Here's what happened:
Know One You Know commented on the illustrations in The Wind in the Willows, and I wondered if they were the Shepard illustrations that I grew up loving. But I wanted to make sure I spelled Shepard right, so I checked on Wikipedia, and found a number of different illustrators and editions listed.
One of those editions was a Folio Society Collectors Edition:
The Folio Society edition published in 2006 features 85 illustrations, 35 in colour, by Charles van Sandwyk. The Folio Society Centenary limited edition published in 2008. Vellum quarter binding blocked in 22-carat gold. New etching hand-printed, signed and numbered by the artist, and tipped onto a special limitation page of thick laid paper. Presented in a cloth-bound solander box.
I thought it sounded cool. Although I am suspicious of "collectors editions" on principle - I mean, they created it for suckers like me - something about all those illustrations and the sheer tactile joy of handling gilt-edged, high-quality paper ... I sighed and looked it up. Price: $1,795, but no copies available. LIMITED RUN OF 1,000 ONLY.
Yeah, right. Ha. But ... what if somebody had one on eBay?
I just won that auction for $41.16.
I'll let you know if I like the book or and the illustrations, or even the cloth-bound solander box. If not, well - at least I didn't pay $1800 for it.
Damn . . . I've got some books you can shop for. You seem to have a knack!
Posted by: tysdaddy | August 18, 2010 at 05:24 AM
Yet one more reason to be in awe of KayO.
*bowing down* I'm so not worthy ...
Posted by: Nicole | August 18, 2010 at 06:32 AM
congrats on "winning". How smart ye are ;-)
the Willows book I purchased (because of your blog posts) is the one Illustrated by Inga Moore. I'd never heard of her but as I browsed Amazon, hers was the one I liked best: full, rich, detailed and exactly how my kid-brain imagined it the Willows to be.
She's also from the part of England where the the author lived - so it seems she has local knowledge.
I've purchased many other books b/c of your blog posts, but I won't run down the list because I don't want to give you a big head ;-)
I will say "thanks" though!
Posted by: knowoneyouknow | August 18, 2010 at 10:01 AM
No WAY!!!
Posted by: Nina | August 18, 2010 at 03:10 PM