Penguin and Puffin Designer Classics - complete set

I still like the Paul Smith designed Lady Chatterley's Lover the most of all of these. It will be interesting to see if any of the new Puffin Designer Classics reach it's heights of collectibility.

Puffin Designer Classics - James and the Giant Peach - first look and pictures

This edition of James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl has been designed by British sculptor and artist Antony Gormley for the Puffin Designer Classics range. I like the cover illustration and the orange text is a nice addition, but not that exciting over all.

Puffin Designer Classics - Oliver Twist - first look and pictures

This Puffin Designer Classic edition of Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens is designed by British 1960s Pop-artist Sir Peter Blake.

I have to say I don't find this edition very interesting, but the combination of Sir Peter Blake and Dickens is sure to make it very collectible.

Puffin Designer Classics - The Secret Garden

This edition of The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett has been designed for the Puffin Designer Classics range by children's author and illustrator Lauren Child.

The attention to detail on this edition is amazing, great cut-outs and love the key on the end of the ribbon. If I had to criticise I would say it is possible a little too twee...

Puffin Designer Classics - Around the World in 80 Days - first look and pictures

This Puffin Designer Classics edition of Around the World in 80 Days by Jules Verne is designed by architect David Adjaye. I was not really expecting much from this edition, I had not heard of David Adjaye  and the pre-release pictures I had seen did not look very inspiring.

Actually this is really impressive, gold throughout with lovely leaf on the page edges, there is a subtle line that at first looks like a scratch, but is actually a 360 degree journey around the book. I especially like the way it cuts across the pages.

Puffin Designer Classics - Treasure Island - first look and pictures

Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson. This Puffin Designer Classic has been designed by architect Frank Gehry. It has nice unfinished edges to the pages, but otherwise a little uninspired I feel. I was lucky enough to receive a low numbered 18 of 1000 though.

Puffin Designer Classics - Little Women - first look and pictures

This Puffin Designer Classic is Little Women by Louisa May Alcott and has been designed by Irish fashion designer Orla Kiely. It is understated, but very well balanced. Probably my favourite of the current crop.

Puffin Designer Classics

Have arrived!

Puffin Designer Classics

My Puffin Designer Classics are on their way from Amazon!

Pictures when they arrive.

Puffin Designer Classics by Penguin

To celebrate the 70th birthday of the Puffin children's books imprint 6 limited edition titles are to be released on the 2nd of September. Limited to 1,000 copies of each title, packaged in a Perspex slipcase, they are available to pre-order now from Amazon at much reduced prices.

Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens, with cover design by Sir Peter Blake

James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl, cover design by Antony Gormley

The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett, cover design by Lauren Child

Little Women by Louis May Alcott, cover design by Orla Kiely

Treasue Island by Robert Louis Stevenson, cover design by Frank Gehry

Around the World in Eighty Days by Jules Verne, designed by David Adjaye.

Much like the Penguin Designer Classics released to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Penguin Classics imprint these are sure to sell out quickly and become collector's items.

UPDATE: There is now a minisite with some great pictures of these at Puffin.