S T O RY OF

'

THE

O O K BI N D I N G ,

“H
TH S OM E ACC O U NT
'

OF

THE BO O K S OF T HE A N C I E N TS .

E D IT ED BY

SA LT R A S S KN G T O N
'

A u th o r f
“
H z sto r ic B in dings in th e B o dlcz an L
' '

o r
, etc .

3 llu st rat eb w it h N u m erou s E ngrav ings, anb p hot ograp hic 1Rep rob u ctions of

a ncient 55 01 01a in Colou r anb (Ib ow t ot int s .

L CHQ KKDTI :

E L L IO T S TO CK , 62, P AT E RN O S TE R RO W .

1 894 .
 P RE FACE .

H I S T O RY OF TH E A RT OF BO O K BI N D I N G is b ase d u
po n
a u se fu l an d n o w sc arce
"
litt le bo o k en t it le d An I n q u iry
in t o th e N at u re an d F o rm o f the Bo o k s of the A n c ie nt s ,

J o h n H an n e tt A t M r H an n e t t
’
by . . s re u e s
q t I u n de rt o o k
to v ise ; a n d re w ri e
t h is t re at ise , th a t t h is
re re a rran
ge , so

h ist o ry is p rac t ic ally a n e w o n e T O m e it is a m att e r o f .

dee p re gre t t h at M r H an n e t t did n o t liv e t o s ee t h e w o rk Co m p le t e d

'

. .

F o llo w in g t h e e xa m p le so w e ll se t b y M r H an n e t t as far as po ssib le .

,

th e o ries h av e b e e n a v o ide d , an d in t t in g fac t s p re fe re n c e h as b e e n giv e n

s a

to the ac t u al o rds o f t h e au th o rs q u o t e d re fe re n c e s b e in g plac ed at t h e

“

w
“

fo o t O f t he page .

e po n de n t s fo r t h e h elp t h ey h av e
.

I de s ire t o t h an k m y nu m e ro u s co rr s

e nero u sly
iv n me
g g e .

My t h an ks are e sp e c ially du e to E . M au n de Th o m pso n , E sq .

,

L L D , t o R ic h a rd G a rn e tt E sq
. .
, .
, LL D . .
, to E .
J . L . S c o tt , E sq l , M A . .
,

to A u gu s t u s Wo llast o n F ran k s E sq C B , .
, . .
, an d to W . Y Fle t c h e r
.
,

E sq .
, fo r fac ilit ies giv e n m e fo r t h e e xam in at io n o f b in din gs in th e

Brit ish M u se u m ; to W . B . N ic h o lso n , E sq .

, M A . fo r p riv ile ge the sam e

at the
‘

Bo dle ian L ib rary ; to the C o u n c il Of th e S o c ie t y O f A n t iq u arie s fo r ,

pe rm issio n to co
py th e co v e r o f th e .
W in t o n D o m e s day B o o k ; also t o

J ohn C o t t o n , E sq .
, H . M . C u n dall , E sq .
, to th e Re v .

G e o rge J in k s , t o E . M . Bo rraj o , E sq C J W e rth e im e r E sq

.
, an d t o . .
, .

To H S . . R ich ardso n , E sq .
, an d C e dric C h iv e rs E sq I am in de bt e d ,
-

.
,

fo r the lo an o f t w o e n grav in gs .

W . S ALT B RA S S I N G T O N .

M O S E LEY , BI R M I N G H A M , 1 89 3 .
 M E M O IR OF JO HN H A N N E TT .

O H N H A NNE TT , aut h or, printer , bookbi nder , antiquary, was born on

O ctober 2 5t h , 1 80
at Sleafor d in L incolns h ire wh ere h is fat h er J oh n 3, , , ,

H an n e t t senior for m erly Fleet surgeon in t h e R oyal N avy practised as

, ,

a surgeon until h is death February 2 7 t h 1 80 9 a ged forty two His , , ,

-

wi dow w h ose m ai den na m e was Sara h A n drews (h ence h e r son s well

, ,
’

known pen na m e ) afterwar ds m arrie d M r Joseph R oberts an d died

-

, .
,

J une 1 8t h 1 84 8 a ge d seventy years , , .

U po n leavin g sc h ool t h e subject of t h is m e m oir was apprentice d to J Creasey .

,

printer an d bookbin der M arket P lace S leafor d I n t h e twenty fourth year of h is age
, , .
-

h e went t O L o n do n w h ere t h e ne x t ten years of h is life were spent in t h e fam ous

'

publis h in g h ouse of S i m pkin M ars h all CO I t was du rin g t h ose years of early
, .

m an h oo d t h at Jo h n H an n et t e m ploye d t h e leisure after business h ours i n c o llectin g

m aterials for h is first books ; it was t h en t h at h e beca m e acquainte d wit h Dr D ib din .

,

t h e Re v T H H orne Sir S R M eyrick an d ot h er note d biblio grap h ers an d collectors

. . .
, . .
,

O f t h e O ld sc h ool w h o generously assiste d h im in his labour of love

, .

H an n et t s first book a practical tr ea

’
tise on t h e art an d craft O f bookbin ding of
,
.
,

w h ic h he h i m self w as a m aster an d th erefore coul d speak with auth ority was e n titl ed
“
, ,

B iblio p égia or t h e A rt of B ookbin din g in all its B ranc h es

“
,
T h e book appeare d in .

s m all duo deci m o for m pp 2 1 2 I O plates an d addenda pp x I t was publis h e d in t h e

, .
, , . .

y ear 1 8 35 un de r t h e pen na m e O f Jo h n An drews A rnett

,
-
.

Th e next book was of a m ore a m bitious nature B e lievin g t h at an intelli gent .

work m an s h oul d know so m et h in g of t h e h istory of t h e art h e practises Jo h n H an n ett ,

stu died t h e best bi b lio grap h ies an d exa m ine d suc h speci m ens O f ancient binding as ,

were t h en acces sible wit h t h e result th at in 1 8 37 h e publish e d

,

A n I nquiry into t h e N ature an d For m of t h e Books of t h e A ncients with a ,

”
H istory of Bookbin din g fro m t h e Ti m es O f t h e Greeks an d R o m ans to t h e Present D ay .

Pp 2 1 2
. .
viii M E M OI R OF j OH N H A NN E T T .

T h is book was w e ll receive d an d in co m bination wit h Biblio p e gia it passe d , , ,

”

th rou gh six e ditions between 1 8 37 an d 1 86 5 .

I n t h e sa m e year (1 8 37 ) an d un der t h e sa m e pen na m e anoth er book appeare d -

’
Th e B ookbin ders Sc h ool O f D esi gn as applie d to t h e Co m bination of Tools in
”
t h e A rt of Finis h in g P p I 4 8 plates en grave d by J osep h M orris 4 to
'

. .
, . .

”
B ib lio p e gia was translated into Germ an an d publis h ed at S t uttgart in 1 6 m o ,

for m in 1 8 37 .

I ncessant work h ad overta xe d t h e you ng m an s stren gth an d relu ctantly h e left ’

L on don in t h e year O f t h e Queen s accession in or der to co m m ence business on h is

’

own account as a printer a n d bookbin der at M arket R asen in h is n ative county wh ere , ,

h e re maine d seven years an d t h en re m ove d to H enley in A r den , O n N ove m ber l o th - -

.
,

1 844 ,
Jo h n H an n e t t co m m ence d business as a printer bookbin der general stationer , , ,

an d post m aster in t h e H i gh Street of t h e quiet O ld W arwicks h ire town an d after

, ,

twenty fiv e years of ceaseless in dustry retire d on a co m fortable fortune to e n d h is day s

-

in a picturesqu e O ld h ouse in H enley Street .

Fro m t h e pos t office at H enley in A rden in 1 84 8 M r H a mnett issue d t h e fourth — -

, ,
.

”
e dition of B ib lio pe gia printed by h i m self th ou gh bearin g t h e na m e of Si m pkin
“
, , ,

M ars h all C o L on don . A noth er e dition quickly followe d ; an d t h e si x

,
. th an d l ast
edition with a new title page preface an d in de x appeared in 1 86 5
,
-

, , ,
.

A t H enley Joh n H an n e tt foun d h i m sel fin t he m i dst of a fa m ous forest sacre d ,

with m e m ories O f S h akespeare t h e scene of m any h istorical event s an d t h e h o m e O f ,

-

m any ro m antic le gen ds W ith true antiquarian instinct our auth or turne d to th e
.

Forest O f A r den an d foun d a subject for anoth er book

,

Th e Forest of A r den its Towns V illages an d H a m lets : a Topo graph ical an d , , ,

H istorical A ccount of t h e D istrict between t h \Av o n H enley ih A r den an d Ha m pton —

e
-

ih A r den
-
Pp 32 0 57 cuts by E W h ym per m ap
. .
, 1 86 3 .
, .
\
.

Th e m erits of th is interestin g recor d of local h istory won for it liberal patronage ,

an d t h e aut h or h ad only a s h ort ti m e be f ore h is deat h co m plete d a revise d e dition O f

t h e book M r H a mnett was a constant contributor to t h e S tratford o n A von H am /d
. .
- -

an d in 1 886 w h en ei gh ty t h ree years of age h e collecte d an d publis h e d a seri es of

,
-

l etters written for th at paper

“
N otes I llustrative of t h e E arly Corporations O f O ld E n glis h Towns pp 1 4 : a ,
.

curious an d interestin g work h avin g reference especially to H enley in A r den an d its ,

- -

local life an d c h arities .

A fter h e retire d fro m business M r H an n e t t devote d t h e re m ain der of h is lon g .

an d useful life to t h e service of t h e little town in w h ic h h e h ad m a de h is ho m e .

I n 1 8 7 3 M r D arwin Galton t h e L ord of t h e M anor appoi nte d M r H a mnett

.
, , .

H i gh B ailiff of H enley I n t h is capacity t h e wort h y O ld m an le d all m ove m ents for

.

t h e goo d of t h e s m all co m m unity over w h ic h h e presi de d H e was particularly t h e .

 M E M OI R OF j OH N H A NN E T T . ix

frien d of t h e very O ld an d Very youn g O n eac h succee din g birt h day an niversary t h e
.

H i gh B aili ff gat h ere d roun d h im all t h e poor people O f about h is own age entertainin g ,

t h ese o ld frien ds i n goo d Old E n glis h style a n d m akin g a present to each I n t h e

, .

su m m er h e frequently entertained m erry parties of boys an d girls in t h e O ld orc h ard

beh in d h is resi dence Wh en h e m e t t h e V illa ge c h il dren in t h e street h e h ad always
.

a kin dly greetin g fo r th e m an d h e relieve d t h e sick poor O f t h e town so unostentatiously

-

t h at few were aware of t h e e x tent of h is benevolence .

T h ere is yet anot h er fiel d in w h ich t h is kin dly O ld m an distin guish e d h i m self
h e believe d i n O ld E n glis h sports an d for m any years acte d as secretary to t h e
,

H enley Steeplec h ases H e was also secretary an d treasurer to t h e local c h arities an d

.
,

coul d m ake a speech or deliver an in té re st in gflle c t u re to h is fellow —towns m en W h en

‘

calle d upon .

I n A pril 1 89 3 bein g th en in h is ninetieth year Joh n H an n e t t passe d peacefully

, ,

away I n h is will was foun d a card on wh ich h e h ad written t h e followi n g lines

.

late I saw h im still th e sam e

Bu t , ,

Th o ugh years lay o n him m e ll o w ripe an d kin d ;

, , ,

Age h ad b u t h arde n e d n o t subdue d , ,

H ad b u t m ature d n o t dim m d his vigo ro us m in d

’
.
, ,

Am id tokens O f sincere re gret t h e re m ains O f t h is goo d m an were lai d to rest

.

in t h e c h urch yard of t h e little N o rm an c h urch of Beau desert in t h e Forest of A r den ,

.

Th e si m ple recor d of h is useful life is t h e best eulo gy t h at can be written .

W S . . B .
 C O N T E N T S .

’
1

P A RT L

B O OK S OF TH E A N CIE N TS .

PAG E

C H AP T E R I .

I NTR O D U C TI O N : TH E E A RL I ES T R ECO R DS O F P R E H I S TO R I C MAN

C H A PTE R II .

R E CO R D S O F TH E E AR LI EST NATI O NS — THE BA B Y L O NIA N A ND A S SY R I AN B OO K S

C H APTE R III .

T HE RE C O RD S A ND B OO K S O F T HE A NC IE NT E GY P TIA NS

C H APTE R IV .

B OO K S I N TH E TI M ES OF TH E GRE E K S A ND RO M A NS

PA RT H .

A H I S TOR Y OF TH E A R T OF B OOK B I ND I N G .

C H AP TE R V .

FI R S T B O O K B I ND I N GS — I V ORY DI P TY CH S — EA R LY CH R I STIA N B O O K B I NDI NGS — BY Z A NTI NE

B I NDI NGS

C H AP T E R VI .

’
CA R O L I N G I A N P E R IO D — B O O KB I ND I NGS I N IV O RY— GOLDS MI THS W OR K AN D E NA M E L
 xii C ON TE N TS .

P A GE
C H A PT E R V II .

C E LT I C B O O K B I N D I NG — I R I S I—I B OO K SA TC H E L S —
-
B OO K S H R I NE S —
-
M ETA L B I N D I NG S A ND

O R NA M E NTA L L EA T H E R B O O K BI ND I NGS

C H APT E R V II I .

M O NA S TIC BO OK BI ND I NG — E N GLI S H A ND C O NT I NE NTA L B O O K BI ND I N G UP TO TH E I NV E N

TI O N OF P R I NTI N G

C H AP T E R IX .

J
E N GLI S H S TA M P E D L EATH E R
-
BO O K B I ND I N G I N TH E TW E L TH F -
A ND THI RTE E NTH C E NT U R I ES 107

C H A PT E R X .

J C O NTI NE NTA L B OO K BI NDI NG IN T HE F I FTEE NTH CE NTU RY — P A TRO N S OF L ITERA TU R E

L EA T H E R B O O K B I ND I N G, E NGL IS H G U I LD S — G E R M A N, ITA LI AN , N ETH E R L A ND I S H , A ND

FR E NC H B I N D I NG S

C H APT E R XI .

E NGLIS H S TA M P ED L E ATH ER
-
B I ND I N G, TRA DE B I ND I N G, FIFTE E NTH A ND S I X TE E NTH

C E NTU R I ES

C H A PTE R x1 1 .

B O OK BI N DI NG IN THE S I X TEE NTH CE NTU RY — S I GNA TU R E S — F O RW A R D I NG— P R IC E OF

B I ND I N GS R ES TR ICTE D BY LA W IN E NGLA ND — B O OK S IN C H A I NS — O RNA M E NTE D

E D GES — E MB R O ID E R E D B OO K B I NDI NGS

C H AP TE R XI I I
—
GO LD TO O L E D
-
B I NDI NGS — ITA LI A N— FRE N CH GREA T C O LLE CTO R S A ND FA M O U S BO OK

B INDE R S

C H A P TE R XI V .

E NGLI S H B I ND I NGS IN E NGLI S H

Q R O Y A L B I N D I NG S — VE LV ET, GO LD , S ILV ER, A ND E NA M E L—

GOLD TO OLE D-
B I NDI NGS F R OM T HE R E I GN O F H E NRY V I I I . TO TH A T O F Q U E E N A NNE 20 7

C H AP T E R XV .

M O D E R N E NGLIS H B O OK B IND I NG
 LIST OF C O LO U RE D P LAT E S .

1 . Carve d iv o ry cove r (reve rs e ) o ft he P salte r of Q ue en M e lisse n da

' '

F ron tz sp ze ce

2 . Carve d ivo ry cove r (o bvers e) o ft h e P s alte r of Q ue e n M e lisse n da l ath ce ntury) T0 face fiag e 60

Bo o k -
co v e r o f go l d an d e n am e l ado rn e d with ge m s . Germ an , 1 2 th ce n tury
C as e o f M o l aise s
’
Go sp els (uppe r s ide) . Iris h wo rk , ea rly 1 1 th ce ntury
C as e ofS o t we M issal (upp er s ide )
‘
t .

6 . W o o den co ve r o f an acco un t bo o k o f t he city o f S ie n aA

-
. D . 1 310 . P ain ted ge sso

7 . S tam p e d le ath e r bin ding

-
Win ch e ste r l ath ce n tury) up o n t he W into n ,
“

"
D o m e s day B o o k I n t h e co ll e ctio n o f t h e S o ciety o f Antiq uarie s
. L o n do n .

Stam p e d
l eath er -
b in din g L o n do n , rly 1 3t h ce ntury) up on
ea “
Histo ria
"
Evan ge l ica E ge rto n M S 2 72 British M us e um
“

. . .

B in ding o f an Ital ian M S . R e d m o ro cco , go l d to o l e d, in Arabe s que de sign

-

. Arm s
of a Cardinal
10 . Bin din g fro m th e library of J am e s I .
,
up o n P o n t ific ale Ro m a num C le m e n tis VIII
P o n t M ax. .
 L IS T OF I L L U S T RA T I O N S .

P
A GE
P re h ist o ric car v in g, in ou t in e l o n s at e , l r prese e n t in g a g ro u p of re i n de e r
.
(Fro m th e o rigin a l in t h e B itish r
Mu s m)eu

l
Baby o n ian co n t ac t t ab r -
l et of ba ke
dclay , w ith l
se a —i m p e ssio n r s .
(Ph o to graph ed r
f om th e o rigin a l in t h e
r
B itish M u seu m )
Te rra c t ta b arr l h ape d y l i d r o tai i g t h h i t ry o fth e apt r o fBaby l n by Cyr s (P h to graph e d
-
o e -
s c n e c n n n e s o c u e o u . o

fro m t h rigi al t h Brit ish M u m )

e o n In e u se

O t ag al t rra co tt a A y ria yl i d r (Ph o t grap h d fro m t h

c on e -
rigi al th eBritish M se m )
ss n c n e . o e e o n 1 11 u u

Assy ri l ay t abl t (S h w i g th f rm fth e l tt rs a n eif rm i s ip ti )

an c e . o n e o o e e In cu o n cr on

I s rip t i
n c cy l i d r on (No w i th lib rary o f Tri it y C ll g C am b ridg )
n e . n e n o e e, e

Th R e t ta S t e
o se on

E gy p t ia r ll o fp apy r n (Ph o to grap h d fr m th rigi al

o t h e Brit ish M susm) . e o e o n In u eu

P art f t h e s o te th h ap ter f Th e B
ev e n k o f t h e D ead sh o i g th arra ge m e t fth e h i r gly ph i s
en c o
“
oo w n e n n o e o c

a d a ill st rat i
n ig e tt e
n u ve v n

A i t R m a re di g
nc en (Fro m a pain t i g f d at P m p eu)
o n a n . n ou n o

R m a m a sc rip ts
o n nu

A i t ro ll
n c en

R m a b o k box
o n o -

R m a b o ks a d writi g m at e ials
I

o n o n n r

R o m a t ab l t o f t o l a s
n e w e ve

R m a t ab l t f t h re l a es
o n e o e e v

R m a t ab l t w it h rib a d f rm i g a h i g
o n e n o n n e

Iv o ry dip tyc h i t h l ibrary ft h e Vatica Ro m ,

n e o n e

Fr t ispie
on t o fir t dit io ce s e n

A c i t b i din g
n en 1 1 th c t ry ) o r am e t d w it h go l d a d j ew l s
n (Fo rm rly i t h l ib rary f t h Marq i
en u n n e n e . e n e o e u s

de Gan ay, in S o u t h K e n s in gt o n M u se u m )
'

n ow

A m e diaev al s ribe at o rk i h is st dy (Fro m t h e titl e p age o fa bo o k pri t e d at Ve ice i 1 50 5)

c w n u .
-
n n n

B i di g o f t h e l th c tu ry i t h tr a ry f t h Cath dral o f E se e ar D il ss ldo f

’

n n e ev e n en , n e e su o e e s n, n e r

A i t Iri h b k
n c en v er br (Fro m th e o rigi al n t h e Brit ish M u s m )
s oo -
co , onz e. n I eu

Th a ee f M l is s G p l s ( der s id ) Iri h
c s o rk arly l e th cen t u ry (Ph o to graph d fro m t h
o a e
’
os e un e , s w o , e e ev n . e e

rigi al th m se m f th R y al Iri h A ad m y )
o n In e u u o e o s c e

C as o ft h S t o w
e Mis al ( d r sid ) Irish w rk e arly e l e e t h ce t ry
e e A D 1 0 23 s Th t r o r am e t un e e , o , v n n u , 6 . . . . e c en e n n

se m s t b a l at er additio
e
(Ph o t o graph e d fro m t h e o rigin al i t h e m se m o f t h R y al Irish
o e n. n u u e o

Ac ade m y )
r b i din g f S t C th b ert s G sp el (Diagram fro m th rigi al at S to y h u st C ll ge )
Le at h e n o u
’
o s .
“

e o n n r o e

A m k t ra scribi g a
on n n

Bi di g f t h b o k w h ich He ry I an d s bs q e t k i gs o f E n gl a d a e said t o h a
n n o e o s d at t h ir co ro n . u e u n n n r ve u e e . na

ti n (P h t o graph e d fro m t h e i gi al in t h e Br it ish M

o . o m) or n u se u

Fr ch bi di g fift e t h c e t u ry
en n n ,
e n n

B i din g i n gr n
n l v t w it h ilv r r am e ts o n a b ok o c b l gi g t Margu rite wif f J am e s IV
ee ve e s e o n n , o n e e on n o e , e o . of

S co t l an d (Ph o t graph ed fr m t h rigi al in t h B rit ish M

. m) o o e o n e u se u

Bin di g f a b re iary (fr t ) fi ft e e th c t ry G e rm a h a d w

n o v gh t l ath er on , n en u , n n -
ro u e

G rm a bi di g in h a d w r gh t l at h r fift
e n n n t h c e t ry n -
ou e e , ee n n u

B i di g fa b re iary (b ack) fift

n n o t h ce t ry Ge rm v h a d wro u gh t l at h e r , een n u ,
an n — e

An i n t b o o kb i ders at wo rk fro m a B o k fTrade s

c e n ,
o o
 LI S T OF I LL US TRA TI ON S .

W ro u gh t si v e l r bi n din g .
(Fro m therigi l in S o na ou t h K e n sin gt o n Mu se u m )
Silv r e b in din g p ie ce d an d r en grav e d G rm a e n, ea rly e igh t e e n t h ce n t u ry .
(Fro m th e o rigi al n in S o u th
s
K e n in gt o n M u se u m )
Fig . rly E glish pl a o farrangi g or am e t al st am p s
1 —
, Ea n n n n n

Fig 2 . Ne t h rl a dish pl a o farra ge m e t

— e n n n n

Fig 3 Ge rm a pl a
E gl ish adapt atio o fGerm
— n n
. .

Fig 4 . .
— n an p l a n n

B i d r 5 sh o p fro m a ixt e e th c e n t ry q
“
n e
’
k f s n -
u o

th B
,
‘
Bo o k b i de r s t l an d im pr ssi
n ixt th c t ry
oo (Fro m t h e o rigi al rit ish M se m
)e o n, s ee n en u . n 1 11 e u u

B in di g o f a Ge rm a Bibl
n i t h e N ati al M s u m Nu r m b e rg l at e fift e e n t h ce n t ry
n e, n o w n on u e ,
e , u

Bi di g o f P st ill a Th o m e d Aq i o
n n J b C Fy er E sli ge n 1 474 ce t ral p a el h an d wro u ght bo rder
o e u n In o , . n , s n , n n -
,

stam pe d (Fr m th e rigi al t h e B it ish M s u m ) . o o n In r u e

Net h erl a dish b i di g l at fift n th o arly sixt e t h ce t u ry

n n ,
e e en r e e n n

S t am p e d l ath e r b i di g Fr h de sig
e e arly s ixt e t h ce t ry n (Fr m t h e o rigi al i th e l ibrary o f
n , en c n, e n n u . o n n

W o r e st r C ath dral ) c e e . . r

Fre c h p an el t am p arly s ixt en t h ce t ry

n -
s e e n u

W o o d cu t fro m Caxto s Th e Gam a d P lay ft h e Ch ess A D 1 48 1

,
’
-
n e n o , . .

P a l st am p w it h arm s o fE d ard I V
ne -

(Fr m t h e u iq e o rigin al n t h e library o fW st m i st er Ab b y ) w . o n u I e n e

P a el
n d by R i h ard Py so an d t h r b i de r e arly ixt
u se c th n t ry n n o e n s, S e en ce u

P an l st am p ith Ri h ard P y o n s m ark (Fro m t h o rigi al i t h British M s m )

’
e -
w c ns . e n n e u eu

P a e l stam p (o b rs )
n -
s d by J o h n R y s Arm s f H e ry V II a d T do r r s
ve e , u (Fro m a bi din g i
e e ne . o n .
,
n u o e . n n

t h e p ari h l ibrary fK i g s N rt o in Birm i gh am Fre Library )

’
s now o n o n, n e

P a l st am p ( e rs ) s d by J l ia N o tary b e ari g h i m ark (Fr m t h bin di g o f Cic r s O rat io s

’
ne -
r ve e u e u n ,
n s . o e n e o n ,
,

p ri t d by J a P e t it P ari
n e 1 50 9 ) e n ,
s, "

P a l st am p (o b e rse ) s d by J l ia N o t ary (Fro m th bi di g f Ci er s O ratio s pri t e d by J a

’
“
ne -
v u e u n . e n n o c o n n e n
, ,

P e t it P aris 1 50 9 ) , ,

P a l st am p (rev rse )
ne -
sed by J h Rey s e arly sixt e n th ce tu ry (Fro m a l u m i th e p arish library
e , u o n ne , e n . vo e n

o fK i g s No rt i B irm i gh am Fre Library)

’
o n on, n w n n e

Pa l c
ne tai i g arly arm s o f He ry VI I I fro m a b in di g by a Lo n do statio e r G R
on n n e (Fro m a spe cim e n .
, n n n , . . n

in t h e parish l ibrary o f K i g s N o rto n n o w in B irm i gh am Free Library )

’
n , n

P a l s d by t h e Lo do st at io n r G R
ne u e n n e . .

P a l st am p (o b r ) wit h arm s o f He ry V I I I
ne -

(Fro m t h e bi di g o f a c oll ctio o f t rac t s pri t d by

v e se ,
n . n n e n n e

W y ky de W o rde ) n n

P a l st am p (re rse ) w ith arm s f Q e K ath e ri e fArago

ne -
ve (Fr m t h b i di g f a ll ctio o f tracts
,
o ue n n o n . o e n n o co e n

p ri t d by W yn k y d W o rd )
n e n e e

S t am p e d l e ath e r b i di g by J R r p rese tin g S t G o rge a d t h e Drag

-
n e arly sixt e th ce t ry
n , . .
,
e n . e n o n, e n n u

P a l st am p o fJ h a M o l i a R u e st at io n e r
ne -
h o isit d E gl a d e arly
e n th sixt e e t h ce t u ry
u n,
(Fro m o n , w v e n n I II e n n .

a sp cim i t h l ibrary fW rc st r C ath e dral )

e en n e o o e e

Gerard W a sf st m ark c 1 50 0
’
n o 5

th r e ar
.
,

R o ll s st am p w ith i it ials o f G rard W a sf t a d a

-

,
ly stati r
n e n os n no e on e

H raldic b rder fr m stam p d l th r bi din g E glish e arly sixt

e o o t h c e t ry (Fr m a sp cim n i t h e -
ea e n , n , ee n n u . o e e n e

library o fLi h fi ld Cath e dral ) c e .

S m all ake c a s i Old Ch lse a Ch rch co tai in g t e n b o ks fi e c hain e d

o n e n
“
e u ,
n n o , v

A b o o k ase fo r ch ain e d b o o k c S h o wi g t h e su al arra g m t f a m dias al l ibrary (Draw fro m th s, n u n e en o e -

v . n e

o rigi al i H e ref rd Cath e dral Library )

n n o
.

Do b l b o o k : t
u e b o ks i on bi di g (e ac h o pe in g t h e re v rse
w o oay t t h e o t h r) side s a d b a k
n e n n n e w o e , n c

e m b ro id re d e dg s ga fi re d Ne w T st am e t an d P salm s 1 630
e , (Brit ish M s m )
e u e . e n , . u eu

B i di g o f Ho ly Bib l
n n 1 64 6 m br o ide r d i ol red silks a d g ld t h r ad o w h it sat i
e,
(Fro m t h,
e e n c ou n o e n e n. e

o rigi al in t h e B rit ish M se u m ) n u

Bo k o v e r o fbl e v l
-
co t e m b ro idere d w ith s il e r p u rl u
(Fro m t h e o rigi al i S u th K si gt o M s u m )
e ve v . n n o en n n u e

B i di g e m b ro id r d w ith sil e r a d go l d pu rl
n (S u t h K e si gt
e e M m) v n o n n on u se u

(Fro m a B ko fP sal m
n .

B oko e r e m b r id re d
-
co v p n wh it sati w ith a p o rt rait o f Ch arl s I
o e u s1 64 3
o e n, e . oo , , In

t h e Brit ish Mu s u m ) e “

W hit sati bo k c er m bro ide re d with o lo re d silk g ld S il r a d se d p arl D u t h se e t th

e n o -
ov e c u ,
o , ve ,
n e -
e s, c ,
v n een

ce t u ry (Fro m t h e o rigi al
n S o u th K e i gt o
. n In ns n n

I t alian fift th c t ry t o o l d bin di g

een
(D iagram fro m a xam pl
-
en u t h e B dle ia Library ) e n . n e e In o n
xv i LI S T OF [ LL USTKA TI ON S .

