A New Fine Press, Fablelistik Editions, has been launched by Macmillan Publishers
- by Michael Stillman
Fablelistik edition of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.
A new fine press is launching today (October 1) with one of the best-known publishers behind it. Its name is Fablelistik Editions and its a new venture for a publisher that goes back long before the legendary Kelmscott Press, when the old way of making books was still the new way – Macmillan Publishers. They have done this before.
Since this is all new, we will let them describe what this new brand will be creating, “Fablelistik Editions publishes finely crafted, limited edition, and fine press books. In collaboration with renowned authors and artisans, Fablelistik creates bespoke renditions of contemporary and classic stories – to read, to share, to treasure.”
Their first book will be a story that goes back even farther than Macmillan, back to the days when people still named their children “Ichabod.” It is Washington Irving's classic American lore, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. Fablelistik Publishing Director Taylor Armstrong said, “We could not be more excited to launch with The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. The intricate and thoughtful artistry our partners brought to these editions is extraordinary and created the foundation for us to preserve and champion the literary and visual arts community while exemplifying books as works of art.” Macmillan Publishers CEO added, “In launching Fablelistik Editions, we embrace Macmillan’s belief in the power and lasting impact of books. Books have the unmatched ability to captivate and inspire, standing the test of time as treasured keepsakes. We look forward to creating collections that people will cherish—pieces of art that celebrate these beloved stories and honor the unique connection that only beautifully crafted books can provide.”
Fablelistik is creating three limited editions of Washington Irving's The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. Each edition includes more than 12 painted illustrations as well as a biography of Washington Irving by Catalina Hannan, Research Librarian of the Hudson Valley Historic Archive, and an afterword from Andrew Burstein, professional historian and distinguished author of many historical non-fiction works, including The Original Knickerbocker: The Life of Washington Irving. The three limited editions are:
Lettered Edition (Print run of 26, lettered A-Z): Hot metal letterpressed on handmade paper, handbound with a stone leaf veneer laser-cut from a drawing inspired by the landscape of Washington Irving’s estate, Sunnyside. This oversized 10x14” edition will be housed in a clothbound handmade articulated clamshell case, lined in suede. Designer Bookbinder, Gavin Dovey, grounds his work in tradition while also embracing a distinctly modern design sensibility, using printing, photo transfer and varied dyeing and airbrush techniques to achieve a fresh perspective on an old craft.
Numbered Edition (Print run of 275): Hot metal letterpressed on mould-made paper - handbound with a cloth case featuring an exclusive illustrated silhouette design and quarter-fine leather binding. This edition will be housed in a clothbound rigid slipcase with letterpress printed ornamental details. Bookbinder, Roger Grech, has been a printmaker and bookbinder for over 30 years. With a dedication to detail and design, Roger is a master of working on projects where sequential and narrative content lent itself to the book form.
Collector’s Edition (Print run of 2,500) Three-piece bradle-bound case featuring four-color art; cloth spine with hot metal press printed label, and exclusive two-color art on the endpapers. Each will be housed in a rigid acrylic slipcase with laser-etched trimmings.
Macmillan's plan for Fablelistik Editions reminds me of the legendary Limited Editions Club. Beginning in 1929 (exquisite timing), it survived not only the ensuing years, but all the way to 2010. Through much of that time, they issued 12 titles a year, all fine press editions of great books, that generated a loyal following. Though gone many years, their books still have a loyal following of collectors and the books have become quite valuable today. Quality printed books have retained their appeal even as new communication technologies have taken us to the era of the internet and electronic books. With a minimum of seven books planned for 2025, the next to be introduced on December 3, 2024, Fablelistik looks poised to fill the gap that has been missing since the Limited Editions Club faded away.
The three editions of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow are now available for pre-order at FablelistikEditions.com.
Sotheby’s Shelf Life: Books, Manuscripts and Works on Paper from the Library of Stanley J. Seeger and Christopher Cone 25 June – July 7
Sotheby’s, July 7: Ludwig van Beethoven. Autograph sketches for the overture "Die Weihe des Hauses", op.124, [1822], UNPUBLISHED. £150,000 to £200,000.
Sotheby’s, July 7: Jane Austen. Pride and Prejudice, 1813, first edition, 3 volumes, contemporary half calf. £50,000 to £70,000.
Sotheby’s, July 7: Walt Whitman. Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, 1855, first edition, first issue, original green cloth, the Doheny copy. £50,000 to £70,000.
Sotheby’s, July 7: Binding—Sangorski & Sutcliffe—Omar Khayyam. Rubaiyat, London, 1872, third edition, in a magnificent jewelled Peacock binding. £15,000 to £20,000.
Sotheby’s, July 7: George Eliot. Middlemarch, Edinburgh and London, 1871, first edition in the original parts. £20,000 to £30,000.
