Wainwright Box Set Collection

Article by Chris Butterfield

When I first started collecting the Pictorial Guides, I was astounded by the large array of physical variations and editions available. For many years, the original guides were exclusively offered as individual volumes. However, a pivotal moment in their history occurred when Andrew Nichol of the Westmorland Gazette conceived the ingenious idea of creating a comprehensive box set encompassing all seven Lakeland guides. This initiative coincided with the national broadcast of Wainwright’s new BBC TV series in May 1986.

Andrew foresaw the box set as a thoughtful gift option and an investment that would appreciate over time. This innovative approach added a new dimension to the accessibility and desirability of the Pictorial Guides, transforming them from individual items into a complete collection of Wainwright’s exploration of the Lakeland region.

During one of Andrew’s visits to Kendal Green, he presented the box set concept art to Wainwright, who initially harboured reservations about its broad appeal. Despite this uncertainty, Wainwright endorsed the idea and signed seven books for the first Presentation Pack. The proceeds from the sale of this pack contributed to a fundraising appeal dedicated to supporting Maeshafn Youth Hostel.

The box sets achieved remarkable success, exceeding Wainwright’s expectations in sales. Between 1986 and 1991, hundreds of these sets found eager buyers, underscoring their widespread popularity.

During my research at Titus Wilson in Kendal, I stumbled upon the flat-packed boxes and cardboard inserts designed for the original Presentation Packs. Given their rarity, I was surprised to find that they still existed. A limited number of these Presentation Packs are still available.

Frances Lincoln secured the publishing rights to Wainwright’s iconic works and unveiled the subsequent box set in April 2003. These guides, encased in an appealing red-and-white design, are highly sought after by collectors and have gained significant collectable value over time. The set’s original recommended retail price (RRP) was £79.99.

In 2004, Frances Lincoln released the Lakeland Sketchbooks in a stylish blue slipcase, marking the first publication of these sketchbooks since the Gazette years. Regrettably, the subsequent box set didn’t achieve the anticipated sales, leading to the discontinuation of the sketchbooks’ printing. Consequently, these sets have become increasingly difficult to obtain. The set’s initial recommended retail price (RRP) was £75.

In 2005, Frances Lincoln unveiled the 50th Anniversary Editions, presented in an elegant white and gold case, which had been produced for several years. Originally printed in Kendal, these editions had an initial recommended retail price (RRP) of £79.99. Simultaneously, a 50th Anniversary Limited Edition Leather-Bound box set, housed in a striking burgundy case, was also printed in Kendal, with only 200 sets ever produced. The original retail price (RRP) for this exclusive edition was £250.

Since 2006, the 50th Anniversary Editions have been printed in various locations, including Italy, Singapore, Thailand, and China, making them the most widely available box set. The original recommended retail price (RRP) for sets printed outside the UK was £89.99, which was later adjusted to £99.99.

Beyond the 1980s Presentation Packs, numerous original 2003 and 2005 50th Anniversary Limited Edition/Leather-Bound boxes, all manufactured in Kendal, were also discovered.

In 2009, a distinctive cloth-bound box set comprising ten guides, The Complete Pictorial Guides – A Reader’s Edition, was released. Distinguished by enlarged type and drawings, this set was ten per cent larger than the originals, offering readers an enhanced visual and reading experience. The initial recommended retail price (RRP) of this edition was £159.99.

These box sets have undergone modifications, and two different sizes have been produced. Distinguishing between them can be difficult unless they are placed side by side for comparison.

In 2011, Frances Lincoln introduced a sought-after eight-volume Second Edition box set. These sets enjoyed robust sales, and despite the option to purchase the guides individually, the box sets proved highly popular and sold out swiftly. The highlight of this collection was The Outlying Fells of Lakeland – Second Edition, making it the most valuable guide within the set. The original recommended retail price (RRP) of this comprehensive box set was £109.99.

The present publisher, Quarto (retaining the Frances Lincoln name), crafted a special 50th Anniversary Edition paperback box set exclusively for one of the UK’s major book wholesalers, Plodit, in June 2023. Despite the original recommended retail price (RRP) being £105, these sets are readily available for under £30.

In the spring of 2021, I contacted Frances Lincoln about reprinting the 50th Anniversary Edition box set, exclusively for Alfred Wainwright Books & Memorabilia. I would be financially involved. To my delight, both the publisher and the Wainwright Estate agreed. As time passed, I reviewed my proposal and decided that now was not the right time, so I put the project on hold. Instead, I focused all my efforts on my own publication, Wainwright Memories.

The decision went through the board, and I was thrilled when the answer was an overwhelming yes. It was still over a year away, but I knew I had my work cut out for me preparing for the exhibition. Around the same time, I revisited the idea of a new box set to coincide with the exhibition — this time, a new 70th Anniversary Edition.

I contacted Frances Lincoln in the spring of 2024 to suggest a few changes to my original box set idea, marking this new milestone. It felt even more important this time, as the Pictorial Guides to the Lakeland Fells guides were now paperbacks.

I proposed that the new reprint would incorporate several enhancements and updated prelims. The box and dust jackets would be adorned with silver, symbolising the 70th anniversary, traditionally associated with platinum. The books would maintain their classic appearance, returning to hardback cases and dust jackets, with updated colours and elegant silver blocking. I solely funded the project, which felt like the right thing to do and a fitting tribute to Wainwright on this special anniversary.

To my delight, Frances Lincoln and the Wainwright Estate agreed to my proposal, and they did a fabulous job with the 70th Anniversary Edition box sets. I would like to thank the publisher for the exceptional print quality, which exceeded all my expectations.

This new limited-edition set was officially released in February 2025 and is available for £79.99 from the website shop.