HP Crime and Punishment reprints

I recently received a HP copy of Crime and Punishment. I wasn't paying attention when ordering and thought I was buying the 1938 edition as I wasn't aware it had been reprinted. But upon receiving the book I see from the included Sandglass that it seems to have been a third printing, from Connecticut, and certainly later than 1972 (the Sandglass refers to Eichenberg's 1972 retirement). Anoying, seeing as it costs so much to get things shipped to the UK.

My questions are: first, does anyone know when exactly this copy was printed? I couldn't see that information anywhere in the book. Second, does anyone know how different this is to the 1938 New York edition? The paper here feels a bit thin, I'm guessing it's not Letterpress, and to my eye the type could be clearer. But perhaps I'm being over-critical? I'm evaluating whether to swallow the cost to get a bona fide 1938 copy or whether I should spend the money on another book instead. Lastly, is it true that any edition published in New York is an actual 1938 copy?

Crime and Punishment 1938 edition is one of my favorite HP books. It was the sixth book of the second series - Sandglass 6B. Designed by Carl Purington Rollins, text set in Goudy Modern and printed on rag (though not 100%) paper. The paper is on the thinner side as it should be for a work of such length in one volume. Still very nice. This was Eichenberg's first commission for Macy and what a job he did! I personally do not think the reproduction of the woodcuts can be done any better. One of these days I will get the two volume LEC for comparison. The boards are covered in "natural linen" and in the center the front cover is an ornate Russian ikon upon which an axe is superimposed. It will be hard to find this edition in fine condition but when you do it won't be more that $20 and even with that monstrous shipping charge it will be worth it.

Edit: The type is rich black in color.

Some pictures that I took a couple of years ago.

>2 BuzzBuzzard: >3 BuzzBuzzard: Thanks! Looking at your photos I now feel like I've seen at least four different versions of this book. This is the first time I've seen the actual 1938 edition, I guess, since all the copies I have seen had the cover decoration in the top left.

I've seen a red covered edition marked New York, a more natural coloured edition marked New York but (with the cross in the top left) and a title page design resembling that from the LEC, and my red edition marked Connecticut.

I think the text and woodcuts definitely look cleaner in your edition.

Here's my post on the LEC to one of the NY editions (I don't think it's the first): https://georgemacyimagery.wordpress.com/2011/08/29/limited-editions-club-crime-a...

Hope you find this useful in your searching!

Thanks. >5 WildcatJF: I should say that blog post was responsible for getting me interested in picking up this and some other examples of Eichenberg's work on the first place.

For the record, here's what my copy looks like. Eventually, I'll get round to reviewing this edition on my blog and will be sure to flag for readers the various printings that are out there and link through to your guys' contributions. In my post, I'll try to include as much detail as I can gather about the various versions in circulation.