Many of you will recall that back in May, we told you about Barrett, a new limited edition, high quality, large-format book that describes itself as the "definitive visual companion to the life of Syd Barrett".

We've had a special preview of a number of the images to be included, and we are certain that this will be an absolutely essential book for all fans of Syd Barrett and the early Pink Floyd. It's a mesmerizing selection of pictures, not just Syd's artwork and letters (incredible in themselves), but rare photos including live, backstage, and portrait images, and endearing family snapshots – a collection the like of which has not been seen before.

Work has been ongoing with the book this year, and orders are now being taken for not one, but two different editions, which we now have details of...

It is the first book to have been made in conjunction with the Barrett family and the Syd Barrett Estate. Access to the family art and photograph collection and their recollections have shown a new picture of Syd the creative and revealed a man who was a dedicated, practising artist throughout his life.

The publishers have revealed how the book splits into three sections:

• Syd's life in photographs – from growing up through to working and performing with Pink Floyd and his life as a solo artist.
• Unseen and unpublished illustrated letters sent to Libby Gausden-Chisman and Jenny Spires between 1962-1965, as Syd was finding himself as a painter and a musician.
• All of Syd's existing work as a visual artist from 1962 until his death.

The book contains over 250 images. These include:

• Over 100 completely unseen images and many more reproduced in fine art quality for the first time.
• Over 40 artworks including: paintings, drawings, mosaics, collages, and sculptures.
• Over 50 unseen photographs taken by Syd of his artworks, including: images of his "destroyed" works seen here for the first time, studies in preparation for his artworks, images of his work area.

The Art section also includes:

• An extensive commentary on Syd's artworks by Barrett art expert Will Shutes.
• Notes on Syd's diaries, notebooks, scrapbooks, and his History of Art project.
• The Catalogue Raisonné of Syd's art – listing and dating all the artwork known to have existed.

The book will be published in March 2011 in two editions and will be launched alongside a month-long exhibition at the prestigious Idea Generation Gallery in London.

Both editions of the book are now available for purchase prior to publication. Whilst not cheap, it really looks to be a stunning, and quite unique, look at Barrett's life and work.

As a "thank you" to those of you who order prior to publication, the publishers have a Roll of Honour on their website showing the names of all the individuals who helped make the book happen. If you wish to order before December 15th, your name will also be printed in the Roll of Honour in the book itself.

To place your order, and to find out more about the book, visit BarrettBook.com.