How would you like a beautifully illustrated picture book (jewelry included) — for $7,500?

I’m sure as children we all had our favorite picture books that we never tired of looking at, the images on the pages completely mesmerizing us. Well, this is one picture book that is definitely just for adults, and not just in terms of content.

The book, titled Riley the Circus Elephant (“Saakas-zo no Riley” in the original Japanese), apparently contains an uplifting message that is meant for adult readers who have to deal with the pressures of everyday life and work. But what really caught our attention is the fact that there is a “deluxe edition” of the book that comes with a very special trinket — and a price tag of 750,000 yen (US$7,500)!

Okay, so the hefty price tag is because it comes with a piece of original, custom-made jewelry. The book, sold by jewelry brand Princess jem is the creation of model turned artist and jewelry maker WAKAKO, and the story features as its main character the young elephant Riley, who lives at a circus with his mother. From the book description, Riley apparently faces hardships in the story, and the underlying message seems to be about remaining optimistic in the face of adversity, so it sounds like it may be a real tear-jerker.

The deluxe edition of the book is bound in quality leather with the cover illustrated in gold, and comes in an original case, along with a piece of custom-made jewelry modeled after Riley the elephant.

▼The beautifully bound and decorated deluxe edition, with the jewelry, of course!

If the $7,500 edition is a little too extravagant for you, there is also another “special edition” that comes in a lovely box with a piece of silver jewelry included, priced at a more modest 39,000 yen ($390). And if you don’t need any of the extras, the standard version of the book is available for 2,800 yen ($28). All deluxe editions and special editions are apparently made-to-order.

▼The special edition, which comes with the silver jewelry

▼The standard book, with free Christmas wrapping for the Holidays

▼Another piece of original work from Princess jem based on Riley the elephant

▼An illustration of Riley from the website

If anyone in the Osaka area is interested, a special launch event for the book will be held for three days from December 6 to 8 at the Rihga Royal Hotel Osaka, each day from 11am to 8pm. According to the official press release from TW Treasure, the company that owns and operates Princess jem, WAKAKO herself will be at the event, and gifts of original sweets will be distributed to guests as well.

Now, I don’t have any plans to purchase a $7,500 picture book, but I have to admit I am a bit curious to know how many people actually will. The pricing and jewelry aside, the illustrations in the book should be quite beautiful and enjoyable, at least based on the lovely pastel-colored drawings that can be seen on the website, so the book itself could perhaps make a nice present, especially if you want to show (or even pretend) that you have a sensitive and artistic side!

Source: Princess jem (Japanese), TW Treasure press release (Japanese)
Photos: Princess jem

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