C o n t e m p o raF
y m e da l 01 A du s l
Ve n e t ian go d t o o e d l
l c m m er i l b i di g e arly ixt e th c n t ry
-
o c a n n ,
s en e u .
(Diagram fom r an e xa m p e l in t h e
l rr
B o d e ian Lib a y )
M i l i b i di g It al ia
a o arl y sixt
n th c t ryn ,
n, e e en en u

Gr l i r b i di g Fre ch arly sixt

o e th c
n t ry n ,
n ,
e een en u

Gr li r b i di g Fr
o e h arly sixt e t h c
n t ry n ,
enc , e e n en u

Fr h b i di g i gil t calf d
enc rat d it h am e s i g ld 0 1 554 U p
n n n e co e w c o n o , . . on Fran c isc i P e t rarc h a
e r
o p e a o m n ia,

h r d m)
m d (Fro m t h Brit ish M
uc e u ce . e u se u

B k b i di g fro m t h
oo ll t io o ft h E m p er r Ch arl es V
n n e co ec n e o

B i di g f m a
n n rip t f R l ati d F
o a aill s d A e de Br t ag
n u sc o e o ns es u ner e
’
nn e n e, w h o se a rm s an d i n it ia ls it b ar e s,

c 1 550
H ry I I OfFr
.

Bin din g w it h t h e arm s of en . an c e , an d t h e m o n o g am r o fD ian n e de P o y t ie rs an d H e n ry I I .

l
B in din g dis p ay in g t h e a m s o fA n n e de Mo n t m o e n c y , Co n st ab e O f F an ce, r r l r c 1 560.

B in din g s aid t o h av e b e e n e xe c u t e d by Nic h o a E v e fo r E tie n n e de N u l s lly , w ho s e a rm s an d m o n o g am r it

bea r 1 58 2

"
s, c.

F re n ch go d t o o e d b in din l -
l gi n th e E ve sty e . l Mo no gram RR .
RF an d 5 Fe rm é .
(Fro m t h e Co ll e ct io n of

H S Ric h a dso n , Es q
. . r .
)
A msr of P r
e side n t de Th o u an d h is se c o n d w ife , Gasp arde de la Ch ast re .
(Fro m t h e b in din g of a l
fo io ,
A O . . 161 1 )
B in din g by C l o v is E v e fo r J . A de Th o u ,
. w ith h is c o at o i—a -
rm s a s u se d b e fo re h i fir s st ma rriag e

Bin din g f o m t h e Co r ll e c t io n o f P r e side n t de Th o u , w ith h is c o at o f a m s as u se d

- -
r b e fo re h is first ma rriag e.

(Fro m th e S p e n ce Lib a y ) r rr
In stit u t io S o cie tat is J e su Ro m e , 1 58 7 . . Mo saic w o rkby P ad elo u p .
(Fro m the F r
e n ch t
Na io n a Lib l rary )
M o n n ier b in din g, P aris, 1 69 0
Arab e s q u e o rn am e n t s u se d by H an s H o l b e in , an d su pp o se d t o h av e b e e n bro u gh t by h im fro m Ve n ice
B o o k o f H o u rs o f Mary I o f E n gl an d, b o u n d in v e l v e t w ith s il v e r m o u n t in gs (P h o t o graph ed fro m th e
”
. .

o rigi al at n S to n y h u rs t C o ll e ge )
B in din g giv e n t o u e e n E iz ab e t h , 1 584
o fa Bib l Q
(Co pie d f o m t h e o igin a in t h e B o d e ian Lib ary )
e l . r r l l r
r r
E m b o ide e d b in din g o n a b o o giv e n by A chbish o p P a e t o u e e n E iz ab e h (F o m t h e o igin a in t h e k r rk r Q l t . r r l
r
B itish M u e u m , m u c h e du ce d) s r
U dall
’
s Se rm r sO fQ e
on s Eli ab th em bro id red t h bi di g
”
(L o n do n , A m u en z e e on e n n

Q e Eli ab t h G ol d Ma al
ue n z r rs Th bi di g o fg l d e am ell e d a d is said t o b e t h e w o rk
e
’
s en nu o f P ay e . e n n 15 o n ,
n

fG rge H ri t o fC J W r th im e r E sq
o (Ph t grap h d fro m t h o rigi al
eo e t h p sses i
o . o o
) e e n In e o s on . . e e , .

B i di g o f A M ditat i n i o t h L rd P ray e r (Lo do 1 6 1 9 ) m ad fo r K i g J am s I (P h o t o grap h e d

’ ”
n n e o n e o s n n, e n e .

fr m t h e o rigi al t h Brit i h M s
"
o m) n In e s u eu

I m ag o f Go v e rn pri t d by Th o m as Berth l t a d p r b ab ly b un d
’
B i di g f E ly o t
n n o c (Lo n d s e an e o n, n e e e , n o o

by him f H e ry VI II R d ce d (P h t grap h d fr m th e o igi al

or n t h Brit i h M se m )
. e u . o o e o r n In e s u u

B i di g f P tri B e m b i C ardi al i Hi t iae V pri t e d at V ice 1 55 1 a d p r b ably b u d i E gl a d

”
n n o e ti n s s or en e ee , n en ,
n o o n n n n

b y Th m a B rth l t i 1 552
o f Edw ard V I
s R du e d
e (P h o t o grap h d fr m t h o rigi al i th
e e , n ,
or . e c . e o e n n e

B ritish M s m ) u eu

P o rtrait o f J o h D ay p ri t r an d b okbi d r n ,
n e o n e

O r am e t fr m a p a l f a b i di g m ade f Q
n n o El iz ab t h ne o n n or u een e

D larat i B i di g i r d m o ro cco w it h rich go l d t o o l i g o tt ag ro o f sty l

'

o f Fait h
“
ec
(L d on on on, n n n e n , c e -
e.

(Attrib u t d t o E llio t a d Ch ap m a ) e n n

P o rtrait o f R ge r P ay n (C pi d fro m a co t m p o rary t chin g d

o foe To m P
. ayn t h e b o o ksell er)
o e n e e on e r e

M r o o b i din g b y Ro g r P ay
o cc go l d a d bl i d t o l d a c am o i se rte d I t h c t r
n e f ea h er p
n e, n n o e ,
e n n e en e o c co v , u on

(Fr m t h C a h de C o ll ct i i t h B riti h M se m)
”
Vi gili s V i
“
1 50 5
r u ,
e n ce , . o e r c e ro e on n e s u u

Bi di g i
n mb
n s d a d go l d t o o l d l at h r By M C dri Ch i rs o f Bat h
n e os e n -
e e e . r. e c ve

B ook -
r ch ip c ar i g
co v e , v n .

S p im n o f a p
ec h d a d h l d l at h e r b
e i di g d o e by a p p il o fMiss L M F st er
u nc e n w f W st Ha k h u rst
ee e e n n n u . . o ,
o e c

Ab i g r D rki g n e , o n

B ack f b i di g by M T J C b d ri S a de rso
o n n r. . . o e n n

B i di g b y M T J C o bd
n n S a d rso r . . . en -
n e n

B i di g gr m r c o go l d t o o l d by M 1 J C bde S an de rso
'
n n In ee n o o c e r. o n -
n "
, . .

C ent r o r am e t N th e rl a dish l at sixt

n t h c n t ry
en ,
e n e ee n e u

t h e Bo dl e ianLib rary )
,

E grn dav e ry gu ard t a pal m l e af m an script (P h t o graph d fr m th e rigin

Iv o o al u . o e o o In
 BO O K S OF TH E A N C I E N TS .

C H A PT E R I;

I N TR OD U CTI ON : TH E E A RLI E S T RE CORD S OF P RE HI S TORI C

ITTL E is known of t h e arts wh ich first occupie d t h e th ou gh t an d

attention of m an , contribute d to h is co m fort Or ado rn m en t supplie d h is ,

wants or assisted in t h e defence of h is position an d h o m e I t can

, .

h ar dly be expecte d t h at anyth in g ai din g th e refine m ent of life and

“

appealin g to t h e aesth etic si de of h u m an n ature suc h as t h e records of ,

pri m itive literature s h oul d h ave su rvive d t h e countless c h an ges wh ich

,

h ave h appene d since m an first m a de his appearance upon t h e earth .

I n t h e absen ce of definite infor m ation it m ay be supposed th at t h e arts ori ginated

partly in necessity partly in acci dent
,
Bu t art instincts see m to h ave been n atura l
.

to m an al w ay s t h e beautiful O bjects aroun d h im N ature s orna m ents served perh aps

,
—
’
—
, ,

as m o dels for t h e earliest h u m an h an diw o rk ; stran ge as it m ay appear t h e earliest

,
‘

m e n h ave left records be h in d th e m of O bj ects w h ic h were fa m iliar to t h e m but to us ,

are k now n o nly by tradition or foss il re m ains .

As to th e m eans e m ploye d by t h e n ation s of antiquity to record th eir th ou gh ts an d

th eir i m pression s of th in gs aroun d th e m we w h o live at t h e en d of t h e nineteenth
, ,

c entury h ave knowl edge ; but lon g before t h e C h ristian era th rou gh t h e R o m an Greek
, , , ,

an d H ebrew ti m es th rou gh m any centuries w e m ay pass to t h e earliest E gyptian

, , .

or B abylonian dynasties an d fin d t h e recor ds of a civilisation w h ich even th en was o ld , .

Th ere we m ust pause for between t h e first or drift perio d of t h e stone age an d t h e
.

, , ,

earliest h ist o ric epoch th ere is a lapse of ti m e so great t h at it m ay probably be

.
.

, ,

nu mbere d by t h ousan ds of y e arsf— a ti m e so rem ote t h at t h e rein deer was abun dant in
th e south of France an d t h e m a m m oth h ad not entirely disappeare d fro m t h e s h ores
,

W M as k ell I vo rie s
.
p 6 , ,
”
. .
 4

of t h e Me diterranean 1
Fro m th is dim an d distant past earlier th an t h e age of iron
.
,

or bronze earlier t h an t h e age of polis h ed stone h ave co m e down to u s representation s

, ,

of m e n ani m als an d boats cut h ere an d t h ere upon t h e face of a cliff in Scan dinavia or
, , ,

S iberia; or t h e M ariti m e A lps as well as fragm ents Of ivory an d bone carved by t h e ,

h an ds of preh istoric artists .

T h eories of t h e ori gin of civilis ation s h ou l d fin d no pl ace in a book devote d to th e

'

outward garb of literature b u t it m aybe well to re me m ber th at m an eith er in t h e course ,

o f m any generations gra dually rose to a h i gh State of civilisation or th at h e appeare d

“

upon t h e earth fully equippe d with m ental faculties of a h i gh order clever t h oug h tful , , ,

intelli gent an d was in fact civilised at t h e ti m e of h is creation I n favour of t h e latter

, , , .

th eo ry Wh ich of course is B iblical it m ay be ur ge d th at barbarity an d civilisation m ay

, ,

exist contem poraneously T h e bush m en of A frica and t h e A ustralian abori gines exist
-
.

contem poraneously with ourselves ; so t he savages of t h e neolith ic peri od m ay h ave

been conte m porary with t h e early civilise d co m m unities of Central A sia Bu t t h e .

’
sequence of events in t he worl d s h istory h as been so stran gely interrupted by p h ysical
c at ast ro ph y t h at it is i m possi b le to lay down laws for t h e gra dua l develop m ent of

m ankin d fro m pri m itive sava gery to a state of h i gh cultivatio n Between th e first an d .

secon d period of m an s appeara nce t h ere is an abso lu t e gulf wh ic h neith er geolo gi sts
’
,

nor h istorians h ave yet been able to cross ; th is in C h inese A ssyrian an d H ebrew , ,
"

writin gs m ay be typifie d by th e Flood so m e geologists in dee d say th at a secon d glacial , ,

epoch i ntervene d between t h e earlier an d later stone ages 2 Th e discoveries of science .

durin g t h e last h alf century S h ow a nu m ber of conver gin g probabilities pointin g t o m an s

’
-

first appearance o n t h e earth alon g With great ani m als at a definite geolo gical period 3 .

R ecent discoveries in t h e valleys of t h e E uphra tes an d t h e Nile p rove t h at me n dwelt in

co m m unities civilise d to an extent h ith erto u nsuspecte d at an earlier perio d th an was
previously assi gne d to t h e creation of t h e worl d an d it is fro m t h e records of t h ese -

nations veritable books of t h e ancients— that we may h ope to fin d a clue to t h e

—

vexed qu estion of th e evolution age an d ori gi n of m ankin d , , .

Th e first traces of th e existen ce of m an appear in t h e inter or post glacial deposits -

t h e gravel be ds an d cave floors w h ere a m on g t h e bones of th e m a m m ot h t h e bear an d , , ,

h ippopota m us now extinct an d with t h ose of oxen stags an d red deer of a still
, , , ,
-

livin g species are foun d t h e evi dence of m a ns h an diwork in stone tools a dapted equally
,
’

for cuttin g diggin g o r Strikin g I t is a mark of e x tre m e antiquity t h at m ost of th ese

, , _
.

tools are sh aped but unpolis he d fragments of pebbles or of pieces of stone detach ed by
natural canses an d obtain abl e h ar d by Th ey h ave been struck with othe r stones, so .

as t o pro du ce cuttin g edges and a sy m m et rical for m

'

T h ey h ave been foun d in F rance .

,

Spai n It aly Greece A l geria U pper an d L ower E gypt (it is sai d in t h e con glo m erate
, , , ,

slab s of wh ic h t h e to m bs of t h e kin gs are built) Palestine I n dia an d even in Canada , , ,

L u b o ck , Th e O rigin o f Civil isatio n

“
Sir J. b .

9
Dr . Geik ie an d M r Sk ertc hly , quo te d by W . .
J . H arris o n , F . G eo l o gy o f th e Co unt ie s of

En gland , p .
92
1 .

3
S R . . P attiso n , “
Th e Ag e an d Orig in of M an .
 TH E E A RLI E S T RE COR DS OF P R E H I S TORI C M A N

an d North A m eric a, f all substantially of t h e sa m e type lyin g u n de r sim ilar c o n dit io n s ,

.
,

1
O f t h e sa m e geolo gical age an d apparently testifyin g of t h e sa e social epoch
m ,
.

O f t h e m anner of life le d by t h e ol dest in h abitants o i t h is earth w h o use d t h ese -

ston e tools an d wh ose perio d is h ence called

,
little is known beyon d t h e ,

bare facts th at t h ey live d c h iefly by t h e c h ase an d h ad im ple m ents not O f m et al but , _ ,

of stone woo d an d h orn only Th ey h ad axes spears bows an d arrows nee dles an d
, ,
.
, , , ,

probably querns or h an d m ills T h ey dwelt in caves an d rock s h elters T h ey possess ed

“

— . .

certain artistic instincts an d coul d pro duce carvin gs on sto ne on m a m m oth tooth
, , ,

or rein deer h orn V ario us ani m als suc h as t h e ibex m a m m oth h orse an d rein de er
.
, , , , ,
.

an d snakes an d fi sh are represente d an d at least one exa m ple h as been foun d O f t h e

, ,

likeness of a m an ar m e d wit h a spear These carvin gs are e x ecuted with a .

surprisin g degree O f truth fulness to nature an d a k nowledge of drawin g won derful

in it s e x actness
‘

T h e m ost skilful sculptor O f m o dern ti m es woul d probably, not

.
,

succeed v e m uch b etter if h is graver were a splinter of fl int an d stone an d bone ,

were t e m aterials to be en grave d

h 2
A m ystery surroun ds t h ese early carvin gs ; .

t h ey are so excellen t th at t h ey can n ot be co m pared w it h t h e ru de an d con t

.

v e n t io n al scratc h in s of t h e m o der n E squi m au x It woul d See m th at for nu m berless

‘ '

g .

generations after t h e p alm o lit h ic m en h ad passe d away t h eir descen dants lost all t h e
o ld power a n d skill o f portrayin
g m en an d beasts of t h e fiel d wit h trut h fulness D ark .

ages ca m e si m ilar to but inco m parably lon ger in duration th an t h ose wh ic h followe d
, , ,

t h e h alcyon days of Greece an d R o m e ? T h e re m ains of t h e l ater 0 1 neolit h ic age are , ,

si ngularly defic ient in vesti ges of art a n d n o representation h owever ru de of any , , ,

ani m al h as yet bee n found in any of t h e D anish s h ell m oun ds E ven O bj ects of t h e -
.

bronze age an d t h e coarse pottery of later ti m es ex h ibit few carve d lines or representa
'
“
'

, , ,

tions O f ani m als ‘ A m on gst a great portion of t h e in h abitants of t h e eart h t h e use O f

.

orna m ental art was fo I a t i m e dor m ant Fi o m th at epoc h of t h e worl d s h istory t h ere .
’

is little th at can be sai d to h ave su ggested i m prove m ent in art or literature O n th e .

contrary t h e carvin gs done by t h e m e n of th e early stone age m ay be re garded as

,

preh istoric picture books t h ey are in dee d t h e prototypes of all literature an d all art
-

, ,
.

For as t h e letters of t h e alp h abet now in use were derive d fro m h ieroglyph ics so
, ,

were t h e h iero glyp h ics copie d fro m t h e ani m al an d vegetable for m s fa m iliar to c m
.
‘

re m ote ance stors .

I t is not i m probable th at th ese early carvin gs m ay h ave been t h e m eans of .

co m m unication between m en conveyin g a definite m eanin g an d answerin g t h e purpose ,

O fletters .

H o w m any y ears passe d between t h e s h apin g of t he first flint an d t h e m oul din g .

of t h e first bron ze weapon is not known ; bu t it is certain th at me n use d stone before

'

th ey use d bronze and iron an d th at so m e tribes were in t h e sto ne age w h en oth ers ,

1
S . R P attis o n ,
Th e A g e a n d O rig in o f M a n ,
.
“
p . 1 1 .

3
B oyd D a w k ins , “ Cave h un tin g, p 3 44
-
. .

3
W M as kell , “ Ivo rie s , An cient an d M e dia v al,
.
p . 12 .

Sir J Lubbo ck , Th e O rigin o f Civil isatio n

”
. .
 B OOK S OF TH E A N CI E N TS .

h ad foun d out t h e value of m etals Th e th ree ages overlap an d run into each oth er like
.

t h e t h ree c h ief colours O ft h e rainbow

1
Notwit h stan din g th is t h ere cannot be any doubt
.

about th e i m m en se antiquity of t h e ear ly carvin gs ; th eir great age is self proven since -

th ey can only h ave been execute d by m e n w h o were conte m porary wit h t h e now extinct
ani m als represented — t h e cave bear an d t h e woolly eleph ant
,
.

Bu t it m ay be asked w h at of t h e antiquity of books an d w h ere are we to p lac e

‘

, , ,

th e startin g place of written recor ds ?

—

We m ay travel alon g th e course of h istory for over six th ou san d yea rs from t h e
present ti m e an d th en fin d people livin g a busy active civic life si m ilar in m any respects
, , , ,

to our own carryin g on various trades an d occupations able to e x press th eir th ou gh ts in

, ,

writin g by m eans of sy m bols to w h ic h arbitrary m eanings were att ac h e d an d possessin g , _

books of h istory ph ilosoph y science reli gion an d fiction

, , Beyon d t h is point we
, , .

cannot procee d wit h certainty T h erefore leavin g t h e re gions of speculation w h ere no

.
, ,

certain footh ol d can be h ad we co m m ence t h is account of t h e books of t h e ancients

,

upon t h e firm groun d of h istoric ti m es in B abylonia an d E gypt B ookbin din g can .

scarcely be sai d to h ave been practise d as an art till early in th e presen t era ; till t h en
books were not generally m a de in t h e fol de d or flat for m an d t h e coverin gs of ancient ,

rolls h owever elaborately fi nis h e d cannot str ictly be called bookbin din gs
, , .

1
E . Clo dd, “
Th e Ch il dh o o d o f th e W o rl d ,
”
p . 27.

P R E H I é TO RI C CA R V NG
I , I N O U TL I NE ON S L A TE , RE P R E S E NTI N G A G R OU P OF R E I N D E E R .

(F ram th e o rig in a l in th e B r itish M 11 3 m m

. .
)
 C H AP T E R 1
II .

RE CORDS OF TH E E ARL I E S T N A TI ON S — TH E B A B YL ONI A N AND A SS I’ RI AN

B OOK S .

all E astern nations w h ose glory h as departe d t h e B abylonian s an d

F ,

A ssyrian s h aVe left t h e m ost extensive records Of t h eir national

h istory an d attain m ents I t is owin g to t h e wis do m displaye d by .

th ese ancient peoples in t h e ch oice of an al m ost i m perish able m aterial ,

viz bake d cl ay upon w h ich to record t h eir th ou gh ts an d th eir

.
, ,

experiences th at after t h e lapse of m any th ousan d years we are now

, .

able to read accounts of events wh ic h h appene d in t h e E uph rates

V alley before th e patriarc h A br ah am dwelt in t h e la nd of t h e C h aldees as well as
~

t h e particulars of t h e later wars between A ssyria an d t h e kin gs of Israel an d j u da h .

D urin g t h e first fifty years of t h e p re s

. e n t re i n astonis h in
g g pro gres s was m ade
in t h e knowle dge of A ssyrian lan guage W h en t h e first e dition of t h is book appeare d .

in 1 8 37 M r H an n e t t w rot e t h e followin g passa ge in reference to cuneifor m inscriptions

, .

To th is class t h e Baby lo n ian b ricks belon g t h e inscriptions o n wh ic h doubtless were ,

inten de d for t h e propa gation of science to th e in culcation of so m e special facts or t h e

'

, ,

rec o rd o f s om e useful m e m orial A n d tnou g n t /z e m ean ing of t/z ese in scrip t ion s is
.

u n kn o w n t h e preservation of so m e of t h e bricks t h rou gh a perio d of so m e t h ousan d

,

years proves th at th e ancients ri gh tly calculate d on t h e m o de t h ey a dopte d in

.

”
perpetuatin g t h eir discoveries H ere we h ave t h e be ginnin g o f enli gh ten m ent ; n ow
.
.
-

th anks to t h e researc h es of L ayar d R awlinson S m ith Sayce Bu dge an d oth er sc h olars

, , , , , ,

t h e cunei f or m writin g m ay be rea d wit h tolerable accuracy .

I n t h e al luvial plains to t h e north of t h e Persian Gulf wh ere t h e m igh t y rivers ,

Ti gris an d E uph r a tes flowed t h rou gh a lan d aboun din g with t h e re m ains of an cien t
2
civilis ation dwelt an arch aic people w h o spoke an agglutinative lan gua ge akin to th ose
, ,

1
Th e h ead piece rep resen ts A ssu r oani fial a g reat p atron o f literatu re an d iris q u een F ro m Me
'

- - -
.
, ,
'

gz n d l in th e B ritzsli M u seu m
' '

07z ear o z ng .

3
In an ag glutin ative la n guag e t h e relatio ns o fgram m ar are exp ress ed by co upl in g w o rds togeth er ,

each o fw h ich re tains an independent m e anin g o fit s o w n e m es n a o fh ous e s l iterally h o us es - -

,
 B O OK S OF TH E A N CI E N TS .

1
of t h e m o dern Turks or Finns T h ey were relate d to t h e tribes w h o continue d to
.

m aintain t h e m selves in t h e m ountains of E l a m down to a l ate day an d were of a ,

differe n t stock fro m t h eir Se m itic conque rors Th ey h ave been calle d A ccadians I t is . .

related in t h e Bible t h at at a very early perio d N i m ro d t h e son of Cush le d an invasion

2
, ,

fro m t h e east into t h e lan d of S h inar w h ere h e built Babel (B abylon ) E rech A cca d an d
, , , ,

Calne h A fterwards t h e kin gdo m w as exten de d to t h e north of B abylonia

. Ou t .
“

'

of th at lan d went forth A ss h u r an d buil de d Nin eveh an d th e city Reh oboth an d Calah
, , ,
. .
”

Th us t h e t w o great n ations were of one stock A ssyria in t h e north bein g colonised fro m ,

Babylonia in t h e south ; but t h ere re m aine d t h e for m er people of t h e lan d w h ose ,

presence e xercise d an influence upon t h e after h istory an d literature of t h e two nations -

“

Th e Se m itic inva ders soon discovere d t h e v alu e of t h e fine clay of t h e plains : An d “

it ca m e to pass as th ey j ourneye d fro m t h e c ast th at th ey foun d a plain in t h e lan d of

, ,

S h inar an d t h ey dwelt th ere A n d th ey sai d one to anoth er Go to let us m ake bricks

.
, ,

an d burn t h e m t h orou gh ly A nd t h ey h ad bricks fo r stone an d sli m e h ad t h ey for

.
,

m ortar
” 3
M oreover t h ey use d th e clay for writin g m aterial an d store d t h e clay recor ds
.
, ,

in th eir b rick built pal aces

-
.

Th e Sem itic B abylonians a n d A ssyrians owe to th eir pre decesso rs t h e A ccadians ,

t h e know le dge of most of t h e arts of c ivilisation especially t h at of writin g w h ic h was ,

4
not t h e invention but t h e h erita ge of t h e Se m itic people Cuneifor m writin g owes its .

na m e to t h e w edg e like ch aracters of w h ic h it is co m p osed (L atin eu n eu s a we dge) .

, .

T h ese c h aracters were once pictoria l like t h e h iero glyph ics of E gypt th ey were so use d ,

by t h e early in a m o difie d for m by t h eir conquerors 6 Th e writin g was .

'

at first inscribed in outline upon stone bronze o r o th e r substan ce Bu t w h en clay , ,

.
.

becam e t he c o m m o n w ritin g m aterial an d t h e scribes foun d it difficult to i m press t h e

,

co m plicate d picture ch aracters u pon th at substance easily an d quickly ; t h ey see m

gra dually to h ave transfor m e d t h e o ld picture writin g into conventional si gns of greate 1
-

si m plicity T h e writin g wh en m ade upon soft clay was i m pressed by m eans of a stylus
.
, , ,

an instru m en t of woo d bone Or m etal h avin g a point of th ree unequal facets as in t h e

, , , , _

e x a m ple of a bronze stylus fou n d in t h e north west palace of Nineveh an d now in th e ,

B ritis h M useu m Whe n t h e writin g was finis h e d t h e bricks were bake d in the kil n an d ,

s m all h oles were m ade in t h e clay (it 15 supposed) to allow t h e escape o fmois ture wh ic h
m an y o f Th e p eo p l e w h o sp eak agg lutinative lan guag e are m o re o r l e ss de fi cient in t h e p o w e r of
-
. .

abstractio n .

1
R eco rds o f t h e P ast n e w s e rie s , v o l i
, Ge n e s is x 8 . . I bid xi 2 3 . .
, .
, .

P ro fe ss o r A H S ayc e
. . Th e H ibbe rt L e cture s 1 887
,
“
K ing E n t e nn a is s u p p o s e d t o h ave
, .

reigned ove r B abyl o n ia B C 42 0 0 ; an d b efo re h is tim e th e land was rule d b y P at e sis o r gove rn o rs o f
. .
, ,

w h o m inscrip tio ns h ave b e e n fo un d I n t h e m o unds o f Te ll o h Th e p erio d o f t h e P at esis is th e refo re .

p lac e d as far bac k as th e fo urth m ill en ium b efo re th e Ch ristian era Th e w ritin g o f t h e B abyl o n ians .

o fth is p e rio d w h en o n h ard m ate rials l ik e bro n z e o r sto n e w a s l in e ar re s e m bl ing th at o f t h e e arly

, , ,

k in g s an d w a s n o t th en cun e ifo rm w h ich p ro ve s th at t h e sh ap e o f t h e ch aracte rs w h en w ritten o n

, , , ,

clay w as in a gre at m e asure o w in g t o th e p e c u lia n qual ities o f th at m aterial S ee P ro fe sso r A H

, . . .

S ayc e an d M A A m ia u d i n
. Re c o rds o ft h e Past .
”

5
Th e o l de st sp e c im ens o f B abyl o nian p icture w ritin g yet bro ugh t t o Eng la n d a re t h e inscrip t io ns
-

o fE n t en n a a n d S arg o n I (c
42 0 0 380 0 B C in th e B ritish M us e um
—
“

. . now . . .
 R E CORD S OF TH E E ARL I E S T N A TI ON S .
, 9

woul d h ave caused t h e brick to bul ge or crack Th e bricks di ffer in colo ur accor ding to .

t h e degree of bakin g m any of th e m are as perfect now as t h ey were t h ree t h ousan d years

ago but m an y also h ave reac h e d t h is country in fra gm ents

'

Th e clay of so m e of t h e
“

.
,

tablets i s as fine as th at of our best m odern pottery an d m ust h ave been well knea ded , ,
1
an d per h aps groun d in a m ill before it was rea dy for use
, I n t h e m ore south ern co untry .

B A B Y LO N I A N C O NTR A C T TA B LE T
-
O F B AK ED C LAY ; YV I T H S E AL I M
-
P RE S S IO NS .

Da t
e d e igh t h day of S e b at, ac ce s sio n y ea r Of Ne riglissar, K in g o f Baby l o BC n, .
560 .

(P h o tog raph ed fro m th e o r igin al in th e B ritish M u s eu m .

)

of B abylon i a o w m g to t h e tablets bein g m e rely dri ed in t h e sun very few perfect ones
, ,

fro m th at re gion re m ain to our ti m e C lay writin g tablets were usually sm all, ran gin gin
.
-

size fro m 1 5 by 9 inc h es to 1 by if inch Th ey are generally of a qu adran gular for m

_ _
.
,

1
E: A \Vall is Budg e M A B abyl o n ian L ife an d H isto ry p 108
'

. .
.
, , , . .
10 B O OK S OF TH E A N CI E N TS .

varyin g in th ickness Tablets w h en of s m all size coul d n ot easily be broken an d were

.
, , ,

convenient to store an d to h ol d in t h e h an d I t was so m eti m es t h e practice to enclose .

one tablet with in anoth er t h us for m in g a case to t h e ori ginal inscription ; th ese are
,

calle d case tablets E xa m ples are e xh ibite d in t h e K o u y u nj ik Gallery at t h e Britis h

-
.

