Religion and Ethics Forum

General Category => Literature, Music, Art & Entertainment => Topic started by: Steve H on February 16, 2023, 12:59:05 PM

Title: Beautiful books
Post by: Steve H on February 16, 2023, 12:59:05 PM
A thread to complement "Bad book covers". How about this? I've just bought it on ebay for £235 (!!!). It is modern - 1980s - and ENORMOUS! It is "elephant folio" size, which is about 24 inches tall, so it won't fit on any of my shelves, but will have to be displayed on a cabinet.
Title: Re: Beautiful books
Post by: Nearly Sane on February 16, 2023, 02:54:54 PM
https://youtu.be/PuDquo76490
Title: Re: Beautiful books
Post by: Steve H on February 17, 2023, 11:39:14 AM
 ;D

It's arriving today. It's not 24" tall, which is a relief. Elephant folios can be, but this is somewhat less, though still bigger than standard folio.
Title: Re: Beautiful books
Post by: Dicky Underpants on February 17, 2023, 03:49:39 PM
Quote from: SteveH on February 17, 2023, 11:39:14 AM
;D

It's arriving today. It's not 24" tall, which is a relief. Elephant folios can be, but this is somewhat less, though still bigger than standard folio.

Don't let Baldrick light the fire with it. Many other writings are available for that. My Spanish teacher seemed to think that the books of H.E. Bates were suitable, which I think was a little unfair.
Title: Re: Beautiful books
Post by: Steve H on February 18, 2023, 12:36:35 PM
It's 15.5"x9.5"x3", and the only shelf with enough headroom is on top of one of my bookcase, so it now lives there, next to my facsimile first folio Shakespeare.

https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjAsANc
Title: Re: Beautiful books
Post by: Dicky Underpants on February 18, 2023, 02:08:38 PM
The Voynich Manuscript is intriguing, and its illustrations fantastical. So far as I know, no one has succeeded in producing a convincing translation. Anybody got unheard of private theories? Reproductions are available.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Voynich_Manuscript_(32).jpg
Title: Re: Beautiful books
Post by: Steve H on February 18, 2023, 03:05:00 PM
I read an article about that. Fascinating. A happy hunting ground for various esoteric theoreticians (alias weirdos), no doubt.
Title: Re: Beautiful books
Post by: Dicky Underpants on February 18, 2023, 04:38:53 PM
Not forgetting Hypnerotomachia Poliphili:

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypnerotomachia_Poliphili&ved=2ahUKEwjar73QwJ_9AhUWGsAKHXpNA2EQFnoECDIQAQ&usg=AOvVaw2oUFd35kG6X-Okh9CODqqQ
Title: Re: Beautiful books
Post by: Dicky Underpants on February 18, 2023, 06:00:13 PM
Less esoteric, with beautiful illustrations from the period: Darwin and the Beagle by Alan Moorhead.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.deburcararebooks.com/product/books/signed-editions/moorhead/&ved=2ahUKEwjpxP2K65_9AhXUbsAKHXajAeUQFnoECHMQAQ&usg=AOvVaw3pn-zynjfQLGYUXPUffmoP

For those who have a bob or two. Used paperbacks are available.