Can a book be sexy? I guess that all depends upon perspective. To be clear, I’m not talking about the intellectual content of the book, but the visual or tactile appeal of it. I feel this way about CDs & LPs sometimes, but I can’t recall having frequently found books sexy until I began working with rare books.
While the “art of the book” is not dead, it’s definitely ailing. In this new clime where e-books are slithering into our daily realities, it doesn’t make a lot of fiscal sense to put loads of money into producing beautifully bound books on expensive papers. Not to say there are no sexy books being produced anymore, just not many. It makes sense to look a little further back for that book with genuine sex appeal. I offer my case in point:
The above book is bound in smooth tortoiseshell- likely with no boards, just the tortoiseshell. It’s covered in intricate, curvaceous brasswork, very un-sexily referred to as “furniture”. The brasswork covers the front and back before extending into a pair of clasps that hold the book closed. The paper is near-pristine for its age (and was made from rag) and glows with gilted edges.
Why so much work on a single book? The text of the book is from the 1517, but the binding is probably from the 1700’s. At that time, books were for the wealthy. Most books were sold unbound (as leaves) prior to the 1800’s and it was up to the buyer to have the book bound. This tells us that the owner of the book at the time of the binding was quite wealthy.
I haven’t shown you an image of the entire book, just a little taste. Consider this post the teaser for our next exhibit in the Special Collections, “In Rare Form: Seven Centuries of the Printed Word” that will be opening next week. You must come by to appreciate the beauty of this book, as well as a couple dozen more rarities from our collection (more details soon).
Do you have an opinion on the sexiness (or lack thereof) of books? Got one you wanna share with us? Post a comment (with pics if you’ve got them).
Intriguing topic! No doubt, a book’s (and person’s) sexiness is to a large extent based on its/his/her cover. Now, what the correlation between cover and content?
Being in Direct Marketing, the book is judged by the cover. We specialize in mailing lists and direct mail. If the envelope isnt sexy and alloring, then the people will not open it to see the offer waiting for them inside. Different than people, a book is judged by its cover.
It seems that furnitured books are exceedingly hard to come by in our disposable culture. The closest we get are fancy embossings and imprints on covers nowadays. One of my favorites for this is the old red leather, complete edition of The Lord of the Rings. (http://www.amazon.com/Lord-Rings-Collectors-J-R-R-Tolkien/dp/0395193958)
Of course, IMO, it isn’t always about the cover. I find, as a guy, that books can be like women. Some have breathtaking covers, but not a lot going on inside or some weird ideas. Others, though, don’t look particularly spectacular on the outside, but have a depth and beauty that may be unmatched. Take Medieval illuminated manuscripts for example. The Lindisfarne Gospels (http://www.bl.uk/onlinegallery/sacredtexts/lindisfarne.html) and The Gutenberg Bible (http://www.hrc.utexas.edu/exhibitions/permanent/gutenberg/). While I find the texts (could I read them) particularly appealing, the artwork is more what I think fits the context of the post.
Of course, my tradition of Christianity (Orthodox) has always tried to make books “sexy”, or visually appealing. Take for instance this cover for the Gospels: http://www.easternchristiansupply.biz/-#supplies/c98/c118/c67/c65/g4448.
I have that red leather copy of LOR, Brandon. And, oh my goodness, that cover of the Gospels is spectacular!
Sexy books? Of course ! Everything comes in through the eyes… just take a moment to remember all the text books we read in school or college. Many of them we so un-appealing in the cover that they could be revealing the world’s greatest secret but you just didn’t want to read them.
On the other hand, I have read many books which were not that good in its contents but the cover was so sexy I had to buy it and read it.
I would say that a sexy book or sexy cover is crucial when you need to attract readers. A sexy book is one that creates in your mind a need to read it, browse through it or at least take a glimpse.
Andrés Lobo-Guerrero
Certainly, the book is judged by the cover. If the cover is appealing or sexy that will surely help in the sales of the book.
It may have an interesting contents in the inside but if the outside does not catch your eye not many people will be willing to purshase or start reading. You will need someone that has already read it to encourage you to do so or else that will be end of the story.
On the otherhand, if you create a visual impact on the reader just from the begining – the cover – many people will be interested in what you have to say. Bottom line, the ebooks cover don’t need to be sexy, the HAVE to be sexy.
Lina
Oh initial impressions aye! Just like a person I believe “a book should never be judged by its cover”. Nice blog! Please add more photos for us far away people