M useu m a m on g t h e contr a ct tablets t h e m ost ancien t in t h e collection b e lo n gm g to a

-

perio d about B C 2 50 0 E ach tablet W as date d by t h e regnal year of t h e kin g an d t h e

. . .

day of t h e m ont h t h e n a m e of t h e scribe an d t h e place of writin g were often a dde d an d

i n B abylonia it was t h e custo m for each witness to i m press h is seal u pon t h e tablet _
.

So m eti m es a tablet bore as m any as si x teen i m pressions of seals an d t h e seals an d ,

inscription frequently appear on th e case as well as o n t h e tablet itsel f Business .

transactions were recor de d in th is way ; an d t h e sale of a h ouse or a fi el d or t h e l oan ,

of so m any sh ekels of silver woul d be witnesse d an d seale d by as m any people as ,

a c h arter or grant m ade by a m e dia v al E n glis h kin g Tablets served for literary .
,

co m m ercial do m estic an d general purposes an d appear to h ave been m a de in countless

, , ,

nu m bers .

Bu t in m any respects t h e m ost interesti ng of all t h e re cords of t h e A ssyrians are t h e

foun dation cylin ders : upon t h e m were inscrib ed in ch aracters won derfully m inute , ,

accounts of t h e erection of palaces an d te m ples th e titles an d ach ieve m ents of m i gh ty ,

kin gs an d events in t h e h istory of t h e nation By th ese inscriptions t h e earliest dates

,
.

in A ssyrian c h ron ology are fi xe d an d fro m th e m we m ay learn th at there were ,

antiquaries even a m on g t h e n ations of antiquity .

A m on g t h e ruins of t h e te m ple of t h e sun go d at S ip para was discovere d a cylin der -

of Kin g N aboni dus t h e last kin g of t he new Babylonian E m pire w h o flourish e d till
, ,

B C 539 w h en Cyrus capture d t h e great city defeate d Bels h azzar t he kin g s son an d
’
. .
, , , ,

establis h ed t h e Persian rule as recorded upon t h e cylin der h ere represente d Th e

‘ ‘
.

inscriptio n on t h e cylin der of N aboni dus relates h o w t h e king fired wit h an tiquarian zeal , ,

cause d an ex cavation to b e m a de a m on g t h e foun dations of t h e tem ple in t h e h ope of

-

fi n din g t h e ori ginal record of t h e foun dation by Nara m sin an early kin g of B abylonia -

, .

I sou gh t for its o ld foun dation stone an d 1 8 cubits deep I du g into th e groun d
“
, ,

an d t h e foun dation stone of N ararn sin t h e son of S ar o n w h ic h for th ree th ous a nd two —
g , , .

h un dre d years n o kin g w h o h ad gone before m e h ad seen t h e S un Go d t h e great lor d of ,

-

1 ”
E B abara t h e te m ple of t h e seat of t h e goo dness of h is h e art let m e see even m e
—
, , , .

T h is passa ge is an i m portant h elp to ch ronolo gy since it proves th at in t h e opinion

of Naboni dus a kin g w h o deli gh ted in investi gatin g t h e h istory of h is country h is
, ,

predecessor Naram sin rei gne d th ree t h ousan d two h un dre d years before h is own ti m e
-

or about B C 37 0 0 B u t we know fro m an in depen dent source th at N ara m sin rei gn ed

. . .
-

about B C 37 50 so t h e record of th e foun dation of h is te m pl e carries us back over

. .
,

five th ousan d six h un dre d years fro m t h e present ti m e at wh ich perio d it was custo m ary ,

to recor d in a perm anent m anner th e erection of buil din gs su ch as te m ples an d palaces ;

Th e barre l sh ape d cylin der of N aboni dus m ay be seen in t h e B ritis h M useu m
-
.

Th e foun dation cylin ders at present brou gh t to t h is count ry appear to h ave been
1
Pro fe sso r A H S ayc e Re c o rds oft h e P ast .n ew s eries v o l i p 5
.
, , ,
. .
, . .
 RE CORD S OF TH E E A RLI E S T NA 11

use d for special purposes T h ey are often s m all not excee din g a foot in h ei gh t barrel
.
, ,

sh ape d h ex a gonal or roun d but so m e of larger size h avin g six ei gh t or ten si des h ave
, , , , ,

been foun d in t h e foun dations of A ssyrian palaces T h ey are usually h ollow h avin g .
,

t w o flat en ds with a circular h ole in each

,
Th is h as le d to t h e belief t h at t h e clay of .

w h ic h t h ey are co m pose d was turne d on a w h eel I t woul d be possible to run a .

ro d th rou gh so m e of t h e m but wh eth er th is was actually done w e can not say Th e

, .

B abylonian barrel sh ape d cylin ders usually contain h istorical inscriptions

-
So m e of t h e .

l arge A ssyrian cylin ders are inscribed w ith t h e ann als of t h e kin gs For e x a m ple th ose .
,

i n t h e N ational Collection contain a m on g oth er m atters of interest an account written , , ,

by a conte m porary scribe of th e siege of Jerusale m by Senn ach erib an d t h e defeat o f

, ,

H ezekiah Kin g of J u dah B C 7 0 5 6 8 1 4 an d q an o t h e r h e x agon al cylin der are inscribe d

, , . .
—

th e annals of E sarh a ddon an d t h e sub m ission of M anasseh Kin g of Ju dah to th at

, , ,

T E R R A CO T I A
-
'

B A R RE L S H A -
PE D cru xo r n C O N T AI N I N G TH E H I S TO R Y O F T HE CA PT U RE or B A B YL O N BY CYR U S .

(P h o tog raph ed fr o m th e o r ig in a l in th e B rit is h M u se um .

)

m onarch D C 6 8 1 6 68 M ost of t h e cylin ders at presen t ex a m ine d belon g to t h e kin gs

, . .
— .

of th e new B abylonian E m pire foun de d B C 6 2 5 but o th ers are of greater antiquity ; ,

. .
,

an d t h ere can be no doubt t h at t h e practice of buryin g recor ds in or der to preserve

th e m was t h e rule in B abylonia in very re m ote ti m es .

O n so m e of t h e car e d wall slabs foun d a m on g t h e ruin s of A ssyrian palaces t h e

v

fi gu res of scribes are represented writin g upon a flexible m aterial probably parc h m ent ,

or papyrus paper O win g to t h e perish able n at u re of th ese substances m any valuable

.

records are now irrecoverably los t Th e various uses of leath er were certainly known to .

t h e people dwellin g between t h e two rivers an d t hey see m to h ave wri tten upon m ost ,

substan ces capable o f bein g written upon ; it is prob able t h at for certain purposes
prepare d leat h er or parch m ent was extensively use d as writin g m aterial \
,
Ve know t h at
,
.

papyru s paper was i n use a m ong t h e B abylonians at a very early perio d for un der t h e
n a m e of gz s lzl k/z u si (gra ss of gui din g) or g is e zz (ve getable of knowle dge) it is fre quently
- -

,
—
,
 B OOK S OF TH E A N CI E N TS
'

referre d to in t h e coloph ons of clay inscriptions Th e A s syrian na m e was aru literally .

, ,

“
leaf“ Th e papyrus ree d grew plentifully alon g t h e banks of th e E uph rates an d like
. ,

t h e clay was easily ren dere d suitable for writin g upon .

T h ese won derful peop le h ad not only books of clay leath er an d paper ; th ey also , ,

m a de recor ds on iron b ro nz e g1ass an d stone U pon t h e latter were carve d in relief

’

.
, , ,

scenes illustratin g t h e lives of A ssyrian kin gs an d al m ost invariably a lon g inscription in ,

cuneifor m ch aracters explain ed t h e carvin g across wh ic h it was written Stone recor ds '
.

are often of im m en se siz e but no t c o n t e n t with ornam entin g t h e walls of th eir buil din gs
'

t h e great m onarc h s of t h e E ast m a de use of t h e si des o f lofty m ountains upon w h ic h t o

leave a lastin g m e m orial of th eir triu m ph s Th e rock h ewn recor ds of A ssyria are t h e .
-

largest books in t h e worl d ; th ey are besi des polyglots t h e inscriptions often bein g
'

1 e pe at e d in t h ree lan gua ges W e are re m i nde d of a description of one of th ese great
.

records discovere d by Sir H enry R awlin son upon t h e face of a precipitous rock at
Beh istan on t h e western frontier of M e dia a great t r iu m ph al tablet an d inscription of ,
—

D arius H y st ap is U pon it are t h e figu 1 e s of t h e victorious kin g wit h h is atten dants

. ,

an d ten vanquis h e d c h iefs O ver t h e fi gures is an inscription i n t h ree lan guages

.

exten din g to nearly a th ousan d lines of cuneifor m writin g Th e preservation of th is .

m i gh ty recor d is probably du e to t h e inaccessibility of its position 4 0 0 feet above t h e ,

plain L ike Kin g A lfre d s W h ite H orse upon th e B erksh ire D owns it can be seen fro m
’
.

far across th e count1 y an d m ay h ave h ad t h e effect of awin g t h e conquere d in h abitants

,

o f t h e plain into quiet sub m issio n to

W ith t h e increase of books libraries beca m e nec essary an d accordin gly we fin d t h at ,

t h e B abylonians an d A ssyrians not only h ad books but kept t h e m in libraries un der t h e

“

care of librarians Th e first gre at library about wh ic h we kno w anyth in g was

“

establis h ed by t h e ancient h ero Sargon I (B C foun der of t h e Se m itic E m pire . . .

“

in Ch alda a at h is capital A ga de or A ccad near S ip p ara

, Th e seal of beautiful
, , .
,

,
e m I
work m ans h ip of t h librarian by na e b n isarru is n ow preserve d at Paris ,
1
At , .

B abylon still burie d beneath t h e accu m ulate d rubbis h of centuries t h ere m ay yet be
, ,

h un dre ds of precious m anuscripts belon gin g to t h e library we k n o w t o h ave been ,

foun de d by t h e rulers of th at great city but at present very few books h ave been
’

brou gh t fro m B abylon T h ere are h owever t h e records of t h e bankin g firm of t h e

.
, ,

E gib i fa m ily wh ich carrie d O n its business fro m t he ti m e of N e buc h adnezzar an d h is

,

predecessors to th at of D arius Hy st ap is L ayard an d ot h e 1 e ai ly e x plorers foun d .

an d s h ippe d to E n glan d m any terra cotta tablets fro m t h e ruins of N ineve h I t is

‘

-
.

fro m / th e great library of t h at city t h at m ost of t h e A ssyrian reco rds now in E urope
,

h ave co m e . T h is library occupie d one of the upper roo m s in t h e palace of A ssur

bani —pal at K o u y u nj ik (t h e m o dern n a m e o f N ineve h ) I t is th us described by .

Professor Sayce
“
I t stoo d with in t h e p recin cts of t h e Te m ple of N ebo an d its walls were lined ,

wit h sh elves on w h ich Were lai d t h e clay books of A s syria or t h e rolls of papyru s
,
‘

wh ich h ave lon g since peris h e d Th e library j co n sist e d for t h e m ost part of copies
'

Re c o rds o ft h e P ast s eries v ol

1 ”
n ew
5 , , . .
 TH E B A B YL OM AN AN D A SS YRI AN t 19 0 0 165 . 13

or e ditions of ol der works th at h ad been brou gh t fro m B abylon an d dili gently copie d
by nu m erous scribes li ke t h e Proverbs of Solo m on wh ic h t h e m e n of H ezek ia h Kin g
, , ,
"
of Ju dah copie d Ou t
,
T h e library h ad been tran sferre d fro m Calah by Sennac h erib
.

O CTA GO N A L T E R R A GO TT A
-
A S S Y R I A N C Y LI N D ER .

(P ho tog raph ed fro m the o rigi n al in th e B ritish M u seu m .

)

tow ards the latt er part of h is rei gn I t was O pen to all co m ers an d A ssur bani pal
.
,
- -

T he library of K o u y u nj ik (N ineve h ) s h are d i n th e

’
did h is best to attract rea ders .

co m m on ov erth row of t h e city I ts papyri an d leath ern scrolls were burne d with fire
“

.
,

an d t h e clay books fell in s h attere d confusio n a m on

g t h e ruins below T h ere t h ey lay .
 4 B OOK S OF TH E A N CIE N TS .

for m ore th an two th ousan d years covere d by t h e frien dly dust of decayin g bricks until , ,

Sir A H L ayard discovere d th e 0 1d library an d reveale d its contents to t h e worl d of

. .

to day H is excavations h ave been followed by th ose of M r George S m ith an d M r

-
. . .

H o rm u z d R assam an d t h e greater portio n of A ssu r bani pal s library is now in t h e

’
- -

,
” 1
British M useu m .

W e are tol d th at t h e na m e of t h e ch ief librarian was N ebo z u q u b y u kin an d - -

th at h e h el d h is o ffice for t h irty two years fro m t h e sixth year of t h e rei gn of -

Sargon (Kin g of A ssyria B C 7 1 6 ) to t h e twenty secon d of . He

.
-

'

does not see m to h ave quitte d C alah bu t anoth er librarian or governor of t h e H ouse ,

of B ook s m ust h ave been app ointe d Th ere is in t h e Brit is h M useu m ah u m an skull .

beaten in by a h eavy blow Th is skull was foun d in t h e library an d treasury of th e .

palace of Sennac h erib I t is th ou gh t to h ave been t h e h ead of a war der or sentinel

.

w h o was slain defen din gh is post w h en t h e M e des an d B abylonians stor me d t h e devote d

city in t he year 6 0 9 B C Bu t it is as likely to be t h e h ead of t h e librarian w h o m e t

. .
,

with h is death in t h e place w h ich was dearest to h im surroun ded by h is th ou san ds of ,

volu m es of baked clay 2

Th e library h ere describe d w as o n ly one of m any great
.

collections w h ich once were treasure d in t h e cities of A ssyria an d B abylonia ; an d it

s h oul d be m entioned t h at none of t h e tablets at present foun d in th is library are ol der
t h an t h e e igh th century before our era th ou gh t h e recor ds th ey contain refer to perio ds ,

far m ore re m ote .

I t is re m arkable t h at for nearly si xteen centuries after t h e fall of N ineveh t h e very

existence of cuneifor mwr itin g was forgotten Th e inscriptions on te m ples an d palaces .

were noted by generations of travellers an d t h e m ost extravagant t h eories for m ed to ,

account for t h e curious we dge like c h aracters So m e sai d th ey were m agical si gns -
.

m a de by t h e M a gi of o ld ot h ers th at t h ey were t h e work of devils or of wor m s

'

,
By .

so m e th ey were regar de d as only arch itectural orna m ent I t first occurred to t h e a m bas .

sador of P h ilip I I I of Spain Garcia de Sy lva F igu é ro a by n am e w h o visite d Persepolis

.
, ,

1 11 AD 1 6 1 8 t h at t h e m ystic si gns m ust be inscriptions

.
, To t h e Ger m an Gro t efen d .

belon gs t h e h onour of h avin g discovered t h e key to decip h er t h e lan gu age ; an d Sir .

H enry Rawlinson b y m eans of a b i or tri lin gual inscription was t h e first to rea d a
,
-

record of D arius an d to deciph er t h e acco m panyin g Scyth ic an d A ssy ro B abylonian -

te xt s O n e of t h e di fficulties en c o u n t e re d in deciph erin g cuneifor m inscriptions was

.

th at t h e ch aracters were inten ded to express t h e soun ds of a lan gua ge w h olly di fferent
fro m th at of t h e A ssyrians w h o adopte d t h e c h aracters but not t h e lan guage of t h eir
,

pre decessors .

Here we m ay re m ark h o w true it is t h at h istory repeats itself ; for j ust as L atin

is now tau gh t lon g after it h as ceased to be a spoken lan guage so was t h e lan guage ,

of t h e ol der inh abitants of B abylonia tau gh t to t he better e ducate d classes a m on g t h e

m B d
Se itic abylonians own to t h e latest perio d of t h e e m pire Th is as Professor S ayce 3
.
,

1
P ro fe ss o r A H Sayc e , “ Th e Hibb e rt Le cture s ,
. .
p 9
— 1 1 . .

7
E M aun de Th o m p so n , LL D , “ A ddre ss t o th e Lib rary A ss o c iatio n at R e a din g ,
. . . 1 89 0 .

3
Fre sh L igh t fro m A n c ie n t M on um ents , ” By p ath s o fBibl e K n ow l e dg e S e rie s -
.
 TH E B A B YL ON I A N A N D A SS YRI A N B OOK S . 15

h as s h own was necessary because t h e conquerors accepted t h e o ld le gal co des an d

, ,

decrees upon w h ic h th e interpretin g of laws an d t h e h ol din g of property depen de d In .

course of ti m e t h e two dialects of Su m ie an d A cca d ceased to be spoken but t h ey ,

re m ain e d as t h e l an gua ges of t h e learne d T h e an cient literature also consiste d partly

.

o f m agical for m ul ae for war din g off t h e assaults of evil spirits an d partly of a collection ,

of h y m ns to t h e go ds use d by t h e priests as a service book T h e latter was still use d

,
-
.

by t h e Se m itic B abylonians but was provi de d with an interline d translation into t h e

,

B abylonian or A ssyrian lan guage rese m blin g in t h is respect t h e m o dern service books
,
-

used in t h is country by t h e C h urc h of R o m e .

A S S Y RI A N CL AY TA B LET .

(S ho w ing th e fo rm of the letters in a cu n ei o rm

f in scrip tio n .
)

A part fro m interest n aturally felt i n th e h istory an d literature of an anci en t

t he
n ation like th e B abylonians th ere is for E n glis h people t h e furth er reason fo r exa m inin g
,

t h e cuneifor m writin gs sin ce in t h ese an d in t h ese alone m ay be foun d confir m ation

, , ,

of t h e h istorical events recorde d in t h e early c h apters of t h e B ible as well as of t h e ,

later h istory of t h e H ebrew n at io n u nt il carrie d into c aptivity by t h e A ssyrian kin gs

'

I t was fro m U r of t h e C h al dees now represented by th e m oun ds of M u k e y y e r on t h e

,

E up h rates t h at t h e patriarc h A brah a m m a de h is way to t h e future h o m e of h is

,

descen dants in t h e west carryin g wit h h im t h e accounts of th e creation of t h e delu ge

, , ,

an d of t h e re settle m ent of t h e descen dants of Noa h w h ic h events ar e foun d recor de d

-
-

on A ssyrian tablets di ffering in general outline but little fro m t h e accounts lon g
fa m iliar to all t h e nations of E urope fro m t h e stu dy of t h e H ebrew S criptures .
1 6 B O OK S OF TH E A NCI E N TS .

Th e A ssyrian clay books will yiel d to none in interest th ey are su i g en eris ; ,

an d it is on t h is account t h at departin
g fro m t h e stri ct rule of c h ronolo gy t h ey are h e re
, ,

placed before t h e records of E gy pt A lth ou gh t h e E gyptian m onarch y was foun ded

.

so m e two centuries before th at of B abylon its books can scarcely be sai d to date fro m
’

an earlier perio d T h e A cca dians were like t h e C h inese pre e m in e ntly a literary people
.

'
, ,
-

an d we are tol d t h at t h e ir conception of ch aos was th at of a perio d w h en as yet

no books were written A le gen d of t h e creation preserve d on a clay tablet foun d

.
,
'

in t h e library of C ath ar reads th us : O n a m e m orial tablet none wrote none

,
“
,
” l
ex p laine d for bo dies an d pro duce were not brou gh t forth in th e e arth
, T h i s is -
.

tanta m ount to sayin g t h at books were co aeval with t h e creation of m an wh ic h if not , ,

actually true is neverth eless true in a m easure

,
.

1
P ro fe sso r A . H S ayc e ,
. Fre sh Ligh t fro m t h e Anc ient M o num ents .

I N S C RI PTI O N
'

CY LI N D E R .

(N ow in th e library of Tn m ty Co lleg e, Cam bridg e )

' '
 C H A P TE R Li l .

TH E RE C ORD S AND B OOK S OF TH E A N CI E N T E G YP TI AN S .

GY PT , t h e m ot h erof nations collecte d h e r tribes an d place d th e m un der ,

t h e rule of Kin g M enes four t h ousan d four h un dre d years before our
1
era co m m ence d Th e race was of t h e C aucasian fa m ily differin g fro m
.
,

t h at of t h e ne gro i n respect of t h eir h ei gh t for m an d colour t h ey were , ,

skille d both in science an d art ; m oreover like t h e o ld tribes m en in A sia , ,

th ey h ad knowledge of letters an d writin g U n der th e earliest dynasties .

art was purest an d best A fterwar ds forei gn invasion an d conquest .

ten de d towards de generation un til in t h e ei gh teenth an d twenty sixth dynasties after -

lon g years of depression a renaissan ce le d m en to return to t h e m o dels wh ich t h e

,

earlier people h ad m a de .

I t m ay be th at lon g before books in t h e or dinary sense of t h e word w ere , ,

co m posed inscription s an d letters were written I n t h e earli est e x a m ples of writin g .

f'
now known it is clear t h at at t h e ti m e th ey were written t h e lan gu age h ad passe d its
first c h an ge of for m t h e rules of gra m m ar were fi xe d t h e foun dations of style lai d an d , ,

t h e m et h o ds fully develope d by w h ich sense an d soun d were e x presse d Th e earlies t .

-

h iero glyp h ics were carve d in relief an d t h is h as le d to t h e t h eory t h at at first to

, ,

express th ou gh ts actual obj ects were use

,
d H d 3
ero otus relates th at D arius King o f .
, .

Persia h avi ng le d an ar m y far into t h e Scyth ian fastnesses received fro m t h e Scyth ian
, ,
”
ch ief gifts consistin g of a bir d a m o use a frog an d five arrows
, T h ese gifts sai d th e
, , .
,
’
m essen ger m ean t h at m y m aster s arrows will surely destroy you unless you can fly
“ ‘

, ,

t h r ou gh t h e air like a bir d burrow th rou gh t h e groun d like a m ouse or m ake your way
, ,
”
th rou gh t h e swa m ps like a fro g I t h as been argued th at t h is m eth o d of conveyin g a
.

m essa ge is not an isolate d instanc e an d th at t h e first h ier oglyp h ics were but a convenient
,

form of object writin g ; in brief th at sy m bolis m by m eans of objects was earlier t h an

-

1
B rug sch s ch ro no l o gy is fo ll o w e d
’
.

2
A m e l ia B E dw ards
. Ph ara o h s F e llah s an d E xp l o re rs
, , , , p . 2 40 .

a
H ero do tus B o o k I V ch ap s c xxxi c xxxii
, .
, . .
, .

I 7
1 8 B OOK S OF THE AN CI E N TS .

1
sy m bolis m by m eans of si gns T h is is a takin g th eory but for t h e present it re m ains .
,

uncorroborated because on none of t h e m onu m ents h as writin g been foun d in t h e

,

pri m itive stage wh en i deas an d everyth in g ani m ate an d inani m ate depen de d for re p re
sen t at io n upon pictures and picture s h ad n ot yet assu me d t h e value of soun ds
’

.
,

Th ere are h owever th ree form s of E gyptian writin g known to us

, ,

Th e h iero glyp h ic (or picture writin g) w h ic h appears sculptured or painte d upon

“

1 .
-

t h e m onu m ents .

T h e h ieratic (or priest s writin g) a cursive or runnin g for m of t he h iero glyp h ic

’
2 .
, ,

use d for books an d docu m ents generally written on papyrus or oth er or dinary writin g
, , ,

m aterial .

3 Th e de m otic (or people s writin g) a still later develop m ent of t h e cursive h an d

’
.
, ,

s pecially nee ded by t h e tra din g part of t h e co m m unity I t consiste d of purely con .

v e n t io n al si ns
g .

Th e ol dest known h iero glyp h ic inscription belon gs to t h e secon d dynasty B C 4 0 0 0

‘

.
, . .

(Th ere is a carved stone in th e A sh m olean M useu m sai d to be of th is period ) T h is .

for m of picture writin g was use d till t h e final overth row of th e E gyptian m onarch y by
-

t h e R o m ans .

Th e h ieratic writin g en dure d for a s h orter perio d ; be ginn in g in t h e ti m e of t h e

twelfth dynasty it continue d to be use d for literary purposes down to t h e twenty fourth —

or twenty fift h dynasty till fi nally it was superse ded by t h e de m otic I t seem s to h ave
-

, , , .

been invente d by t h e priests as a s h orth an d of th eir own e m ploye d for t h e purpose of

secrecy For a ti m e h ieratic was per m anently t h e h an d of t he literati Tens of th ousan ds
. .

of h ieratic papyri ch iefly e xtracts fro m T h e B ook of t h e D ea d besi des works o n

,
“
,

m e dicine an d m at h e m atics tales poe m s essays h y m ns m agical for m ulas correspon d , , , , , ,

2
ence State papers an d t h e like are now stored in t h e great libraries of E urope
, , ,
.

W ritin gs in t h e de m otic h an d are equally nu m erous T h is h an d was in use fro m .

about B C 6 0 0 to A D 40 0 ; and it is foun d scrawle d on all kin ds of m aterials on papyrus

. . .
, ,

parch m ent flakes of li m estone potsh erds an d t h e like

, Th e de m otic docu m ents , , .

'

co m prise law dee ds accounts letters an d m iscellane o us m e m oran da of a tra din g

-

, , ,

population .

For centuries t h e interpretation of th ese writi ngs w as lost I n 1 7 9 9 a key was . .

discovere d at R osetta t h e ancient Bo lb it an e by a Frenc h officer Wh ile di ggin g t h e

, ,
'

foun dation of a h ouse Th is key is t h e fam o u s R o se t t a Stone n ow one of t h e c h ief

.
,

objects of interest in t h e E gyptian Gallery at t h e Britis h M useu m Th e stone contains l

.

inscriptions in th ree kin ds o f writin g : (I ) h iero glyph ic (2 ) dem otic (3) Greek Th e , ,
.

inscriptions are i m perfect but a perfect dup licate h as been foun d an d is now in t h e , ,

m useu m of B o u lak I t was not di fficult to rea d t h e Greek inscri ption an d it w as

.
,

soo n discovere d th at t h e stone co m m e m orated t h e m u n ific e n ce of Ptol em y E piph an es

(B C 1 9 8) to t h e priests of M em ph is an d th at th ey in gratitu de h ad ordered t h at
. .
,
‘

l
A m elia B . Edw ards ,
“
Ph ara o h s , Fellah s , an d E xp l o re rs , p . 2 39 ;
“
Gu ide t o t h e B ri tish
Museum ,
1 89 0 ,
p 34 . .

2
A m el ia B Edw ards,
. Ph ara o h s , F ellah s, an d E xp l o rers , p . 2 57 .
 A N CI E N T E G YP TI A N S
'

TH E RE CORD S AN D B O OK S OF TH E . 19

t he inscription s h oul d be en grave d in h iero glyph ical ench orial an d Greek c h aracters , ,

upon h ard stone an d a copy set up in m ost of t h e te m ples

,
1
I t is th is venerable stone .

t h at h as enabled E gyptologists to rea d t h e recor ds of t h e P h arao h s to reconstruct th e ,

h istory an d to recover m uc h of t h e literature of t h e an cient E gyptians

,
W ith t h e aid .

o f a m a gnifyin g glass t h e c h aracters of t h e inscription on t h e acco m panyin g facsi m ile

-

of t h e R osetta Stone m ay be clearly seen .

TH E R O S ETTA S TO N E .

a r excellen ce d
W e h ave seen t h at a m o n g clay was
t he A ssyrians aterial p “

useth e m

for literary purposes In E gypt t h e papyrus reed furnish ed t h e paper on wh i c h t h e

.

scribes ch iefly wrote Fro m t h e country of th e P h araoh s co m es th e ol dest known paper

.

e h
book in t h e worl d t h e Papyrus Prisse wh ich m ay be assi gne to a at prior to t
“
, ,
d d e

m an u scr1p t
twelfth dynasty th at is at l east 2 40 0 years B C Fro m th is ost venerable
, ,
m . .

18
”
all s u tt ll rs h N il 21 —

E A W
1 i B dge M A D L i Th e.
D w .e e
“
o n t e e p p ,
. .

. . ,
”
l k
Wi i o ns n s y t a s i f h P h ara h s 1 92
“

Th e E g p
’ “
i n in t h e T m e o t e o p ,
. .
20 B OOK S OF TH E AN CI E N TS .

the sequence can be m aintaine d up to t h e volu m e now in t h e reader s h an d B esi des ’

.

paper t h e E gyptian scribes m a de use of stone leath er woo d an d oth er substances fit

, , , ,

to be written upon ; but wh ile t h e glory of E gypt laste d no oth er writin g m aterial
altogeth er superse de d papyrus T h e E gyptian na m e for t h e ree d see m s to h ave been
.

P ap u but t h e Greeks calle d it 7rd7rv po s (papy ros) ; t h e wor d

.
, (hu hlos) also of
~
,

E gyptian ori gin wh enc e BLfi AO? ,

a book , was associate d with t h e inner rin d or
pellicles of t h e pl ant fro m w h ic h paper was m ade (see T h eoph rastus H 4 8 2 an d ,
“
.
, , ,

L i ddell an d Scott s L e x icon ) H ero dotus (v 58) says th at t h e plant annually sprin gs up
’
. .

after it is plucke d fro m t h e m arsh es t h e top is cut off an d converte d to a different use
fro rri t h e ste m Th e botto m part is left to t h e len gt h of about a foot an d a h alf an d is
.
,

sol d as an eatable Th e priests wea rsh o es m a de of t h e papyrus t h e .

