The Maltese Falcon - The Folio Society VS. The Franklin Library

[@FrankGrauJr]

When you said the Folio Society cover wasn’t “that bad”, it made me kind of laugh because I immediately thought of that line in The Scarlet Pimpernel when Leslie Howard observes that ‘nothing is so bad as something that is not so bad’.

[@cr33py51]

Love this videos. Hugs from Colombia :)

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

Hugs back to you!

[@janicecuroso1042]

Franklin edition. Classy.

[@ThisJustInBookTube]

You’re making the right choice. I see what they were going for with the Folio edition but they didn’t pull it off.

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

No, they really didn’t.

[@peterg1646]

With all those classy film stills, you've gotta keep the Franklin (but I would keep both).

[@ItsTooLatetoApologize]

I have that Franklin edition. The art on that Folio society edition isn’t the level I’m used to seeing from them. Great choice.

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

Thanks!

[@Vintagevanessa99]

I love Francis Durbridge too Paul Temple rocks

[@stews9]

In my house, when there is a decision between two things, there is always Gene's Choice: Both. Having said that, your assessment is cogent and I'd concur. Discard the garish one. Besides, the Franklin had me a hubbed spine. Oh, and that cover.

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

Gene’s choice is wise. Probably the way to go.

[@dianagarland4907]

The Franklin Library one is a beauty. Great choice. I know they were going with the Pulp feel with the other cover, but it felt sort of flat. I love that you share books with your mom. Enjoy your time at the lodge this weekend.

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

Thanks!

[@wburris2007]

I am figuring out what to read for March Mystery Madness. Two of the books I have picked out are The Maltese Falcon and Red Harvest. It will be my first time reading Dashiell Hammett. I have the Vintage Crime / Black Lizard paperbacks. If I figure out how to talk and how to make a video, I might do a March Mystery Madness video. I dropped the ball on FFS, and didn't read anything for dark or urban fantasy weeks. I am also behind on the Future History project. Instead I have been reading The Three Musketeers.

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

Well, The Three Musketeers is pretty great.

[@distilledlaw34]

Based on the thumbnail, I made the assumption that the Franklin Library edition was the Folio society edition... because the Franklin Library edition looks like something I'd expect to see from the Folio society. You made the correct choice because that Franklin Library edition is stunning.

[@CestKevvie]

Ooh I read the Maltese Falcon last year!! Not my cup a tea, but I loved the movie! Keep them both. Its okay to have doubles when they're really good doubles

[@2025Mindfulness]

Loved the book and movie, I would go with the Franklin edition as well.

[@stevengentry9396]

Those are both beautiful editions of that book. If you must choose, I think you're making the right choice, but it would be difficult to part with either.

[@anotherbibliophilereads]

I don’t make tough decisions. I would have kept them both.

[@DamnFoolIdealisticCrusader]

Being a paperback nerd at heart I can’t part with any of the Black Lizard paperbacks for the Falcon or really any Hammett, Chandler or Cain titles. Those are still my go to favorite editions. I’m a huge fan of the Falcon and have been meaning to read the Black Mask original text version since finding out it was included in one of the big Black Lizard story books. The film is one of my favorites of all time. Occasionally I go back to the 1931 and 1936 film attempts which are truly interesting curiosities.

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

I never saw those earlier film versions.

[@DamnFoolIdealisticCrusader]

@@michaelk.vaughan8617 you’re in for a sort of treat then. They were made because Warner Bros didn’t believe in the material. The 1931 version is precode and gets some of the grittiness but makes Spade more of a ladykiller. Ricardo Cortez is wonderful though. The 1936 version, retitled Satan Met a Lady was bizarrely made comic and featured Bette Davis and Warren William after a golden ram’s horn. What I find so striking now is how the Huston version we know so well by making slight adjustments for the production code and tightening the story managed to make the Spade character more mythic and slightly less rough. I like that they dropped Gutman’s daughter but do miss the Flitcraft story.

[@FrankGrauJr]

The Franklin Library design is pure class, and the deco style fits the era better. The folio society art comes off and wanting to look pulp but I don’t think it hits the mark. That said, the Franklin Library version, if you get the less expensive version, the cover material doesn’t feel all that quality. However, the genuine leather version is top notch, though with a price tag to match. I’d still go with the Franklin Library. And I totally agree with you; Bogart in my FAVORITE actor of all time (though if I were forced to choose a favorite living actor, that would be Denzel Washington).

[@tonygriego6382]

For a minute there I thought that was Jessica Rabbit on the cover.

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

It really does look like Jessica Rabbit.

[@BookBlather]

Good choice. Nice.

[@Old_Scot]

I was a Folio Society member when The Maltese Falcon came out, and I bought it then. I must admit, I didn't really like the pulpy look of it. However, the book itself is still immaculate all these years later. You just can't beat acid-free papers and a well-built slipcase!

