A quantum design
We're loving the design of this hardback edition of Quantum of Solace (The Complete James Bond Short Stories) from Angus Hyland and Fabian Herrmann over at Pentagram.
The book is cloth bound, with just a Walther PPK (and silencer) on the front, the title, author and publisher on the spine, and a combined 007 and Penguin logo on the reverse; all foilblocked in silver.
It also has claret coloured endpapers, and a rather squat page size of 5" x 7", which lends it the rather pleasing air of prayer book. (Does anyone know if that's a standard book size, and if so, what it's called?)
It comes with an embossed manila belly-band that replicates the feeling of classified documents. Deeply lovely. (And a tip-top Christmas present. Pick up Quantum of Solace at Amazon for just £14.) On a side note, it feels like there's the beginnings of a trend starting for higher-end editions of popular fiction. We reckon it might be something to do with the growth of e-readers and online books. Perhaps people are beginning to look at books with new eyes, and realising that their tactile qualities are there to be celebrated and valued. After all, if you can just download a book, then when you buy one it's as something to love, cherish and keep. And heck, that's just great news for designers.