No, I’m not talking about the content composed by the author (in this case Robert V.S. Redick) but rather the publisher or the publishing industry (in this case Del Rey Ballantine Books an imprint of Random House) lack of polish or finish on this first edition hardcover of The Ruling Sea:
Do you see the unevenness of the pages? This is one of the final steps when you bind a book. You trim the edges of the book signatures so they are flush and even (makes for easy fanning of a book with your thumb). I’ve even done this process myself (with my dad’s help as he had the razor sharp chisel and vice in his basement workshop). I’m appalled when I see a first edition hardcover in this state.
Is this becoming more common from the publishing industry? When I see a book like the one displayed above, I think it’s a reprint by a low-budget or discount publisher, not a first edition! Sheesh!
Perhaps I’m just overly sensitive. I would have hesitated to buy this book for this very reason. As it stands, I’m only borrowing it from a library, but still. Come on!
