Re: $500.00 U.S. for HPL book (really?)
Posted by:
jdworth (IP Logged)
Date: 5 September, 2011 11:55PM
Concerning Centipede Press: While I only own one of their books (W. H. Pugmire's The Tangled Muse) I have seen a few others. The concerns about typeface, poor design, etc., certainly don't fit. A great deal of care goes into these, not to mention the artwork, which is usually specially commissioned for them -- these are not simply about the text, but are intended as art books as well, and such things tend to always run rather high due to the cost both of the original art and the level of reproduction. They are very sturdy books, solid, and very, very attractive, and reflect the care and craftmanship which goes into them from initial conception on.
As noted, these are not intended as books simply to read, but to enjoy as fine examples of the bookmaker's art as well, and that they are. Which leads to my response to Absquatch's comments. You've said this sort of thing several times in various places, and no one can argue with a point of personal distaste. I will simply say that I disagree with you, and feel that, though I myself am unlikely to be able to afford such things, or at least afford them very often, I see absolutely nothing to complain about because there are such things for those who want and can afford them. The creation of a beautiful book, whatever the price, doesn't bother me, any more than the creation of any other piece of good or fine craftmanship would. If anything, I'm glad such things are out there, and I take pleasure in them when I have the opportunity. To my mind, there is plenty of room for all varieties of book publishing, from the shoddily-manufactured pieces which fall apart within a few weeks or months, to those which are in themselves pieces of art which may last for centuries. Having the good fortune to own a tiny number of these latter, I'm very glad that someone is still doing such things today. I am by no means a collector in the usual sense -- far from it -- but I do appreciate such things for what they are, and for the things they offer which the others do not and, by definition, simply cannot; but each has its place, and is worthy (to my mind) of respect.