In my blissful, sans kids visit to Borders this week I came across this beauty:

It looked vaguely familiar and I’m sure some of you have seen this edition around the internet before but this was the first time I’d seen it in person. *serious book lust* Should I add a fifth copy of Jane Eyre to my collection?

When I got home I found out that this edition is part of the Penguin Classics Deluxe editions in Couture, couture because the collection is designed by fashion illustrator Ruben Toledo. Apparently (since i didn’t pick it up) these books have a rough front, french flaps, and are done in either oil, watercolor, or pencil. Jane Eyre, The Picture of Dorian Gray, and Dracula debuted in November 2010 joining the first couture editions, Pride and Prejudice, The Scarlet Letter, and Wuthering Heights. I think I might just have to buy Pride and Prejudice as well:

Here are the rest of the couture editions:

What do you think of these fashion makeovers and which covers do you like best? I gathered from talk on comment boards and forums that the modern dress of the figures on The Scarlet Letter is a turn off. I love the haunting quality of Wuthering Heights but I am not sure the odd figure proportions would be well-received.

Maybe I should buy the Jane Eyre edition in anticipation of the new movie, whose March 11 release date is right around the corner. Don’t you love the vintage feel of the poster?

P.S.

Since I saw the pretty, similarly monotone Hachette Book Group International 50th anniversary edition of To Kill A Mockingbird in the same trip I’ll post that as well. *want*