Obvious State Illustrated Classics are bold, artful editions of timeless classics by Eliot, Poe, Whitman, Thoreau, Frost, Dickinson, Aurelius, Shakespeare, & more.
The bold, graphic editions have a design-forward approach: Conceptual, thoughtful illustrations that punctuate the text and play with visual puns, double meanings and irony for a unique (and sometimes surprising!) reading experience.
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3 Books for $30
Code: 3BOOKS
Obvious State is an independent press co-founded by husband and wife team Nichole and Evan Robertson in 2011.
Our work is inspired by beautiful language that has stood the test of time, witty insights that strike a chord, poetry that stretches the imagination, and philosophy that prompts critical thinking.
We strive to share wisdom and beauty through tangible, artful objects that spark reflection and joy.
Featuring nine of his most beloved works, this artful anthology pairs Frost’s enduring verses with modern design and minimalist illustrations, crea...
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“Even while we speak, time flies. Seize the day. Trust not in tomorrow.” - Horace Carpe Diem is a collection of classic works and poems carefully s...
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An elegant, illustrated book of poetry, excerpts, and musings from pioneering women writers. From Sappho's early call-to-action, "become a voice," ...
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This carefully crafted collection of Dickinson’s poems blends poetic verse and visual storytelling into a seamless narrative that shines a light on...
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The Meditations has long been revered as a cornerstone of Stoic philosophy. However, because it was his personal journal, its prose is dense and un...
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Walt Whitman's visionary manifesto, visually reimagined. Carefully culled to about one third of its original length, this version provides the perf...
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Henry David Thoreau threw down the gauntlet in 1854, and Walden is more relevant than ever. To Live Deliberately is our visual re-imagining of Th...
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An artfully illustrated book of poetry, excerpts, and musings from the writers and philosophers who contemplated nature's beauty and mystery. From ...
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Forget the sublime, let’s get ridiculous! Shakespeare’s most preposterous stage directions, cheeky insults, and laugh-out-loud observations are gua...
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T.S. Eliot’s timeless modernist masterpiece visually reimagined. This fully illustrated edition explores Eliot’s themes of indecision and isolation...
View full detailsThe Meditationshas long been revered as a cornerstone of Stoic philosophy. However, because it was his personal journal, its prose is dense and unorganized. This illustrated, abridged edition brings Aurelius's wisdom into sharp focus by carefully selecting and reorganizing the passages into twelve thematic chapters, each focusing on a central Stoic principle.
The resulting narrative feels considered and personal, and the thoughtful illustrations enhance the experience, bringing aesthetic beauty to his enduring ideas.
