Created by the renowned art bookbindery, Book Works, each handcrafted edition will be made to order. Hand bound in French calf skin or Nigerian goat skin, in a choice of colour, it will include silk hand designed endpapers and will be presented in a sleek silk or linen slipcase. In addition, the owner’s name and geographic location co-ordinates, family crest or coat of arms can be gold printed on the front cover with their initials gold foil stamped on the spine. Ranging in price from £1500 to £3000, each edition will be signed by the Editor-in-Chief of Times and Collins World Atlases.

Sheena Barclay, Executive Director of Collins Geo says, “Our comprehensive edition is the ultimate coffee table book but this luxury offering goes ten times further in terms of quality, prestige and extravagance. In over 100 years of atlas making this is the first time we have offered a unique personalized atlas.”

The luxury Times Comprehensive Atlas of the World will be available from June 2008.