Folio presents 75th anniversary limited edition of George Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four, one of the most influential books ever and a timeless dystopian novel, reissued in a year set to become the most relevant in the book’s history.
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‘Among all [Orwell’s] books, the one that has left the deepest impact on generations of readers across borders is, no doubt, Nineteen Eighty-Four.’
Elif Shafak, from her introduction
Big Brother, Thoughtcrime, Newspeak, Doublethink, Room 101.The ominousjargon coined by George Orwell in Nineteen Eighty-Four, his last and greatest novel, are understood even by those who have yet to read the book.Marking 75 years after initial publication in 1949, from post-war to post-Brexit, Folio presents a revolutionary limited edition of one of the most influential novels ever written. Published in an election year that promises to be apivotal one in the book’s history, the dystopian warnings ofNineteen Eighty-Fourfeel even more urgent and terrifyingly familiar.Created with full approval of the Orwell Foundation, with a stirring introduction by Elif Shafak, the award-winning British-Turkish author ofThe Forty Rules of Love– and whose novel The Bastard of Istanbul brought censure from the Turkish government – this momentous edition casts a fresh, more diverse light on Orwell’s universaltext.
A two-man team from multi-award-winning design studio La Boca have contributed eight kaleidoscopic new illustrations, along with a striking endpaper design and a hypnotic foil-blocked cover. Encased in a mirrored presentation box that holds several, subversive hidden extras, this unique edition has been designed to unpack the book’s ideas like never before. Strictly limited to 750 hand-numbered copies signed by Elif Shafak and La Boca, this special anniversary edition sheds a new and galvanising light on this timeless dystopian novel, a book that demands to be read and re-read for generations to come.
PRODUCTION DETAILS
Limited to 750 hand-numbered copies
Limitation tip printed letterpress on Arena Smooth paper and signed by Elif Shafak and La Boca
Bound in metallic silver paper screen-printed in 3 colours with a design by the artist
8 illustrations printed on Tatami Ivory paper
Printed page edges
Ribbon marker
Ispira endpapers printed with a design by the artist
Presentation box bound in screen-printed metallic paper
Exclusive print, stickers and patch within a presentation folder
Set in Nexus Serif with Ayer Deck Bold as display and sections set in Broadsheet
Main text printed in 2-colours on Munken Pure paper
320 pages
10.5˝ x 8.5˝
BIG BROTHER IS STILL WATCHING YOU
‘Profoundly important.’
Aldous Huxley
This unique limited edition embraces that universal breadth of influence, reflected foremost in a bracingly personal introduction by controversial British-Turkish author Elif Shafak, who speaks for those from countries where Orwell’s novel was read not as a warning, but a statement of current affairs. The kaleidoscopic design of this edition explores its own version of Orwell’s story. From the cover dominated by the mosaic of an all-seeing eye, La Boca’s boldly symbolic illustrations place you directly inside Orwell’s propaganda-haunted world. The watchful mirrored cover of the presentation box opens with not only a warning that Big Brother is watching, but also a hidden dossier containing an exclusive print, stickers and wearable patch.
BIOGRAPHIES
About George Orwell
George Orwell (1903–50) was born Eric Arthur Blair in Motihari, India (where his father worked for the Civil Service) into what he would later call a ‘lower-upper-middle class’ family. The family returned to England in 1907 and, after studying at Eton, Orwell joined the Indian Imperial Police Force in Burma. Whilst in Burma he developed a critical attitude towards authority, which he evoked in his first novel, Burmese Days (1934). He resigned from the police force in 1927 and took to exploring the poverty of his home country with a view to becoming a writer. He lived in Paris for two years before returning to England, where he worked successively as a private tutor, schoolteacher and bookshop assistant, and contributed reviews and articles to a number of periodicals.
His first work of non-fiction, Down and Out in Paris and London, was published in 1936, and in the same year he was commissioned by Victor Gollancz to visit areas of mass unemployment in Lancashire and Yorkshire. The Road to Wigan Pier (1937) was his powerful description of the poverty he saw there. He fought in the Spanish Civil War, experiencing the factionalism breaking apart the Republican cause and became virulently anti-Communist, a stance reflected in his Homage to Catalonia (1938). During the Second World War Orwell served in the Home Guard and worked for the BBC Eastern Service. As literary editor of Tribune, he contributed a regular page of political and literary commentary and also wrote for The Observer and Manchester Evening News. His political satire Animal Farm was published shortly after the end of the war in 1945 (Folio 1984), and it was this novel, together with Nineteen Eighty-Four (1949, Folio 2014), that brought him worldwide fame. Orwell’s letters and diaries have been published posthumously by The Folio Society as an exclusive edition, selected and introduced by Orwell expert Peter Davison (2017).
About La Boca
La Boca is an independent design studio established in 2002, specialising in illustration and image-making. They strive to create emotional connections through their work and value any part they can play in contributing to popular culture. They have worked with a wide spectrum of international clients on projects ranging from limited-edition record sleeves to full-scale campaigns drawing on almost every type of media.
They are multi-award-winners, having garnered prizes from D&AD, Cannes Lions, European Design Awards, ADC Awards and AIGA; as well as the British Book Awards for the cover design of Folio's Ubik(1969, Folio 2019), and a Dezeen award for their work on Folio's The Complete Stories of Philip K Dick (Folio 2021).
About Elif Shafak
Elif Shafak is an award-winning British-Turkish novelist who has published 19 books, including her latest novel The Island of Missing Trees (2021). She is a best-selling author in many countries and her work has been translated into 57 languages. 10 Minutes 38 Seconds in this Strange World (2019) was shortlisted for the Booker Prize and RSL Ondaatje Prize. The Forty Rules of Love (2009)was chosen by the BBC among 100 novels that shaped our world. Shafak holds a PhD in Political Science and is an honorary fellow at St Anne's College, Oxford University. She is a Fellow and a Vice President of the Royal Society of Literature. An advocate for women's rights, LGBTQ+ rights and freedom of expression, Shafak contributes to major publications around the world and was awarded the medal of Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres.
Reviews Powered By
Average Score for 19 Review(s)
Beautiful book
Review by
MR MICHAEL COUGHLAN
on 4th March 2025
Im an art collector who reads and Im very particular about the books that make my permanent collection. 1984 is one of my favorites so this was an opportunity I didnt want to miss. This book is an art piece and i am thrilled with it. Its exactly as shown and exceeded my expectations for quality in all areas except one.
The accompanying poster. I was disappointed that so much work went into the book, stickers, and case but the poster art wasnt a limited edition print on high quality paper. It felt like a cereal box cardboard juxtaposed with the elevated quality of everything else.
The box is currently on display and i wish it had the books title visible but im thrilled with my first folio purchase.
Review by
ANGIE HELGESON
on 13th February 2025
I am very happy with the Sale price of 1984 LE. I would not pay the full price, but it was worth a buy during the winter sale. The quality is decent, I do believe the illustrations and extras do the book justice. I am a bit worried of wear and tear over time but understand the concept and why these materials were used. The sale price was still a bit steep but I am glad I bought this book since it’s one of the titles I reread on a yearly basis.
Review by
Sylwia D
on 12th February 2025
This is a beautiful book that I got with the added bonus of 50% off.
Review by
Mr Peter Fielden
on 28th January 2025
1984…Hello 2024!
Very relevant topic today and probably at anytime in the future.
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