You know and love these modern classics, and now you can marvel at the hand-bound leather edition. We've made only 200 sets of these, as a way of celebrating the reappearance of these books. We've cut the price to move these books from out inventory, and they will never be printed again.
Note: this is not "bonded leather" but actual cowhide, full top grain leather, which is thicker and matches old-world quality--like the books in Jefferson's and Menger's libraries. This leather wears the same way as the best shoe leather. It is soft, supple, and exhibits subtle hues and textures.
The look and feel of these volumes are nothing short of spectacular, even breath taking. We spent months picking out the leathers and working with the bindery. When they first arrived at the Mises Institute, the staff gathered to see the final product. When we pulled off the tissue, there were audible gasps of awe in the air. We knew that it had turned out just right.
They are produced by hand at Grimm Bindery, a German company founded in 1854 in Madison, Wisconsin. The founder of the company learned the craft from his father Gelasius Grimm who immigrated in 1849. You can read more about the bindery at the Grimm website
We also enjoy the irony that these volumes are priced lower than the original run of these books by the original academic publisher!
Even if you have never owned high-end leather books, these are a great start. As for the contents, these are books for the ages, Rothbard's masterpiece of intellectual history. We admit to feeling a great sense of pride to have the Mises Institute as publisher of volumes we know you will treasure--you and the generations from now that will enjoy reading the same works.
Leather Care
Genuine leather is a product of nature. Natural markings in the hide, healed scars and scratches acquired on the range, as well as lighter and darker variations in color, will appear in the finished leather. These are unmistakable identifications of top grain leather. They do not lessen in any way the beauty or quality of the leather. In fact, these characteristic markings and color variations attest to the authentic proof of genuine leather.
To keep your leather bound items in beautiful condition use a leather conditioner to clean, polish and protect every few years. Good conditioners contain fats &/or oils that help lubricate the leather to restore the suppleness. Before applying anything to your leather, test a small inconspicuous area to make sure it doesn’t change the color or create a negative affect. Then, follow directions supplied by the manufacturer. For fresh stains, remove quickly with a damp cloth or sponge and then dry immediately. For set in stains, it is best to consult a professional leather cleaner/restoration specialist. To remove mildew, mix equal parts of water and rubbing alcohol. Wipe the area with a cloth dampened in the solution, and then allow it to air dry. If the mildew persists, first clean with a mild soap containing germicide and water. Then remove any soap film with just a damp sponge or cloth and allow to air dry.
If your item is scratched or damaged, try conditioner first. If that doesn’t work sometimes a small amount of shoe polish the color of the item can be worked into the scratch to help hide the damage. Follow the instructions on the shoe polish and follow with a light buffing with a dry cloth. Leather items should be stored in a cool dry place away from any heat sources (fireplace, furnace duct, ovens, etc.). Do not store in plastic bags as it can encourage the growth of mildew and bacteria.