Inquiry into the Quality of Folio Society Editions

I don't own any pressings from the Folio Society. Are they really as high-end as their reputation suggests?

[Trinculo]

I have a several Folio books and they are all beautifully designed, illustrated, bound, what have you. Everything about them is top notch. Mind you, I purchased these books around the year 2000. So while I doubt it's the case, commercial interests may have changed their products for the worse since then.

Quote Originally Posted by Trinculo

I have a several Folio books and they are all beautifully designed, illustrated, bound, what have you. Everything about them is top notch. Mind you, I purchased these books around the year 2000. So while I doubt it's the case, commercial interests may have changed their products for the worse since then.

Excellent! When funds allow I might invest without guilt!

[Piranesi]

I own several - all acquired cheeply secondhand. Their imitations of 19th century publishers' bindings are sometimes embaressingly bad taste - too much faux gold decorations. But otherwise they're fine and lovely. Perfect fonts, nice margins, delightful illustrations.

Their Letterpress Shakespeares looks like a dream!

[Michael]

I have the Hodgkin Barbarian Invasion series and Gibbon Decline and Fall. Few others but those are my favorites. They're good. I think, personally, they are overpriced but they hold up well. Usually I can find copies second hand if I wait long enough. You won't regret if you get a set but you won't regret if you don't either. Best way I can put it.

[Speaking Mute]

I collect FS books and have editions going back the early 1970's - they are extremely well made and durable. I somewhat agree with Piranesi regarding their more expensive facsimile editions, but the buckram and cloth bound editions with modern, FS original designs (which is what I prefer) are on par with what you'll pay for similar quality books from Tartarus Press, Egaeus Press, etc.

Quote Originally Posted by Piranesi

Their imitations of 19th century publishers' bindings are sometimes embaressingly bad taste - too much faux gold decorations.

Which ones in particular should I watch out for? I'm especially interested in their science, poetry and fantastic fiction catalog.