socialmedian: Penguin flogs it (and sells some books)

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Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Nov 04, 2009

Summary

What's the most depressing piece of Penguin merchandising? Notebooks featuring the classic covers of much-loved titles that cost more than the novels themselves

Few publishers are brands the way Penguin is a brand. Launched in 1935, its fame owes much to its earliest titles: their covers, that is, rather than the texts themselves. The trademark uniform – two coloured stripes and black Gill Sans lettering – lasted three decades before being dropped for the sake of greater variety. But you don't have to visit a second-hand book shop to see examples of the design. Resurrected in time for Penguin's 70th birthday in 2005, it's now a familiar sight on official merchandise that includes bags, mugs, tea towels and deck chairs. You can carry your groceries in The Lost Girl, drink from Vile Bodies, dry the dishes with A Room of One's Own, and lean back on Brighton Rock. As a promotional website tells us.

Across all generations and types of people, the Penguin range strikes such a chord that they may now be truly considered part of our literary, lifestyle culture.

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