Folio Society 'Special Bindings' - Complete Illustrated Bibliography

During the late 1950’s a number of Folio Society members were interested in having the option to buy the Society’s books in specially bound and signed limited editions. So in 1960 five experimental limited editions were produced, to be bound in full morocco leather, signed by the illustrator and numbered on an inserted colophon leaf. However, they did not prove particularly popular and despite the original intent to do a limitation run of 250, the actual number of copies bound ranged from 25 to 75 copies only. I have a copy of Hermsprong (rarest of the rare), but for the others in the series, I snagged some of the photos below from Mark Boyne who kindly posted his collection in the FS Devotees Talk Thread on LibraryThing. I’ve included links below to check availability, but honestly they are all pretty rare and only come available very occasionally.

FS full graves golden ass cover

The Golden Ass by Lucius Apuleius

Illustrator: Michael Ayrton 
Binding: Brown morocco leather 
Published: 1960. 75 copies. | Status: Out of Print 
Where to buy: The Golden Ass (Special Binding) – check availability @ Abebooks (very rare) 

The Transformation of Lucius, or The Golden Ass by Lucius Apuleius. Translated by Robert Graves. Illustrated with 9 two-colour lithographs and signed by Michael Ayrton. Decorated endleaves. 208pp. 25.4 x 15.8cm. 

This limited edition is bound in brown morocco, while the standard edition is bound in cream vegetable parchment with a gilt and brown blocked design. 75 copies printed of 250 advertised. 

Memoirs of Louis-Philippe, Comte de Ségur

Illustrator: Various artists 
Binding: Red morocco leather 
Published: 1960. 41 copies. | Status: Out of Print 
Where to buy: Memoirs of Louis-Philippe (Special Binding) – check availability @ Abebooks (very rare) 

Memoirs of Louis-Philippe, Comte de Ségur. Edited and introduced by Eveline Cruikshanks. Illustrated with 12 contemporary portraits and etchings. Mapped endpapers. 340pp. 22 x 14.7cm.

This limited edition is bound in red morocco, while the standard edition is bound in red buckram with a gilt design. 41 copies printed of 250 advertised.

FS full louis philippe de segur memoirs cover
FS leatherbound Dafoe Journal of the Plague Year

A Journal of the Plague Year by Daniel Dafoe

Illustrator: Peter Pendrey 
Binding: Black morocco leather 
Published: 1960. 49 copies. | Status: Out of Print 
Where to buy: A Journal of the Plague Year (Special Binding) – check availability @ Abebooks (very rare) 

A Journal of the Plague Year, Being Observations or Memorials of the Most Remarkable Occurrences as Well Public and Private, Which Happened in London During the Last Great Visitation of 1665 by Daniel Defoe. Illustrated with 14 woodcuts and signed by Peter Pendrey. Introduction by Kenneth Hopkins. Mapped endleaves. 248pp. 22.7 x 15cm.

This limited edition is bound in black morocco, while the standard edition is bound in black buckram blocked with a silver and impressed design. 49 copies printed of 250 advertised. 

Hermsprong by Robert Bage

Illustrator: Cecil Keeling 
Binding: Green morocco leather 
Published: 1960. 25 copies. | Status: Out of Print 
Where to buy: Hermsprong (Special Binding) – check availability @ Abebooks (very rare) 

Hermsprong or Man As He Is Not by Robert Bage. Introduction by Brian Rawson. Illustrated with 10 two-colour drawings and signed by Cecil Keeling. Decorative endpapers. 262pp. 22.8 x 14cm.

This limited edition is bound in green morocco, while the standard edition is quarter-bound in black buckram with marbled paper covers. 25 copies printed of 250 advertised.

FS leatherbound Bage Hermsprong
FS leatherbound Murger Vie de Boheme

Vie de Boheme by Henry Mürger

Illustrator: Dodie Masterman 
Binding: Blue morocco leather 
Published: 1960. 46 copies. | Status: Out of Print 
Where to buy: Vie de Boheme (Special Binding) – check availability @ Abebooks (very rare) 

Vie de Boheme by Henry Mürger. Translated by Norman Cameron. Introduction by Michael Sadleir. Illustrated with 12 lithographic drawings and signed by Dodie Masterman. Pale blue endleaves. 304pp. 20.8 x 14.6cm.

This limited edition is bound in blue-green morocco, while the standard edition is bound in cream vegetable parchment with a gilt and brown blocked design. 46 copies printed of 250 advertised.
http://beautifulbooks.info/illustratedbibliographies/classic-fiction/folio-society-1960s-special-bindings-complete-illustrated-bibliography/
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