A striking book cover is worth a thousand words—and that’s especially the case when it comes to worthwhile editions of classics. Publishers frequently consider how to appeal to new audiences with enticing new designs and that means fans of these books have many options to choose from when considering which collections belong in their home or are worthy of gifting to someone.
While special editions are having a real heyday, this list focuses on collections instead of special editions of individual titles. I own books from several of these collections and there are a few others I love, as well as one that is completely aspirational. (I believe the price tag will make it clear which one that is.) But there are so many more I could have featured. There’s just something about beautiful books! Plus it’s always a delight to see how a beloved classic can be repackaged to help readers see it anew.
While some of these are sold as box sets, there’s a case to be made for building your collection one or two at a time. Personally, this approach gives me a mission when I’m entering a new sale or store: the first thing I do is look for books to add to my collection, and then I look at everything else. Whenever I’m lucky enough to find a title to add to my collection, I have the pleasure of remembering the hunt for it, and my bookshelf now holds the record of many cities and their bookstores I’ve gotten to visit.
Whichever way you choose to approach adding new editions to your home, I hope you’ll enjoy persuing these beautiful editions today and share your favorites in the comments.
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Penguin Clothbound Classics
Designed by Coralie Bickford-Smith, Penguin Clothbound Classics feature custom patterns inspired by the book stamped on linen cases. There are now more than 75 classics in this beautiful collection. I’m partial to the seven book set of Jane Austen’s Complete Works.
Penguin Green Ideas
I recently gave Will the Penguin Green Ideas collection, which is positioned as the new canon of environmental writing. It’s not widely available in the U.S.: the only reason we knew the series existed is he stumbled upon a book from the series, Jared Diamond’s The Last Tree on Easter Island, at Shakespeare & Company in Paris. This twenty-book collection features luminaries like Wendell Berry, Robin Wall Kimmerer, and more sharing their thoughts on our relationship with the natural world, climate change, and how to get involved in the movement.
Everyman’s Library Pocket Poets
I’ve been collecting Everyman’s Library Pocket Poets for going on twenty years now. The 100+ volume collection includes anthologies and individual poets. I first fell in love with these tiny editions when I saw them at Faulkner House Books in New Orleans. I tend to pick these up when I travel: when I’m on the road, I’m constantly searching new and used bookstores for their distinctive spines. They’re not widely carried so my collection grows slowly.
Macmillan Collector’s Library
Now boasting over 300 titles, Macmillan Collector’s Library editions are known for their distinctive green and gold foil designs. The petite volumes—just six inches tall—make quite an impact on bookshelves. My collection began with a Jane Austen set (shocking!) and is growing from there.
The Folio Society Jane Austen: The Complete Novels
The Folio Society makes impossibly gorgeous special editions of beloved books. I own several volumes that I received as very nice gifts and the quality and design are superb. In honor of this year marking 250 years since Jane Austen was born, they put together this limited edition set of her complete novels. At $1200, it might be an aspirational option but it’s no doubt a beautiful one.
Puffin in Bloom
Puffin in Bloom features floral designs courtesy of Anna Bond who is the co-founder, CEO, and chief creative officer at Rifle Paper Co. It’s no wonder I love them! I snapped up the original four titles when they were first released in 2015 and they have added such happy cheer to my bookshelf ever since. I was beyond delighted when I stumbled upon the then-new three-book Jane Austen collection at Parnassus Books. The latest installment The Wizard of Oz just came out this week.
Cranford Classics
Cranford Classics is a limited-access collection from Books-A-Million and they’re soooo pretty. The hardcovers boast a floral design, affordable price, and a nice-sized font (because don’t forget these books are beautiful, sure, but they’re also for reading.) This relatively small collection includes titles from Jane Austen, Louisa May Alcott, Edith Wharton, and a handful more.
Juniper Books
Juniper Books specializes in dust jacket designs so that series or books by the same author get a one of a kind look from the cover to the spine. You can purchase the dust jackets by themselves or with the books. Many thanks to the MMD blog readers and MMD Book Clubbers who put Juniper on my radar!
Chiltern Publishing
Chiltern Publishing Classics have distinguishing floral and graphic designs, along with gilt edges and a ribbon bookmark. They started out with Jane Austen’s novels and expanded from there.
Canterbury Classics Word Cloud
A word cloud features the most frequently used words in a text and that makes it the perfect design fodder. Canterbury Classics Word Cloud editions feature bright colors and foil stamping on the cover. The cheerful saturated colors and flexible paperback covers make this collection feel especially friendly and accessible.
Do you have any special book collections? Please tell us all about it in the comments.
P.S. Are you a collector?
P.P.S. Build your kids’ libraries with these wonderful, beautiful books, Beautiful editions of Anne of Green Gables, and Add joy to your reading life with these favorite bookish accessories.