,

sa ils of E gyptian boats are m a de of it 1 an d h e a dds t h e priests read to , , ,

h im t h e na m es of t h ree h un dre d an d t h irty kin gs out of a papyrus roll

2
.

H e always calls t h e plant Bzfi Bk o s It belon gs to t h e fam ily of Gra .

m in ac e ae a n d t h ere are several distinct species one of wh ich probably

, ,

is in di genous in t h e l akes of t h e A byssinian lowlan ds wh ence it m ay ,

h ave been brou gh t to N orth ern E gypt by t h e early colonists ; it also -

grew in t h e E up h rates an d its uses were known to t h e early in h abitan ts ,

of B abylonia A t t he present ti m e it grows spontaneously I n enorm ous

.

quantities towards th e h ea d waters both of t h e B lue an d Wh ite N ile ,

but i n N orthern E gypt it h as t o be cultivate d an d m aintained art ifi

c ially T h e Greek colonists see m to h ave taken t h e plant to I taly
.
,

wh ere it flourish e d in t h e swa m ps an d rivers in t h e south of

'

Cal abria an d Sicily Th e papyrus was to t h e E gyptians w h at t h e

.

ba m boo is to t h e J ap an ese t h e staple m aterial of t h e cou ntry I t ,

- ~

was use d largely in t h e m anufacture of ropes sails boats m ats an d , , , ,

pap er t h e roots su pp lie d t h e poorer peop le wi th foo d

'
?
So l ate as
t h e ti m e of th e R o m an rule th ere were great paper m anufactories on
t h e banks of t h e N ile T h e paper t h ere m a de was lar gely exporte d
.

to Greece A sia M inor an d Italy before t h e ti m e of H ero dotus 4 w h o

, , , ,

refers to it as in co m m on use in h is day A s ti m e w ent o n p ap e r .

.

E GY PT A N R O I OF gradually gave place to parch m ent an d at last was supplante d by it

LL ,

PA PYR U S about t h e tent h century after Ch rist

.
.

(P h t g ap h d f m
o o r e
I n t h e m anufacture of paper t h e t h in concentric coats or pellicles
ro

th e orig i al i th
n n e
surroun din g t h e trian gular stal k of t h e papyrus were st ripped o ff
B riti h M s m ) u se u .

(th ose nearest to t h e core bein g t h e best an d finest were reserved , ,

for t h e better kin ds of paper) Th e tissues were then cut into strips of a certain len gth
.

1
To t h e Gre e k s als o t h e vario us us e s o f p apy ru s s ee m t o h ave b e en kn o w n Th e stat e m ent o f .

Th eo ph rastus th at K ing A n tig o n us m a de t h e rigging o f h is fl e e t o f th is m at erial is illustrate d

b y th e p assa g e in H o m e r (O dyss ey xxi w h e re t h e p o e t says t h e sh ip s cab l e 6 7\ v Bé BM
’ “ '
,
.
, 7r o uo v ,

w h er ew ith t h e do o rs w e r e fast en e d w h e n U lyss e s sl ew t h e suito rs in h is h all w a s m a de o fth is m aterial , .

H ero do tus v 48 e t c
2
, .
, . H e ro do tus v 48 4
, . .

E gypt aft e r th e W ar ” 1 883 p 2 0 2

_

3
Vill iers S tuart , , , . .
 TH E RE C ORD S A N D B OOK S OF TH E A N CI E N T E GYP TI A N S .

an d pl ace d on a boar d anoth er layer of tissue was t h en paste d over t h e first crosswise
,

so as to form a s h eet of convenient th ickne ss an d Consistency T h is for m e d t h e pulp .

,

w h ich after bein g presse d an d dried in t h e sun was polis h e d with a s h ell or oth er h ar d
, ,

an d s m oot h substan ce A nu m ber of t h ese s h eet s w h en glue d to geth er le n gt h w isl o rm e d

.
-

a roll t h e m ost usual for m of an E gyptian book ; but in very late ti m es t h e flat for m
,

of book was in use in E gypt .

T h e breadt h of t h e roll was deter m ine d by t h e len gth of t h e strips taken fro m t h e
papyrus it w oul d vary accordin g to t h e nature of t h e book but t h e usual breadth see m s ,

to h ave been fro m I O to I 3 fin gers i e fro m about 7 to 9 inc h es Th e len gth m igh t be
,
. .
, .

carrie d to al m ost any ex tent an d varie d accor din g to t h e len gth of t h e writin g W h en
, .

finis h e d an d rolle d up ti gh tly t h e m anuscripts present t h e appearance of cylin drical

,

pieces of woo d Th e h iero glyp h ics w h eth er w ritt efi on papyrus or any oth er substance
a'
.
, ,

were ge ne rally divi de d b y ruled lines into colu m ns in m anuscripts t h ese colu m ns are
-

narrow m easurin g an inc h or less in brea dth t h e sy m bol s bein g placed un der one
, ,

anoth er an d t h e colu m ns a rran ge d fro m r igh t to left ; so m eti m es t h e sy m bols face

to t h e left an d are to be rea d fro m left to ri gh t in h orizontal lines Th e h ieratic writin g
, .

runs in Co lu m ns 6 to 8 inch es wi de in t h e direction of t h e len gth of th e roll ; wh en

t h e scribe ca m e to t h e botto m of t h e paper h e be gan a new pa ge or colu m n to t h e left of,

t h e first leavin g between t h e first an d secon d pa ge a s m all blank strip

, Th e h ieratic ran .

fro m ri gh t to left an d larger c h aracters were use d for t h e co m m ence m ent of a paragrap h
, ,

as we sh oul d use a capital letter ; t h e E gyptians decorated th eir m an uscri pts with
m iniature s in colour an d so m eti m es enclose d t h e m in cases of curiously wrou gh t an d
,

gil de d leath er .

I n t h e lan d of E gypt noth in g decays runs t h e proverb ; an d it is o w in g to t h e ,

won derful cli m ate an d t h e consequent dryness of t h e soil th at E gyptian bo oks an d

m anuscripts of pro di gious antiquity re m ain to our own days w itnessin g to t h e h i gh ,
,

state of culture attaine d by t h ose ancient peop le of E gypt M any of th e h istorical .

facts recor de d in t h e papyri were unkno w n to t h e Greeks an d R o m ans Th e .

m anu scr ipts h ave lain b ur ie d in h er m etically seale d to m bs an d j ars for t h o us an ds of

years an d h ave only recently been brou gh t to t h e li gh t of day a gain To us ori ginal
,
.

m anuscripts of t h e Greek age are astonis h in g but w h at s h all we say to a will written as
lon g before A le x an der as A le x an der l ive d before us ? Y e t in E gypt M r W Flin ders . .

Petrie h as discovere d a will with a settle m ent drawn up in proper le gal m anner an d in , ,

1
precise ph raseolo gy ol der th an t h e ti m e of A brah a m
,
T h e p reservation of m any .

m anuscripts is du e to t h e an cient E gyptians w h o consi dere d it ri gh t to bury ric h ly ,

i llu m inate d an d beautifully written rolls in t h e co ffin s of th eir dead Th e wrappin gs .

,

”
cases an d co ffins of m u m m ies often h ave e x tracts fro m Th e B ook of t h e D ead written
,

upon th em as well as the na m es an d titles of t h e decease d an d scenes representin g t h e

, ,

fin a l j u dgm ent before O siris T h e m assive sarcoph agi prepare d for kin gs queen s an d
. , ,

pers ons of rank or wealth were carve d with s c enes an d inscriptions in relief or inta glio , ,

ch iefly e xtracts fro m reli gious books I t was also custo m ary to bury with t h e dea d .

1
W Flin ders P etrie L eisu r e H o u r Dec em b er 1 89 1
.
, ,
.
22 B O OK S OF TH E A N CI E N TS .

painte d w ooden fi gures representin g Pta h S o c h aris O siris a tria d of sacred persons - -

connected with t h e resurrection of t h e bo dy an d t h e future life I n t h e nineteenth .

dynasty (B C 1 4 0 0 — 1 2 66 ) t h ese fi gures on th eir stan ds were m a de h ollow an d papyri

. .
, ,

in sc rib e d w it h reli gious co m positions an d decorate d with colo u re d vi gnettes were place d
'

in th em ; at a later perio d cavities were sunk in t he stan ds to h ol d papyri an d s m all ,

1
portions of t h e h u m an bo dy T h ese m anuscripts were in fact gui de books to t h e ne x t
.
, ,
-

worl d B aedekers or M urrays to gui de t h e defun ct t o th e gates of A m enti t h e

,
”
,

J v 4‘ J 2 J O I
I/ 0
1
"
If ld 1 3 y
no a is I) If 1 -1

(e e
’
A u at 1 (f
e a w f

PA R T O F PT E R O F ” T H E R OC K G
'

THE S E V E N TE E N TI’I CH A ,
O F TH E
'
D E AD , S H OW I N TH E A RR A N G E M E NT
OF T H E H I E R O GLY PH IC S A N D A N I LLU ST R A T I VE V I GN E I TE
’ ’

place of departed souls with instructions as to prayers an d m agical for m ul ae to b e

,

uttere d wh en confronte d with wil d fowl m onsters an d de m ons w h o guarded t h e -

, ,

sacred portals T h ey aptly illustrate t h e superstitious n ature of t h e E gyptians

. .

A s a typical exa m ple of a funeral papyrus of t h e best kin d t h e A N I M A N U SCRIP T

in t h e B ritish M useu m m ay appropriately be m entione d h ere I t is a lon g roll of fine .

papyrus about 1 4 inc h es wi de t h e writin g is enclosed with in a double bor der com pose d
of two lines of colour t h e i nner one of bri ck re d th e o uter of dull yellow Th e text is
,
-

,
.

1
S ee Offic ial Guide t o t h e British M us eum , p . 1 17 an d N o s 9 75, . w all cas e 37 ,
B ritish M us eum .
 TH E RE CORD S AN D B O OK S OF TH E A N CI E N T E G YP TI A N S . 23

arran ge d in vertical colu m ns th ree quarters of an inch , wi dth o f th e -

paper ; it is a dorne d at intervals with bri gh tly coloured an pictures an d

vi gnettes illustratin g t h e passa ge of th e souls of An i an d h is
,
odes of bliss ,

an d representations of m any stran ge go ds Th e papyrus was ob taine d fro m E gyp t .

for t h e Trustees of t h e British M useu m in 1 888 by D r E A B u dg e an d h as been . . . .

,

repro duce d in facsi m ile an d ful ly escribe by

d d M r P L e P a ge R e n o u f
l
I t contains a . . .

series of ch apters belon gin g to t h e collection of reli gious texts referred to a bove an d , ,
”
usually calle d Th e Book of t h e D ea d
“
A n i t h e person w h ose na m e t h e roll bears was .
, ,

a royal scribe a scribe of t h e sacre d revenu e o f all t h e Go ds of Th ebes an d overseer

, ,

of t h e granaries of t h e L ords of A by do sf T h ese o ffice s were h el d only by persons of

.

gre at di gnity an d t h is fact will accou nt fo r t h e B eauty of t h e papyru s T h e fi gures of . .

A n i an d h is wife m ay be portraits doubtless t h ey give a correct representation of t h e

costu m e of a great o fficial of t h e court of Ph araoh at t h e e n d of th e fourteenth century
be fore our era to wh ich date t h e perio d of t h e ei gh teenth dynasty t h e roll is ascribe d
, , , .

Ma ny papy rus rolls an d writin gs of various kin ds h ave been foun d in e art h ern
'

vessels burie d in t h e groun d I t se e m s to h ave been custo m ary to place deeds of

-
.

h ouses an d lan d in receptacles of t h is kin d ; in earth enware j ars t h ey were protecte d

fro m injury both by da m p an d insects T h is practice is well illustrate d by a passage in .

t h e B ook of t h e Prop h et Jere m iah T h e wor d of t h e L or d ca m e to t h e prop h et in '

priso n in Jerusale m w h en besieged by t h e B abylonians co m m an din g h im to buy a fi el d ,

in A nath oth fro m h is nep h ew H anam eel A ccor din gly Jerem ia h bou gh t t h e fiel d .
,

subscrib ed t h e evi dence an d seale d it an d gave th e dee ds to B aruch sayin g Take , , ,

th ese evi den ces th is evi dence of t h e purc h ase both wh ic h is sealed an d th is evi dence
, , ,

wh ich is o p e n an d put t h e m in an earth en vessel t h at th ey m ay continue m any days

'

, .

For th us s aith t h e L or d of h osts t h e Go d of Israel ; H ouses an d fiel ds an d vineyards ,

” 2
s h all be possesse d again in th is lan d So m e day perh aps th ese h i dden writin gs m ay .
, ,

be foun d ; dee ds buried centuries before th e days of Jere m iah are preserve d in m any
of t h e great E uropean libraries .

Th e ol dest papyr u s m anuscript in t h e worl d t h e Prisse papyrus in t h e arch ives l ,

of t h e B ibliotheque N at io n ale Paris h as been al lu ded to before T h is m anuscript

, , .
,

written by a scribe of t h e eleventh dynasty (about B C

’
contains copies of two . .

m uc h m o re an c ie n t docu m ents one datin g fro m t h e t h ir d (B C 39 66 380 0 ) an d t h e

,
. .
—

oth er fro m th e si x th dynasty (B C 330 0 T h e existence of t h is m anuscript . .

proves th at books were written in E gypt six t h ousan d years ago a perio d so rem ote as
‘
— .

to see m al m ost incre dible W ell m i gh t t h e preacher e x clai m . Th e t hin g t h at h at h

-
“

been it is th at wh ich s h all be ; an d th at w h ic h is dOn e is th at w h ich s h all be done :

,
” 3
an d t h ere is no new t h in g un der t h e sun Bu t inscriptions h ave been foun d ol der by .

fifteen centuries t h an t h e Prisse m anuscript ; inscriptions cut in stone as for instance , , ,

at t h e fourth dynasty to m bs at Gizeh an d t he O xford tablet o f t h e secon d dynasty

-

,
. .

1 “
Th e B o o k of th e D e d a . Facs im il e of th e P p a yrus of A n i, in th e British M us eum , 1 89 0
.

2
J e re m iah xxxii 6 .
— 15 .

3
Eccl e s iaste s i 9 . .
24 B OOK S OF TH E A N CI E N TS .

Th e E gyptians n ot only possesse d ancient books , but great books of t h e “

also
latter Th e Great H arris Papyrus , now in th e British M useu m , m ay
“ ”
serve as an
”

e x a m ple; I t was foun d wit h several oth e rs 111 a to m b beh in d M e dinat H abu an d at ,

once purch ase d by A C H arris o f A le x an dria ; w h en unrolle d it was foun d to be

. . .

1 33 feet lon g an d inc h es broad I t is now divi de d into seventy nine leaves an d lai d .
-

down on car dboar d I t relates to t h e ach ieve m ents of R a m eses 1 1 1 Books of th is

. .

kin d usual ly rituals or copies of T h e B o nk of t h e D ea d t h e most sacre d of all t h e

,
“
,
”

E gyptian writin gs were often written an d illu m inate d by t h e scribes with won derful
,

T h e im p le m e n t s an d writin g materials of t h e scrib es m ay be seen in cases

- ’

care .

'

i n t h e B rit ish M u seu m ; th ey are very si m ple consistin g of ree d pens an d perh aps , ,

s m all brush es m ounte d on sticks palettes of woo d stone sch ist ivory etc m any , , , , , .
,

of t h e m m a de to h ol d t h e pens as wel l as with roun de d cavities two to fourteen ,

i n n u m ber for t h e different coloure d inks O r din ary inscrip tions on papyrus were
,
.

written in black ink bu t certain passa ges were no t un u sually written in re d in

, ,

a m anner si m ilar to t h e ru briCs in E uropean m anuscripts of t h e M i ddle A ges an d ‘

in so m e e ditions of t h e Prayer B ook at present i n use W h en o bjects were re pre .

sente d as far as possible t h e n atural colours were use d T h us t h e sun was depicte d
,
.

re d ,
t h e m oon y e llow an d trees green In k is known to h ave been m ade ch iefly
,
.

fro m vegetable colours an d h as won derful per m anenc y Fam ous as was t h e great l ibrary
,
.

of A lex an dria th ere is reason to believe th at its treasures were rivalle d by th ose of
,
‘

t h e great libraries of t h e earlier P h arao h s I n t h e ti m e of t h e s ixt h dynasty five .

-

th ousan d years ago th ere was an E gyptian official style d t h e Governor of t h e H ouse
,

of B ooks an d it is believe d t h at libraries an d librarian s e x ist ed in t h at won derful

'

lan d even in t h e day s of t he great pyra m i d buil din g kin gs 1 -

.

Th e literature of E gypt is c h iefly reli gious ph ilosop h ical an d m oral ; m ost Of t h e .

, ,

inscriptions an d m anuscripts now known ca m e to us fro m to m bs an d te m ples On '

.

t h e oth er h an d t h e recor ds of B abyl o nia and A ssyria are m ostly h istorical bein g
, ,

derive d fro m t h e ruins of pal aces Bu t alt h ou gh E gyptian writin gs belon g c h iefly .

to reli gion sat/a n ts are year by year discoverin g m ore an d m ore about t h e h istory
, _

of t h e P h araoh s country D urin g t h e year 1 89 2 accounts appeare d in t h e lea din g

’
.
"

daily papers of Th e O l dest B lue Bo ok in t h e W orl d

“
State papers w h i ch h ad ,
—

quite as m uc h bearin g on t h e politics of t h e ancient E ast t h irty four centuries ago —

,

as any of t h e c arefully worde d pronounce m ents of D ownin g Stre et on t h e questions

of to day — .

By m eans of a nu m ber of lit tle clay tablets c overe d wit h finely incise d cunei for m
ch aracters we are enable d to enter t h e Forei gn O ffice of t h e P h arao h s of th e si xteent h
century before th e Ch ristian era an d to rea d t h e m inut e st detail of o n e of t h e m ost ,

obscure portions of O rie n tal h istory I n t h e year 1 887 an A rab wo m an wan derin g .
,

t h rou gh t h e ruins of Tel e l A m arna two h u n dre d m iles fro m C airo on t h e banks of t he
- -

N ile foun d upon t h e groun d several curious clay tablets calle d by t h e natives pillons
, , .
”

I n al l so m e t h ree h un dre d tablets an d fragm ents varyin g in si z e fro m 2 inc h es to ,

E M aun de Th o m ps o n LL D “A ddres
. s t o th e Lib rary A ss o ciatio n R e a din g 1 890
,
. .
, , , .
 TH E R E CORD S A N D B OOK S OF TH E A N CI E N T E G YP TI A N S . 25

2 feet square w ere foun d ; o f t h is nu m ber one h un dre d an d si xty foun d t h eir w ay
,
'
-

to Be rlin a n d e i gh ty t w o to t h e B ritis h M useu m

,
— .

Th e brilliant v ictories of T o t h m c s I l l (B C 1 6 0 0 ) h ad m a de E gypt m istress o f . . .

t h e E ast Th e r e sult of t h e great battle of M e giddo was t h at fro m t h e N ile to t h e

.

E up h rates all states a n d cities were m a de tributary to t h e P h arao h s consuls an d ,

res idents w ere place d in m ost of th e towns , an d it w as part of t h e consular

'

dut y to k e ep up constant co m m unication w ith t h e E gyptian court A m enop h is I I I . .

(B C 1 50 0 1 4 6 6 ) carri e d out s e veral ca m pai gns in Syria an d durin g one of t h e m

. .
—
,

fell in love w it h an d marrie d Princ e ss Th i w h o introduce d h e r own reli gion t h e , ,

w or sh ip of t h e sol a r disc into t h e lan d A m enop h is I V son of Q ueen T h i m arri e d

,
. .
, ,

t w o A si at ic princesses of M itani or N orth ern M esopota m ia T h ese conquests an d , .

m arria ges le d to m uc h correspon den ce betw e e n t h e court of E g ypt an d t h at of

M itani . I n o n e letter t h e B abylonian kin g very polit e ly asks h is brot h er in law — —

o f E
gypt for gol d ; in anot h er t h e ki n g of a s m all state near A leppo s e n ds tribute ,

a n d as k s for h e lp a gainst h is nei gh bours t h e H ittites w h o are t h reatenin

g h im ; again .
,

t h e re are a ser ies of l e tte rs fro m E gypt ian consuls tellin g of revolts in P h o n ic ia e
.

T h e s h ips of B e y ru t h an d S i don h ave b e en c apture d Tyre is bes ie ge d an d t h e , ,

consul A b di NI e le k w rites sayin g th at t h e water an d woo d su pplies are cut o ff an d t h ere

-
'

, ,

is no foo d ; a n d at last h e writes in an ger sayin g t h at h e h as wit h drawn an d Tyre , ,

is in t h e h an ds of t h e foe A not h er series of letters fro m Jerusal e m tell t h e sa m e story ;

.

E gypt w as losin g h e r h ol d on P h oen icia an d Palestine t h e C anaa n ites an d H ittites ,

w e re increasin g in pow e r an d events were s h apin g t h e m selves for t h e gra dual con
,

fe deration o f t h ose tribes w h ic h a century an d a h alf after w ar ds for m e d t h e foes

, , ,

of conquerin g I srael 1
.

So far only t h e literature an d records of ancient E gypt h ave been describe d books ,
—

in t h e le giti m ate sense of t h e wor d ; but t h ere are oth er books in t h is lan d of ri ddles
an d surprises w h ere every to m b an d te m ple is covere d fro m floor to roof wit h countless
,

h iero glyp h ics an d innu m erable fi gures w h ic h pressin g on one anot h er as it were i n , , , ,
2
unceasin g procession leave not a foot of pillar or wall or roof un decke d
,
O n t he .

broad pillare d fagade s on lofty gateways solitary pylon o n t h e walls an d ceili n gs of

,
— —

subterranean passa ges n arrow dark secret in t h e m ajestic h alls of te m ples an d on t h e

, , , , ,

inter iors of roc k h e wn to m bs are t h e sa m e profusion of portraits of go ds an d kin gs an d

—
,

sy m bols of fruit flo w ers an d stran ge ani m als pictures an d h iero glyph ics fittin g
, , , ,

back groun d for t he priestly processions an d t h e perfor m ance of m ystic rites .

I n th ese de corations are foun d a h appy union of te xt paintin g an d sculpture now , , ,

al m ost un known i m plyin g t h e h i gh est state of art an d presentin g a picture of t h e

, ,

past m ost co m plete in c h aracter a pictorial an d written recor d at on ce h ar m onious an d

perfect .

S e e D rs B e z o l d a n d B u dg e ,
.
“
Translatio ns ofI n scriptio n s pub l ish e d b y t h e Trust e e s of th e
B rit ish M us e um 2
S XVey m a
“
E gyptian S k etc h e s
. .
J . n , .
 C H A PT E R IV .

B OOK S [N TH E TI M E S OF TH E GRE E K S A ND

I .

H E R E is a
peculiar purity of conception an d delicacy o f taste
pervadin g Greek art an d literature ; to t h e Greek m i nd t h es e
were essential O r derly an d syste m atic trainin g a dde d to natural
.
,
.

instinct pro duce d in Grecian art an d literature that quality of fit n ess

,

an d ele ganc e w h ic h co m m an ds a dm ir ation

-

T h e Greeks in deed .
, ,

derive d t h eir knowle dge of t h e ar f s an d sciences fro m oth er an d ol der

n ations but t h ey m oul de d t h e derive d knowledge afres h m akin g it
, ,

pre e m inently th eir own A m on g t h e A siatic tribes fro m w h o m th e nations of E urope

— .
,

des cen de d t h ere appears to h ave been a t h irst for knowle dge an d a poetic instinct
, , ,

wh ich unitin g gave birth to literature T h e very want of knowle dge a m on g t h ese early
.

pastoral people an d th e consequent e x ercise of t h e i m agination in t h at first con dition of

,

h u m an culture w h erein all outwar d t h in gs were believe d to be ani m ate w h en t h e forest

, ,

trees t h e crystal waters of t h e brooks an d th e s h inin g h ost of h eaven Were en dowe d with
, ,

souls w h en m en were h el d to be h eroes an d t h e sons of go ds h ave left survivals in t h e

, ,

beautiful m yt h s an d le gen ds of t h e ancient worl d in t h e V e das an d H o m eric h y m ns , .

Th en t h e visible for m s of n ature were wors h ipped T h e sun beca m e a go d, w h o .

dro ve h is fiery c h ariot t h rou gh t h e h eavens ; t h e dawn a fair go ddess w h o lai d a rosy ,

fin ger on t he gloo m ; t h e sprin g beca m e th e b e au t ifu l y o u t h L inus by n am e sprun g , ,

fro m t h e gods w h o grew up a m on g th e s h eepfol ds till Sirius th e fierce do g star tore h im

, ,
-

in pieces I n brief
.
,

Th e l ively Gre c ian in a lan d o f h ills , ,

R ivers a n d fe rtil e p lain s a n d s o unding sh o re s

, , ,

U n de r a c o p e o f varieg ate d s ky ,

Co ul d fin d c o m m o dio us p lac e fo r eve ry g o d ,

P ro m p tly re c e ive d as p ro dig ally b ro ugh t , ,

Fro m t h e surro un din g c ountrie s at t h e ch o ic e

I
,

Of all a dve nture rs

” 1
.

1
W o rdsw o rth ,
“
Th e E xcurs ion ,
”
Boo k I V .

26
 B OOK S I N TH E TI M E S OF TH E GRE E K S A N D R OM / I N S . 27

fl
Ch ic y con nec te d wit h re li gious ide as, t h e Grec i an m yths e m b odie d t h e awe an d
'

-
"

won der o fsi m ple m in ds at n atural p h eno m en a “ Am on g t h e R o m ans on t h e oth er h an d .

, ,

t h e ten dency was rath er in t h e directio nb f h istory t h an of reli gion . Th e L atin aut h ors -

a dopte d t h e Greek m yth s but t h ey invente d a fi ne series of h eroic an d h istoric le gen ds

,

for t h e m selves 1 an d sta m pe d th e m with t h e i m print of t h e ir o w n national c h aracter

'

, .

I t was not in a day t h at t h e m yth s took for m and grew but in t h e cours e of m any ,

years O ral tr adition at first playe d an i m portant part a m on g t h e Greeks G ra dually

‘

. .
,

h owever it gave place t o h y m ns an d epic poetry w h ic h after a ti m e w ere co m m itte d

, ,

to writin g an d beca m e th eir first books B u t t h e Greeks certainly use d t h e letters .

of t h e Cadm aj an alph abet so m e five or six centuries before H o m er s ti m e (th at

.

is su pposin g H o m er s date to b e abou t 8 50

,
’
letters were k nown to an d use d '

by t h e Greeks fourteen or fifteen centuries before t h e C h ristian era Y e t th ere is no .

evi dence th at t h e Iliad was co m m itte d to writin g earlier t h an so m e four centuries

’
after t h e poet s death .

E pic poetry for a lon g ti m e supplie d t h e place afterwar ds h el d by prose

,

literature Th e le gen ds of t h e h eroic past coul d wit h ease be tol d in ele giac or
.

i a m bic verse respon din g to all t h e nee ds of expression felt by a cultivate d an d

,

th ou gh tful people A n d Greece con sistin g of a nu m ber of s m all states eac h busie d wit h
.
, ,

its own affairs an d tra dition s coul d n ot at first co m m an d a nation al recor d written in ,

2
prose Th en too poetry coul d be re m e m bere d easily an d nee d not be written its beauty
.
, , , ,

of for m co m m en din g itself to t h e G reek m in d m ore th an unrh yth m ical prose ; but w h en
speculation an d p h ilosop h y be gan to clai m attention th en ca m e t h e necessity for a n ew ,

st y le su it able fo r t h e new for m of e x pression an d Ionia gave birt h to literary prose just
‘

as sh e h ad before been t h e parent of artistic poetry Prose says M ah affy is im p o s .

, ,
“

sible with out writin g nay even w ith out t h e well establis h e d h abit of fluent an d sustaine d
—
,
-

writin g 3 an d we m ay add w h ere t h er e is n o prose writin g th ere are few books B u t

”
, ,
.

w h en ce did t h e Greeks derive t h eir kn owle dge of letters ? Fro m th e

woul d see m .

E gypti an conquest in t h e seventeent h century B C brou gh t t h e nations of W estern . .

A sia un der t h e rule of t h e P h arao h s Th e a dventures of T o t h m e s I I I w h o overran . .

,

Palestine w ith h is ar m ies t w o h u n dre d years before M oses le d t h e tribes of I srael to "t h e
Pro m ise d L an d were like Caesar s recor de d in a diary by t h e conqueror h i m self T h is
, ,
’

,
.

diary an d t h e tablets of Tel e l A m arn a (see p 2 4 ) furnis h evi dence o f t h e wi despread - -

.

in f luen ce of t h e P h oenicians upon t h e n ations surroun din g t h e m L on g before t h e ti m e .

of Saul Kin g of I srael (B C I o oo ) P h oenician m erch ants of Si don tra de d with Greece
, . .
,
.

