Rockport’s Delightful Classics Reimagined Series

Published by Daisy on

Collecting  »  Classics  »  Rockport’s Reimagined Classics

Rockport's Delightful "Classics Reimagined" Series

Please note that some of the links below are affiliate links for which I may be compensated (this does not affect my reviews nor cost you any money, but helps support my site hosting costs). I deeply appreciate your support of my site if you use these links, but warmly encourage you to buy from your local Indie bookshop if you have the opportunity.

rockport set of classics reimagined
Classics Reimagined Series by Rockport (Quarto)

Rockport’s Classics Reimagined is a library of stunning collector’s editions of unabridged classic novels illustrated by contemporary artists from around the world. Each artist offers his or her own unique, visual interpretation of the most well-loved, widely read, and avidly collected literature from renowned authors. 

Watch the video above to flip through the volumes, or read on below.

Important note: Later printings and paperbacks do not have the sprayed edge decorations – so look out for a first printing if you can!

2019

Jekyll and Hyde

The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde – Robert Louis Stevenson, illustrated by Tina Berning

The last title in the series, Rockport’s Jekyll and Hyde was released in July 2019. This haunting gothic tale follows London lawyer Gabriel John Utterson as he investigates strange occurrences between his old friend, Dr. Henry Jekyll, and the evil Edward Hyde. The book is illustrated by Tina Berning, a Berlin-based artist and illustrator whose focus is figurative drawing. Berning keeps an online diary featuring her daily drawings on Instagram @tina_berning.

Find it at Amazon | Abes | eBay

The Time Machine

The Time Machine by H. G. Wells, illustrated by Alessandro Lecis and Alessandra Panzeri

Rockport’s edition of The Time Machine was released in May 2019. It is illustrated by a duo of Italian artists known as Ale + Ale who work from a studio based in Paris, France.

► Get The Time Machine hardback edition at Amazon or Book Depository…

Find it at AmazonAbes | eBay

2018

Frankenstein

Frankenstein, or the Modern Prometheus by Mary Shelley, illustrated by David Plunkert

Rockport’s Frankenstein was released in early 2018 to celebrate the bicentennial of Mary Shelley’s original version. This edition is illustrated with 100 dark and evocative images by American artist David Plunkert and includes an 8 page vellum insert detailing the doctor’s designs and a gatefold image of the monster. It has lovely endpapers too, but unlike the others in the series, this one doesn’t have the printed book block (apparently due to issues with ink seepage during production).

Find it at Amazon | Abes | eBay

2015

Alice in Wonderland

Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carrol, illustrated by Andrea D’Aquino

Rockport’s Alice in Wonderland was released to celebrate the book’s 150th anniversary and is fancifully illustrated by American artist Andrea D’Aquino. The illustrations are a mix of watercolour and collage, with the Mad Tea Party literally using tea-stained paper. Re-released in paperback format in October 2017.

Find hardback edition at Amazon | Abes | eBay

Find paperback edition at Amazon | Abes | eBay

Pride & Prejudice

Pride And Prejudice by Jane Austen, illustrated by Alice Pattullo

And last for the Jane Austen lovers, we have Rockport’s very colourful edition of Pride and Prejudice, illustrated by British artist Alice Pattullo in a delightfully romantic folkloric style. Re-released in paperback format in September 2017.

Find hardback edition at Amazon | Abes | eBay

Find paperback edition at Amazon | Abes | eBay

2014

Poe's Stories & Poems

Edgar Allen Poe’s Stories and Poems by Edgar Allen Poe, illustrated by David Plunkert

Edgar Allen Poe’s Stories and Poems, first released in 2014, is also illustrated by Plunkert, whose spooky and surreal interpretations work well here too. This collection contains 12 classic stories and 12 poems, but the font is particularly small, which might be an issue for some. Re-released in paperback format in Oct 2017.

Find hardback edition at Amazon | Abes | eBay

Find paperback edition at Amazon | Abes | eBay

Wizard of Oz

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum, illustrated by Olimpia Zagnoli

The Wizard of Oz is illustrated by Italian artist Olimpia Zagnoli. Her modern style makes use of only black, white, gold and emerald green for the illustrations, and much is conveyed through the use of simple shapes and repeated patterns. Re-released in paperback format in May 2018.

Find hardback edition at Amazon | Abes | eBay

Find paperback edition at Amazon | Abes | eBay

Grimm's Fairy Tales

Grimm’s Fairy Tales by the Brothers Grimm, illustrated by Yann Legendre

Grimm’s Fairy Tales illustrated by French artist Yann Legrendre are the graphic versions, where Cinderella’s sisters cut off their toes to fit into the slipper, which I thoroughly prefer. The cover is nicely debossed; however, I do take exception to the location of that apostrophe in the title, since there were two Grimm brothers. Re-released in paperback, September 2017.

Find hardback edition at Amazon | Abes | eBay

Find paperback edition at Amazon | Abes | eBay

Sherlock Holmes

The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle, illustrated by Sophia Martineck

The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes is colourfully illustrated by German artist Sophia Martineck. More than 100 illustrations grace the book, which contains 12 mysteries. Re-released in paperback format, May 2018.

Find hardback edition at Amazon | Abes | eBay

Find paperback edition at Amazon | Abes | eBay


Daisy

I'm the founder and operator of the Beautiful Books website ツ

5 Comments

Aimee · 4 April 2022 at 9:25 pm

Do the hardbacks for Jekyll & Hyde and Time Machine have sprayed edges?

Dave · 30 November 2019 at 5:22 am

Are these books glued or sewn bound? Thanks!

    Daisy · 30 November 2019 at 10:52 am

    Mine are all sewn-bound and nicely made. However, I should note that I have first printings and I have been told that some of the later printings don’t have the sprayed page edge decorations (I assume that would not change the binding though).

    Kamil Falentin · 16 January 2021 at 12:20 am

    Mine Pride and Prejudice is cheaply made. No sprayed edges, wierd hybrid binding and glossy paper. Anything like my Frankenstein edition which I love.

      Daisy · 17 January 2021 at 10:07 am

      So sorry to hear that – it’s very disappointing when they take away some of these special features for later printings. I’ve updated the article at the top with a note to make sure people know they need to look out for first printings.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Beautiful Books