In 2013, Penguin released in the UK a series of new covers for five works by George Orwell, including a particularly bold cover design for Orwell’s best-known work, 1984. According to Creative Review, the designer, David Pearson, made it so that the book’s title and Orwell’s name were debossed, then almost completely obscured by black foiling, leaving just “enough of a dent for the title to be determined.” (Get a glimpse here.) No doubt, the design plays on the whole idea of censorship, “referencing the rewriting of history carried out by the novel’s Ministry of Truth.”
Three years later, you’ll have difficulty buying new copies of Pearson’s design. They’re in pretty short supply. But anyone with a well-worn copy of the book might discover what one Redditor has also observed–that the cover design “becomes less censored with wear.” Compare the “before” image above to the “after” image down below. Was this all part of Pearson’s long-range master plan? Or something of a design flaw? We’ll probably never know. But if you’re looking for a book that gets better with age, then this is one to add to your list.
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Information and ideas are stronger than the censorship that blocks them. The truth will come through.
As far as I know, since the coup in 2014, it is still banned in Thailand. Some students are carrying it around as a symbol of protest. This book is not likely to ever lose its currency. Would that the world were different.
“Was this all part of Pearson’s long-range master plan? Or something of a design flaw? We’ll probably never know.” Perhaps indulge in a little old fashioned journalism and call him and ask! His contact information is all online.
I saved four copies of Washington Post Jan. 1st 1984.
No idea what to do with ’em ….
@Rebecca
Good post, thanks
mike
After attending a lecture by David Pearson at my university and speaking to him afterwards he revealed that the ‘wear’ and decay of the book was never supposed to happen but it was a happy result that people sent him pictures of after the release of the cover.