Gorey James

Dover Publications do a sterling job keeping a lot of great literature available at very cheap prices, as well as some great art collections and early graphic novels by the likes of Lynd Ward. But it's also true that much of their literature collection have uninspired covers and not always very sensitive typography. However, their most recent Henry James reissue, What Maisie Knew, uses the cover originally created for Anchor in the 1950s by the late Edward Gorey (about who I've written a lot in the past).

And here's the original Anchor edition:

Compare this with some of their other Jameses, and you'll agree it's a great improvement. More Gorey, please!

Here are two more old Gorey James covers, stolen from E·ratio.

Lynd Ward II

Later this year, the Library of America is producing a very handsome two-volume set of six 'woodcut novels' by the great Lynd Ward. I wrote more extensively about Ward here, so go there to see why he's worth pursuing. All I can say here is that, even though I own all of these books already, I'm sorely tempted by the loveliness of this set.

Before now, the Ward flame has been kept burning by Dover Publications, who have reprinted many of his woodcut novels, as well as his illustrated version of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, in editions that are both cheap and attractive (except for the sometimes over-loud typography on the front covers). If you want to see what the fuss is about, any of those volumes are well worth your time.