LONDON.- This year's perfect Christmas present is a one-of-a-kind, most exquisite leather-bound and jewellery encrusted first edition book of the classic novella Breakfast at Tiffany's by Truman Capote. The famous book was published in 1958 and became world-famous when it was turned into a movie with Audrey Hepburn in the lead role, which premiered in 1961. The made-to-order gift will only be produced once and also includes the original photomontages that Truman Capote commissioned as well as an ebonized birdcage. It will cost the generous gift giver £1million.
The prototype of the breathtaking custom rebinding of a signed, first edition of Truman Capote's American classic will be on view at
Shapero Rare Books at 94 New Bond Street and has been a collaboration involving fellow Mayfair institution, the renowned London jewellers, Bentley & Skinner.
The unique binding has been designed and handbound by award-winning master bookbinder Kate Holland, who took inspiration from the original book and designed the full leather binding with the streets of New York in mind. For the book's heroine, Holly Golightly, the streets of New York were set with diamonds, so Kate decided to represent the streets in solid platinum with over 1000 white diamonds totalling almost 30 carats handset by Bentley & Skinner. A magnificent 1-carat emerald-cut aquamarine represents Tiffany's flagship store on Fifth Avenue.
The special gift will come with a portfolio of the complete set of photomontage illustrations by photographer David Attie who had been commissioned by Truman Capote to accompany the original story in Harper's Bazaar. The photographs have never been published in print until now though as Harper's never published the story and the Esquire one used only one of the images.
The book will be resting on a hand cast glass plinth by acclaimed glass artist Jade Pinnell and both will be presented in an ebonized birdcage and then housed together with the photo portfolio in a vintage-style trunk, all handmade by master cabinetmaker Dom Parish.
Bernard Shapero says: "We are delighted to be able to show one of the ultimate book bindings in our new flagship store on Bond Street, just down the road from the famous London Tiffany's. This is the perfect present for someone who shares a love of books, jewellery and unique works of art."