OT: non-Folio Good Omens limited edition

Just seen a link to a new limited edition (although no details yet on how limited, likely to be huge i suspect) illustrated edition of Pratchet’s/Gaiman’s Good Omens. Out April but available for preorder.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1473227828

I post here because i know that many people here liked the two Folio Pratchetts and were sad not to get more, i thought it might be of interest. Please ignore with apologies if not.

No pics available of the illustrations yet, although you can see the cover of the non-limited version if you google “illustrated good omens”. Not my favourite artist for this, but good enough that i’m definitely ordering regardless.

Thank you very much for this information!

That would be the 4th edition of Good Omens I'm buying, after a German hardcover edition (decades ago, before I started reading in the English original), the English paperback, and an English hardcover edition. It's my favourite novel, so buying this new edition is self-understood.

I must say I like Kidby, definitely much better than Kirby, and as much as I generally enjoy Omar Rayyan's work, I was never really happy with his Discworld illustrations. Pratchett himself said that Kidby's illustrations were really close to how he imagined the characters etc., so that's a good recommendation. Who would you have liked to do the illustrations?

Thanks. On Amazon, there are two versions, one for £30 and the other for £75 and not sure if you are aware of the differences, as I can't seem to find it anywhere?

>3 venkysuniverse:

The £75.00 appears to be a limited edition in a slipcase.

>4 dfmorgan: Thanks. I was wondering if the limited edition had any other special features, besides the slip case as even the publisher's website does not seem to have info.

https://www.orionbooks.co.uk/books/detail.page?isbn=9781473227828

preordered, it says "A limited edition in a beautiful slipcase with a corrected text, twelve full colour illustrations and further pencil drawings."

>2 SF-72: Embarrasingly this will also be my fourth edition, and i don’t even have the excuse of a second language: much-read original paper back, treasured hardback found for a £4 at a carboot sale from a seller who obviously didn’t appreciate it, a hardback signed by both authors which was an impulse luxury purchase a couple of years ago, and now this. Lucky, as you say, that it’s my favourite book and i can justify it.

Re illustrator - hmmm, that’s a good question. I’ve just never felt that Kidby gets his perspective quite right. His figures are about 90% of the way there, but there’s always something about them that feels not quite done right. On the other hand, his characterisation is often very good. I have a soft spot for Kirby because those were my first contact with Pratchett but he did suffer from Not Reading The Whole Book syndrome. I honestly don’t know who i’d prefer. I quite like the French Marc Simonetti illustrations.

>7 Petrichory:

I do envy you that signed edition. I've been interested in one of those for several years, but at around 500 Euros I've so far managed to resist.

I just googled Simonetti and those are good illustrations. I think it's generally difficult to find an illustrator who can get the right mixture between the humour and what you might call seriousness / realness. If it feels like they're making fun of the characters or they're too comic-like it doesn't work.

I agree. There is so much pathos in some of his books that you need a good artist to show it alongside the silliness.

For me, this Nightwatch cover is so much closer to how it looked in my head compared to Kidby's version:
https://www.deviantart.com/marcsimonetti/art/nightwatch-Terry-Pratchett-18240155...

>9 Petrichory:

That's very impressive. If only Folio would/could continue the series ...

There’s a new Amazon Prime series of Good Omens coming out this year so it’ll be a popular book choice no doubt.

>6 fp13: Note that the £30 edition also has the corrected texts and the illustrations. I think the £75 one has a slipcase and is a signed copy. In two minds if it is worth the extra £45 :(

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Illustrated-Good-Omens-Terry-Pratchett/dp/1473227836/re...

>12 venkysuniverse: It’s definitely linked with the new Amazon tv series as the Good Omens font/logo is identical on the cover of the book and the pending series. It’s on my Amazon watchlist ready for when it gets released!

Possibly an impertinent question, but do you suppose the limited will have sewn binding or good paper or any of those kinds of features that justify the price difference? Or is it just the signature and slipcase?

I ask because after buying both the US trade hardcover edition of the Books of Earthsea and the UK limited edition, I found that the limited edition was actually of lower quality overall: perfect-bound, smaller, thinner boards. I think they may actually have come from different publishers, but it was still surprising.

