We thought we’d have a little fun sketching out some covers for books that were not quite published, but which might have been interesting to read. Here are some of the results, showcasing various type families in action. Click on these thumbnails to see larger images:
Let’s start with a Romantic novel from the Deep South- of Lancashire! Romance amongst the landed industrialists anyone? Clementhorpe adds to that high romantic feeling, as well as offering its own 19th century charm.
A bit of retro-futuristic science fiction anyone? Fans of the late E.E. (Doc) Smith might follow the joke here… Braxia adds its own idea of a 1950s future.
How could we exclude the late Dame Agatha from this collection? Wouldn’t it have been interesting if her two most popular detectives had met over at least one case? Bonning fits in well with that certain air of snobbery with violence that befits the English country house murder.
Bonning and BonaVia collaborate on this gruesome little number-a cover for a modern edition of the Holmes novel “The St. Pancras Hotel Demon”. Don’t mind the blood on this Gothic revival gem…
Our own tribute to Sir Frank Whittle-the inventor of the jet engine. One wonders where his idea might have led if it wasn’t for the war. Brosse lends that essential inter-war ‘moderne’ feeling.
Anyone for the elixir of eternal youth-or transmutation perhaps. Mellin lends a forward-looking feel.
A little tribute to the Arts and Crafts movement, set off nicely by Bronzino. Yes-we know Lord Nuffield wasn’t that William Morris, but we couldn’t resist a little joke.
Here’s another tribute to Dame Agatha. Ariadne Oliver was her very own fictional lady mystery writer. No doubt this is an early case for Sven Hjerson, Cherritt nicely sets off our gentle tribute to a well-known paperback publishers classic cover design.
Edwin Lutyens, one of the 20th Century’s outstanding architects brought traditional craftsmanship to 20th century design. Crewekerne sets off this design nicely.
[...] We thought it was time we added a new gallery page, so here’s a collection of dust-jacket designs for books that might have been. Why not pop by and have a [...]