Brief comparison of Franklin Library, Easton Press and Folio Society Leather Books

[@asdisskagen6487]

I know this is a really old video, but IT. IS.AWESOME. Thank you for this comparison because not a lot of people do the physical comparisons on the quality of materials. I will say that this is likely not indicative across the company offerings; I have found that Franklin Library's 25th Anniversary edition of "The Great Books" equal to Easton Press' "100 Greatest Books" editions in terms of material quality, comfortability in handling, and readability/typeset/font size. I do not currently own any Folio Society books because they are a little difficult to acquire on the American side.

[@shadowjack8]

Recently bought a book on eBay. Just picked this particular book because, for the price I could get a leather bound book. It was an Easton Press book. I've never considered a book to be sensual before. This is my new indulgence. Did I just become a bibliophile?

[@craftsoda]

Yes, yes you did become a bibliophile :) with a small chance of also being an leather aficionado.

[@shadowjack8]

@@craftsoda I've got another one on the way. I now own two Washington Irving books, Knickerbockers History of New York, and now, The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon.

[@Sams911]

you have to get the Oxford Edition of the Franklin books to compare to the higher end Easton Press... Even the Easton Press limited / signature books are more on par.

[@MikeAgent006]

It might be more useful to compare the full leather versions of the books that Franklin used to produce (much more similar if not superior to what Easton currently publishes) or discuss the fact that they have full leather, quarter leather, and leatherette editions. Also, Easton Press and Folio Society currently are still in business, while Franklin Library is not.

[@craftsoda]

several good points. :)

[@00xanawolf00]

Informative comment! Thank you.

[@drodriguez3935]

Don’t know much about books but in the book world does that value or D value the fact that they’re not in business Any help would be greatly appreciated

[@coziii.1829]

Are they glued or sown

[@KrystalBr0wn]

Great video. I love these books!

[@616Haggard]

Krystal, do you also collect books? I've ran across a few of your comments on my favorite BookTubers channels!

[@MPERTER]

I don’t think this is a complete and fair review. Many points were not cleared, such as: The Franklin Library went bankrupt, so the newer the date of the publication of their books, the worse the production gets. For example, their books which date to the 70s and early 80s, are as good, if not better than some of Easton Press’s. Secondly, the fading of Franklin’s gilt edging is not because of a (poor) production, but probably because of bad previous storaging. I’ve never faced this problem about their gilt edges. Lastly, with the print colors you have to keep in mind that the Franklin Library’s are printed 30+ years ago, therefore it’s only natural that the colors are not as good as an edition from Folio which has just came out of printing. All these must be taken into consideration when comparing these three beautiful publishers.

[@RandalOulton]

Personally, I cringe when I touch the cheaper grade Franklin leatherette ones. They also did a quarter-bound towards the end. I can tell by feel and by look in person, but if I am buying online, I ask the question, does the book have both silk page marker and silk moire endpaper. Only the top grade, full genuine leather ones had both.

[@craftsoda]

Yep. What is amazing is the variety of leathers Franklin had, Their higher end prints have leather nicer the Easton, all the way down to the quarter bound basic, as you noted.

[@eldritchpumpkinghost2968]

I love getting Franklin Mint books from their earlier days. Shame they cut so many corners later.

[@colinmurphy2214]

Endpapers on the Easton are silk not cloth or linen

[@craftsoda]

true.

[@buchdrache1409]

I have never really seen silk liners! Gorgeous!

[@brianrice1492]

I have Easton press books and Franklin library books. Easton press are far superior. I have never collected portfolio society and based on what I’ve seen, I never would.

[@Yowzoe]

Great content. Concise presentation. Horrible mic. Thanks.

[@syts77]

Folio society’s covers look like they’re meant for children. Easton Press is the best

[@LadySkippy]

This was so helpful thank you