>14 Auberon: An excellent question, and I’d certainly be interested in finding out as well before purchasing. I too was hugely disappointed in Orion’s edition of Books of Earthsea (was the US edition higher quality?). As well as the low quality binding, even the illustrated endpapers (which featured the image on the dustjacket of the US edition) were so poorly placed that important parts of the image were cropped off - such a waste of the lovely artwork by Charles Vess.

>15 skullduggery:

Apologies if this is getting off topic: I thought the Books of Earthsea US edition was of much better quality. It's wider, which suits the scale better, the pages appear to be sewn (or at least gathered into signatures - I'm not sure that actually means they're sewn?), and the boards are much stouter. Also, it's one of the rare books where I actually like the dust jacket, which in this case is of very thick stock.

I'll add that it's still a silly amount of material to cram into one volume. They really ought to have made two volumes.

>15 skullduggery: >16 Auberon: I agree the US edition is definitely nicer, although neither are really high quality, and both are so wide as single volumes as to be cumbersome reading. I decided to keep the US edition even though it is unsigned.

>16 Auberon:, >17 wdripp: Thanks for the feedback. And hopefully not too off-topic, since it's the same imprint (Orion > Gollancz) for the Good Omens book, so it's useful to be wary of their past track record. The US edition of Earthsea was Saga Press I think. I wrote to Gollancz to see if I can find out what the binding will be for this one, will update here if I hear back...

Still OT, but for those interested there looks to be a 4 volume version of the illustrated Earthsea coming out over this year.

But it does appear to be slightly smaller than the current UK format :-(

>19 JohnPotten: Can you provide a link or more information?

>20 Auberon: I found following link (UK site):
https://www.orionbooks.co.uk/books/detail.page?isbn=9781473223561
with Publication date given as 27 Jun 2019
Blurb includes "The first book of Earthsea in a beautiful hardback edition. Complete the collection with The Tombs of Atuan, The Furthest Shore and Tehanu. With illustrations from Charles Vess"

Edited to add that I ordered the complete edition to my local Waterstones (UK), but was so disappointed by the unwieldliness of the single volume, that I did not purchase. I will look at, and quite probably buy, these single volumes, as other than the FS edition of A Wizard of Earthsea, I only have a 1980's paperback of the original trilogy.

Ooh, not OT at all - very interesting. I have the signed recent edition from Waterstones and agree that it feels cheap and unweildy in the hand, very disappointing.

I'd happily sell it and get a smaller set of books that still have the Vess illustrations instead that my daughter one day has a chance of actually being able to read.

There are apparently 5 editions. http://goodomensillustrated.com/

I just ordered the most expensive one. Sigh. Damn you good books.

>23 Roccosem:
Enabled, but only ordered the more reasonably priced Occult edition.

>23 Roccosem: Having never read Gaiman or Pratchett, I’ve gone the test-out route and just ordered the standard hardcover. Occult or higher is definitely the way to go if you’re a fan of the title and bookmaking art.

Thank you for the link, Roccosem. I've been severely enabled, and I just bought the Ineffable edition. I just couldn't resist.

Did anyone ask or otherwise find out how much the Celestial Edition will cost? I seriously doubt I could afford it, but it is somewhere between interesting and tempting.

>25 NLNils:

'Having never read Gaiman or Pratchett,' ...

Oh my God, I feel old.

Much you have to look forward to, youngling.

I inquired for the Celestial lol. I saw the link on my Twitter (I follow Gaiman), and I couldn't resist the repost. Glad I could help enable. :)

I went and bought the Orion hardback edition yesterday that's published in series with the Discworld novels, of which I have a few.

>28 Roccosem:

I have also inquired for the Celestial. The website shows the Alpha and Omega lettered copies already taken, so I would have thought we would hear back on pricing fairly quickly, but so far nothing for me...

Unless the price is more modest than I'd really expect, I think I'll "make do" with the Ineffable edition.

Oh God, I hate you all
...cancels slipcase version order. re-orders Ineffable version. Vows not to look at bank account between now and June...

>30 MST-3000:

I suspect that Alpha and Omega are reserved for someone involved in this, possibly Gaiman and Kidby. I don't think they've ever been up for public sale.

