Folio 60: A Bibliography 1947 - 2006

'The books have never been so wonderful nor so covetable as they are right now... the lovely thing about writing all this, sixty years on, is being able to assert with confidence and joy that the glory days are now'JOSEPH CONNOLLYThis is the definitive history of The Folio Society as told through its raison d'etre: the books. As the librarian of Trinity College, Dr David McKitterick, has pointed out in his introduction, this book is intended for those who 'relish the opportunity to find out more about the thought and organisation that goes into the creation of books... and in thinking about the process as a whole we begin to understand what it means to create books that will read well, look well and last well.' All 1,348 books are listed with their full bibliography: author, introducer, printer, translator, binding, illustrator and typeface, while the comprehensive five indices make it exceptionally easy to use and search, whatever your key area of interest. Fully illustrated with over 250 integrated images of binding designs, newly commissioned and classic illustrations as well as occasional portraits and photographs, this is a visual feast.A decade ago we marked the milestone of 50 years of fine book publishing with Folio 50, a comprehensive bibliography and review of the Society's output. In the intervening years we have produced nearly 500 books, an impressive one third of our overall total. Folio 60 brings the bibliography up to date as a celebration in words and pictures of 60 years of remarkable achievement.In 1947, hampered by post-war shortages and possessed only of a boundless love of beautiful books, The Folio Society published three books under the direction of its founder, Charles Ede. In 2006, with the support of members around the globe, we were able to bring out 69, culminating in the Limited Edition facsimile of Maria Sibylla Merian's Surinam Album. It was our 1,348th title.