The Paris Mysteries
Categories:
A dramatic cover capturing the essence of Edgar Allan Poe’s pioneering detective tales.
Overview
Commissioned by Pushkin Vertigo, I designed the cover for The Paris Mysteries, a giftable collection of Edgar Allan Poe’s detective stories featuring Chevalier Auguste Dupin, released ahead of Christmas.
Set in mid-19th-century Paris, these stories are regarded as the first detective fiction, laying the groundwork for Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes.
Method
Delving into the stories, I was intrigued by the prominence of the meerschaum pipe, a detail now often associated with Sherlock Holmes. This inspired me to feature the pipe prominently in the design. Additionally, I incorporated a Parisian skyline above the author’s name, referencing period architecture, including Notre-Dame Cathedral, which tragically suffered a fire during the cover’s design process.
Outcome
The final cover combines illustrative elements and custom lettering to evoke the mysterious and historical ambiance of Poe’s tales.
Subtle visual clues woven into the design reference key moments from the stories.
The combination of intricate detailing and copper-foiled production fulfills the brief, creating a highly desirable festive gift.
