Lesestunden Becomes a Publisher: The First Book Project
For over ten years, I have been writing about books here. About stories that captivate me, forgotten classics, and editions that are a pleasure simply to open. Beautifully crafted editions have long been at the heart of this blog. And there simply aren’t enough of them. It is really hard to find hidden gems that are both beautifully produced and a joy to read. That is precisely the gap I would like to fill, at least a little, with a small publishing house of my own. Read on to find out about the first book project.
Beautiful books have been enjoying a revival for some years now. It is a trend I follow with great pleasure. Colourful page edges, attractive covers, and gold decorations on bindings have become a familiar sight. But for me, the pleasure of a finely made book involves more: paper that feels good, careful binding, elegant typesetting, and production details that make reading a pleasure too. Particularly when it comes to lesser-known classics, I wish there were more editions that brought all these things together.
I would like my small publishing house to contribute to that. My first project will be The Serpent Charmer by Louis Rousselet. Preparations are already underway. Before I commission production, I would like to share the idea with you and find out whether you would be interested.
My hopes for Lesestunden
Those of you who read this blog regularly will know how much I enjoy beautiful books. A linen binding that feels good to the touch. Supple paper, a carefully typeset page, old illustrations, and little design details that often only reveal themselves on a second look. It is especially satisfying when all of this suits the story. When the design creates an atmosphere from the very first pages that stays with you as you read.
At the same time, I have some wonderful old books on my shelves that hardly anyone knows today. Stories I have immersed myself in with great pleasure, leaving me wondering why they haven’t been republished long ago. These are precisely the kinds of books I would like to bring back into print with Lesestunden. Only very small print runs, choosing titles with care and giving each edition the attention I would wish for as a reader myself. I already have ideas for further books. But I would like to begin with one I particularly enjoyed.
The Serpent Charmer
I have already written about The Serpent Charmer by Louis Rousselet here on the blog. I own a beautiful antiquarian edition, and reading it was such a pleasure that even then I wondered why there wasn’t a lovely new edition available. The book itself has been out of print for a very long time and is difficult to find.
My antiquarian edition is one of the most beautiful books on my shelves. The brown binding, the gold decorations, the many illustrations: everything sets the mood for the story. Just leafing through it makes you want to immerse yourself in this old adventure. And once I started reading, I devoured it.
The story is set in India under British colonial rule. Robert and his sister Bertha live at their father’s indigo factory until an uprising tears their lives apart. Their father is struck down and Bertha is abducted. Robert survives and sets out to rescue his sister. His search takes him across India, through jungles and overgrown temple complexes, into palaces, and time and again into dangerous situations.
What I particularly enjoyed was the combination of suspense and atmosphere. Rousselet vividly describes landscapes, places, and encounters without getting lost in lengthy descriptions. The language of the historical German version has a pleasantly old-fashioned feel that suits this adventure wonderfully. Add to that unexpected twists that keep the reader engrossed throughout the story.
And then there are the many historical illustrations. They accompany the action, depict characters and settings, and invite you to pause as you read and take a closer look. Story, pictures, and book design come together here in a way that, for me, gives this old edition its particular charm.
What the new edition will look like
The plan is for a reddish-brown linen binding with a design in gold and black inspired by the original, along with gold foil stamping on the spine. This will be complemented by cream-coloured paper, a sewn binding, and two matching ribbon bookmarks in reddish brown and dark grey. A truly beautiful edition for book lovers, in other words. The book will measure 13.5 × 21.5 cm and run to 256 pages.
I have prepared the historical illustrations for the new edition. The text has been typeset afresh, with an elegant, easily readable typeface replacing the original Fraktur. Getting these details to work together is demanding, but also exciting. Which shade suits the binding? How do the drawings look on the page? Which typeface gives the text the right character? A considerable amount of work has already gone into digitisation, typesetting, and design. And with every step, I look forward all the more to the day when I can actually open the finished book.
The images labelled as AI-generated are visualisations of the planned edition. The finished book does not exist yet. The colour of the binding material, the printing, and the gold foil stamping are currently being discussed and tested with the printer. The actual result may therefore differ from these designs. My aim, however, is to come as close to them as possible.
Would you be interested in the first book?
For Mali, I am initially planning 30 numbered copies at approximately €90 each, plus shipping. A small first edition, numbered and limited. Naturally, I am very keen to hold the book in my own hands. With your help, I would like to find out whether enough other book lovers share that enthusiasm.
That is why there is a very short survey below: could you see yourself buying this edition at that price? Your response is non-binding and does not constitute an order. An honest no is helpful too.
If there is enough interest and the production tests turn out well, I would like to open pre-orders as the next step. I will then share the final production details, the confirmed price, and the expected delivery timeframe. And I would love to take you along on this journey: as “Mali” takes shape, as I build the small publishing house, and hopefully, later on, as more classics are rediscovered.
So please take a moment to complete the short survey and share your thoughts: