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Limited Editions from The Folio Society

All the works selected by The Folio Society to recreate as limited edition fine books are landmarks in publishing and book creation.

In the ultimate marriage of form and content these great works of literature or history become great works of art. Strictly limited, they are bound to order, numbered by hand and never repeated.

Why produce limited editions?

Any book of which only a set number are ever published - whether 10 or 5000 – is a limited edition and that number is set because very special or expensive processes and materials are not practicable for large runs. Historically it was accepted practice in private presses that certain 'art-quality' books would be limited, hand-numbered and sold to collectors the way prints of wood-engravings might be. The same is true today – books hand-bound in finest goatskin or foiled with real gold leaf take many months to produce and only the finest craftsmen are capable of working on them.

Rare books brought to new life

Throughout history beautiful books have compelled the admiration of those who saw them and the devotion of the artists and craftsmen who made them. From the gold leaf on a richly illuminated manuscript to the fine leather encasing the great works of literature in an aristocrat’s library, it is a privilege to come close to these rare books. Now you can own many of them yourself in glorious facsimiles, produced with exactly the same care and attention to detail as was lavished on them originally. Members can view available limited editions here.

The Folio Society has been entrusted by the British Library and the British Museum, amongst others, to reproduce some of the peerless manuscripts in their care as beautiful facsimiles. Other limited editions follow in the footsteps of the great private presses of the early 20th century, the craft processes including printing by letterpress, handset type, luxurious materials and hand binding.

Members Say

Everyone likes to receive compliments, although of course we value all feedback from our members that helps us improve! Here are some of the comments we receive from members who have just unpacked their limited editions... Of course, we pass all the praise and thanks on to the craftsmen who work so devotedly on these projects.

'It looks and feels like an absolute work of art, redolent of the craftsmanship which has been dedicated to its production.'
Roger Bing on The Letterpress Hamlet

‘What a splendid accomplishment - I tip my hat to all those involved with it. As far as my serious book collecting is involved, I generally avoid modern "deluxe" editions, preferring instead to try to obtain true first editions whenever possible. With the Folio Society facsimile editions, however, I simply can't resist. The works chosen for publication coupled with the loving attention to each and every detail of the book's design and production make these treasured additions to my library. I can't tell you how pleased I am -- especially with the grand and glorious Surinam Album.’
Mark Van Oss on The Surinam Album

‘Thank you for a masterpiece – a very complex project completed with real triumph’
Jerrold Northrop Moore on Night Thoughts

‘It is the most beautiful volume, far exceeding my expectations’
Col. Sir Walter Luttrell, descendant of Sir Geoffrey Luttrell, on The Luttrell Psalter

‘Never having owned any printed book so magnificent before, I am still astounded that this superb facsimile is actually here in this house’
Peter L. Field on The Kelmscott Chaucer