Robinson Crusoe

I wrote my dissertation about the printed editions of Robinson Crusoe because Reading University have a collection that consists of over a hundred editions and retellings of Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe, from 1747 to the present. The fact that by the end of the 19th century, no other book in the history of Western literature had more editions, spin-offs and translations meant that it was a great way to study how the process of printing and illustrating books changed with the changing tide of printing processes. The special collections librarian regularly found me asleep on my paperwork surrounded by editions. I might add that this was certainly not out of boredom but just that the number of hours I spent in that library was excessive. So needless to say that getting to design the clothbound version is a big deal to me. Here is a picture of what I have come up with. But beware it might change, as this is a very early sneak peak as the book is not due to be a book until November/December 2013.

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