By Christa Protano
Walk into any bookstore these days and you may have to look a little harder for those titles on your list. That’s because many shelves now feature a mix of spines in and spines out, and we are not mad about it. In an effort to make contemporary new releases more coveted and collectible, publishers have been stepping up their design game in recent years by creating special editions with decorative touches. We liked the idea so much that we thought our Canterbury Classics deserved the same treatment. Check out the exciting new ways that we are adding more color and style to your favorite literary masterpieces.
Sprayed Edges (aka The Spredge)
Beginning with Pride and Prejudice, our Word Cloud Classics collection received a glow up in early 2025 thanks to colorful sprayed edges (or “spredges”). The end pages of each literary classic have been sprayed with a single color from bright red and hot pink to turquoise and golden yellow. Each title also has it’s signature heat-burnished cover with foil stamping. These edges allow for a lot of flexibility when styling a bookshelf: choose pages out (as shown above) or alternate with their bold vinyl spines. Either way, the look creates a conversation starter in any room.
The ultimate collector’s item for any book lover, a bespoke boxed set is must-have — even better when it doubles as a work of art. Released in September in honor of Jane Austen’s 250th anniversary, our Word Cloud boxed set features all six of Austen’s novels with stenciled spines that when stacked together form a vibrant blooming bouquet. This finishing touch is painted on each book after binding using a one-of-a-kind floral stencil for a handcrafted look. You’ll also find stenciled spines in our World of Tolkien and Horror Collection boxed sets.
Illustrated Edges
In addition to stenciled spines, this year’s Word Cloud Classics boxed sets are painted with eye-catching illustrations on the top, sides, and bottom edges of each title’s pages. While the Jane Austen collection features beautiful flower fields inspired by Monet painting, the vibe of the Horror Collection is quite the opposite. A hauntingly illustrated werewolf scene sets the tone for the macabre works included here, such as Dracula, The Selected Works of Edgar Allan Poe, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, and more.
Take a behind-the-scenes look at how these special decorative editions are made!