Th e art of writin g was known in W estern A sia an d in E gypt at a perio d of great anti
q u it y an d it is unlikely t h at a quick witte d people suc h as t h e Greeks woul d be lon g in
,
-

, ,

learnin g t h is knowle dge fro m t h eir nei gh bours T h e Greeks in fact go t t h eir alp h abet .
, ,

fro m t h eir nei gh bours an d first calle d t h eir letters t h e Ph oe m c ran S i gns in dee d
, ,

t h ey coul d write before t h e form s o f t h e lan guage were fixed as we fin d th e m in t h e

'

1
H D L idde ll ,
. .
“
A H isto ry o f Ro m e, p 60 . .
2
R C J eb b ,
. Gree k Lit erature , p p
. . 10 1,

M ah afiy , H isto ry o f Gr ee k Class ical Lit e ratur ,

”
3
J . P . e ii 377 . .
28 B OOK S OF TH E A N CI E N TS .

ol dest literature T h ey a dopte d Se m itic sy m bols to th eir A ryan dialect an d about t h e

.

ninth century B C so m e E ub oean colonists carrie d t h e G reek alph abet into Italy wh ere it
. .
,

a gain took root an d beca m e t h e alph abet of t h e R o m an E m pire an d later of L atin ,

C h risten do m .

R ecent excavation s h ave brou gh t to li gh t arc h aic inscriptions of g reat antiquity l

.

Th e earliest inscr iption of deter m i nable date t h at of t h e Greek m ercenaries on t h e ,

le g of a colossal fi gure at A b u Si m bel is by no m eans written in t h e m ost pri m itive

“
-

for m of t h e Greek alp h abet T h e sepulc h ral inscriptions foun d at M elos t h ou gh per
.
,

h aps not m uc h ol der in date are m ore arch aic in c h aracter T h ese an d ot h er in scr iption s
,
.

s h ow t h at t h e G reeks h ad adopted t h e P h oenician alp h ab e t/i n d m o dified it to su it t h e .

different c h aracter of t h eir lan gua ge certai n ly before B C 7 0 0 an d per h aps consi derably .

'
.
,

earlier O n e of t h e earliest e x tant e x a m ples of Gre e k w rit in g on a papyrus is now at

.

V ienna ; it is a pray e r an d probably dates fro m B C 2 80 ,

Th e recent discoveries at . . .

O ly m pia h ave fully establis h e d t h e antiqu ity of Greek writin g .

L iterature is t h e c h il d of leisure ; so m e n ations like t h e O scans an d E truscans , ,

never h ad t h e c h ance apparently to cultivate t h e literary faculty an d did not e m er ge

, , ,

fro m t h e inscription or earl iest sta ge of written rec o rd Bu t alth ou gh t h e rise of prose
, ,
.
,

literature a m on g t h e Greeks was delaye d by th e e xuberance of poetry t h e true liberality ,

an d nobleness of conception of t h eir

great prose writin gs are in a great m easure t h e
fruits of t h e lon g soverei gnty w h ich poetry e x ercise d over t h e race h ol din g th e m in ,

subjection until t h ey gaine d enou gh power to beco m e t h e m asters of perfect pro se .

Fro m t h e days w hen classic learnin g be gan to revive to our own ti m e sch olars h ave _

never cease d to h ope for t h e discovery of lest books of Greek h istory an d p h ilosoph y .

A t one ti m e t h e burie d cities of Italy were ea gerly searc h e d for precious m anuscripts at ,

anoth er t h e m onaster ies of th e L evant were dili gently e xplore d all wit h in different results ,

but at last t h e san ds of E gypt h ave yiel de d to t h e e xplorer s s pa de an d are furnish ing ’

bibliop h iles with an apparently ine x h austible supply of ancient writin gs T h e m ajority .

of th ese manuscripts are of sli gh t interest to t h e worl d at lar ge bein g principally ,

collections of m agical for m ul ae m onetary accounts leases wills an d oth er privat e docu, , , ,

m ents but h ere an d t h ere works of classical literature h ave b een recovere d t h ou gh ,

always in a m ore or less fragm entary s tate 2

Fra gm ents of H o m er Th ucydi des Plato .
, , ,

E uripides Isocrates D e m osth enes an d of oth er classical auth ors h ave been discovere d
, , , .

O n c or two works h it h erto co m pletely lost h ave been foun d an d t h ese are t h e greatest
'

treasures of papyrus literature T h ey inclu de a m utilated fra gm ent of A lcm an an d an

.

oration of H y p e ride s now at Pari s ; oth er orations of H y pe ride s at t h e B rit ish M useu m
, ,

several of t h e lost poe m s of t h e ia m bo graph er H ero das an d t h e ol dest Greek m anuscripts ,

yet foun d t h e fra gm ents of Plato an d E uripi des discovere d by M r Flin ders Petrie an d
, ,
.
,

pronounce d by Professors S ayce an d M ah a ffy to be as o ld as t h e th ird century

1
R C . . J ebb , Gre e k L ite rature .

fl
2
F G K en yo n ,
. .
“
Th e A th e n ia n Co nstitutio n o fA risto tl e 1 89 1
, .

S e e t h e P ro fe ss o rs l ette rs in th e A ca dem y o f O cto b er 1 1 t h a n d A ctober 2 5th

’
3
,
z en w u m o fO an d

De c e mber 6t h , 1 890 .
 B O OK S I N TH E TI M E S OF TH E GR E E K S A N D R OM A N S . 29

T h ese inclu de a part of t h e lost A ntiope of E uripi des B u t perh aps t h e m ost valuable “
.

a n d inter e stin g of all t h e recently discovere d m anuscripts is t h e fragm e n t o f A ristotle s ’

”
“
C onstitution of A th ens for m erly known to sc h olars only by s h ort quotations an d
, ,

certainly lost for m ore t h an twelv e perh aps fo r ei gh teen centuries So m e of t h e , , .

recovere d rolls were written by professional scribes w h o wrote beautifully an d , ,

orna m ente d t h e m anuscripts so th at th ey m i gh t be pleasin g to t h e eye as well as

profitable to t h e m in d ; ot h ers were carelessly written on coarse paper an d since even , ,

th is was valuable so m eti m es on t h e back of anot h er writin g

, For it s h oul d be .
,

re m e m bere d th e paper h ad a ri gh t (recto ) an d a wron g (71 6 715 0 ) si de an d for an

,
7
,

i m portant writin g only one si de was use d T h e te x t of t h e fam ous A ristotle is .

written in th irty seven colu m ns on fou r s e parat e ro lls of rat h er coarse papyrus t h e
-

,
‘
-

,
,

cross fibres of wh ich are distinctly visible T h e rolls m easure respectively 7 feet .

2 5 inc hes 5 feet 55 inch es 3 feet an d 3 feet (t h e last roll is in fragm ents )
, , Th e ,
.

h ei gh t of t h e paper is about I I inc h es e xc ept in t h e case of t h e last roll w h ere

‘

, ,

it m easures a bout inc h es T h e j oinin gs of t h e pages are distinctly visible an d t h e

.
,

paper is of a dull brown colour T h e m anuscript is written in four h an ds : (I ) a s m all .

sem i cursive e m ployin g a large nu m ber of contractions ; (2 ) uncials of fair size plain
—
, ,

but not orn a m ental an d e m ployin g no contractions ; (3) a stragglin g a n d often ill
,

for m e d se m i cursive h an d of larger size th an t h e first ; (4 ) a s em i cursive h an d si m ilar

- -

to th e first .

T h is m anuscript is a Th e A ristotle is written on t h e v erso an d t h e ,

accounts of a far m baili ff on an E gyptian estate on t h e rec/o Th e accounts are date d

-
.

t h e tenth an d eleventh years of t h e E m peror V espasian (7 8 7 9 Fro m t h is an d , ,

from w h at is known o f t h e pal aeo grap h y of t h e first century A D t h e date of t h e

_
. .
,

A ristotle is fixe d at t h e e n d of t h e first or t h e be ginnin g of t h e secon d century of o u r

era 1
. B u t alth ou gh t h is m anuscript is in Greek it is not of Grecian but probab ly of , ,

E gyptian ori gin .

So m ew h at earlier in point of date is a docu m ent, at t h e B ritish M useu m relatin g to ,

t h e services of t h e te m ple of Serapis at M e m p h is in E gypt It is written in cursive , ,

.

uncial lett ers an d is assi gne d to t h e year I 6 2 B C Fro m th is m anuscript m ay be learne d

, . .

so m eth in g of t h e duties an d t h e i m portan ce of t h e office h el d by t h e royal scribe A n i ,

wh ose fun eral papyrus is describe d on pa ge 2 2 Th e fragm ents of H o m er are t h e .

m ost nu m erous of any o ld Greek m anuscripts ; but th ey are always of t h e I lia d never ,
,

o f t h e O dyssey
.
S o m e fra gm ents in our own N ational C ollect ion are as o ld as th e
.

firs t century B C . .

I t m ay perh aps see m stran ge th at beyon d a few fra gm ents of E picurean

, ,

ph ilosoph y no i m portant Greek works h ave been foun d a m on g

,

Th e w re c k of H e rculan e an l o re .

Bu t as yet the cities of Po m pe i i an d H erculaneu m h ave not been t h orou gh ly e xp lore d ,

1
M r E S c o tt
. .
, Facs im il e of th e P p a yrus M anuscrip t , No . c xxxi .
, B ritish M us eum , 2 n d e di tio n ,
30 B OOK S OF TH E AN CI E N TS .

an d any of t h e rolls th ere are too badly burne d to be read B esi des Po m pe i i an d
m .
,

H erculaneu m bein g provincial cities any great collections of books woul d scarcely h ave ,

been m a de t h ere Th e private libraries appear to h ave been s m all (see p

. .

A lt h ou gh but few genuine ancient Greek m anuscripts h ave been h an de d down to our -

days we know fro m se veral sources t h at priests an d poets were t h e first to m ake m uc h
,

use of th e art of writin g Th e great te m ple at D elph i on M ount Parn assus was one of
.
, ,

t h e places w h ere writin g was earliest practise d an d recor ds kept I n t h e centre of t h e .

te m ple an into xicatin g vapour arose fro m a s m all h ole in t h e floor ; over th is stoo d a
tripo d on wh ic h t h e priestess of A p o llo took h er seat wh enever t h e oracle was to be
,

consulte d Th e m ysterious words uttere d by t h e priestess bein g believe d to be t h e

.
,

revelations of t h e go d were carefully written down by atten dants w h ose duty it was to
, ,

turn th e oracles into h exam eter verse an d co m m unicate th e m to t h e person w h o h ad ,

co m e to receive th e m .

L i m ite d as is our knowle dge of early Greek an d R o m an m anuscripts little m ore is ,

certainly known about t h e book trade both at A th en s an d R o m e A t A th ens at t h e .

ti m e of t h e Peloponnesian w ar B C 4 3 1 an d probably lon g before th at event th ere ,

. .
, ,

were book s h ops in t h e m arket place in t h e quarter calle d t h e book m art —

Th ere was — .

an ex port tra de in books Greek m anuscripts bein g sent to E gypt; to t h e Black Sea an d ,

1
to I taly Xenop h on relates th at t h e Greeks w h o acco m panie d h im on an expe dition
.

a gainst t h e Th racians foun d at Sal m ydessus on t h e western s h or e of th e Black Sea a -

, ,

place wh ere m any s h ips were groun de d an d driven on t h e san ds couc h es bo x es w rit ten , , ,

2
booles an d m any oth er t h in gs suc h as sea m en carry in t h eir woo den store c h ests
, ,
— Th ere .

is noth in g surprisin g in t h e fact th at books s h oul d h ave been transporte d to t h e Greek

colonies wh en so m any books were written an d rea d in Greece Th is state m en t is
,
.

_
.

supporte d by si m ilar passages in oth er auth ors 3

I n t h e ti m e of E u p o lis (B C 44 6 4 1 1 ) . . .
—

d 4 ’
t h ere was a book arket ( B BM a ) in A th ens ; an d A ristoph anes (B C 444 ) i m plies
m r L -
. .

th at books were easily to be procured in h is ti m e 5 I t is well known t h at a m ateurs .

an d collectors of books m i gh t be foun d a m on g t h e A t h enians in t h e t im e o f Socrates

(B C . . Xenoph on relates th at a ric h youth E u t hy de m u s surna m e d t h e H an dso m e ,

’

h ad collecte d m any writin gs of t h e m ost c elebrate d poets an d soph ists an d i m agine d ,

th at by th at m eans h e was outstrippin g h is conte m poraries in acco m plis h m ents .

Socrates h earin g th is ca m e to t h e youth as h e sat in a bri dl e m aker s s h op near t h e ,

-
’

m arket place an d by a skil f

-

, ul fencin g in dialectics proved to h im t h at h is great library ,

notwith standin g h e knew little L ike anoth er rich youn g m an E u t h y de m u s went

,
.
,

away excee din g sorrowful ; for t h ou gh h e possesse d all the books of H o m er h e coul d .

not distin gui sh just ice fro m injustice or ri gh t fro m wron g ‘ 3

.

I t can no t be too well re m e m bere d th at th ese o ld Greek books were papyrus rolls ,

M ah afi H isto ry o f Gre e k Class ical Lit e rature

1 “ ”
J P y . .
, .

X en o p h o n
3
A nab as is Bo o k V I I 5 14 ,
“
, .
, .

S e e H utch ins o n (Th e o p o m p u s fragm ent o f p res erve d by L o ng inus s e ct

3
, , , .

P o ll ix 4 7
4
. . .

A risto p h an e s
5
R an 1 109 , .
, .

X eno ph o n M e m o rab il ia Bo o k I V c h ap ii
3 “ ”
, , .
, . .
 B OOK S I N THE TI M E S OF TH E GRE E K S A J VD R OJ I A A S
'

.
31

rese m blin g t h e E gyptian m anuscripts an d utterly unlike t h e books now in use T h en ,

.

boo ks were prepar e d an d copie d by slaves wh ose labour cost li ttle ] O n thi s account ,

books bot h at A t h ens an d at R o m e were tolerably ch eap l Ve do not h ear of any .

auth ors m akin g a live lih oo d by t h eir w ork e x cept poets w h o were largely pai d .
,

for vo c al poe m s by both states an d kin gs an d wh ose dra m atic works were a sour ce o f ,

1
profit as well as h onour A s to t h e price of books in classic tim es we h ave n o very
.

clear inform ation IVe h ear in deed of A naxa oras tr eatise bein g sol d for 1 drachm a
’
g
.
, ,

A t on e ti m e a book of M artial s
’ ”
(8 d or 9 d ) wh en very dear E pi gr a m s coul d “
. . .

be sol d at R o m e for leavin g very little royal ty for th e auth or Bu t fro m so m e .

s peci al circ u m stance books m i gh t at t i m es co m m an d a hi gh pri ce Ge ll iu s speaks

"
.

of V irgil s 2 n d AZ n e id bein g bou gh t for e ig h t a zz r ez nearly 1 8 of o ur m oney

'
’
but
th en th e copy w as an an tiquarian cu riosi t y b e in g fep u t e d to be in V irgil s autograp h ,
’
.

Ge lliu s h as pres erve d a tradi t ion t h at Aris totle gave 3 talents (about £7 30 ) for an
auto gr aph m anuscript o f S pe n sipp u s an d Pl ato nearly 2 talents for t h ree books of ,

P h il ol aus 3 Su ch i nstan ces m erely sh ow th at p rice w as regu late d by fashi on an d

.

r arit y an d by no m eans prove th at or din ary books were clear

,
I n R o m e at any .
,

rate books were c h eap enou gh ; Statius speaks of a book (possibly his own ) in a
, ,

nea t p u rple cover costing about 5e T h e first book of M ar tial (A D 4 3 1 0 4 ) in

, .
—

th e sh op of A t re c t u s cost 5 denari i (about 3s but th at was clear for t h e .

,

boo ksell er T ryp h o n coul d sell th e sa m e book at a profit for 4 sesterces (about
but if t h at were too m uch it m i gh t be h ad in a c h eaper form for 2 s es terces (about ,

g a g Po ssibly t h ere m ay b e so m e poetic licence in t hi s state m ent : but F A P al ey

s
. .

an d IV H S tone a dduce this pas sa e in th e ir e dition of M a r ial as proo f t h at t h e cost

. .
g
, t ,

of manus cript boo ks at R o m e i n th e fi rst century of t h e C hristian era w as l ess th an , ,

t h at of printe d books n o w I n a room ful l of slave s wri tin rapi dly to t h e di ctati on
.
,
g

of one person copies woul d b e m ultiplie d very c h eaply 7 So far as re gar ds rapi di t y
,
.

of production t h e R o m ans coul d co m pete with t h e stea m driven printin g pres s of t h e

,
-

n ineteenth cen t ury M ar ti al tells us it woul d require but one h our to copy out t h e W h ole
of t h e secon d b ook of his E pi gra m s : H e e m m p em g z z Zz brar z zes leo m ”
' ' '

M an us cripts were of en ill u m i nated em bel lis h ed an d boun d as w ell as written

t , ,

b y slaves T h e earlies t Greek m anus cripts now extant m ost of wh i ch were foun d
.
,

i n E gypt are none of th e m ill u m inate d with m iniat ures : A t M ilan th ere is a fragm ent
,

of an ill u m inate d I lia d of t h e fo u rth centu ry T his m anuscript wi th m any oth ers w a .
, ,
s

in a vessel captu re d b y t h e Turks T h ey eagerly broke open t h e cas kets in w h ich th e .

t reas u res were packe d M oi dores perh aps gui neas we h ope m anus cripts by jin go l
.
, ,
”

t h e san gu i ne but disappoin te d I sla m ites are fable d to h ave e x clai m e d ; an d t h ey thr ew
t h e m anus cripts overboar d Thi s fra m ent of th e I li a d survive d an d t h e style of t h e
.
g
,

l
J . P . M ah afiy , H isto ry o f Gre e k C lass ic al Lit e ratu re .

2
Gelliu s ii 3 , . .

3
I b id , ii 1 7 . . .

P al ey an d Stone , M artial, no te t o Ep igram xii i 3 . .

3
P ro fe ss o r M iddl eto n , Il lum in ate d M anuscrip ts in Classical an d M e die val Tim e s , 1 89 2 .
32 B O OK S OF TH E A N CI E N TS .

m iniatures proves t h at t h ey t h e m sel v es were survivals 1 B u t few co m parisons prove .

m ore clearly t h e astonis h in g superiority of Greek genius th an t h at of t h e E gyp tian

B ook of t h e D e ad wit h t h e beautiful an d m ystic O rp h ic h e x a m et ers en grave d on

“ ’f
, ,

a plate of gol d wh ic h tell t h e Greek soul h o w to bear h i m self in t h e un discovere d

,

worl d ?
I f t h e Greeks were not directly in debte d to t h e E gyptians for t h e style of w ritin g
a n d illu m in atin g books th ey at lea s t owe th e m a debt for bin din gs T h ere was a style
,
.

'

of for m in g an d e m bellis h in g a roll k n o w n as E gyptian b in din g ; an d t h e very na m e ,

of a book [368 q was derive d fro m t h e E gyptian n am e n o t of t h e papyrus

, , , l

plant w h ich was calle d w dv o g (L atin p om/ 7 0 5 ) b u t o f t h e rin d or true m aterial of

, , ,

3
paper Bu t bookbin din g in t h e sense in w h ic h we un derstan d t h e ter m now was not
.
, ,
'

known to t h e ancient Greeks It is s ai d th at t h e A t h enians erecte d a statue to t h e

.

m e m ory of P h illat iu s t h e discoverer of a kin d of paste for m akin g t h e pa ges or s h eets of

,

papyrus a dh ere to geth er 4 .

T h e R o m ans derive d
t h eir knowledge of books an d literature in a great m easure
th ou gh n 0t entirely fro m th e Greeks to wh o m nearly al l Western literature m ay be trace d
, ,
.

In so m e cases t h e influence of R o m e on m o dern literature h as been m ore direct th an

t h at of Greece but if followe d far enou gh any broad strea m of it will carry u s back to ,

a Greek source 5 Greeks an d I talians both owe d a great deal of th eir culture to th eir
'

custo m of for m in g civic co m m unities a con dition of life favourable to t h e growt h of ,

literature A fter t h e first Punic War t h e lan gua ge of R o m e was refor m ed entirely, t h e o ld
.

h etero geneous co m poun d ton gue bein g m o difie d by H ellenic influences wh ic h continue d ,

after th e conquest of L ower I taly an d Sicily was co m plete Th e o ld Greek colonies .

,

too greatly in fluence d bot h art an d letters at Ro m e an d in consequence t h e outwar d an d

, ,

visible for m of literature t h at is to say books t h e m ultiplication of wh ic h did not begin

, , ,

in I taly till after t h e S tate beca m e settle d .

T h e o ld story of t h e Sibylline B ooks bou gh t by Kin g T arq u in iu s Superbus about

five h un dre d an d th irty years before t h e C h ristian era proves th at books were known
to t h e R o m an s at th at early date Th e kin g twice refuse d t o p u rch ase t h e venerable
-
.

to m es fro m t h e o ld wo m an w h o offere d th e m to h im but afterwar ds provi de d a stone ,

c h est an d two keepers to take c h arge of th ree not very large volu m es of m a gical
for m ul ae .

T h e ety m olo gy of t h e L atin wor d for a book fiber an d its equivalent in m any , ,

lan guages in dic ates th at books were anciently m a de of ve getable substances

, Th e .

E gyptian an d Greek ter m s were derive d fro m t h e na m e of t h e papyrus plan t Th e .

L atin fiber in its pri m ary si gnifican ce m eans t h e inner bark of a tree
, .
”
rin d or bast , ,
“

codex t h e trunk of a tree ; fo lz u m

'

, a leaf ; an d w ou ld a boar d T h us we learn t h at , , .

1
Th e sam e m ay b e said o fth e V atican fo urth c entury V irgil -
.

3
D a ily N ew s M ay 1 89 2 , N o uve an Tracte de D ip l o m
.
4
,
to m . iii , p .

Th e o p h rastus R C J eb b G ree k Lit e rature

3 “ ”
.
. .
, , p 6 . .
 B O OK S I N TH E TI M E S OF TH E GRE E K S A N D R OM A N S .
33

writin g was so m eti m es inscribed on t h e inner bark on leaves an d so m eti m e s on boar ds , ,

cut off t h e m ain bo dy of t h e tree Th e E n glis h wor d B OO K i s derived fro m t h e A n glo .

S ax on boo t h e m eanin g of wh ic h is a writin g a c h arter an d a book I t is related to t h e

, , , .

Got h ic ooka a fe m inine noun t h e n euter for m of wh ic h is 50 k an d th e m ean in g a letter

, , , ,

of t h e alp h abet an d in t h e plural a written docu m ent a book Th ere is probably a

, , , .

con nection bet w een th e words boo k an d bece th e latter bein g t h e ancient na m e of t h e ,

beec h tree but t h e derivation is uncertain T h e wor d book or 555 was intro duc ed into
,
.
, ,

t h is country in A n glo S axon ti m es h y t h e ecclesiastics w h o applie d it to t h e written

—
.
,

ch arte rs also intro duce d by th e m th ese a ffor de d a m ore per m anen t an d satisfactory
,

evi dence of a grant or conveyance of lan d th an t h e sy m bolical or actual delivery of

possession before witnesses w h ich was t he m eth o d of transfer previously i n vogue
,
1
.

S h akespeare uses t h e word in th is si gnifican ce

By th at tim e w ill our oook , I th ink , b e draw n .

B eau m ont an d Fletch er al so use it in th e sa m e way

“
Co m e , l et s s e al t h e boo k fi rst
’
,

m y daugh te r s j o in ture 3 ’ ”
Fo r .

is clearly sh own in t h e legal ter m oo Zm z a or book lan d property h el d

'

’
A n d t h e m eanin g
'

e— ,
-

un der t h e expres s ter m s of a written instru m en t an d in boo Bord a place wh ere ch arters -

, ,

evi dences or oth er written recor ds are kept Th e earliest S axon c h arters e xtant are
, .

written on parch m ent ; but it by no m eans follows th at our ancestors in co m m on with

-
,

t h e pre decessors o f t h e R o m ans did not use a ve getable substance for th eir writin gs,
It .

5
is known th at t h e leaves of t h e pal m tree an d t h e fi nest an d th innest part of t h e bark
‘
,

of such trees as t h e tilia t h e ph ilyra a species of lin den t h e li m e t h e ash t h e m aple

, , , , , ,
6
an d t h e e lm were use d as writin g
,
m aterial in very an cient ti m es j ust as t h e A m erican ,

I n dians use si m ilar substances at t h e present day T h is cust o m e x isted in t h e ti m e of .

U lpian w h o m entions it ; an d in O riental countries t he pal m leaf is still use d in t h e

,

m anufacture of books I n E n glan d at t h e British M useu m t h e B o dleian an d oth er

.
, , ,

great libraries m any beautiful pal m l eaf m anuscripts are preserve d I n Ceylon t h e — .
,

”
leaves of t h e talipot an d in oth er parts of In dia th e leaves of t h e a m pana were
“
,
“
,

7
e xtensive ly used for writin g upon .

It is n o w ti m e to en deavour to e x plain t h e m e anin g of so m e of t h e m ost i m portant

L atin wor ds relatin g to book s .

(I ) L I B E R T h e general ter m fo r a R o m an book or m anuscrip t roll Th e true Zz ber

'

—
.
, .

or bast is th ou gh t to h ave been use d in pre h istoric ti m es for writin g upon but th is word
h as noth in g to do wit h t h e m aterial of w h ic h paper was m a de c/z a r m t h e leaf ,

or ste m of th e papyrus plant nor h as t h e substantive piz z ly m

'

t h e inner bark of
8
t h li e tree w ic h Pliny see m s to apply wron gly in describin g t h e m anufacture of paper
e m h , .

Century Dictio nary 1 89 2 su b B oo k F P o ll o c k L an d L aw s

1 4 ”
, , . . .
,
2
1 H en ry I V iii 1 .
,
. P liny I xiii 1 0
. 69 5
, . .
,
.

3
A st l e s W riting p 2 0 1 6 ’
, . .

H o rn e s B ibl io g rap h y
’
v ol i p 42 , . .
,
. .

Se e S m ith s D ictio nary o fA ntiquitie s

'
5
'

su b L eber , .
 34 B OOK S OF TH E A N CI E N TS .

() 2 VO LU M E N anyth in g th at is rolle d a noun derived fro m v o/v o I rol l

.
—
L iterally , ,
» .

T h is ter m like fiber was in c o m m o n u se O nly o n e b o o k was

'

h en ce a written roll
' '

.
, .
, ,

inclu de d in a volu m e so th at a work generally consisted of as m any volu m es as books

, .

Th ey m i gh t m easure wh en e x ten de d fro m a few inc h es to I t yards wi de an d fro m

\
, , ,

1
a few feet to 50 yar ds lon g In Greece an d I taly t h ey were written on separate .

pages an d fastened parallel to each oth er so th at t h e rea der peruse d o n e pa ge th en

, , ,

rolle d it up at one e n d unrolle d t h e next page an d so o n to t h e e n d as is seen in t h e

, , ,

acco m panying en gravin g fro m a painti n g foun d at Po m peii .

Th e writin g was arran ge d in colu m ns so th at t he lines were parallel to t h e top an d ,

botto m of t h e roll each page containe d one colu m n D own to t h e ti m e of Ca sar h o w .

,

ever it was t h e custo m to write o fficial docu m ents t h e reverse way (t ran sv ersa clea red )
, ,

th at is across t h e w h ole breadth of t h e roll so th at t h e lines of t h e Writin g were at ri gh t

, ,

?
an gles with t h e si des of t h e roll Th e len gth of th e rolls varie d Th e S c h o list s 3 speak . .

of T h ucy di des an d H o m er bein g w ritte n each in one lon g roll Th e roll of T h ucydi des .

is esti m ate d at th e incredible len gth of t h ree h un dre d an d

seventy e igh t pages or ne arly 1 0 0 yar ds A roll 1 2 0
'

, .

yar ds lon g is sai d to h ave been in e xistence at C0 n st an

t in o p le Th ese are abnor m al instan ces ; t h e ordinary .

rolls rarely excee ded a h un dre d pages an d were usually ,

m uc h s m aller
?
I n contrast to t h e h u ge roll of H o m er ,

th ere is extan t a papyrus roll of t h e twenty fourth book -

of t h e I liad fou nd at E le p h an t in a so th at t h e co m plete , ,

I lia d woul d h ave been in twenty fou r volu m es Th e -

.

rolls co m prisin g one work m i gh t be tie d to geth er in a

bun dle wh ic h was th en called fasces or in Greek sew m; , ,
-

A NC E N RO M A N R A D I N G
I T E
( desm e) an d t h e bun dles place d in a case or capsa
.

, , .

(F m a pa l g f d t P o m p
' '

ro zn z n ou u a ei i .

(3) L I BRI L 1 N T E I I t is relate d th at a m on g ot h er .

—
,

m aterials use d for writin g up on linen an d cotton clot h s were m uc h estee m e d ; an d in ,

so m e countries t h e skins inte stines an d even th e s h oul der bla des of various ani m als
, ,
-

were presse d into t h e service of t h e scribes as well as th e skin s of fis h es an d t h e ,

intestines of serpents To so m e o f th ese it will be necessary to refer again

.
.

’ '

L i nen for writin g upon was in use a m on g t h e R o m an s in very early ti m es L z br z .

l z rz t ez are m entione d by L ivy not as e x isti ng in h is own ti m e but as m entione d by

’ '

L icinius M acer w h o states t h at linen books were kept in t h e te m ple of Juno M oneta
5
.
,

T h ey were not books in a restricte d sense but si m ply very ancient annals an d books ,
“

of m a gistrates an d w ere written certainly as early as 440 B C L ivy also speaks of

,
”
. .

6
a Sam nite ritual book as lz oer v et u s l n te s an ancien t linen b ook
' '
“
-
z u , .

C T h is or d ori inally si n ifie d t h e trunk or ste m of a H ence

(4 ) O D E X w .
g
—
g tree ‘
.

anyth in g m ade of woo d an d at len gth a book woo den tablets w ax line d an d boun d
, ,
-

F ab ric ius B ibl ical A n t iq ch ap S m ith s D ie t ntiq

'

o fA L eber
’
1 ’ “
.
, . xix , p . . 60 7 .
4
. .
, su b .

