Any avid reader of science fiction from the 1960’s and 70’s will remember the Ace Doubles series, two novellas published back to back but which met in the middle, with one text upside down in relation to the other. Colorful, some might say lurid, art graced each cover and the spine titling was split at the middle, one side reversed out. The cover for this edition of the Stanze is somewhat more restrained, but functions in the same way. This style of binding is known in French as “tête bêche.” Perhaps in English we could say “end over end” or “head over heels” because one flips the book vertically to reveal the other cover. This encourages appreciation of each text on its own terms, rather than comparing the Italian to the English, as one might do if they were on facing pages. 

 

The book measures 5 by 8 inches (13 by 20.5 cm), and its 42 pages are smythe-sewn then bound into stiff wrappers, with a soft grey dust jacket and enclosed in a handsome slipcase made by Jace Graf at Cloverleaf Studio in Austin, Texas. Copies are available in sheets for bookbinders who might like to try their hand at this structure. If interested, please contact the publisher.