A pocket edition of reprint of the 1800's editions of favorite novels by George MacDonald in pocket size (4.25x6.25) matching paperback volumes.
Includes:
- David Elginbrod (1863)
- Alec Forbes of Howglen (1865)
- Robert Falconer (1868)
- Malcolm (1875)
- The Marquis of Lossie (1877)
- Sir Gibbie (1879)
- Warlock O'Glenwarlock (1881)
- Donal Grant (1883)
A word from Michael Phillips, the producer of these books:
I have spent most of my adult life publishing varied editions of George MacDonald’s writings—original reprints, edited and children’s editions, compilations, devotional anthologies, novels, sermons—in many sizes and shapes. In all that time and through some eighty different publications, I have never produced an edition just for myself.
I love small books. My most cherished volumes of my favorite authors are in small, sometimes tiny 3” x 4” editions. Such editions used to be more commonplace, often bound in leather—exquisitely crafted books. Sadly the quality and variety of publishing has changed dramatically in the last fifty years, and not for the better.
Publishing small editions is difficult. The smaller the book, the smaller must be the type, which makes small books more difficult to read and of limited interest.
I realize, therefore, that small editions such as this won’t appeal to everyone. The cry will immediately go up, “But the print is too small!” That’s the trade-off. To produce a small book, the print has to be small.
Many of George MacDonald’s books were published in small editions. The U.K. first edition of Malcolm was produced in three volumes that measured 4 ¾” x 7 1/8”. The German publisher Tauchnitz published most of its novels in beautifully bound small two-volume editions measuring 4 ¼” x 6 ¼”.
I love those Tauchnitz editions. They represent the model for these new small “legacy” editions. I have tried as much as possible to reproduce them…except for the fact that the same craftsmanship of smythe-sewn, leather-and-boards bindings has disappeared from the publishing landscape. And of course also in the size of type.
I wanted to produce a small single volume edition that I could easily carry with me. The three-volume first edition of Malcolm—in its very pleasing small size—runs to 938 pages. The exquisite two volumes of the Tauchnitz edition, in much smaller type, total 653 pages. Clearly for me to produce editions of this and the other titles I envisioned, the type would have to be considerably reduced.
Such, then, is the rationale for this small volume of the original 1865 text of Alec Forbes of Howglen. It is the same trim size as the classic 19th century editions published by Tauchnitz, though obviously with smaller type.
My apologies to those who find the type too small. As I said, I have produced this for myself. If there happen to be one or two others out there who like small books, I will be glad.