3
S ueto n ius , 56 .
5
L ivy, iv 7 , 1 3, .

3
Quo te d b y Birt, p 444 . .
5
I bid , 11 38
. . .
 B OOK S I N TH E TI M E S OF TH E GR E E K S A N D R OM / I N S .
35

togeth er in a pri m itive an d si m ple m anner W h en at a later age parch ment an d .

oth er m aterials were substitute d fo r woo d an d p u t togeth er in book s h ape t h e

.
,

n am e codex w as o ft e n used as synony m ous wi th lz ber I t was t h e na m e m ore par

’

t icu larly given to accoun t books I n t h e ti m e of Cicero it was also applie d to a tablet
-
.

on wh ich a bill Was written an d in stil l l ater ti m es to any collection of laws or c o n st it u

'

1
tions of t h e e m perors For literary co m p ositions t h e ter m codex was use d by C h ristian
.

writers be ginnin g with t h e c o dice s o f t h e sac re d w rit in gs T h e ter m was occasionally

' ’

.
,

use d by oth er writers at t h e e n d of t h e th ird century but did not beco m e popular till ,

t h e fift h century N o w t h e m eanin g is st ill furt h er restricte d to a m anuscript book

. .

(5) L I BE L LU S t h e di minut ive for m of fiber is a wor d frequently foun d in writin gs of

, ,

t h e classic age an d use d generally to desi gnate a bo ok consistin g of a few leaves of parch
,

m ent or paper written an d boun d to geth er in pa ges as our books ?

, Paintin gs h ave been
foun d at Po m peii represen tin g books of th i s kin d res em blin g a m o dern th in folio volu m e , .

A m on g t h e R o m ans parch m ent (m é m Om n a) was e x tensively use d ; ani m als skin

’

prepared for writin g upon m ust h ave been in use a m on g pastoral people in ve ry early
‘
ti m es but t h e purposes of m em brem o an d e/z a n a (paper) were distinct until late in t h e
,

e m pire T h e m aterial called V E L L U M is a species of p arch m ent fi ner in grain wh iter

.
,

an d s m oot h er t h an or dinary parch m ent ; as t h e n a m e i m plies it is prepare d fro m calf ,

skin A m on g t h e early n ations of A sia an d as is well known a m on g t h e Persians an d

.
,

J ews parch m ent was extensively use d D oubtless a few gath ere d s h eets of fol ded
,
.
.
,

parc h m ent were in v ery early ti m es applied to various literary purposes but th e roll see m s
'

to h ave been t h e m ost gen eral for m for i m portant books even a m on g t h e Jews O f t h e , .

great an d early skill in m akin g th ese rolls an instance is foun d in Joseph us w h o refers ,

to a copy of t h e law sen t to Ptolem y P h ila delp h us (B C 2 8 5 T h is pass age is so

' '

. .

pertinent to our subject th at it see m s best to give it at len gth Ptolem y Kin g of E gypt .
, ,

set fr ee a h un dred an d twenty t h ousan d slaves w h o were Jewis h captives Th e occasion .

was th is D e m etrius Ph ale rius library keeper to t h e kin g was en deavourin g if it

—
,
-

, ,

were p ossible to gath er to geth er all t h e books t h at were in t h e h abitable earth an d

, ,
’
buyin g wh atsoever was anywh ere valuable or agreeable to t h e king s inclination (w h o
was very earnestly set upon collectin g of books ) A n d w h en once Ptole m y asked h im .

h o w m a ny ten t h ousan ds of books h e h ad collecte d h e replie d t h at h e h ad already

“

about tw enty ti m es ten th ousan d but th at in a little ti m e h e s h oul d h ave fifty ti m es ,

ten th ou san d Bu t h e sai d h e h ad been infor m e d t h at t h ere were m any books of

.
, ,
’
law s a m on g t h e J ew s of surp assin g excellence an d worth y of th e king s library but ,

t h e books bein g written in c h aracters an d in a dialect of t h e ir o w n woul d cause no s m all

’

, ,

pains in gettin g th e m tra nslate d into Greek So t h e kin g wrote to t h e Jewis h h i gh .

priest to sen d h im t h e books No w th ere was one A rist e u s w h o was a m on g t h e kin g s

’
.
,

m ost inti m ate frien ds a m an w h o sou gh t to do goo d to t h e Jewis h captives

,
He .

persua ded t h e kin g to liberate t h e slaves before sen din g to Jerusalem for t h e covete d
1
S ee S m ith s Dictio nary o f Antiq uitie s, su b Codex
’
.

3
S e e S ueto nius , 6 Ci c r " O ,
”
1 , 2 1 ; H o rac e ,
“
S at 1, 10 , 92 ; A R ich
“
D ic
5 ; e o , n ,
. .
,

t io n ary o f Gree k an d Ro m a n A n tiq u itie s, e ditio n 1 884

”
.
 TH E A N CI E N TS
'

36 B OOK S OF
’

books of t h e law An d th is was done accordin gly Th en an epistle was sent with
“

. .
,

presents of gol d silver an d j ewels to E leaz ar t h e h i gh priest at Jerusale m askin g th at

, , , ,
—
,

t h e sacre d books m i gh t be lent to t h e k in g an d t h at th ere m i gh t be sent wit h t h e m six ,

of t h e el ders ou t of every tribe suc h as were m ost skilful in t h e laws To th is request

, .

t h e h i gh priest returne d a grateful answer sayin g h e h ad c h osen t h e six el ders out of

-

e v ery tribe an d sent t h e m to t h e kin g an d with t h e m t h e law

, No w w h e nt h e seventy , .

(two ) el ders ca m e to A le x an dria to Kin g Ptole m y h e received th e m h onourably an d , ,

questione d th em concernin g t h e books an d t h e laws wh ic h were written in letters of ,

gol d. A n d wh en t h e o ld m e n h ad taken o ff t h e covers wh erein t h e rolls were wrappe d ,

t h ey sh owe d h im t h e m e m branes So th e kin g stood adm irin g t h e t h inness of th ose

“

. .

m e m branes an d t h e e x actness of t h e junctures w h ic h coul d no t be perceived (so exactly

, ,

were th ey connected one with anoth er) an d th is h e did for a con si derable ti m e T h e .

o ld m e n were afterwar ds con ducte d to an islan d wh ere in seventy two days t h e law ,
-

w as transcribe d an d t ran slat e d an d t h en rea d over in t h e presence of a ll t h e Jews

'

, ,

w h o approve d of t h e t h in g t h at was done So t h e o ld m en departed to th eir own .

country with m any presents fro m t h e kin g an d h onoured both by t h e E gyptians an d ,

l
t h eir own ountry en }
c m
Such is t h e legen d of t h e m akin g of t h e Septuagi n t or Greek V ersion of t h e ,

Jewis h Scriptures a legen d often re gar ded as m yth i cal but wh ic h t h e writer is credulous
,
—
,

enou gh to accept as proof th at parc h m ent was use d fo r t h e m ost sacre d of all books lon g
_

before E u m enes Kin g of Perga m us 197 is suppose d to h ave invented it “

Th e story of t h e invention of parch m ent by E u m enes is repeate d wit h s li gh t ,

al terations by various auth ors beginnin g with V arro

, J ero m e relates t h e sa m e tale of
A ttalus . B u t th ere is no doubt t h at parc h m ent was use d as a writin g m aterial m any -

centuries before t h e ti m e of A ttalus or E u m enes Th e true a ccount see m s to be th at a .

great i m prove m ent in t h e preparation of skins was m ade at Per ga m us so m ew h ere about
Fro m t h e na m e of th is city it is sai d th e w o rd p arc/m z en t (M arta
’

t h e year 1 80 , ,

P erg a m en a) is derive d Th e i m prove m ent see m s to h ave consiste d in prepari ng bo th

.

si des of t h e skin for Writin g instea d of o n e si de only E u m e n e s w e are tol d was a .

,
~

lover of books an d aspire d to for m a librar y wh ich s h oul d r ival th at of t h e P h araoh s

,

at A lexan dria T h is m a de t h e ruler of E gypt jealous an d to prevent t h e m anufac ture of

.
, ,

books in oth er countries th an h is own h e proh ibited t h e ex portation of papyrus E u m enes , .

,

bein g a m an of stubborn disposition refuse d to allow th is to prevent h im carryin g out ,

h is sc h e m e an d accor din gly be cause d parc h m ent to be m ore carefully prepare d

, In .

course of ti m e th is substance bec am e an article of co m m erce an d was ex ported to R o m e ,

.

Parch m ent was usu ally boun d in t h e co dex for m or book sh ape an d was used in , ,

R o m e for account boo ks for wills an d for notes -

I t co m peted rath er wit h wax tablets

, , .

th an with paper Th e m em bran a m entioned in H orace 4 was used for t h e rou gh copy
~
“

1
J o s ep h us , A n tiquit ie s J e w s B oo k X I I ch apofth e , .
, . Ed . W h iston ,
1 84 7 .

V o ss ius B ayl e Ch al m e rs e t c
3
Ap P lin
. .
, xiii .
70
, .
, , , .

3
S m ith ’ s D ictio n ary o f A n tiq u itie s ” .

H o rac e .
“
S at ,
”
ii 3 , . 2 ; an d
“
A . P .
, 389 .
 B OOK S I N TH E TI M E S OF TH E GRE E K S A N D R OM A N S
'

.
37

of poem s to be altere d an d p u blis h e d later an d t h e sa m e purpose was serve d by t h e ,

parc h m ent in a diptych staine d yellow referred to by Juvenal 1

Till lon g after t h e .

A u gustine age ena rt a (paper ) was use d for literary publications generally .

Papyrus paper it h as been st ated was t h e m aterial of wh ich books were ch iefly
, ,

m a de in ancient R o m e an d if we m ay j u dge from t h e prices obtaine d for t h e m it was ,

a fairly ch eap co m m o dity notwith st an din g t h e tax upon it Th is t ax C assiodorus says .

, ,

was re m ove d by T h eo doric (4 7 5 52 6 bec ause it was consi dere d an i m pe di m ent

—

?
to learnin g Pliny r ecor ds t h at paper was m anufacture d fro m papyrus at R o m e as ,

?
well as at A le x an dria an d elsewh ere Th ere were n ine sorts or qualities of paper t h e ,

fl
'

best bein g calle d li z ei a t ica because upon it t h e sacred writin gs were inscribed by t h e
f
,

E gyptian priests By t h e R o m an s it w as calle d og/at (reg ia ) an d afterwards A u g u st a

.
-

, ,

out of co m pli m ent to t h e e m peror I t was 1 3 di gits about 9 or 1 0 in ch es broad an d .

, , ,

was p repare d for writin g on one si de only ; it was th in an d se m i transparent I n t h e -

.

rei gn of Clau dius t h is was i m prove d upon by a paper called Cla u dia wh ich was a foot ,

broad t h icker th an t h e best paper of an earlier date an d prepared for writin g on both
, ,

si des Th e co m m oner kin ds of paper w h en use d fo r ac c o u n t s or literary purposes were

'

.
, ,

so m eti m es use d over a gain for sc h oolboy s exercises or rou gh notes So m eti m es t h e ’
.

v erso of t h e paper was use d for t h ese purposes as in t h e case of t h e fa m ous m anuscript ,

o f t h e A th enian constitut ion at oth er ti m es t h e ori gin al writin g was spon ged out as in ,

a parch m ent pali m p sest an d t h e recto of t h e paper use d over again

,
.

Havin g describe d t h e vario us m aterials of w h ich t h e R omans for m ed th eir rolls ,

an d briefly referre d to t h e na m es
given by th e m to t h e or dinary kin ds of books
'
,

we will now turn to th e rolls th e m selves an d learn so m et h in g about t h e m anner in ,

wh ic h th ey were m a de an d orna m ente d or as we s h oul d now e x press it boun d , , , .

L atin auth ors t h e poets especially entere d into t h e m inuti ae of t h e art of m akin g
, , ,

a dornin g an d coverin g books

, W ith out doubt t h e R o m an s were in debte d to t h e
.

Greeks fo r m uc h of th eir knowle dge of t h ese m atters but th e disciples appear to , .

'

h ave outrun t h eir m asters in th is respect if in n o o th e r

-
Th e R o m ans h ad t h eir .

ZiOVa Tii l ibm rio li OiOZiop egi an d bibl iopola ; answerin g to our p f in ter eng rav er Oin aer
, , , , ,
’
,

an d Oo o/f fseller Th e ZiOra rii m ultiplie d books by transcribin g m anuscripts t h e libra r io ti

.

illustrate d t h e m by orn a m entin g t h e title pages m argin s an d ter m in ations ; "t h e

.
-

, ,

OiOliop egi employe d th eir ski ll on t h e e m bellis h m ent of t h e exterior of t h e m an uscripts

t h e OiOZiop oZa were en ga ge d in t h e disposal of t h e books w h en finis h e d .

O f t h e duties of t h e scribes we nee d not inquire m inutely bu t it s h oul d be state d

t h at so m e of t h e m ore skilful a m on g t hem i llu m in ate d as well as wrote t h e m anuscripts ,

an d w h en divisions of labour beca m e

general t h e art of illu m ination see m s t o h ave
for m ed a separate occupation Th e ch ief colour of illu m in ate d letters a m on g t h e
.

R o m ans was bri gh t re d an d t h e s m all drawin gs of m en an d a ni m als so m eti m es foun d

,

in m anuscripts of t h e R o m an perio d are re d T h us it is th at t h e wor ds m in ia tu re an d .

M iniu m is per h aps of S p an ish de riv at io n m eanin g

'

v erfn z lio n are of t h e sa m e root . .

,

n ativ e cin n a ba r v erm il io n or sulp h uret of m ercury

, Pliny uses th e wor d to e x press re d
, .

J uvenal v ii 2 4 , C assio do rus E p xi 38

. . P l iny xiii 3
77 ,
. .
3
, .
,
 B OOK S OF TH E A N CI E N TS
38
.

o xi de of lea d I t is only of late years t h at t h e word m in ia tu re h as been use d in t h e

.
.

restricte d sense as applie d to a s m all portrait .

We h ave seen th at i n t h e infancy of t h e art of bookbin din g at A th ens sh eets .

or pa ges were fastened or sewn to geth er by strin gs : Th e da m age cause d by th is

.

proceedin g wh ere t h e material was so frail as papyr u s le d to t h e invention of paste

‘

or glue If we m ay cre dit O ly m pio do ru s t h e inventor of th is glue r eceived fro m

'
-

. ,

h is country m en t h e h onour of a statue I n all probability th e E gy pt ians knew t h e

.

value of glu e a ges before t h e ti m e of P h illat iu s ; but t h e poin t is i m m aterial O f t h e .

use of gl u e for t h is purpose a m on g t h e R o m ans Cicero m a letter t o h is frien d A ttie n s , ,

-

,
'

h as left a proof 1
an d Pliny confir m s it
,
Pollu x als o m entions writers an d ven dors .

of books an d t h e glutination of t h e m
,
2
So m et im es t h e pages o f t h e rolls were written
.

first an d paste d to geth er afterwar ds by slaves calle d g tu t in u to res

,
.

T h e first operation of t h e Greek an d R o m an bookbin der was to cut t h e m argins

of h paper above an d below perfectly e v en an d t h e s h eets at t h e beginnin g
(f r o m ) t e ,

an d e n d square H e t h en gave t h e e dges an d t h e ex terior of t h e roll t h e m o st perfect

.

polis h possible by m eans of pu m ice s tone _

-

with wh ich su bstance t h e writers h ad pre

v io u sly s m ooth e d t h e interior H orace
’ “

.
,

Pliny M artial O vi d an d Catullus all bear

‘

, , ,

testi m ony to t h is use of pu m ice an d to t he

“

present day it is use d by bookbin ders in

so m e of t h eir operations Th e e dges (from ) .

at each en d of t h e roll w ere coloured j ust

as t h e e dges of m o der n boo ks are coloure d
R O M A N M A N S C R I PTS
.

U .

O vi d describes a roll with bl a

?
ck e dges T h en .

an in de x (tit u lu s) was affixe d to t h e roll so m eti m es at t h e en d so m eti m es in t h e m i ddle

“

, ,

of t h e e dge of t h e roll as appears in t h e en gravin g o f so m e ro lls fro m H erculaneu m

,
'

Th e t it u lu s answere d to our title pa ge letterin g piece an d con tents table co m bine d ;

-

,
-

for besi des t h e na m e of t h e work th e total n u m ber of pa ge s verses or lines was

, , , ,

so m eti m es written upon it T h us Jo sep h u s reckons si x ty t h ousan d lines at t h e e n d of

.

Di gests
” ”
h is twentiet h book of A ntiquities
“
an d J u st im an gives to t h e , c entu m
“ “

h e price of t h e book was so m eti m es fi

”
q u in q u agin t a p a e n e m ilia v e rsu m T . xe d by th is

in de x nu m ber an d like m odern let terin g pieces th e title was generally colo u red often
,
-

, ,
-

of a re d tin ge by co e cu m or m iniu m .

To t h e e n d of t h e roll a roller o r ro d of so m e li gh t substance s uch as woo d was , ,

attach ed but even ti gh tly fol de d paper was so m eti m es used for th is purpose A roun d
,
.

th i s ro d th e m anuscript was rolled T h e e n ds of t h e ro ds were usually lev el with t h e

.

e dges of t h e roll an d were pa inte d W h en t h e m anuscript w as rolle d up t h e ro d woul d

,
.

be in t h e centre : h ence it is said t o h ave been calle d u nt é ilieu s

.
I t woul d h ave .

been inconvenient for t h e ro ds to h ave project ed beyon d t h e edges of the pap er wh en

'

t h e rolls were inten de d to be place d in a case or eupsu M ost of t h e rolls yet fou nd .

I bid , B o o k V I I 32
‘
1
Cic e ro B o o k I V 4
, . .
a
Ovid 2
Trist 1 2 8 . . .
,
.
, .
,
.
 B O OK S IN TH E TI M E S OF TH E GRE E K S A N D R OM A N S .

are of th is de scriptio n ; but p e o p le w h o were very particular about t h e appearanc e of

' '

t h ei r books len gth en e d t h e rollers an d adde d to th e m orn a m ental bosses

"

T h ese ,

proj ectin g beyon d t h e roll like t h e bu ddin g h orns of a h eifer receive d t h e na m e o f ,

eo rn u a (h orns ) an d in ti m e t h e t w o ter m s u nz oil ieu s an d oo rn u a beca m e convertible

, .-

especially wh en use d fi guratively to desi gnate t h e e n d of a book 1 .

Presentation Copies of books or copies of special value an d i m portance m ay h ave

.
, ,
”
been m uch m ore elaborately go t up th an th os e inten de d for an or dinary library “
.

T h is state m ent is supporte d by m any p assa ges in cl assic Writin gs

”

It was h owever custo m ary to provi de covers of p arc h m ent for rol ls A ccor din g to
, , .

A c h illes Statius covers w ere at fi rst woven of t h e fibrous bark of so m e tree ; at a later
,

perio d th ey were of leath er dye d purp le ye llow or scarlet an d in poetical lan gua ge t h e v
'

, , ,
é ’

were frequently c alle d p arou rea t og a 2

M artial say s l
/
.

'

Sunt quo q u e m u t at ae t er quin que vo lum ina fo rm ae ,

P u rpureo f
ulge s a tu , adian tib u s u n c is ”3
n h b i r

’
an d speakin g of t h e book s h op opposite C a sar s foru m : T h ere you can buy a “

M artial polis h e d wit h pu m i ce stone an d orna m ented with purple for 5 denarii
,
4 -

, , .
”

I n anoth er epi gra m h e enters into th e details of t h e bin ding of a book in h is ti m e

(A D 4 3 1 0 4) th us :
. .
—

To w h o m m y little book do you wis h m e to dedicate you ? M ake h aste to ch oose

, ,

a patron lest bein g h urrie d off in t o a m urky kitch en you cov er w h ite bait before your
, , ,
-

leaves are dry or m ake a screw ffor incense or for pun gen t pepper
,
I s it into -

, .

F au st in u s bos om th at you flee ? Th en you h ave c h osen wisely an d m ay now m ake

’

your way perfu m e d w ith oil of ce dar an d decorate d with orn a m ents at both en ds
.

, ,

lu x uriate i n all th e glory of painte d bosses delicate purple m ay cover you W h ile your .
,

ti tl e m ay blaze in scarlet W ith h im for patron fear not even Probus ” 5

.

.
.
,

Th e e p 1gram woul d see m to h int t h at owin g to th e patron a ge of Faustinus , ,

Martial s book w oul d co m m an d a goo d price an d a quick sale O n th is account it

’
.

m i gh t be issue d in first class style Th e leaves perfu m e d wit h oi l of ce dar at once as

“
-
.
,

an antisep ti c a gainst moth s an d to colour t h e paper an d d ecorate d with a pair of gaily

“

painte d bosses T h e roll place d i n a bri gh t parc h m ent case decke d wit h a scarlet
.

letterin g piece gives a su ggestion of splendour to t he w h ole appearance To thi s n otice

-
.

of w h at M artial wis h e d to be perfor m e d on h is work m ay be a dded anoth er proof of t h e

m a gnificence of so m e of t h e R o m an books in t h e directions give n by O vi d relative to
t h e o m ission of all orna m en t Th e poet in exile sent h is book to R o m e a n d directe d .
,

th at it sh oul d be publis h e d in a si m ple m an ner typical of grief and a ffliction in a , ,

garb suite d to an exile

W ith out m e little book you m ust visit Ro m e wh ith er I ; your m aster cannot go
, , , , .

N o t t h at I envy your fortune S pee d on your way unadorn ed as is beco m in g an ex ile s

.
,
’

w ork put on t h e fittin g garb un h appy one of t h is seaso n L e t not th e h yacinth array , ,
.

Rich , A D ictio n ary Gre e k an d Ro m an Antiquitie s

' '

su b U m oz l z cu s
“
1
A of
“

.
. . ,

2
M artial , x 9 3 . .
3
I bid , xi I . . . Ibid i 4
.
, . 1 18 .
5
I b id .
, iii . 2
40 B O OK S OF TH E A N CIE N TS .

you in its purple tints bri gh t colours are not suitable for m ournin g L e t not your title .

be inscribe d in re d nor your leaves be s m eare d with c edar oil nor yet h ave snow
, ,

wh ite h an dles to your blackene d pages T h ese are t h e orna m ents of books m ore .

fortunate th an th ou T h ee it beh oves to keep m y fate in m in d L e t not t h e brittle

. .

pu m ice polis h t h e e dges of your leaves T h us you m ay appear fit ly with rou gh .

,

dis h evelle d h air A n d lastly be not as h a m e d of blots th ey w h o beh o ld th ee will know

.
, ,
” 1
th at th ese were caused by m y sad tears .

H orace 2
an d Tibul lus 3
confirm all th at h as been a dvance d above on t h e practice
of t h e art a m on g th e Ro m ans an d m any oth er passages in M artial m i gh t be quote d to
,

t h e sa m e e f
fect Tibullus appears to refer to a cover c oloured with yellow
.

L ute a sed n iveum in v o lv at m e m brana lib e llu m

“ 4

B u t a yell o w c o ver m ay c o ver t h e snow y bo o k

but it m ay be a question wh eth er t h e col our of t h e parc h m ent of wh ich t h e cover was ,

for m e d an d wh ic h assu m e s a yellow appearance fro m age is not th e ri gh t interpretation

, ,

of t h e passage .

To Catullus we are in debte d for a m inute an d elaborate description of ancient

bin din g I n t h e dedication to Cornelius Nepos h e writes
.

W ith p um ice dry j ust p o l ish e d fin e , ,

To w h o m p re s ent this bo o k o f m in e
“

T h is l ittl e vo lum e s m art a n d n ew 5

, .

And in anoth er of h is poe m s i n ri dicule of a person n a m ed S u ffe n u s h e gives us wh at

, ,

m ay be co nsi dered a co m plete description of t h e best bin din g in th e ti m e of Cicero

A D VAR R U M .

S u ffen u s iste , V arre , que m p rob e mo sti,

H o mo e st venustus , e t dic ax, et urbanus ;
I de m q u e l o ng e p lu rim o s fac it ve rsus .

P uto ss e
aut dec em aut p lut a
e e go ill i m illia
P e rsc rip ta n e c sic u t fi t in p al im p s e st o , , ,

R elata ; ch artas re giae n o vi l ib ri , ,

N o vi u m b il ic i l o ra rub ra m e m brana , ,

D ire cta p lum b o e t pum ic e o m nia a qu at a ” 6 , .

w h ich h as been th us ren dere d

S u fie n u s th at w retch w h o m m y V arus well kno w s
, , ,

S o p retty so p rating so o ver p o l ite , , ,

H a s a g enius fo r ve rs e th at inc e ssantly fl o w s ,

H a s a m us e w h ich t en th o usan d fin e th in s can in dite

g .

His p ap er is ro yal n o t c o m m o n o r b ad ; ,
,

H is w rapp e rs h is bo ss e s are to tal ly n ew ; , ,

H is sh eets sm o oth d b y p um ic e are all rul e d w ith l ea d ’

“

_
, ,

An d b o un d w ith a riban d o f ro s e c o lo ure d h u e .

”

1
Ovid de Trist ib u s, E leg . ad Lib ru m , I .
5
C atullus ; E ngl ish Translatio n , 2 vo ls . 8v o .

9
H o rac e , E p istl e xx 1. .
G
O de xxii .

3
Tibullus , B o o k I II .
, e egl . I .
— 7
E n g l ish Translatio n .

4
I b id , iii x, 9
. . .
 B OOK S I N TH E TI M E S OF TH E GR E E K S A N D R OMA N S
'

.
41

Th e reference to t h e covers an d bosses bein g of a new ch aracter s h ows th at t h e

custo m was to intro duce great variety in th e style of orna m ent Th e a ireeta p lu m oo .
’
,

M P e ign o t in h is E ss ay on t h e B ooks of t h e A n cients t h inks refers to t h e parch m ent

”
.
, ,

of wh ic h t h e cover was co m pose d bein g cut with a square fro m C atullus appearin g to
, ,

direct attention to t h e e x terior for m an d con dition of th e bin din g an d furth er groun ds
h is opinion fro m t h e book or roll bein g describe d as written on olz a r ta reg ia an d t h e ,

covers bein g of parc h m en t (m em bra n a) as above describe d P alinep sesto of course refers , .
, ,

to t h e practice of eras in g an o ld writin g fro m t h e paper in or der to write upon it a gain .

T h e Zo ra ru bra of C atullus were two strin gs of coloure d riban d or leath er attach e d ,

to t h e last sh eet or cover of t h e volu m e roun d wh ich w h en it was rolled up t h ey were , , ,

fastened so as to keep t h e wh ole ti gh t and firrn j an d prevent t h e lo dgm ent of dust

“
“

an d i nsects . B u t so m e sc h olars suppose th at by lo ra ru oa a parch m ent case is m e an t 1L .

O n t h e outsi de of t h e cover t h e title of t h e w ork was generally inscribe d .

C h rysosto m w h o flouris h e d in t h e fourth century an d w h o doubtless fou n de d h is

, , , ,

argu m ent On w h at h e h ad frequently s e en done at C onstantinople or by t h e ,

E as tern princes w h o h ad business to transact with t h e Greek e m perors very particular ly ,

allu des to t his custo m I n h is re m arks on a dispute d passage of t h e B ible h e obs erves
.
,

th at it re fe rre d to t h e t itle written on th e wrapper w h ich si gni fie d T h e M essia h

fl
“
'

, ,

”
co m eth . A n d A quilla w h o ou r ,

ish e d a h un dre d years earlier gives ,

2
t h e sa m e interpretation Th is su g .

gests a m ore distinct i dea of t h e

passage as wh en referre d to th e c ase
in wh ich t h e roll was enclose d t h e AN N
,
ROL CI E T L .

i m pression beco m es clear an d ener

getic i m plyin g th at t h e subject of t h e book is t h at t h e M essiah co m eth w h ic h “
, ,

title m i gh t with great propriety be w ri tten or e m broi dere d on t h e wra pper or case in
wh ich it was kept 3 Th e en gravin g gives t h e general appearan ce of a book wh en
.

c o m plete d in its roll for m .

Fro m t h e p eris h able n ature of t h e m aterials of wh ich rolls an d t h eir coverin gs

wer e c om pose d an d t h e destruction of the m frequent in ti m es of war it h app ens
, ,

t h at Very few perfect speci m ens h ave been preserve d to our days Th e excavations .

at H ercul aneu m t h e discovery of th e ruins of wh ich took place in 1 7 1 3 h ave th rown so m e

,
“

furth er li gh t upon t h e subj ect H ere after a lapse of nearly twenty centuries several
.
, ,

th ousan d papyri h ave been acquire d T h irty nine years after t h e first discovery of t h e city
.
-
,

in m akin g an excavation in a gar den at Resina in t h e r em ains of a h ouse su ppose d to h av e ,

belon ge d to L Piso a great nu m ber of papyrus rolls were foun d Th ey were ran ge d in
.
,
.
'

presses rou n d t h e si des of a s m all roo m in t h e centre of wh ich was a sort of rectangular ,

bookcase ; m any of t h e rolls were at first destroye d by t h e Wo rk in en w h o ft o m t h e , ,

Go ll . s D ictio nary o fAntiquities

S ee Sm ith
’
.

