Vintage announces new Quarterbound Classics series

Vintage has announced a new Quarterbound Classics series with the first nine titles publishing on 5th October 2023.

The publisher says the “beautiful hardback gift editions” represent “great novels – to read, share and keep forever – that span decades". It adds: “these books have captured readers’ imaginations time and time again. With a cloth quarter binding, contemporary illustration, red silk ribbon and beautiful finishes throughout, these are editions to last a lifetime”.

The first tranche of titles include The Woman in Black & Other Ghost Stories by Susan Hill; If on a Winter’s Night a Traveller by Italo Calvino; Trainspotting by Irvine Welsh and Stoner by John Williams. Also included will be: Beloved by Toni Morrison; Catch-22 by Joseph Heller; I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith; Midnight’s Children by Salman Rushdie; and The Bloody Chamber by Angela Carter.

Charlotte Knight, senior editor at Vintage Classics, said: “For the first time Vintage Classics is launching a range of gift hardbacks of some of the best books of the 20th century. These are era-defining, life-changing novels in beautiful editions – to give as presents or as a treat to yourself. Either way they are books to keep forever.

“The response from authors and estates was universally enthusiastic and joyful. As a piece of publishing it is a delightful project – but it is also an important enterprise. As we progress into the 21st century we believe it is vital to return to the great books from the last century, because the concerns of our time can best be understood in conversation with the past. We hope these new hardbacks will delight readers, transporting them into dazzling fictional universes and taking up a permanent place on every bookshelf.”

Suzanne Dean, creative director at Vintage Design, said: “Our vision for the Vintage Quarterbound Classics was to create beautiful books that would sit on readers’ shelves for a lifetime. So we have commissioned beautiful new artwork for each book, complemented by a cloth quarter binding in a palette of colours that will stand out on shelves. At Vintage we strive to champion and commission a wide range of artists and illustrators.

“I’m really excited about the breadth of talent on display in these first nine titles of the series, as we look to present these classics afresh to be discovered by new readers. From Ukrainian illustrator Daria Filippova’s subtle but powerful illustration for The Bloody Chamber to British artist and illustrator Sophy Hollington, who has used innovative linocuts for the bold design for Beloved by Toni Morrison.” More can be found out here.