I agree. I haven't heard back on Delta yet.

>32 SF-72: >33 Roccosem:

Turns out the price of the Celestial edition is ineffable. Should have realised that sooner!

>34 MST-3000:

That's pretty much what I expected since they didn't even give the price on the website. How much is it if it's okay to ask?

>35 SF-72:

Sorry, I didn't realise how ambiguous my message was - I haven't heard back yet regarding the price (for Sigma, in my case). The ineffability comes from still having no idea what the price might be...

>36 MST-3000:

Ah, thanks for the explanation.

>25 NLNils: >23 Roccosem: Having never read Gaiman or Pratchett, I’ve gone the test-out route and just ordered the standard hardcover. Occult or higher is definitely the way to go if you’re a fan of the title and bookmaking art.

I showed great resolve and even beter judgement, and just upgraded to the Occult Edition. With Anansi Boys just added to the wishlist and eventually to be ordered with American Gods from FS, I felt the standard hardcover to be too ordinary alongside it. I call it GAD..!

How the heck did Anansi Boys sneak by me???

Am I the only one who gets a security message when I click on the link?

>40 InVitrio: the link simply refuses to work for me. Gives a 'site offline' message. (Opera webbrowser)

Oh, please, let me enable.

Lol.

https://discworld.com/products/hardbacks/

Scroll down to the bottom

>42 Roccosem:

Oh, damn, what have you done. I clicked ! And then I inquired for information about the Celestial Edition !

Anyone hear back about Celestial edition?

>44 Roccosem: I haven't.

>44 Roccosem:

No answer to my inquiry.

I'm officially a complete lunatic. (Not that that's anything new, at least when it comes to books.) Taking another look at the website I was very taken with the look of the Occult Edition (they just added photos) so I just put in an order for that. Never mind that I already pre-ordered the Ineffable Edition. Ye gods...

Here's the link in case anyone needs enabling: https://discworld.com/products/books/the-definitive-good-omens-occult-edition/

And here's the Ineffable Edition: https://discworld.com/products/books/the-definitive-good-omens-ineffable-edition...

I ordered the Occult Edition, presumably they start shipping on the 20th of June. I’m looking forward to the book! If anybody else has ordered this or another version as well, please let me know if you get a shipping confirmation or even better have received the book. It was January when I reserved the book, so I almost forgot about it as I am not used to this long a wait. Thanks all!

>48 NLNils: I also ordered the Occult edition back in January. Haven't heard a thing.

>48 NLNils:

When I made my pre-order I added another book, which was shipped within a few days. They did send an email then.

As far as the Celestial edition goes, I think it was Rolls-Royce who used to say 'if you have to ask the price, you can't afford it.'

Not for me, I think.

I might be seduced by the Occult edition, it looks very nice.

While looking for something else I did find this recent Guardian interview with Gaiman:

https://www.theguardian.com/books/2019/may/24/neil-gaiman-interview-good-omens

edit: per google, it was J.P. Morgan, but I'm sure I heard it attributed to Rolls-Royce or one of their salespeople :-)

>51 Cat_of_Ulthar:

I heard it was Rolls-Royce, too.

Maybe J.P. Morgan was speaking from the back of (one of) his,

When RR did condescend to advertise, they never mentioned price, and wouldn't have been crass enough to come up with such a slogan themselves. It was generally applied to them by other people, and presumably had been around for a while.

>53 Jayked:

'When RR did condescend to advertise ...'

That rather proves the point, doesn't it?

RR may not have come up with it themselves but you say it was 'generally applied to them' and the notion doesn't seem to have been so 'crass' that they tried to disabuse people of the general idea; instead they were happy to take advantage of it. After all, the image of exclusivity and privilege remains even today.

I'm not saying the cars weren't necessarily worth the money but perhaps they knew a good bit of PR (or should that be 'anti-PR?') when they saw it and let it work for them.

>51 Cat_of_Ulthar:

Thanks for that link, it's a really interesting article.

By the way, if anyone's interested in the series, too, there's also a very nice book called 'The Nice and Accurate Good Omens TV Companion'. I've only read the beginning so far, which refers to the novel and Gaiman doing the series at Terry Pratchett's request, but the rest also looks really good.