C alm et s Dictio nary v o l iii p 1 2 9 e dition 1 836

’
.
, . .
, . ,

H arm e r s Ob s e rvatio n s o n S cripture

”
v o l iv
3 ’ “ 10
p ,
. .
, . .
42 B OOK S OF TH E A N CI E N TS .

colour given by age took th e m to be sticks of c h arcoal ,

Wh en h owever it was .
, ,

discovere d th at t h ey were ancient m anuscripts t h e attention of t h e learne d was directe d ,

towards th eir preservation Fat h er Pia ggi invente d a m ach ine for unrollin g th e m but
.

m any of t h e m h ave been destroye d so m e cru m blin g into dust on t h e sli gh test touc h ,
—
.

George IV t h en Pri nce of W ales took m uch interest in t h e m atter an d at h is own

.
, , ,

private cost e m ployed several gentl em en in t h e task of unrollin g an d decip h erin g t h e m 1

.

A m on g Oth ers Sir H D avy visite d t h e spot for t h e purpose of assistin g, but fro m so m e
.

suppose d i m pe di m ents w h ic h obstructe d h is research gave up t h e e x peri m en t after a , ,

little success h ad atten de d h is en deavours It is to t h e s h ape of th ese rolls an d t h e .

,

coverin gs t h ey m ay h ave h ad we h ave to refer ; in sh ape t h e en gravin g on page 38 gives

, ,

a correc t representati o n an d of t h e state in wh ic h th ey were fo u n d t w o letters receive d ,

‘

in th is country about t h e m i ddle of t h e last century present a ful l account O n e letter

'

.
,

fro m Ca m illo P ade rn i keeper of t h e m useu m at Portici a m on g oth er th in gs describes a

, , ,
-

room t h e floor of wh ic h was form e d of m osaic work H e says It appears to h ave been
.
.
_

a library adorned with presses inlai d with di fferent sorts of woo d disposed in rows at
, , , ,
”
t h e top of wh ic h were cornices H e was burie d in t h at spo t m o re t h an ten days ; h e
“ ‘ '

took away t h ree h un dre d an d twenty seven m anuscripts all in Greek c h aracter s ; t h ere -

was also a bun dle consistin g of ei gh teen volu m es w rapp ed rou n a w z t/t j oa rk of a tree ;
'
’
, ,

t h ey were L atin T h e secon d from anoth er person describes a c h am ber of a h ouse in

.
, ,
“

H erculaneu m w h ere was fou nd a great nu m ber of rolls about h a

,
lf a pal m lon g an d ,
-

roun d ; th ey appeare d like roots of woo d all black an d see m in g to be only of one , ,

piece ; one of th e m fallin g upon t h e groun d broke in t h e m i ddle an d m any letters were , ,
.

observed by w h ich it was first known th at t h e rolls were of papyru s T h ere were about
,

a h un dred an d fifty rolls in woo den cases much burnt T h is writer m entio ns t h e ,
“

. .

unrollin g of a tract on m usic by Ph ilo de m u s w h ic h h ad about si x ty colu m ns each , , ,

colu m n h avin g twenty lines of t h e th ird of a pal m lon g H e also says th ere were L atin
‘
“

.
,

m anuscripts so m e of w h ich were so volu m inous t h at u n rolled th ey woul d take up a “

, , ,

d
h un dre pal s m
?
A lo ng in t e rv al / t o o k place between t h e pu blication of t h is treatise
an d any subsequent fra gm e nts ?
Th e R o m ans bestowe d no less care a nd attention on t h e preserv ation of m anuscripts
t h an th ey did on t h e preparation an d production of th em Plin y says th at t h e books of .
‘

N u m a were preserve d un der groun d for five h un dre d an d th irty fiv e y e ars fro m h avin g
'

_ ,

4
h
’
d
been rubbe wit e c a r ia m an d enclose d in boxes for m e d of ce dar T h e testi m ony of .

O vi d C atullus an d ot h ers h as been before a dduce d as to its application for th is purpose

, , .

Ce dar oil ga v e t h e paper a yellow tin ge 5 .

I n addition to coverin g th e m t h e R o m ans were accusto m ed to fur th er protect ,

th eir rolls fro m inj ury by placin g t h e m ost valuable in c ases or c h ests of cedar wood ,

with t h e titles or labels at top in th e followin g m anner .

T h is case was called by th e m ser in iu nz (der1 v sorz oo I write) an d eapsa or .

, , , ,

H e rc u lan en sia , p refac e E din bu rg h R ev iew , xlviii 3 53,

“
i
.
3
. an d Qu a r ter ly R ev iew , v
. I .

N at H ist , xiii 1 3
2 ”
Ib id .
, 192 .
4 “
. . .

‘
O vid, Tris t 3 ; M artial , iii H o rac e ,
”
5 “
, iii . I, I . 2 ; “
A P .
, 33 1 .
 B O OK S I N TH E TI M E S OF TH E GRE E K S A N D R OM A N S .
43

pru la
ea was generally of a circular for m fro m its readier a daptation to t h e s h ape
,
an d ,

of t h e rolls Th ere is a statue of Soph o cles now in t h e L ateran M useu m R o m e

.
-

, , ,

representin g t h e poet stan din g besi de a circular b o x containin g rolls Th e ancients “

in ti m es of war devastation , an d rap aCit y b u rie d t h eir wr itin gs in t h e earth an d th is

, ,
'

m ay at first h ave given rise to t h e u r a niu m .

Wh ate v er t h e sorz n iu m m ay h ave been ori gi

'

nally it bec am e afterwar ds a general sort

,

of bookcase C atullus in excuse t o M anlius

:

.
,

for n ot s en din g h im s om e verses plea ds ,

h avin g only one b o x of h is books wit h h im .

T h is also proves t h at t h e R o mans were in th e <

h abit of takin g a nu m ber of books wit h th e m

‘

to w h atev er p lac e b u sin e ss or pleasure m i gh t

‘

lea d for m in g a sort of travellin g library as

, ,

on e of t h ese box es woul d contain several R O M A N B OO K B O -

X .

volu m es So m e of t h e cases were h i gh ly

.
_

orn a m ented O n e foun d at H erculaneu m but wh ich cru m bled to dust soon after its
.
_ ,

discovery bore busts of D e m ost h enes E picurus H er m es an d Z eno

, , , ,
.

III .

Wh ile
roll w as t h e form a dopte d for t h e m ore len gt h y works by t h e Greeks an d
the
Ro m ans t h ey appear for a lon g perio d to h ave m ade use of table books or p ug illa r ia
“

, ,

(literally na n a ooo ks so called on account of th eir s m all di m ensions w h ich allowe d of

’
, ,

t h eir bein g h el d in th e h an d or fist ) fo r t h e -

purpose of takin g n otes keepin g accounts , ,

etc T h ese were tablets of ivory woo d or

.
, ,

m etal th inly covere d wit h w ax t h e writin g

, ,

upo n wh ich with a stylus or iron pen coul d, ,

be erased an d written in aga in at p le asure I

.

Pliny states t h at t h e publi c acts a m on g t h e

2

m ost re m ote nations were wri tten in lea den

books Th e existence of books for m e d of
.

'

th is m etal is fu rt h e r su p p o rt e d by t h e testi RO MA N O O K S A N D W R IT N G M A TE R A L B I I .

m o ny of j o b Suetonius a n d Fro n t in u s
3
,
Th e , .

e minent antiquary M ontfaucon purch ased a book at Ro m e in t h e year 1 7 9 9 wh ich h e ,

describes as co m pose d en tirely of lead : I t is about 4 inch es lon g by 3 wi de N o t “

.

only t h e pieces wh ic h for m t h e cover but also all t h e leaves in nu m ber six t h e stick , , ,

inserte d into t h e rin gs w h ic h h ol d t h e leaves to geth er t h e h in ges an d t h e nails are

, , ,

” 4
all of lead with out exception , It containe d E gyptian gnostic fi gures an d writin g .
,
.

1
N o te t o Catullus , O de xxxix .
2 "N at H ist . . xiii 1
, . .

P e rh ap s t h e p assag e in J o b m ay refe r t o t h e p ractic e o f fi ll ing in c is e d l ette r o n sto n e ith l ead

3
w .

4
M o n tfauc o n , “ A ntiq ii 37 8 . . .
44 B OOK S OF TH E A N CI E N TS .

M ontfaucon presente d it to M but wh at h as beco m e of it

. the C ar dinal de B ouillon , .

i s unknown T h ese lea den plates were frequently so e x tre m ely th in t h at th ey m i gh t

.

easily be rolle d up A n ancient auth or tells u s t h at th ey were beaten wit h a

.

l 2
h a m m er until t h ey were ren ere d d h
very t in an d l
pliab e C atullus a dverts to .

s o m e wanton girl w h o h ad j estin gly stolen h is p u g z lla r ia or poetical notes A tablet

'

.
,

fro m H erculaneu m is represente d below

“

Th e leave s fro m two to six or ei gh t in n u m ber , ,

were connecte d togeth er at t h e back by rin gs ; in

t h e ce ntre of each leaf was a sli gh t projection or
button to prevent t h e notes o n t h e w ax bein g ,

destroye d or deface d A ccor din g to t h e nu m ber of .

leaves th ey were calle d du p lic e s triplices q u in t u , , ,

p lic e s etc A duple x tablet is h ere i n tro duce d ; , .

an d fro m t h e sa m e source we are en able d to presen t

R O M A N TA B E O F TW O E AVE S
L T L .

one with th ree leaves Th ey were in use in t h e .

ti m e of H o m er an d accordin g to P liny were intro duce d befo re t h e Troj an war 4

3
, .

Th e dre a dful to k e n o f h is dire intent ,

H e in th e g il ded t a bl es w ro te a n d s en t .
” 5

M artial ‘
3
m akes m ention of tablets of parc h m en t covere d wit h w ax T h e earliest .

‘
e x tant exa m ple of a R o m an tablet m ay now be seen at t h e m us eu m at N aples ; upon
t h e wax is recor de d a pay m ent m a de to U m b ric ia j u n u aria date d AD 55 I t w as
'

. .
,

found at Po m peii in 1 87 5 Two speci m ens of an cient R o m an tablets h ave been foun d
.

in t h e gol d m ines in Transylvania one of fir woo d ,

t h e ot h er of beec h each consisti ng of th ree leaves , .

Th ey are about t h e size of a m o dern octavo book .

Th e outer parts e xh ibit a plain surface of woo d th e ,

inner parts are covered with a layer of wax sur

rounded by a raised m ar gi n of t h e woo d ; t h e
e dges of one si de are pierced th at th ey m ay be
” M A N T A B L E T ° F T H R EE LEA VES
fastene d to gether by m eans of a threa d or wire
~
.

T he w ax is so t h in t h at t h e stylus of t h e writer h as cut th rou gh it into t h e woo d below .

O n bot h tablets t h e writin g still re m ains an d on one t h e na m e of t h e consul is giv en

'

deter m inin g t h e date to be A D .

.

T h e convenience of t h e square for m in t h ese tablets ulti m ately le d to its adoption

for al m ost every description of writin g Th e h onour of t h e intro duction of bin din g .
,

co m pose d of separate leaves as now univ ersally practise d th rou gh out E urope h as been
, ,

accorde d to E u m enes Kin g of Perga m us wh o m we h ave before referre d to as t h e

, ,

1 “
H e rc u lan e n sia , 100 .
4
H erc u lan e n sia , 10 1 .

2
Ode xxxix 0
5
Ho m e r
’
s I l iad vi O 1 68
3
H o m er s I l iad, B o o k VI
’
. E p istl e xiv 7
6
. .

7
S e e M ass m ann ; a n d S m ith ’ s D ictio nary o f Antiq uitie s su b Ta bu l ce ; also W . M as k ell ,
Ivo rie s , p . 23 .
 B OOK S I N TH E TI M E S OF TH E GR E E K S A N D R OM / I N S .
45

1
inventor of parch m ent ; but t h e flat for m of book m ust h ave been use d at a m u c h
earlier date t h an h is re ign .

Wh en books of fol ded for m ca m e into use t h e necess ity of a cover woul d be even
m ore apparent th an for t h e rolls an d h ence gra dually arose bookbin din g in its presen t ,
'

sh ape A t first t h e leaves were si m ply tie d to geth er with riban d t h e rib an d for m in g
’

.
,

a h in ge si m ilar to t h e rin gs i n t h e tablets before represented T h e for m an d m anner .

will be un derstoo d fro m t h e en gravin g given bel ow .

T h e cover at first no doubt woul d be si m ply a leaf of parch m ent or so m e oth er , , ,

skin Th is woul d soon be foun d of itself insu fficient an d probabl y su ggest t h e use of
.
,

boards, wh ic h were very early adopted Bruce t h e A byssinian trave ller h ad in h is

~
.
, ,

possessio n a large an d very perfect m an u script (gu p apy ru s ; a gnostic book full of “
’ '

th eir drea m s wh ich h ad been du g up at Th ebes an d w h ic h h e believe d was t h e only

, ,

perfect on e th en kn own Speakin g of it h e says : T h e boards or covers for bin din g

“

.
“

t h e leave s are of papyrus root covere d first with coarse pieces of t h e paper an d th en , ,

with leath er in t h e sam e m ann er as it woul d be done now It is a book th at we s h oul d

,
.

call a s m all folio ; an d I appreh en d th at t h e

s h ape of t h e book wh ere papyrus is e m ploye d , ,

was always of th e sa m e form with th ose of t h e

”
m o de m s (In th is latter re m ark B ruce is
.

deci de dly wron g ) Th e woo dy part of t h e .

“

root of t h e papyrus serve d for boa rds or cover

We know th at t h is was
’

in gs of t h e leaves
A N D F OR M N G A H N G
.

R O MA N TA ET W H R BL IT IB I I E,
anciently one use of it both fro m A lc ae u s an d ,

A nac reon T h e E t h iopians use woo d for t h e outer coverin g of t h eir books an d cover
.
,

t h is wit h leath er .

A not h er t rav e lle r D r H o gg h as adde d to our store of knowle dge of t h e early for m
,
'

.
,
'

of books in a description of two papyri foun d at T h ebes H e re lat e s th at a m on g t h e .

various obj ects of antiquity w h ich were purc h ase d fro m t h e A rabs were two papyri t h e , ,

o ne i n Co ptic t h e oth er in Greek b oth in t h e for m of books T h e Greek papyrus h as

, , .

been discovere d to contain a portion of t h e Psal m s Th e le av e s of about 1 0 i nch es

'

.
,

in len gth by 7 inch es in Wi dt h are arran ge d an d h ave been sewn to get h er like t h ose o f
i
, ,
-

an or din ary book t h ey are for m e d of strips of th e papyrus plant crossin g each oth er
’

, ,

at ri gh t an gles Th e m an u scrip ts were both discovere d a m on g t h e rubbis h of an ancient

. .

convent at T h ebes re m arka b le as still preservin g a m on g its treas ures so m e fragm ents
,

of an inscription purportin g to be a pastoral letter fro m A th anasius P atriarc h of

, ,

A le x an dria w h o die d AD , Th e portion of t h e Psal m s is now I n t h e B ritis h .

M useu m an d consists of about t h irty leaves

,
Th e C optic m anuscript contains a h un dre d .

an d fifty pa ges fol de d in t h e for m now a dopte d by u s but h as never bee n boun d
, It ,
.

w as in t h e collection of J B urton E sq w h en sol d by M essrs Soth eby S on M r .

, .
, . . .

T h orpe bookseller of Picca dilly was t h e purch aser at t h e su m of £84

, , , ,
.

V o ssius , B ayle , M o ntfauc o n , et c . Trave ls , v ii . 8 .

3
V isit t o A l exandria , et c .
,
11 .
31 2 .
46 B OOK S OF TH E A N CI E N TS
’
“

T h ese an d m any subsequent discoveries prove a very early kno w ledge of an d

"

consi derable proficiency in t h e art of bookbin din g as now practise d W h en once t h e .

leaves were sec nre d t h e subsequent s tage s of coverin g an d ornam entin g w oul d soon
“

follow B ruce describes t h e book h e h ad as bein g covered with leath er ; an d S u idas

.
,

w h o live d in t h e tenth c entury an d w h o woul d reason fro m perso nal kn owle dge of ,

bin din gs of m uch earlier ti m es h owever erroneous h is opinion s on alc h e m y may h ave
’

, .

'

been confir m s t h e use o f leath er for t h e purpose Of bin din g by t h e ancients I n h is

, .

fl
L exicon h e describes c h e m istry as t h e art of makin g gol d an d states th at t h e g olden ,

eece in search of w h ic h j aslo n an d t h e A r gonauts went was not h in

, g else t h an a book ,

1
bo u n d in skeef s/cin wh ic h tau gh t t h e art of m akin g gol d
-

,
.

T h e m aterials use d an d style of decoration a dopte d by t h e ancients for t h e

“

e m bell is h m ent of t h eir rolls h ave been described W h en t h e square for m of book beca m e .

general it presente d a m ore a m ple fiel d for display t h an t h e roll h ad done an d all t h e ,

knowledge of book decorati on previously acquire d was brou gh t into requisition an d “

consi derably i m prove d up o n f I n a ddition to t he stainin g or colouri ng it is but ‘

'

- .

reasonable to suppose various orna m e n ts woul d soon be a dded by people to wh o m m any

'

of t h e fine arts were so fa m iliar W e h ave direct testi m ony of t h e adoption of i m presse d
.
“

gol d orna m ents an d t h e D I P T Y CH to w h ic h we s h all now re fer proves th at sculpture d

, , ,

fi gures an d other carve d e m bellis h m ent were very e xtensively intro duce d
To enter fully i nto a description of t h e nature for m an d circu m stan ces connecte d , ,

with t h e diptych cann ot fro m its great extent h ere be effected Gori h as fil led th ree
, , .

folio volu m es on t h e subject an d to h is learne d work we m ust be content to refer t h e

,

curious in th is m atter Furth er infor m ation m ay be foun d in M j L ab art e s A rts of

. . .
’ “

t h e M i ddle A ges in Professor W estwoo d s Fictile Ivories an d in W M askell s

,
” “ ’
, .
’

H an dbook to Ivories D iptyc h s h ave been classe d un der two h eads t h e con sular an d
.
,

ecclesiasti c T h e for m er will h ere en ga ge our attention reservin g t h e latter to t h e

.
,

ne xt ch apter as co m in g properly un der t h e perio d devoted to t h e consi deration of

,

t h e bin din gs m ore i m m e diately connecte d with m onastic an d reli gious institutions .

I t is k nown t h at fro m about t h e year 1 0 0 0 B C down to t h e Ch ristian era th ere

,
. .
,

was a constant succession of artists in ivory in th e countries of W estern A sia E gypt , ,

Greece an d in I taly Ivory tablets of great antiquity h ave been foun d a m ong t h e ruins
, .

of N ineveh T h ese ancient works of art are carve d gilt an d en a m elled s h owing th at
.
, , ,

th ey were by no m eans th e first atte m pts at orna m ent of th is description Th e R o m an .

consular diptyc h s are i m po rtant works of art t h e earliest yet foun d is sai d to be of
t h e m i ddle of t h e t h ir d century w h ile t h e latest belon gs to t h e m i ddle of t h e si x t h
, .

D i ptyc h s of t h is kin d were part of t h e presents sent by new consuls on t h eir appoint m ent
to o ffice to e m inent pe rsons to senators to governors of provinces an d to frien ds T h ey
, , , .

varied both in m aterial an d work m ans h ip accordin g to th e di gnity of t h e person for ,

?
wh o m th ey were inten de d Sy m m ach us w h o was consul in 39 1 A D states in one o f , . .
,

h is letters 3 t h at h e sent to e m inent persons a diptych overlai d wit h gol d to ot h er frien ds ,

1 E din bu rg lz R ev iew ,
i . 2
56 .
3
W M as k e ll
.
, I v o rie s , Anc ient and M e dize v a l ,
”
p . 23 .

Sy m m ac h us , L e tt ers , Bo o k V
3 ”
.
 B O OK S I N TH E TI N/ E S OF TH E G RE E K S A N D R OM A N S .
47

ivory an d silver tablets For people of lower rank doubtless t h e diptych s woul d be of
.

c h eaper m aterial of bo ne or woo d W h en so m any woul d be require d by t h e consul of

,
.

t h e year it w as i m possible t h at al l coul d be m a de by goo d artists an d probably one ,

or t w o of t h e best kin d were rou gh ly copied by co m m on work m en R api dly as art .

declin e d durin g t h e t h ree centuries after t h e birt h of Constantine as s h own especially

“

in th ese ivory carvin gs t h ere is neverth eless a certain lin gerin g attac h m ent to th e
, , ,

ol der tra ditions ; if t h e orna m ental detail beco m es over abun dant t h e outline of t h e -

desi gn an d t h e attitu de of t h e fi gures retaine d so m ew h at of t h e di gnity of t h e ol der

m o dels T h is is particularly noticeable in t h e B yzantine work
. .

T h e p agi lla r ia bein g s m all as before describe d were use d for private m e m oran , ,

du m s ; w h ilst t h e diptyc h of lar ge di m ensions (usually a bout 1 2 inc h es in len gt h

“

by 5 or 6 inc h es in brea dt h ) m ore especially appert ained to t h e public acts of

t h e consuls m a gistrates an d ot h er functionaries
,
H ence t h ey are called con su la r
,
.

dip ty c/z s A nyt h in g double d or doubly fol de d is a diptyc h ; t h e wor d t h ou gh of

.
, ,

Greek derivation is c h iefly applie d to tablets use d by t h e R o m ans for writin g upon
, .

A diptyc h consiste d of two leaves j oine d to get h er by a h in ge of so m e kin d ; t h e two ,

'

in ner si des b ein g covere d wit h wax to receive t h e w rit in g w h ile t h e outer si des were ,

eit h er left plain or a dorne d wit h carvin gs an d orna m ents of various kin ds D iptyc h s .

were of si m ilar c h aracter but di fferen t application to p ug illa ria T h e n a m es of t h e .

consuls an d t h e titles t h ey respectively bore generally in a c ontracte d for m were

, , ,

inscribe d upon th e m T h e n ature of t h e carvin g etc was m uc h alike in desi gn t h ou gh

.
, .
, ,

of varyin g quality; O f twelve described by Gori very little difference exists bein g ,

full len gt h portraits of t h e consuls an d co m part m ents e xh ibitin g t h e peculiar ga m es an d

-

a m use m ents of t h e people A description of one w h ic h h e desi gnates t h e D I PTY CH O N

.
,

”
L E O DI E N S E wil l fully illustrate t h e nature of th eir e x tensive an d elaborate orna m ent
, .

I n t h e centre of eac h si de is a portrait of t h e consul seate d h ol din g in on e h an d a ,

baton an d in t h e oth er upraise d a purse as if in t h e act of th rowin g it to so m e victor

, , , ,

in th e ga m es A bove are th ree m iniature portraits various ot h er orna m ents an d t h e

.
, ,

i n scription B elow on one boar d is a representation of a co m bat with wil d beasts O n

.
, , .

t h e ot h er are two m e n lea din g out h orses for t h e race an d ben eat h t h e m a group wit h
, , ,

a l u dicrous representation of two ot h er m e n ex h ibitin g t h e stren gt h of th eir en durance

of pain by allowin g crabs to fasten on th eir noses Th e fra m ework an d general detail .

are filled up with t h e best e ffect an d proportion H e pronounces th e inscription to refer .

”
to A N A S TA S I U S Consul O rie n t is A D 5 1 7 an d h is n am e an d title as A n as t asiu s P a u lu s
'

.
, , ,

P r o ou s S aoia n u s P o mp e z u s, itu v z ,
’

v ir ilu s t ris do m es/icor u nz l ordin a r iu s

l
co m es eq u et con su .

Th e inscriptions on several ot h ers are of a like c h aracter but one t h e D iptyc h on , ,

”
B it u ric e n se relatin g to t h e above A n astasiu s h as al m ost si m ilar words T h is latter
, , .

dipty c h appears to h ave foun d its way into t h e R oyal L ibrary Paris as it is describe d , ,

by D r D. ib d n in his tour as well as a letter inserte d in it written by a M ons M ercier

i 2
, , .
,

on t h e subject o f D iptych s taken principally fro m Gori , .

For t h e better un derstan din g of t h is part of t h e subject an il lustration is given of a

Go ri ’
s Th e saurus V e t D ip tyc h o ru m ,. i .
2
V o l ii . . 1 47 .
46 B OOK S OF TH E A N CI E N TS .

T h ese an d m any subsequent discoveries prove a very early knowle dge of an d

“

consi derable proficiency in t h e art of bookbin din g as now practise d W h en once th e .

leaves were se c nre d t h e subsequent s tages of coverin g an d orn am entin g w oul d soon
,
"

follow B ruce describes t h e book h e h ad as bein g covered with leath er ; an d S u idas

.
,

w h o live d in t h e tent h century an d w h o woul d reason fro m perso nal knowle d e of

g,

bin din gs of m uch earlier ti m es h owever e rro n e o u s h is o p in io n so n alch e m y may h ave

,

been confir m s t h e use of leath er for t h e purpose Of bin din g by t h e an eie n t s I n h is

'

.
,

fl
'

L exicon h e describes c h e m istry as t h e art of m akin g gOld an d states t h at t h e g olden ,

eece in searc h of w h ic h j ason an d t h e A r gonauts went was not h in

, g else t h an a book ,

bou n d in s/z eep sb n wh ic h tau gh t t h e art of aki g gol d

i -

,
m n 1
.

Th e m aterials use d an d style of decoration a dopte d by t h e ancients for t h e

“

e m bellish m ent of t h eir rolls h ave been describe d W h en t h e square for m of book beca m e .

general it presente d a m ore a m ple fiel d for display t h an t h e rOll h ad do n e an d all t h e ,

.

knowledge of book decorati on previously acquire d was brou gh t into requisition an d

consi derably im prove d upon I n a ddition to t h e stainin g or colouri ng it is but
'

.
,

reasonable to suppose various ornam ents woul d soon be a dded by peopl e to wh o m m any “

of t h e fine arts were so fa m iliar W e h ave direct testi m ony of t h e adoption of i m pressed
.
“

gol d orna m ents an d t h e D I P TY CH to w h ic h we s h all now refer proves th at sculpture d

, , ,

fi gures an d other carve d e m bellis h m ent were very e xtensively intro duced .

To enter fully i nto a descri ption of t h e nature for m an d circu m stan ces connecte d , ,

wit h t h e diptych cannot fro m its great e xtent h ere be effected Gori h as fil le d th ree
, ,
.

folio volu m es on t h e subject an d to h is l earne d work we m ust be content to refer t h e

,

curious in t h is m atter Furth er inform ation m ay be foun d in M j L ab art e s A rts of

. . .
’

t h e M i ddle A ges in Professor W estw oo d s Fict ile I vories an d in W M askell s

,
” “ ’
, .
’

H an dbook to Ivories D iptyc h s h ave been classe d un der two h eads t h e consular an d
.
,

ecclesiastic T h e for m er will h ere en ga ge our attention reservin g t h e latter to t h e

.
,

next c h apter as co m in g properly un de 1 t he perio d devote d to t h e consi deration of

,

t h e bin din gs m ore i m m e diately connecte d with m on astic an d reli gious institutions .

I t is known th at fro m abo ut t h e year 1 0 0 0 B C down to t h e Ch ristian era t h ere

,
. .
,

w as a constant succession of artists in ivory in t h e countries of W estern A sia E gypt .

, ,

Greece an d in Italy Ivory tablets of great antiquity h ave been foun d a m ong t h e ruins
,
.

of N ineveh T h ese ancient works of art are carve d gilt an d en am elled s h owin g th at
.
, , ,

t h ey were by no m eans th e first atte m pts at orna m ent of th is description Th e R o m an .

consular diptyc h s are im p0 1 t an t works of art ; t h e earliest yet foun d is sai d to be of

t h e m i ddle of t h e th ir d century w h ile t h e latest belon gs to t h e m i ddle of t h e si x t h
, .

D i ptyc h s of th is kin d were par t of t h e presents sent by new consuls on th eir appoint m en t
t o o nice to e m inent persons to senators to governors of provinces an d to frien ds Th ey
’
, , , .
,

varied both in m aterial an d work m ans h ip according to t h e di gnity of t h e person for ,

?
wh o m th ey were inten de d Sy m m ac h us w h o was consul in 39 1 A D states in one of ,
. .
,

3
h is letters th at h e sent to e m inent persons a diptyc h overlai d wit h gol d to ot h er frien ds ,

1
E din bu rg h R ev i ew , i . 2 56 .
3
W M ask e ll
.
, I v o rie s , A nc ient an d M e dia v al, ” p . 23 .

"
3
Sy m m ach us , L e tte rs , Bo o k V .
 B O OK S IN TH E TI I WE S OF TH E GRE E K S A N D R OM A N S .
47

ivory an d silver tablets For people O f lower rank doubtless t h e diptych s woul d be o f
.

c h eaper m aterial of bone or woo d W h en so m any woul d be require d by t h e consul of

,
.

t h e year it w as i m possible t h at al l coul d be m a de by goo d artists an d probably one ,

or two of t h e best kin d were rou gh ly copied by co m m on work m en R api dly as art .

decline d durin g t h e t h ree centuries after t h e birt h of Constantine as sh own especially

‘

in th ese ivory carvin gs t h ere is neverth eless a certai n lin gerin g attach m ent to t h e
, , ,

ol der tra ditions ; if t h e orn a m ental detail beco m es over abun dant t h e outline of t h e -

desi gn an d t h e attitu de of t h e fi g ures retaine d s om ew h at of t h e di gnity of t h e ol der

m o dels T h is is particularly n oticeable in t h e B yzantine work
. .

Th e p u gi lla r ia bein g s m all as before describe d were use d for private m e m oran , ,

du m s ; wh ilst t h e diptyc h of lar ge di m e nsion s (u sually about 1 2 inc h es in len gt h

“

by 5 Or 6 in ch es in brea dth ) m ore especially appertained to t h e public acts of '

t h e consuls m a gistr a tes an d oth er functionaries

,
H e n c e t h ey are called con su la r
,
.

dipty c/z s A nyt h in g double d or doubly fol de d is a diptyc h ; th e wor d t h ou gh of

.
, ,

Greek derivatio n is c h iefly applie d to tablets used by t h e R om ans for writin g upon
'

, .

