeable about gold blocking and its virtues or lack of such? For such a lovely leather spine it seems crucial to me whether the title is durable. Thanks in advance!

The ticker is down to 75 copies--at this rate it may sell out by the end of the week (certainly by the end of next week).

I had been kicking myself for not buying the original version, particularly when it went on sale for a ridiculously low price, but having received my copy of the LE version, I am very pleased with having waited. If the original version was going for huge amounts on the secondhand market, I'd hate to guess what this one will go for. My guess is that it will be for quite a bit more than $1000. If you are on the fence, I'd highly recommend pulling the trigger now.

>137 podaniel: i think they will announce a standard edition reprint after they have sold out of their limited editions

>138 RickFlair: A standard edition of the ‘limited edition’ edition of the original fine edition !

Down to 66….at this rate it may sell out by the end of tomorrow!

>139 antinous_in_london: hahaha. Well, Folio just sent me an email saying that they don't have any plans to reprint the SE. However, the last time they told me that was regarding Great Gatsby. And in less than 6 months Gatsby was magically available for purchase again.

>141 RickFlair: they definitely have incentive to deny an SE publication while they are trying to flog an expensive LE.

>142 LBShoreBook: absolutely agree. come on, folks, hurry up and buy the remaining 60 LEs

>138 RickFlair: This is my prediction as well. It would be silly not to take advantage of the centenary by not reprinting the SE.

>144 smhunter85: If they did that they would probably wait for the Summer Collection to take advantage of Bloomsday in June. But I would be pessimistic that they would release an LE and re-release the SE in the same year. Hard to know with FS though.

Edit to add: Only 38 left.

>145 assemblyman: Would you please join me in sending an email or tweet to folio society to kindly request the SE reprint? Myself and some of my friends have already done so. Folio does take requests into consideration and if they receive a lot of requests it can make a difference. Thanks for all help! customerservice@foliosociety.com

And its gone! There seemed to be a mad rush over the last 24 hours !

>147 antinous_in_london:
Not sold out, but out of stock. It has an add to wishlist button as well. Perhaps not all sold yet.

>148 ranbarnes: I think this one may be gone. While this title was well out of my price range I've still been curious as to how quickly it would go and so have been monitoring the reported volumes left quite regularly. FS posted onto Instagram 3 days ago stating that less than 200 copies were left and this tallies with what I saw remaining at the time and how this has decreased until today. It seems the "Add to Wishlist" button exists for all titles still listed on their site even those that are definitely gone unless there's a reprint.

As I recall, on some fast selling LEs, FS will sometimes list them as "out of stock" when they are deciding who to parcel out the last books to--I remember on Candide that I was able to get a copy when it was listed as "out of stock." I have a sneaking suspicion that they hold back a few copies for regular LE buyers who may not have had a chance to purchase a copy (I have yet to receive the mailed circular). On the other hand, this speculation could be all stuff and nonsense. My prediction was correct on selling out this week.

>148 ranbarnes: The ‘add to wish list’ button is on everything, even LE’s that sold out over a year ago like the Dune & The Wanderer. Often an item will initially go to ‘out of stock’ before the website updates & it changes to ‘sold out’

Of course, 5 Minutes after it sells out a copy appears on eBay - for £900. Hahaha

Alright that ugly thing is finally all sold out. Now we can request the 2017 SE reprint.

>152 antinous_in_london:

Dante has a special, very nasty circle of hell reserved exclusively for people who do that.

The email for adding to the wish list is likely for returns. I’ve seen a LE reappear briefly after being sold out.

I ended up ordering it yesterday. Easily my largest single buy. I’ve been on the fence about this LE since it was announced mainly due to price and size but in the end I said “ yes I said yes I will Yes.”

>146 RickFlair: I can do. No harm in asking but for the reason above it would not be for myself.

>154 folio_books: They won’t be lonely. Another one up for £1,100.

>156 assemblyman: I said “ yes I said yes I will Yes.”

You did well to follow Molly's lead. I'm pretty confident in believing you won't be disappointed. And congratulations on breaking through your buying threshold :)

>157 folio_books: Thank you, I think so too :). I did something I’ve never done before and sold a few books to help fund it. Just editions that I had planned on at some point.

>158 assemblyman:

Similarly, my sale of the 2017 fine edition will partly fund the purchase of the LE. Out with the old, in with the new.

I'm interested if anyone has a copy of the Ulysses LE what their thoughts are as it's been a number of years since its release. I can pick up a copy at a very reasonable price. I quite like JVL's illustrations.

>160 LT79: I have a copy and find it to be wonderful. The leather’s of great quality, the print sharp and easy on the eye. I find JVL’s illustrations to be a perfect compliment to the text. It’s a heavy beast, mind. Definitely a tabletop read - with a book pillow if possible. It’s not perfect but it’s as close as I’ll likely achieve for my tastes - especially for the money, which at £500 new almost appears a bargain - currently 😱

>161 cottonoverwood: That's great. Thank you. I just wanted to hear from somebody who has owned it for a while. Sometimes people are critical from the outside without having owned a book. A big slab of a book is ok for me because I read at a desk with a stand a lot of the time. I'm pleased the leather is of good quality but I think it's JVL's illustrations that have grown on me!

>162 LT79:

You are aware there are actually two Ulysses LE? The prior commentator is talking about the last one. The prior one has pretty awful illustrations (I have both).

>163 podaniel: I've never heard Mimmo Paladino's work described as "pretty awful" before! Taste is a funny thing. I think the 2004 LE is a superb production. I like John Vernon Lord's very different approach to the book (I have the SE) but both are worthwhile and fine accompaniments to the text.

>163 podaniel: I think Joyce wanted Ulysses the blue colour like that earlier limited? I'm not sure though! But I was talking about the most recent one with JVL's illustrations.