Two days ago I received a email in my junk box (of course) with a shipping notification. Today I received #166/1655 of the Occult Edition and it is a whopper!! My first solander cased book and I’m starting to see the appeal. The large size (30.5 cm x 23 cm) lets the text breath and makes the illustrations shine! I really like the execution of this book. I wasn’t to pleased you actually got charged on the credit card at pre-order, not at shipping. And it took a long while from January up till now to actually receive the book and have it in hand. But all that is forgotten! I’m really pleased with my decision to cancel the standard hardcover and upgrade to the very affordable Occult Edition. I took two photos (not the best of quality, but it must do): the first with the Solander box and book; the second with the addition of the FS Dune for size comparison.





If you’re suddenly enabled, here’s the link again where you can see all 5 editions (you can’t go wrong from Occult and up):

http://goodomensillustrated.com/

>56 NLNils: congrats on that ... it looks amazing. I've been considering the Ineffable Edition ... but I "applied" to find out the price of the Celestial Edition ... but never heard back.

Anyone heard back about the price of the Celestial Edition?

>57 thisGuy33:

I asked them in an email and was told they didn't know the price yet, but it would be very expensive. I'm sure it will be well beyond me, but I'd still be interested to at least know.

>58 SF-72: The old, "if you have to ask, you can't afford it."

>57 thisGuy33: that's kind of a funny response from them. They say to "apply for price" ... then never get back to you (me). Then when they do respond (to you) they say "oh it's gonna be very expensive".

Strange.

lol

>56 NLNils:

Came here to open a thread about the special editions but of course everyone here already knew about them but me. Just ordered the Occult Edition from Paul Kidby Art.
Thanks for the pics, this edition looks fantastic.

I'm still waiting for my ineffable edition.

>60 thisGuy33:

I asked in an email about it - I also asked about something else - and received that reply. I never received a reply to the 'apply for the price' option, which I applied for later.

>59 kdweber:

A classic, but not always true. I've bought some things that were a bit much for my finances but still doable. Others simply aren't. I suspect this one will be in that category, but you never know until you ask. Unless you're very rich, then things like that aren't an issue.

Any word on ineffable edition anyone?

>64 Roccosem: According to the website, Occult is shipping (mine arrived two days ago) while the Ineffable edition will ship on July 12th.

>56 NLNils: can i ask for any detail about the Occult edition? What is the texture of the book cover? How does it feel (light and cheap like most Waterstones special editions, or decent paper and heavy?) Anything else you particularly like or don't like about it? I have ordered the Ineffable but I'm not torn over much preferring the colours of the Occult.

Hi all, finally received my copy and it's quite impressive. Since I barely found pictures of this edition online, not even a single YouTube video, I figured I'll upload a few photos.

Good Omens Occult Edition

Fairly bigger than American Gods (and Dune) by Folio Society, and slightly bigger than a DC Absolute Edition.

Wow! Looks great. I can’t wait for my ineffable version to arrive. I have the limited edition of the Discworld Imaginarium which is also beautiful so I had no doubts about these books either when they were announced.

>67 De.Selby: Thank you. Indeed it looks lovely. I'm sure you enabled many; myself included.

I received my Occult Edition today and find it absolutely gorgeous. I'm very happy with it. And I'm looking forward to the Ineffable Edition, too. It will be interesting to find out what the Ephemera are.

Out of curiosity, does / did anyone have the opportunity to compare the Occult Edition to the Standard or Slipcase Edition? I know they're smaller and have fewer illustrations, but it would be very interesting to know more. Is the text layout the same (two columns) and which illustrations are missing?

Looks like the first ineffable edition is out in the wild! https://twitter.com/honeybee9519/status/1151071431851200512?s=21

>71 RoganJosh: Looks great.

In reply to >66 Petrichory: and in general my observations of the book in more detail (photos have been excellently covered by >67 De.Selby:).
The Occult edition’s black boards are embossed with a red metallic design. The paper used is not specified but of good, thick quality and cream in colour. It’s red foil blocked on all sides. The illustrations are printed on glossy paper to good effect. The text has been set with wide margins and printed in dual column. What makes this book impressive is the total package (starting with the imitation snakeskin clamshell) but also the size! It’s just joyful to look at and hold. It doesn’t really come through in the photos, but it is a verily large book. Pretentious and bold! And I am won over. If you’re interested in this book after reading through this thread, order it. It won’t disappoint.

