illustrated bibliography

Illustrated Collector's Guide to Penguin Ink

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Introduction

This fun collection of Penguin paperback editions of contemporary fiction features bright covers designed by creative contemporary tattoo artists.

All 20** books in the series were published between 2010 and 2011 and feature French flaps. The series was started by Penguin US (rumour has it that the series was inspired by a tattoo sported by Penguin’s creative director Paul Buckley), and following its success, Penguin UK commissioned six additional titles the following year.

Typically for Penguin paperbacks, they are unfortunately glue bound and the paper is not acid-free. Otherwise, they are a similar size and design as the Penguin Deluxe Classics series and certainly add some fun and colour to your shelf, as well as providing an interesting selection of titles to read – sort of an “edgy college reading” booklist, if you will.

**An edition of Hell’s Angels by Hunter S Thompson is often erroneously included in the series because it also has a tattoo style cover. However, it is part of the Penguin Essentials line.

Differences between US and UK editions

The first difference you’re likely to notice is that the US editions mostly have deckled page edges while the UK editions have straight edges. Additionally, UK Penguin Ink editions are all by British authors, they feature a photo of the artist on the back flap, and they don’t have the ‘Penguin Ink’ logo on the cover. The US editions represent a broader variety of authors, the back flap often features an illustrative self-portrait of the artist, and most do have ‘Penguin Ink’ marked below the orange Penguin logo on the spine and cover.

On buying books (or tattoos!)

Many of the books in this series are already out of print, but they are fairly cheap on the second hand market – watch out for condition though, as many paperbacks get quite rough handling.

Clicking on the cover art will bring up a bigger picture for you to enjoy. have also linked to each artist’s parlour page or Instagram account – just in case you’re here because you’re keen to get inked!