[@carenome1]

Keep that Franklin. I have that copy also. Take note of the silver edged pages.

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

I forgot to mention that!

[@RKStumblingbear]

My favorite Dashiell Hammett story is The Thin Man. I like the relationship between Nick and Nora Charles. I can agree that you had a hard decision with which issue of The Maltese Falcon to keep. Both are beautiful. I think that the Folio Society's artwork is reminiscent of the time. For me, I would keep The Franklin Library edition, but I'm a big movie fan.

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

The Thin Man is really good. I’m very happy with the Franklin Library edition.

[@woolybooger7770]

I would choose a combination of the Franklin Library cover and in papers along with the interior of the Folio Society. If I had to choose an actual copy, the Folio society would be my choice but I would get rid of the horrible-looking slipcase. Not a fan of photos from movies or TV in my books for the most part unless it is a collected edition designed for scripts or a thematic collection.

[@NP-Hunt]

Each edition obviously has their own charms, but to be honest I think the Franklin edition cover is absolutely beautiful, so that's the one I'd personally go for. I agree the case for the Folio is pretty much garbage, but I do like the interior illustrations for their 'pulp' appeal. Maybe I'm on my own with that. Definitely think you're making the right choice overall. (To expand on your own joke) I'd use the better half of your brain to list the Folio edition on ebay or amazon, because you could probably get a pretty penny for it, but I predict Roger will bully you into making it the crown jewel of a future giveaway.

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

I’m sending the Folio to Jeremy Fee. He expressed interest and I really like his channel.

[@MichelNJoia]

Sadly there has been a while since I read a book, but this one sounds very interesting!! My next read will probably be gravity's rainbow or some Dostoievski when I get some free time!

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

I need to read Gravity’s Rainbow.

[@kurjan1]

I agree with you 100%. I would add to your comments though, if you don't mind... The actual production quality of the Folio Society edition is very very poor. The slipcase is literally peeling and going all horrible without me even handling it.

[@darrylsloan]

Totally agree with your choice. Folio dropped the ball on this one. You should really burn it ... NO! :-)

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

Ha! It deserves it but I won’t.

[@glockensig]

Flush that Folio!!

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

It has been flushed.

[@DuncanMcCurdie]

Obvs keep the Franklin and send me the folio ;)

[@DuncanMcCurdie]

Only joking, that is a pretty crappy effort from Folio.

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

Yeah, not sure what Folio was thinking.

[@jeremyfee]

I love this book, even with its flaws. They are both amazing editions. I may be biased toward the Folio Society, but I also like that they put the less expensive version of Roger Rabbit's wife Jessica on the box cover, LOL, even if you're not a big fan of it. But the Franklin one looks amazing; I love the spades on there for Sam Spade. I'm proud of you for making the difficult decisions and unhauling your extra copies of books. I know it's not easy to part with what you love.

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

If you want the Folio I’ll be happy to send it to you.

[@jeremyfee]

@@michaelk.vaughan8617 Oh wow, I don't have a physical copy of The Maltese Falcon. That would be phenomenal. I'm still at the same address.

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

@@jeremyfee 10-4. Will try to get it out Monday.

[@jeremyfee]

@@michaelk.vaughan8617 The package arrived today. Thank you so much! I'm about to post some pictures to Instagram.

[@jameshaley6193]

I would keep both. You are not know why until 10 years down the road

[@imsathyasekar]

I am a huge Folio fan but this clearly isn't their best effort. Enjoyable video though.

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

Thanks! Yeah, usually The Folio Society does a great job. Not sure what happened here.

[@4-dman464]

I agree Folio edition illustrations look like lazy photoshop even if they're not. Looks like there ISN'T a superb illustrated edition of this one yet. So this vid looks like a 2nd/3rd runners-up contest.

[@jasonvizcarra709]

I don’t have any folio’s unfortunately

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

I don’t have many.

[@DDB168]

Maybe the Folio Society were trying to market it to younger readers? It's certainly not up to the standards of Steve Donohue's favourite comic artist - Mike Ploog ! 🤣🤣 Kane !! 😲😲

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

Folio really should have hired Ploog.

[@GazmendCeno]

You got the fake Franklin. The spine of real leather version is different.

[@janicecuroso1042]

No, Mom does not have that book!!!

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

Do you have the Library of America set of Hammett? I thought you did for some reason.

[@janicecuroso1042]

@@michaelk.vaughan8617 I'll check & let you know.

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

@@janicecuroso1042 yes, let me know! You should have his complete novels. I’m thinking perhaps I only sent you Ross Macdonald, so I should send you Hammett.

[@janicecuroso1042]

@@michaelk.vaughan8617 I have the MacDonald set, the Continental Op book and a few others but no Maltese Falcon.

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

@@janicecuroso1042 okay, I will send out the complete novels. You need that!