Limited Edition of 500 Sets

E. W. Cole was best known for Cole’s Book Arcade and Cole’s Funny Picture Book and regarded as a successful, albeit eccentric, bookseller and publisher.

But the range of subjects on which he wrote was extensive and reveals another side —  that of a serious thinker. These subjects are summarised at the website ewcole.com and have been committed to print in the same order within Volumes B, C and D.

The contents of Volume A are detailed below with all biographical content and individual documents, press clippings, etc. available from www.ewcole.com

Volume A
• Overview of Works • 18 Colean Curiosities • Biographical summary includes full transcript of Cole of the Book Arcade (1974) by Cole’s grandson, Edward Cole Turnley with results of recent research studies integrated • Cream of His Thoughts: Selections from the writings of Edward William Cole (1916) by Cole’s eldest daughter, Linda • Full transcript of E. W. Cole: An Appreciation (1916) by Cole colleague, Henry Williams • Images and wording of all fifty Cole tokens. • Sixty-two item bibliography (repeated at the end of each Volume).

Volume B
• Aeroplanes • Alcohol • The Animal Next to Man • Apples • Books • Business Education • Compilations • Rational Dress • Federal Capital • Federation of the World

Volume C
• Frauds • Fun • Gardening • Hobbies • Lying • Music • Poetry • Race

Volume D
• Race (continued) • Recreation Day • Religion • The Whole World at a Glance

Publisher's Note

While this collection is remarkable for the breadth and curiosity of E. W. Cole’s writings, it is also an object of genuine beauty and substance.

Presented as a limited four-volume hardcover set in a custom slipcase, The (Almost) Complete Works of E. W. Cole has been produced to honour not only the words themselves, but the physical tradition of fine bookmaking. The gold leafing, rounded page edges and innovative slipcase give the set a presence that digital text alone could never convey.

This is a collection designed to be read, explored, handled and displayed — a lasting tribute to one of Australia’s most original publishers, booksellers and thinkers.

About the Author

Tony Rudd is the grandson of Cole’s youngest daughter, Ivy. He oversaw the design and populated the website ewcole.com and compiled and edited all four Volumes of this collection.