Having a hard time deciding between the three. At the moment the 'Celestial Edition' is out because no one has heard about price or availability ... which is a shame because it might be spectacular.

But that leaves the 'Ineffable Edition' and 'Occult Edition' ... the pics from >67 De.Selby: look great, especially for that price (thank you again for posting those pictures ... it is so very helpful).

Now if only someone could post pics of the 'Ineffable Edition' ... that could help make the decision.

Just wondering ... what is everyone's thoughts on which way they did our would lean (disregarding price ... or maybe calculating price/value).

So excited for this book ... all versions look beautifully put together.

I received the email telling my that the Ineffable edition is on its way. I'm very much looking forward to it.

The first video review (not mine) of the Occult edition is up:

https://youtu.be/VPuwFrd00hg

I have received my Occult edition. Absolutely stunning!!!
Great value for 95GBP.
Pictures in my illustrated catalogue here.

>76 jsg1976:

As of a few moments ago it's not working. He's saying he will try again tomorrow (Friday).

>78 folio_books: seems to be working again

>79 jsg1976:

Yup.

>77 wcarter: Still waiting on mine!

>81 Shaliza:
Its worth the wait!!

I couldn’t hold out any longer - I just finished watching the show (after having just recently read the book for the first tine in a cheap paperback), and it broke my resolve (in a good way) and forced me to order the occult edition

Just had an email about the Celestial Edition - apparently there are indeed copies available to order (with a 50% deposit up-front) but the headline is the price: £6,666.

I appreciate the dedication to the 666 references, but I will not be partaking!

Edit: clarification re: deposit

Same email. Full blurb :

This rare presentation copy is a serious investment for the book and art collector. The craftmanship in this edition elevates every tome to a printed masterpiece. Each copy is individually printed and hand bound by artisans in the UK. The leather-cased hardback features bespoke metal corner pieces, hand-marbled endpapers and gold foiled page edges. Dedicated signature pages, signed by Terry Pratchett’s co-author Neil Gaiman and artist Paul Kidby, correspond to the twenty-four letters of the Greek alphabet. The book contains 20 colour illustrations, and further pencil art and graphics, printed using state of the art printing and foiling techniques. The volume is presented in a tailor-made burr oak box, with winged hourglass metal inlays, and an inset brass disc inscribed with the Greek character unique to each copy. Inside, a secret compartment reveals further Good Omens bounty: an envelope of fourteen items of ephemera including maps, prophecy cards and unique art prints. Also contained within the box is a hardbound copy of never-before-published William the Antichrist, the very first inception of the Good Omens story written by Neil Gaiman over thirty years ago.
Overall we believe we have created a truly Celestial edition.

Not sure about the “printing techniques” but the content of the celestial and ineffable editions appears to be the same (including the William the Antichrist book and ephemera). I believe the marbling on the ineffable is printed but it still looks great. Looks like the main difference apart from that is in the binding and box. The celestial looks really amazing but I’m stoked with my ineffable edition and I love the look of the occult edition too.

Just received my ineffable today. I will probably resell it it. The binding itself seems VERY cheap. I'm a little appalled.

>87 Roccosem:
Pictures please so we can compare it to the occult edition.

Yes please! Considering the Occult edition but unsure how it compares to, say, a FS edition in terms of binding and paper quality.

Sorry for the darkness:

http://imgur.com/gallery/F2eEHKu

It reminds me of coffee table art book. Glossy pages, but thick. My biggest grief is the binding feels like a Harry Potter movie book or something. The small book has a much more attractive binding.

>90 Roccosem: great looking shelves. Can you tell me what version of Alice that is?

>91 Roccosem:
I'll stick with my Occult edition, thanks.

Quite frankly, I find the Occult edition far more appealing than the Ineffable edition. I just wish they'd added the ephemera and book to that version instead of the other one.

Nice Sandman collection!
I have to say that i'm disappointed too - the paper on the solander case arrived peeling off underneath on mine. But - sigh - having bought the ineffable version, I can't now afford the occult version.