Forum Auctions The Private Library: Fine Printing & Private Press books, the collection of the late David Chambers July 9, 2026
Forum, July 9: Hassall (Joan) A large collection of over 300 original woodblocks of engravings for various books, v.d., with Hassall's engraver's glass water-globe (Qty) - Est. £10,000-15,000
Forum, July 9: Eragny Press.- [Bradley (Katherine Harris) & Edith Emma Cooper], "Michael Field." Whym Chow, Flame of Love, one of only 27 copies, inscribed by Bradley, the rarest book from the press, 1914. - Est. £3,000-4,000
Forum, July 9: [Moore (Thomas Sturge)] [Wood Engravings], 71 wood-engravings printed by David Chambers from the original blocks, the only set on Japanese Hosho paper, from an edition of 5 sets, [1970]. - Est. £3,000-4,000
Forum Auctions The Private Library: Fine Printing & Private Press books, the collection of the late David Chambers July 9, 2026
Forum, July 9: La Fontaine (Jean de) Contes et Nouvelles en vers, 2 vol., engraved plates after Eisen, fine early 19th century blue morocco, gilt, by Bradel l'ainé, Amsterdam [Paris], 1762. - Est. £2,000-3,000
Forum, July 9: Erotica.- Prostitution.- Pretty Women of Paris (The); Their Names and Addresses, Qualities and Faults..., [Paris], privately printed at the Press of the Prefecture de Police, 1883. - Est. £3,000-4,000
Forum, July 9: Vale Press.- Ricketts (Charles) & Lucien Pissarro. De la Typographie et de l'Harmonie de la Page Imprimée…, [one of 216 copies], bound in dark blue morocco tooled in gilt, by Sarah T.Prideaux, 1898. - Est. £1,000-1,500
Forum Auctions The Private Library: Fine Printing & Private Press books, the collection of the late David Chambers July 9, 2026
Forum, July 9: Martin (John) Illustrations of the Bible, complete set of 20 mezzotints, good impressions, rarely found in early states, [c.1831-1835]. - Est. £1,000-1,500
Forum, July 9: Golden Cockerel Press.- Four Gospels of the Lord Jesus Christ (The), one of 500 copies, Mary Gill's copy, Waltham St. Lawrence, 1931 with a signed proof of engraving on japon numbered 10/10 (2) - Est. £5,000-7,000
Forum, July 9: Boccaccio (Giovanni) The Decameron, 3 vol., vol.1 extra-illustrated by John Buckland Wright with c.150 erotic original drawings in pen & ink and pencil, 1886 [extra-illustrated c.1940]. - Est. £10,000-15,000
Forum Auctions The Private Library: Fine Printing & Private Press books, the collection of the late David Chambers July 9, 2026
Forum, July 9: Cox (Morris) Collection of Gogmagog Press Books, 35 vol., rare complete collection of printed books issued by the press, limited editions, most signed by Cox, 1957-83. - Est. £10,000-15,000
Forum, July 9: Wynkyn de Worde.- [Terentius Afer (Publius)] [Comedie...], [Paris, Josse Badius: sold in London by Wynkyn de Worde, & others], [15 July 1504]. - Est. £4,000-6,000
Forum, July 9: Mosley (James) Ornamented Types. Twenty-Three Alphabets from the Foundry of Louis John Pouchée, 2 vol., one of 10 copies for presentation, from an edition of 210, 1992-93. - Est. £1,000-2,000
Freeman’s, June 30. Thomas Jefferson’s “Birth of the New Nation” letter, carried to Paris with the Treaty of Peace, by a Jewish patriot. $100,000-200,000.
Freeman’s, June 30. “The rockets’ red glare.” A British midshipman’s log recording the bombardment of Fort McHenry. $60,000-80,000.
Freeman’s, June 30. The Critical Promotion of a Naval Hero, Oliver Hazard Perry Commission signed by James Madison, 1812. $40,000-60,000.
Freeman’s, June 30. Born in the USA: First Day of Printing in the United States, July 4, 1776. $15,000-25,000.
Freeman’s, June 30. One of the Earliest Printed Announcements of American Independence, in the Exceedingly Rare Original Wrappers, 1776. $10,000-15,000.
Freeman’s, June 30. "The Two Big Guns of the N.Y. Yanks": A Striking Type 1 Press Photograph of Lou Gehrig's Hands. $8,000-12,000.
Freeman’s, June 30. A Unique Contemporary Manuscript Account of Joseph Smith's Final Words to His Followers, the Day Before his Violent Death. $8,000-12,000.
Freeman’s, June 30. The State of Minnesota Officially Certifies the Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution Of the United States. $8,000-12,000.
Freeman’s, June 30. Extraordinarily Large Manuscript Petition Signed by a Who's Who of Colonial New York to Queen Anne from the Colony of New York. $8,000-12,000.
Freeman’s, June 30. Mickey Mantle's First Cover: The Earliest Front-Page Newspaper Image of Mickey Mantle, "Something Good from Joplin". $8,000-12,000.
Freeman’s, June 30. A Call to Arms in the Months Following the Declaration of Independence: An Early Continental Army Recruitment Poster. $6,000-9,000.
Freeman’s, June 30. Samuel Jones, the Statesman Behind the Newly Discovered "Jones Declaration": His Annotated Set Used in His Working Law Library. $6,000-9,000.
