If Not, Winter -- Letterpress Edition

This amazing volume deserves its own thread for sure! I just happened to have across this while perusing the FS catalog, and I can say it's already one of my favorite FS editions of all time! First off, it's printed letterpress which makes it special (more on this later). It includes the original Greek text and English translation on the facing page. It is the acclaimed translation by Guggenheim and MacArthur Fellowship laureate, Anne Carson. Comes in a sturdy slipcase. Ribbon marker and silver gilded page top. Price - $150. HOW THE HECK can you produce such a work for only $150?! Well, whatever magic they pulled off, I hope they can do it again! This easily could have been a $400 limited edition, and honestly, I think it would have sold out. I will say that the work has a frontispiece but no illustrations otherwise. I won't deny some illustrations would have been welcomed, but I am not upset. I have been searching for a fine press edition of Sappho for a long time. The only other edition I am aware of is from the Arion Press. The AP edition is illustrated, so that is a plus. However, while the FS edition is over 400 pages, the AP edition is 112 and clearly is not the complete poetry of Sappho. Also, did I mention that the price for the AP edition is $1750? Yup, over 10 times the FS cost! This is really a magnificent volume and I am certain it will go out of print. I hope in the meantime everyone that really appreciates such fine books will send an email to the FS asking them for more such editions!

Some pics for you...

I've been thinking about buying this book for over a year and the only thing that has stopped me is that my cheap self was hoping it'd be in a sale. Thanks for posting! Regardless, when the New Year's sale comes you've convinced me to stop being so damn frugal and add this gem to my basket. Couldn't agree more - it's gorgeous and I really hope Folio continue to produce such wonderful works in the future.

Due to this post, I'm going take a close look at this volume.

Love Ann Carson too! I would welcome that edition into my library...

I'm just curious as to why the sudden clamour and adulation. It's been there since 2019.

Posted this in your other thread but will copy my comment here for those who don't look at the fine press forum too:

I have this book and it is gorgeous. One of my favorite Folio Society books and definitely my favorite purchase from them this year. I think the binding is lovely, the art is perfect, I'm always an Anne Carson fan, and the letterpress is very nice - just enough of an impression so I can feel it if I run my finger across it, but not so much that I can see it protruding on the back of the other page (a problem with the Thornwillow Press books I've bought - no real complaints due to the pricing on them, but still). They hit it out of the park with this book and I am disappointed that it hasn't sold out already since I want them to make more like this!

>6 katielouise: They hit it out of the park with this book and I am disappointed that it hasn't sold out already since I want them to make more like this!

On that note, only 576 left!! Haha!

>5 folio_books: I only recently found out this book exists, and I imagine I can't be the only one that wasn't aware of it, even if it has been around since 2019 :)

>7 NLNils: How do you know how many are left? Admittedly that is a lot of copies, but since this is letterpress I can't imagine they made more than 1000 -- 1200 copies at most. I also imagine once sold out that will be it. I can't foresee them reprinting a letterpress work such as this.

Sappho got a lot of attention in the thread devoted to that year’s Spring release - it’s mentioned almost 40 times in that March thread. And of course there are lots of other posts related to it where it’s not referred to by name.

I actually have this on the way, and I am really looking forward to it.

And Phil who did the letterpress work also did the Letterpress Shakespeare and the recent Stardust by Lyra’s Press I think.

>9 U_238: Yes indeed. Stardust is on a whole other level - it's truly an amazing work as has been thoroughly discussed in the other thread. Still, that doesn't detract from the beauty of Sappho. I will admit, I don't follow this group religiously, so I never saw mention of it last year. Regardless, I do think it deserves extra attention and I hope others will appreciate it as much as I do and let's hope the FS makes more such glorious editions!

>7 NLNils: On that note, only 576 left!! Haha!
So I take it that was just in jest. Maybe there are 250 copies left, maybe 50. Guess we won't know until it sells out!

It does look amazing and will pull the trigger next week. Also does anyone have the East of Eden edition? It's a wonderful book and it looks gorgeous but am on the fence. Do I wait for a possible sale or is it worth the full price?

>1 astropi:
There is also a slim volume of the Poems of Sappho from the Kelly-Winterton Press, with facing Greek and English text, which is quite nice.

Frankly, it’s the frontispiece and slipcase art that put me off this FS edition. Everything else is great, but the illustrations are superfluous to me, and detract from the otherwise clean design of the book.

>14 kermaier:
I love my copy, but you are completely correct. There are only two images and they aren't cohesive in my opinion.

If they had instead had a nice line drawing or nothing at all I would have been far happier.

I really like the art - I think it's interesting and beautiful, and well-chosen for Sappho, as something eroding into fragments yet still enduring.

Here is a bit about it:

https://ekebergparken.com/en/kunst/cliff-sappho

https://www.picuki.com/media/1608562590546717627

https://www.instagram.com/p/BzbNPDFhI72/?hl=en

>14 kermaier: I quite agree, I find both images somewhat ugly and completely at odds with the clean design of the book. As >15 Jobasha: suggests, a line drawing or similar, or nothing at all would have been far more appealing.

I bought this when it came out and think it is one of best, if not the best, Folio Society editions of the last two years. I agree with >16 katielouise: that the artwork is well chosen for the book. The real attraction though is the fragmented presentation of the text—there is a sadness and beauty in realizing how much is lost, how ephemeral even the written word is. Letterpress makes what remains more real, but what is missing is also painfully evident. I can only hope that Folio’s SF/Fantasy-loving editor will approve move gems like this.

>11 astropi: I was jesting about the large remaining stock, but the number was correct at writing.

This article looks like it might be a good read: Guide to the classics: Sappho, a poet in fragments
https://theconversation.com/guide-to-the-classics-sappho-a-poet-in-fragments-908...

I also found it interesting that the word lesbian is derived from Lesbos, the island where Sappho lived. The Wikipedia entry on the origin of the word lesbian states, in part:

The word lesbian is derived from the name of the Greek island of Lesbos, home to the 6th-century BCE poet Sappho. From various ancient writings, historians gathered that a group of young women were left in Sappho's charge for their instruction or cultural edification. Little of Sappho's poetry survives, but her remaining poetry reflects the topics she wrote about: women's daily lives, their relationships, and rituals. She focused on the beauty of women and proclaimed her love for girls. Before the mid-19th century, the word lesbian referred to any derivative or aspect of Lesbos, including a type of wine.

Everyone always has an opinion. Personally, I think this edition is just lovely, and the illustrations wonderful. I wish there were more, but regardless this is just an amazing edition.

>18 mnmcdwl: indeed, I hope you email the FS and let them know you want more such wonderful editions!