>90 Roccosem: My husband has that Sandman collection. They are the only books of his displayed among my FS books. My Occult edition has finally been despatched!

I just received my Occult edition. Great looking book and clam shell case. It struck a nice balance of features and price. Now my only question: do I leave the edition number on the clam shell case, or remove it? Aesthetically I find it distracting for display, and the book spine has a duplicate sticker located there as well. I don't plan on selling anytime soon, and it is not like it has a particularly low number, or fun number, such as Roccosem's #69. So perhaps I simply remove it to suit my fancy.

Thoughts?

For those with the Occult edition, would you say it compares to a standard FS edition or a fine FS edition in terms of quality?

>97 hamletscamaro: I removed mine. There’s a limitation number in the book itself, so no need for a separate sticker on the spine or the box, and the white sticker detracts from the all black look.

>90 Roccosem: Thank you! Nice collection you have. Counted 3 copies of Stardust ;)

>100 bacchus.: Nice collection you have.

And so elegantly displayed,

>90 Roccosem:

Your pictures made me decide to take another look at the price but when I got there the cupboard was bare. All sold. Never mind, more money for Folios :)

>98 RRCBS:
I would compare the occult edition to one of the cheaper FS limited editions. Very good value at the price.

Thanks...enabled!

>97 hamletscamaro: I carefully removed the stickers. Those are in my eyes purely for shipping purposes. The limitation page is bound into the book, if you’re worrying about devaluation there is no need.

>101 folio_books:

Looks like there are some still available from Paul Kidby's website: https://shop.paulkidby.com/the-definitive-good-omens-ineffable-edition/

>105 RoganJosh:

Thanks for that. I'll take a look.

>98 RRCBS:. In between, but probably closer to a standard FS quality. The large size, clamshell box, metallic cover and page edges are closer to fine, but the paper is low-standard Folio quality, and I found the placing of the images a little odd. Overall I really like it and am very happy with the purchase for the price.

>105 RoganJosh:

I have spent the afternoon racked with indecision. The Ineffable is lovely, and includes the tantalising ephemera but I worry about the negative comments about the production values, the binding especially, and for £300 I want Folio quality. So I took another l-o-n-g look at the Occult and that's the one I ultimately decided to go for. To be honest I don't think I'm missing too much, although the ephemera ... But the deed is now done and I look forward to receiving the book. It's a leap out of the ordinary for me as I don't collect anything but Folio books as a rule.

Just to say my Occult Edition arrived this morning from Paul Kidby, number 373. I'll echo all the favourable comments previously recorded on this thread.

I must confess I was tickled when, entirely coincidentally, I opened the book at page 67 and the first words I read were: "I'm not occult," said Aziraphale. "Angels aren't occult. We're ethereal."

>108 folio_books:

Congrats on your purchase! I think you will be very pleased with it.

My Occult Edition came today. #776. It's every bit as decadent as everyone has described. Very Flash Bastard as Crowley would say.

I've put up a video review of my Occult edition, if anyone wants a closer look at binding, printing, etc: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5JkRmbdt3dU

Completing my day of enablement, my copy of the Occult Edition arrived today. Very nice.

Hi all, I've decided to part with mine. I won't link, but it is on eBay. You'll know it's me because there are three only on eBay: mine is the reasonable priced one. Starting bid is $200 as I did open the shrinkwrap. Full disclosure also listed on eBay: one piece of the folio ephemera was crinkled.

>114 Roccosem:

Was it the one with Elvis? That was also creased in both of mine (one arrived with lots of flaws / damage, the replacement only had the Elvis creased). I think that one's a bit too long for the pouch it's in, so it's likely that every copy has the same issue.

Sure enough was!

A little bit late to this party, but just ordered and received the occult edition. Very pleased with it. Ordered from Paul Kidby, it seems like there are not many left (it was out of stock when I tried to purchase at discworld).

Here’s a link to the unboxing of the celestial edition. It looks quite stunning.

http://www.goodomensillustrated.com/unboxingcelestial/

>118 jsg1976:

Thank you for that link. I'd always hoped I'd get to see a copy. It's so lovingly done.

>118 jsg1976:

Thanks for the link. Words fail me.