Subscribers note: You are receiving this email since you’re subscribed to the Black Library Features segment of the Warhammer Wordforge. You can easily update your subscription and notification preferences at any time (see here). Thanks for your support!
Black Library Bibliophiles is our occasional series on the collection and display of Black Library books. From diving between the covers of deluxe editions to chasing rare treatments and notable misprints… from collectors’ well-stocked personal libraries to the curated display of trinkets, curios, and other Warhammer memorabilia… we go beyond the pages to celebrate the love of the books themselves.
While at time of writing the woefully-priced Space Marines Codex Limited Edition still appears to be in stock on the webstore, the successively-released Adeptus Custodes one- with its significantly lower sticker- had no such issues. Games Workshop adjusted to to the market, and the market delivered a sellout.
It’s certainly not for everyone, but if you’re after some extraordinary shelf candy for the Custodes wing of your library or museum, there’s a lot to appreciate here.
I recorded a brief wakthrough of the contents of the box, and will take a closer look at some of the items included within.
As I noted in the video, this is a fairly hefty box in terms of weight, and much of that is from the metal Vexilla. Drop it into a sock and you’ve got a lethal weapon in your hands.
It’s solid metal- there’s no negative space in the back where they skimped on the construction. Here’s a look at how thick the thing is.
By comparison, the lapel pin is almost an afterthought, though it’s a very nice piece in its own right.
If there was anything I was disappointed in, it’s probably the dice box. Don’t get me wrong, it looks nice, but the quality tells the moment you handle it.
These kind of inexpensive, decorative enclosures are typically crafted from paulownia, white pine, or even veneered plywood or fiberboard. My guess here is pine, though my brother’s the woodworker, not me.
Still, this is a decorative library piece, not a family heirloom, and it manages the job nicely.
Finally, these are the art prints within. The envelope they’re contained in is sealed, but I tend to be a bit ambivalent on these sorts of inclusions. Prints are nice, but don’t always go well inside of my museum displays.
Still, this is the kind of single-release product that can make a decoratively-themed shelf all by itself- and that’s exactly what it will be doing in mine.
Now, let’s see what other goodies have been decorating shelves this month!
September’s Deluxe Offerings
Those who have champagne wishes and caviar dreams for their personal libraries at home had several reasons to enjoy what hit the shelves in September.
I’m sticking with the video format here, because I’ve frequently found that the deluxe edition treatments don’t always translate well into still photography. Since it can be difficult to make out the full range of textures and hues that are used to make them pop on the shelf, a visual look shows off quite a bit more.
They’ll be a little rough while I get the hang of it, so consider it a work in progress!
Blackheart: Claws of the Maelstrom, by Marc Collins
Deathwatch, by Steve Parker
Raldoron: Revenant, by Guy Haley
Community Shelfies
Finally, some shelfies that caught my eye recently from around the community, because as much as I like to look at what’s in my own study, it’s a blast to see how others are displaying their own collections!
I first saw these photos of Arthur Van Marcke’s magnificent collection a year ago, and asked if I could feature them in an upcoming Black Library Bibliophiles piece. I lost track of the post, though, until I recently chanced upon it again!
This is a beautiful library, filled with both books as well as decorative accents (note the Mordheim shelf, for instance), and I love how he’s kept the shelving standardized. While there’s nothing wrong with using what you have to hand, there’s a certain aesthetic that comes from letting the books shine in a uniform display. Terrific work, Arthur!
Speaking of decorative flourishes, what is it about the Blood Angels that seems to bring out the flair? This impressive display belongs to Andy Shiels, and is a treat for the eyes when you look close. For example, note the Horus Lupercal bookends containing two of the most beautiful deluxe editions the Black Library has ever produced: Dan Abnett’s Penitent and Pariah.
I also love the purity seals throughout. I’m guessing Andy house isn’t blessed with cats.
Here’s Daniel Chrichton’s Horus Heresy display. What caught my eye here was the glass fronting on the cabinets, which I’m a huge fan of for their anti-dust attributes (plus a nice glass frontage looks classy as hell). Plus, I’m always delighted to see folks display their books and miniatures together, since when it comes to Warhammer paper and plastic go together like chocolate and peanut butter.
Another thing I’m a big fan of when it comes to Black Library displays is shelf lighting. It can get pretty dark, particularly in the deeper shelves, and we all know the fading hell that sunlight can subject books to.
Here, Will Lucnik shows off how much a bit of lighting can add to a collection!
One of Magic lead designer Mark Rosewater’s signature quotations is, “restrictions breed creativity.” What to do when your available space is somewhat limited? u/Stevo1765 put together a terrific collection in his loft, one that’s full of personality!
Finally, here’s u//vonongbong’s setup- including a beautifully-fronted array of a number of deluxe edition books (which I featured at the top of this section, too!). Note also the JOYTOY action figures standing sentinel on the right shelf.
That’s it for this month’s Black Library Bibliophiles! Next time we’ll be looking at October’s deluxe edition books, more display inspirations from around the community, and plenty more!