30 Old Books Worth Buying For the Cover Alone
by Beth CarswellSearch Rare Books
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You may remember an AbeBooks feature called 30 Novels Worth Buying For the Cover Alone.
Those were contemporary examples of novels so beautiful we'd buy them just for their looks. So how has book design changed over the years? What constituted a beautiful book a century ago? We've found 30 we think tell the story well.
I recently came across a unique listing of the 1907 first edition of Life of Japan by Masuji Miyakawa (pictured left). Bound in green cloth, it was highly decorated with cherry blossoms, Mount Fuji and the rising sun. Despite no specific interest in the subject matter, I had to own it, and after some deliberation, ordered it. It was (for me) not cheap, but I'm so pleased I did - especially as it was the only copy with the decorated cover I could find for sale. Even if the book had proved entirely disinteresting (it didn't), it's a fine example of the beauty and care that can go into bookbinding and design, and of how sublime an object a book can be. I love seeing it on display at home.
These are those books that catch our eyes, that demand to be picked up and opened, and that make us want to possess them.
Enjoy these exquisite examples of beautiful books, and treat yourself to something lovely and collectible - most are surprisingly affordable.
Please note: prices are approximate to within a small margin, as currencies fluctuate. Copies on display may sell quickly.
The Book of Bugs
Harvey Sutherland
1902
Sold
Only copy available
