Hound of the Baskervilles

Launch Date: 28th October 2008

Taking place in conjunction with Edinburgh Napier University’s celebration of 40 years as a centre of excellence in publishing, students on the third-year Project Management module were tasked with producing and launching a new copy of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s The Hound of the Baskervilles.

Students were responsible for designing the book, from layout to typography, and commissioned Edinburgh artist Cate James for the artwork within the project. Published by Merchiston Publishing, the book had a tremendous response even before the launch, and 500 copies were distributed to schools and libraries across Scotland free of charge.

Professor Alistair McCleery, Director of the Scottish Centre for the Book, said: “We are sure that Edward Clark, Chairman and MD of R & R Clark of Edinburgh (a major printer of its day), would be delighted to see his legacy used to support such a Scottish-centred, educational and innovative publishing project.”

The project itself was supported by funding from the Edward Clark Trust.

500 copies were distributed to schools and libraries across Scotland. Here are some of the comments from happy recipients:

“Thanks very much for the copy of The Hound of the Baskervilles which arrived today. It really is a lovely book and I’m sure the pupils will enjoy it.”
Regards,
Fiona Robertson, Network Librarian
Mearns Academy

“We received a copy of The Hound of the Baskervilles from you a while ago, to add to school library stock. I haven’t yet thanked you for the kind donation so, not only is this a somewhat belated thank you, I would also like to say how impressed I am by the publication. It really is a delight to handle the book, as the size is good, the paper is lovely, and the illustrations are delightful. Thank you very much!”
Kind regards,
Ruth Fry, Librarian
Peebles High School
Peebles