A diptyc h consiste d of two leaves j oin e d to g et h er b y a h in ge of so m e kin d ; t h e two ,

inner si des b ein g covere d with w ax to receive t h e writin g w h ile t h e outer si des were ,

eith er left plain or a dorne d with carvin gs an d orna m ents of various kin ds D iptych s .

were of si m ilar ch aracter but di fferent applicatio n to p ug illa ria Th e na m es of t h e

“

consuls an d t h e titles th ey respectively bore genera lly in a con t racted for m w ere
, , ,

inscribe d upon th em
i
T h e nature of t h e carvin g e tc was m uch alike in desi gn t h ou gh
.
, .
, ,

o f v ary in g quality O f twelve describe d by Gori very little di fference e x ists bein g
.
,

full len gth portraits of t h e consuls an d co m partm ents e xh ibitin g t h e peculiar ga m es an d

-

a m use m ents of t h e people A description of one w h ic h h e desi gnates t h e D I PTY CH O N.

,

L E OD I E N S E Will fully illustrate t h e nature of t h eir e x tensive an d elaborate orna m ent

”
.
,

I n t h e centre of e ac h side is a portrait of t h e consul seated h ol din g in one h an d a

'

baton an d in t h e o th er upraised a purse as if in t h e act of th rowin g it to so m e victor

, , , ,

in t h e ga m es A bove are th ree m iniature portraits various oth er orn a m ents an d t h e

.
“

, ,

inscription Below on one boar d is a representation of a co m bat with wil d beasts O n

.
, ,
.

t h e ot h er are two m e n leadin g o u t h orses for t h e race an d beneat h t h e m a group wit h

, , ,

a lu dic ro u s re pre se n t at io n of two oth er m e n e xh ibitin g t h e stren gth of th eir en dura nce
’

of pain by allowin g c rab s t o fasten o n t h eir noses Th e fra m ework an d general detail
'
.

are filled up with t h e best e ffect an d proportion H e pronounces th e inscr iption to refer .

”
to AN AS TA S I U S Consul O rien t is A D 5 1 7 an d h is na m e an d title as A n ast asiu s P a u lu s
, , .
,

P ro bu s S a bia n u s P o mp eia s, i uitu m , et co n su l o rdin a r iu s

'
1
v zr ilu st ris co m es d o u z est co r u u z eq .

Th e
inscriptions on several oth ers are of a like ch aracter but one t h e D iptyc h on , ,
”
B it u ric en se relatin g to t h e above A n astasiu s h as al m ost si m ilar wor ds T h is latter
, ,
.

diptych appears to h ave foun d its way into t h e R oyal L ibrary Paris as it is describe d , ,

by D r D ib din in his tour as well as a letter inserte d in it written by a M ons M ercier

.
2
, ,
.
,

on t h e subject of D iptych s taken principally fro m Gori , .

For t h e better un derstan din g of th is part of t h e subject an il lustration is given of a

“

Go r s Th e saurus V et D ip ty c h o ru m , 2
V o l ii
’
i . i . . . 1 47 .
48 B O OK S OF TH E A N CIE N TS .

diptyc h fro m th e library of t h e V atican It refers to th e Consul Boeth ius w h o flourish e d

.
,

AD 4 87
.
Its c h aracter is seen in t h e en gravin g
.
A si m i lar fi gure seate d with t h e .
, ,

pu rse and upraise d h an d is on t h e ot h er si de wh ich bears part of t h e inscription

, , ,

N AR M AN LB O E TH I VS VC E TI N L
E X P PP VS E C C O N S O R D E TP ATR I C ,

an d wh ich Gori in a len gt h ened description interprets

, ,

as referrin g to M an liu s B oetlt iu s con su l ordin a r iu s et

“

”
p a t riciu s .

O f t h is description
of orna m ent did m any of t h e
si de covers of books of for m er ti m es consist as we sh a l l ,
.

h ave occasion soon to s h ow an d th ere can be bu t little

doubt t h at t h e Greeks an d Ro m ans were profuse in th i s
a ddition to t h e beauty of th eir literary treasures M ont .

1
faucon in h is research es relative to an cient literature
, ,

confir m s m any of t h e facts th at h ave been brou gh t for

ward H e says “
Th e Greeks after t h e custo m of t h e
.
,

present day fastene d to geth er t h e leaves of th eir books , ,

distribute d into th rees an d fours covere d t h em with calf , ,

or so m e oth er skin generally th icker Th ey stren gth ened .

t h e upper an d lower part w h ere th e book is m ore e m ,

b e llish e d with a woo den tablet glue d to th e si de in or der

,

”
th at t h e leaves m i gh t a dh ere togeth er m ore firm ly .

2
A n d Sc h warz t hat t h e
“
books of t he Ro m ans about ,

t h e ti m e of t h e C h ristian era were covere d at one ti m e ,

,

with red an d yellow leath er at anoth er ti m e with green ,

leath er at one ti m e with purple at anoth er with silver , ,

”
at anoth er with gol d Bu t t h is latter state m ent m ust .

be receive d with som e caution .

T h e auth oritie s cited an d existin g speci m ens of ,

ancien t W ork m ans h ip referred to in illustration of t h e "

subject a m ply prove th at t h e R o m an s were as profuse

,

in t h e e m bellish m ent of th eir book s as th ey were

IVO R D I P TYCH I N r m I RAR Y O F careful in th eir preparation Th ey h ad also th eir l arge
Y , : L B .

H E VA TI C AN R O M E
T , paper copies an d wh at m ay be called th eir h o t presse d
.
,
-

productions still notable in our day bein g t wice , ,

polis h e d with pu m ice 3 Th at t h e art m ust h ave arrived at a consi derable degree of
.

perfection is furth e r confir m e d by t h e accounts of t h e n u m ber of volu m es containe d

~

in th eir public libraries an d wh ic h of necessity woul d require t h e prote ction bin din g
,
‘

g ives to preser v e t h e
m fro m injury I n t h e c e leb rat e d A le x an drian L ibrary consistin g
. ,

1
P al ae o gr Grasc
.
fi ”
4 6 .
9 “
D e O rn am en t . Lib V e t
. . D isp . , iii . 1 66 .

3
N o te s t o Catullus , O de xix .
 B OOK S I N TH E TI M E S OF TH E GRE E K S A N D R OM A N S . 49

of seven h un dred t h ousan d volu m es an d in t h e one subsequently for m e d at Constanti ,

n o p le of upwar ds of a h un dre d an d twenty t h ousan d volu m es doubtless not only ,

t h e co m m on necessity of preservation w oul d be atten de d to but also ele g ance an d ,

e m bellish m ent stu die d Z o n aru s relates th at a m on g oth er treasures in t h e latter library
.

t h ere was a roll a h un dred feet lon g m ade of a dra gon s gu t or intestine on w h ic h ,
’

1
H o m er s I lia d an d O dyssey were w rit t e in letters of gol d O f t h e splen dour of t h e
’

p
.

R o m an libraries it is reporte d t h at t h at of t h e youn ger Gor dian was pave d wit h

m arble an d orna m ente d wit h gol d t h at t h e walls were covere d w it h glass an d ivory , ,

?
an d t h at t h e ar m ouries an d desks were m a de of ebony an d silver
T h e h onour of h avin g su ggeste d t h e foun dation of a public free library at R o m e -

m ust be given to j ulius C aesar T h e sc h e m e was afterwar ds carrie d out by h is frien d .

C A sin iu s Pollio fa m ous as a poet an orator an d t h e h istorian o ft h e Civil W ar Pollio

.
, , , .

die d A D 4 bein g t h en ei gh ty ye ars o f age t h e assassination of Ce sar took place in t h e

'

.
,

ye ar 44 B C so th at t h e openin g of t h e first public library at R o m e m ust be placed

. .
,
.

between th ese dates .

N o r were books i n t h e ti m e of t h e R o m ans so scarce as in perio ds nearer our

own day th ey see m to h ave been ; for i n a ddition to nu m erous public libraries , ,

we fin d m any notices of t h ose of private in divi duals as th at of L u c illu s m entioned , ,

by Plutarc h ; one at Tusculu m na m ed by Cicero ; t hat of A ppe llic o t h e Teian at ,

A t h ens w h ic h S ylla took to R o m e ; t h at o f t h e Pisos foun d at H erculaneu m and

3
, ,

nu m erous oth ers containin g large collections of books T h e testi m ony of Seneca . .
,

Cice ro an d Pliny relative to t h e pleasure th ey derived fro m th eir libraries als o s h ows
,

t h at b o oks were co m paratively plentiful ; th ey were at t h at ti m e an article of c o m

4
m erce . C atullus in an o de to C alvus w h o h ad presente d h im with th e works of
, ,

so m e despicable auth ors pro m ises h im a return of oth ers as w orth less i n search of wh ich , ,

h e says
Let b u t t h e m o m app e ar I ll ru n
’
,

To eve ry booksta ll in t h e tow n

”
.

We "
'
I

P u llo x speaks of booksellers sh ops as bein g a m on g t h e features of seaport town s ’

also fin d m ention O f stalls for t h e sale of books in suc h places ; 6 an d M artial describes
a b o o kse ller s s h op as h avin g all t h e pillars or posts inscribed with t h e titles of
f

ven dible b o Oks t h e best being kept in t h e u pper n idu s an d t h e in ferior in t ose below
,
h 7
,
.

T h at t h ese libra ria or booksellers sh ops existe d in al m ost every large city or to w n ’ “

, ,
10
un der th e Ro m an sway is abun dantly confir m e d by Horace? Pliny Cicero an d oth ers
9
'
, , .

T h is tra de in books m ust h ave given e mp loy m ent to a gre at n u m b e r of BI BLI O P E GI or .

,

BOO K BI N D E R S w h o were always calle d libro ru m co n c in n a tores co mp act ores an d w h o

‘

, , ,
’
appear to h ave h ad un der th eir direction t h e g lu t in a t ores m entioned in Cicero s fourth
.
,

epistle to A tticus .

W arto n s “ E n g P o etry i 1 0 4
1 -
6
D io n isiu s o f H al icar n assus x 5
’
.
, . . , . .

A stl e s 2
W rit in g in tro du c t io n v n
’ 7
E p ig ra m i 1 1 8
“
'

. .
t .

H erc u lan en sia E p istle i 2 0

3 “ 3 ”
“

9 1 , . . .

Ode xiv 4 9
Ep istl e ix I I
“

. .

W P h il i
Bo o k V I I 33 pp ic xi 9
5 . .
. .
 FRO NT I S PI E CE TO FI R S T E D I TIO N .

(The re la tiv e
prop o rti o n s of th e bo oks in th is illu stratio n h av e n ot been taken i n to co n sidera tio n

by th e eng ra v er .
)
Th e b o o k o n th e st an d t o t h e le ft an Aldin e Cic e ro in o rigin al b in din g K in g s Coll ge Lib rary Cam bridge ;
-

’
e ,
,
the t h e righ t Q e e n El i ab e t h s
go l de n M n u l o f P ray e rs b e l o w o n t h l e ft fro m t h e l ibrary
one to u z
’
“
a a
”
n e o e
, ,

of ; an d t o t h e righ t a b rass b o u n d vo l u m e o f t h e fifte e n t h c e n t u ry fro m Lin c o l n C at h e dral

J am e s I .
-

,
.
 C H A P TE R v .

B oOK BI N DI N GS —
l VOR y D I P TYCH S — E A R L Y B o OK B I N D I N GS
B YZ A NTI N E B I N D I N GS .

B OU T t h e fourth century of t h e C h ristian era a c h an ge see m s to h ave

b een m ade in t h e for m of books Th e ancient rolls were gra dually .

supers ede d by t h e m ore convenien t fol ded volu m es an d th e covers of

_ ,

th ese lent t h e m selves rea dil y to t h e h an d of t h e decorator B ook .

bin di ng as now practise d m ay be sai d to h ave th en co m m ence d an d

, , ,

to o w e its Ori gin in a great m easure to t h e influ ence of C h ristianity

, , .

T h e flat for m o f b ook h owever as pr eviousl y state d Was n ot

“
'

, , ,

unkn ow n to t h e R o m ans n o r to th e Gre eks ; but its use was confined chiefly to books
,

of accounts m e m ora nda an d lists of n a m es works of a literary c h aracter bein g usually

, , ,

written upon roll s T h e truth of t h is state m ent is easily prove d by reference to ancient
.

paintin gs an d sculpture as wel l as t o e x ist in g exa m ples of rolls discovere d i n E gypt

, .

an d in Italy .

A s soon a s t h e ancients h ad m a de square b o oks m o re co nvenient t o read t h an t h e

rolls boo kbi ndin g was inven te d writes M Paul L acroix w h o procee ds to define bo e k
,
”
, .
,
‘
‘
bin din g as 5 th e art of reunitin g t h e leaves stitc h ed o r stuc k into a m ovable b ac k _ ,

between two squared pieces of Wo od ivory m etal or leath er “

, , , .

’
Fro m t h e be ginnin g t h e forwardin g or first portion of t h e bookbin der s w o rk h as
'

been constantly th e sa m e Th e s h eets were stitc h e d to gether in or der an d leath er ban ds

.
,

fi x e d transversely at intervals on th e back with th eir ends exten din g an in ch or so

beyon d th e book th ese en ds were th en attac h ed to woo den boar ds w h ic h th u s covere d ,

t h e si des of t h e books fin ally a wrapper Of skin or leat h e r was superi m pose d so as to ,

cover th e back an d t h e exterior sur fac e of t h e woo d an d its m argins turned over th e ,
i
edges of t h e b o z rds fol de d down insi de an d fastened wit h glue So far t h e process o f
, ,
.

for w a rding a bin din g h as always been t h e sa m e th e c h ief ch an ges since t h e fifteent h ,

century bein g in t h e m aterials use d t h e substi t ution of strin g for le ath ern ban ds
,
—
,

1
M P aul L acro ix,
.
“
The A rts oft h e M iddl e Ag e s , p 47 1 . .

53
54 A H I S TOR Y OF TH E A R T OF B O OK B I N D I N G .

of cartoon or pasteboard for wooden si des an d of paper or cloth for t h e leath ern ,
'

covers 1 .

Th ese first bookbin din gs w h ich h ad no oth er obj ect th an th at o f preservin g t h e ,

books no oth er m eri t th an soli dity soon becam e associated with orna m ent wh ic h
, , ,

in fluenc ed by Gree k an d R o m an lu x ury beca m e splen di d in appearance an d of

~

.
,

intrinsic value as well as of artistic m er i t ?

O n e for m of develop m ent of t h is taste for fine bin din gs appeare d on t h e outer
leaves of consular diptyc h s wh ich were briefly referred to in t h e previous ch apter I t , .

m ay be well to m ention t h e m a gain h ere because carve d ivory panels of diptyc h s ,

were in later ti m es often place d upon th e covers of p recious m anuscripts an d in th is ,

way m any beautiful speci m ens of carvin g h ave been h an ded down to our own days
“ “

Th e use o f consular diptyc h s e x ten ds over a perio d fro m th e first or secon d century to t h e
.

si xth T h e earliest known ex a m ple is sai d to date fro m t h e m i ddle of t h e th ir d century

.
,

3
an d t h e latest belon gs t o t h e m i ddle of t h e sixth .

'

Th eodosius E m peror of R o m e pro m ul gated a decree by wh ic h none but consuls

, ,

were allowe d to present diptych s T h is was done because of t h e h onour attach ed to .

‘
1
t h e present People o f rank livin g in t h e provinces recei v ed an d carefully preserved
.

t h ese gifts fro m t h e m a gistrates I n course of ti m e diptych s were given or bequeath ed .

'

to ch urc h es wh ere th ey were lai d by in t re asu rie s in a few instances th ey are still
,

preserve d in t h e province to wh ic h th ey were sent o ri gin ally A fter t h e Ro m an E m pire .

h ad adopte d t h e C h ristian reli gion t h e consuls presente d diptyc h s to t h e principal ,

bis h ops w h o receivin g th e m as a testi m ony of goo dwill an d respect to t h e Ch urch

, , ,
"
place d th e m upon t h e altars th at t h e m agistrate w h o gave th e m m i gh t be r eco m m en de d
to t h e prayers of t h e con gre gation at t h e celebration of ass m
5
Th e use an d purp ose .

of diptych s in t h e public services of t h e C h urch h ave been a subject of m uch discussion -

but th ere can be n o doubt t hat so m e of th em were use d to cover a few leaves of m anu
script o r even wh ole gospels T h eir or 1 gi n Is traceable to t h e v ery earliest C h ristian .

ti m es perh aps to t h e apostolic age as m ention is m a de of th e m in t h e liturgy of

, ,

St M ark 6
. .

U pon ecclesiastical diptyc h s were i nscribe d on t h e w ax of t h e inner surface t h e , ,

1
M r B Q u arit c h , E xam p l e s o f Bo o kb inding in tro du ctio n
‘

.
. .
,

M P aul L acro ix, Th e A rts o f th e M iddl e Ag e s

”
3
. .

3
W M ask ell , Ivo rie s , ” p 2 2 .
. .

L ex xv , “ Co de x Th e o do s ianus ,
4
. L ib xi
. Th e stan dard bo o k up o n t h e subj e ct o f dip tych s . .

is Go ri s “ Th e saurus Vet eru m dipt y c h o ru m Co n su la riu m et E c c le siast ic o ru m (Fl o renc e ,

’

3 vo ls fo l io G o ri de scrib e s n o t o n ly t h e sculp ture d ivo rie s , b u t als o t h e p late s o fg o l d a n d silve r, th e

. .
_

de l icate rkm ansh ip an d e m b ell ish m ents o f th e s e b e autiful o bj ects o f m ediaeval art S inc e h is tim e
w o .
,

h o w eve r m o re e xa m p l e s h ave b e e n disc ove re d ; th e s e are n early all de scrib e d by W e stw o o d in h is

,
.

adm irab l e catal ogu e o f Fictil e Ivo rie s p ub l ish e d in 1 876 C asts o f m o st o f th ese ivo rie s h ave ,
”
.

been ta k en e ith e r by W estw o o d h im self o r by th e A rundel S o c ie ty Th e be st exam p l e s o f carve d .

ivo ry dip ty ch s in th is c o untry are to b e s een at t h e B ritish M us eum So uth K ens ingt o n M useum ; an d
‘

at Liverp o o l .

J ul e s L ab art e A rts o fth e M iddl e Ages p 1 1

5
,
“
,
.

6
W M ask ell I vo rie s p 39
.
, ,
”
. .
 E A RL Y CH RI S TI A N B OOK B I N D I N GS .
55

na m es of neoph ytes (newly baptise d) of ben efactors to t h e C h urch of soverei gns an d , , ,

of bis h ops as well as t h e n a m es of t h e faith ful w h o h ad die d in t h e bosom of t h e Ch urch

, ,
?
saints artyrs priests
,
m a n d lay en
m
, To t h ese were a dde d t h e acts of reli gious rulers
, ,

gifts to t h e C h urc h etc

?
M ontfaucon states t h at t h e n a m es of bis h ops were carefully
,

registere d or erase d a ccor din g to t h e purity o r im m o ralit y of th eir lives 3

,
'

I n a ddition to consular a n d ecclesiastical diptyc h s th ere is a large class of private

an d devotional tablets V e ry beautiful speci m ens of th ese are still e x tan t ; but few
.

diptyc h s of t h e classic perio d can be re garde d strictly as bookbin din gs alt h ou gh so m e of ,

th e m m ay h ave been use d for th at purpose at a later date precisely as panels of Caskets ,

an d furniture were often a dapte d by m e di aeval bookbin ders Th e m ost i nterestin g .

e x a m ples of private diptych s now to be s e en in E nglan d are t h e panels representin g

‘

fE sc u lap iu s an d H y giea in t h e M ayer Collection at L iverpool I n t h e library at Sens .

are two tablets one represen tin g B acch us i n a car drawn by centaurs t h e ot h er D iana
, ,

in a c h ariot drawn by two bulls Th e E n glish e x a m ples are en grave d at t h e e n d of .

L ab art e s book an d casts were taken by t h e A run del Society

’

,
T h e Sens e x a m ples .

are en grave d in L ab arte s A lbu m also in L acroi x A rts of t h e M i ddle A ges

’ ”
,
”
T h ey ,
.

4 ”
now adorn t h e covers of a th irteenth century m anuscript of T h e O fice of Fools f -
“
.

H o w ca m e it t h at t h e Ch ristian reli gion e x ercise d so powerful an influence on t h e

for m an d outward garb of literature P Th is is a question often aske d an d not di fficult to ,

answer satisfactorily I n t h e early days of t he C h urc h copies of t h e Gospels were placed

.

upon t h e table or altar (it was not till t h e tenth century th at t h e cross was ever place d
th ere ) an d as th e C h ristian ritual a dvance d t h e covers of th ese m anuscripts were ric h ly
,

a dorned to accord with t h e oth er furnitu re of t h e alta r T h e book for m was evi dently
'

m uc h m ore convenient t h an t h at of t h e roll f o ruse in t h e service s of t h e Ch urc h ; an d

it see m s probable th at t h e establis h m en t of a rit n al an d liturgy in t h e course of wh ic h

portions of t h e Gospels were read m ay h ave h ad consi derable e ffect in lea din g to t h e
5
e x clusive a doption of t h e fol de d instea d of t h e rolle d for m of arran gin g a m anuscript .

Th ere is little doubt th at t h e custom of placin g t h e Gospels conspicuously on t h e altar

le d to t h eir bein g su m ptuously decorate d on th e e x terior an d th is m ay very possibly
'

,
.

'

h ave been done as early as t h e t h ird century N o e x ist in g e x a m ples are kn own to be .

of so great antiquity but t h e ivory book covers at t h e Pu blic L ibrary R av e n n a c an n o t

'

—
, , ,

be of m uc h later date th an th ose at M ilan wh ic h M L ab art e assi gns to about t h e , .

year A D 40 0 an d th ere is no reason to th ink th at th ese were t h e earliest e x am ples

. .

Th ere may h ave been oth er causes wh ic h le d to t h e aban donm ent of t h e ancie nt
rolls in favour of t h e fol ded book but with out doubt t h e custo m of t h e early C h urch h ad
,

m uc h to do wit h t h e c h an ge an d since o n ly t h e front of a book coul d be seen w h en t h e

'

1
Go ri, to m e i 2 4 2 . .

9
I bid , Th e saurus V e t Dip
. i 2 . .
, . .

3
P alae o g Grze c ae , ” 34
. .

4
Of fic e o fFo o ls , a m e diaeval s e rvic e , s im ilar t o t h e s o l e m nit ie s o f t h e B oy b ish o p -

p ractis e d in
so me English cath e drals .

5
A N e sbitt ,
.
“
V etusta M onu m enta : Th e E vang el ia Q uatuo r o fLin dau .
56 A H I S TOR Y OF TH E A R T OF B OOK B I N D I N G .

volu m e w as placed upon t h e altar only t h e upper si de of t h e cover w as decorated t h e , ,

.

reverse bein g left plain an d una dorned Th e na m e given to such m anuscripts of th e .

Gospels as were inten de d to be place d upon an altar an d use d in t h e service of t h e

C h urch was text u s (texo) a word ori ginally m eanin g texture or tissue so m eth in g
, , ,

woven h ence a co m bin at ion Seneca tells us th at a con textu s of several tabul ae th at is
.
—
,

as we sh oul d say a nu m ber of s h eets placed togeth er was by t h e an cients calle d

,
-

?
ca u dex th ence codices
,
To th is day we speak of t h e great codices of th e Gospels ;
as th e Co de x A le xan drian u s given by t h e Patriarch of Constantinople Cyril L ucar to , , ,

Ch arles I in 1 6 2 8 an d now one of t h e c h ief treasures of t h e Britis h M useu m

.
, T h e fine .

book covers in t h e treasury of t h e cath e dral at M ilan (as just stated) are not later th an
-

t h e fifth century
‘
t h ey are perh aps t h e earliest exa m ples now extan t of t h e covers of a
, ,

?
textus
Th ere Is in t h e B arberini L ibrary at R o m e a very early book cover of 4 to for m
, , ,

w h ich is sculptured in h i gh relief on ivory with t h e fi gure of an e m peror on h orseback

“

B esi des th ese t h ere are extant in E urope very few book covers of th is early perio d -
.

I n course of ti m e t h e textus beca m e an object of veneration perh aps t h e sacred sy m bols

an d fi gures a dornin g t h e covers in so m e m easure cause d th is feelin g to arise in t h e , ,

h earts of th e people H owever th at m ay be , it becam e usual to carry roun d t h e textus

“

to receive th e kiss of peace fro m th e con gregation an alteration of t h e earlier practice ,

-

of t h e m utual bestow al an d re ception of a kiss by al l t h e m em bers of th e C h urc h

asse m ble d .

I n t h e twelfth or th irteent h century t h e P an a s m all tablet often bearin g a re pre ,

sen t at io n of t h e Crucifixion ca m e into u s e in t h e W estern C h urc h as a substitute for t h e

'

, ,

cover of t h e Gospels Th e B ar s h oul d not be confoun de d w ith t h e orna m ental cover

.

of a te xtus nor with t h e P y x w h ich is a b o x an d so m eti m es t h e vessel for containin g , ,

t h e consecrate d wafer I n t h e Greek C h urc h t h e orna m ente d tex tus is still on Certain
.

3
occasions such as m arria ges sole m nly kissed ; an d in R ussia it is frequently of great
, ,

size O n e m a de for th e E m press N atalia m oth er of Peter t h e Great is 3 feet lon g by

.
.

, ,

1 6 in c h es wi de an d so h eavy t h at it is wit h di f
,
ficulty t h e priest can carry it I n t h e .

early days of C h ristianity th ese Gospel books were usually of m uch s m aller di m ensions .

W h en t h e E m peror Constantine t h e Great foun de d a new capital upon t h e beautiful

s h ores of t h e B osph orus h e dedicate d th e city to M ary t h e blesse d m oth er of Ch rist , .

N o h eath en te m ple was built with in t h e walls of B yzantiu m an d t h e year of de dication , ,

AD 330
. m arke d t h e triu m p h of C h ristianity over h eat h en do m
,
To Byzantiu m ca m e .

t h e greatest artists of t h ose ti m es w h o if th ey Were n o t all Ch rist ian s at least confor m e d

'

, , ,

in o u tw ard ap p e aran c e to t h e will of th eir i m perial patron ; t he works th ey pro duced .

bear t h e sta m p of Ch ristian art .

I n nature a perio d of decay fo llows a perio d of exuberance Th e sam e principle .

appears to re gulate both t h e a ffairs o f n at io n s an d th e existence o f art

'

1
S en e ca , “
D e Brevitate Vitae , I nn .

9
A N esb it t, F S
. . . A V etusta M o num enta .

3
I bid .
 E A RL Y CH RI S TI A N B O OKB I N D I N GS — B YZ A N TI N E BI ND I N GS .
57

N at io n s m e lt
Fro m p o w e r’ s h igh p in nacl e , w h en th ey h ave fe lt
Th e sunsh in e fo r a w h il e , a n d do w n w ard g o
L ik e lauw in e l o o sen e d fro m th e m o unta in s be lt 1
’ ”
.

Th e earliest e x a m ples of Ch ristian art of th e days of Constantine an d h is i m m e diate “

successors m ay clai m to h ol d a place si de by si de with t h e best works of pagan ti m es .

A fter t h e deat h of Constantine t h e artistic spirit rapi dly decline d t h e e fforts of several ,

e m perors to foster an d restore it were un availin g an d de gradation in t h is particular , .

followe d close upon t h e dec ay an d final overth row of t h e e m pire Bu t at .

,

Constantinople t h e ancient traditions lin gere d after th ey h ad been for gotte n in Italy
, ,

an d Persian influence h elpe d to for m th e Byzantin e style Th e B yzantine artists

’
, .

conception of t h e h u m an for m divi ne w as pure t h ou gh the sc h ool soon be gan

“
,

to revel in detail an d deli gh t in over elaboration of ornam ent N ow h ere are th ese -

peculiarities better exe m plifie d th an in t h e carvin gs ena m els an d gol ds m ith s work , ,
’

especially on tablets an d book covers T h e great ivory tablet in t h e B ritish M useu m

-
.

w h ereon is carve d t h e fi gure of an an gel an d t h e beauti ful book cover in t h e national ,

-

libr ary at Paris rival t h e best work of classic ti m es an d e x cel in di gnity an d beauty of ,

work m ansh ip all pro ductions of a si m ilar c h aracter m a de in W estern E urope till t h e
revival of art in t h e th irteenth century .

T h e bookbin din gs of t h is perio d were m agnificent We read of m assive square .

books W h ich were carried in t h e p u b lic pro cessions of t h e By zantine e m perors in th e

,

m i ddle of t h e fift h century an d doubtless t h ese m i gh ty recor ds i m presse d t h e populace .

with awe an d a dde d to t h e di gnity of t h e soverei gn ruler T h e bin din gs of th ese

,
.

splen di d v olu m es were in gre e n re d blue or yellow leath er orna m ente d with painte d
'

, , , ,

portraits of t h e e m peror an d th in gol d ro ds pl ace d in lines acros s t h e s i des s o as

,

to for m lozen ge sh aped patterns —

2
Th is sa m e l ozen ge sh ape d pattern survive d in
.
-

Ger m any till t h e si x teen th century an d was brou gh t to E n glan d by t h e earliest pri nters
, .

‘
B efore t h e six th century co m m en ce d precious stones be gan to play a pro m inent
part in th e e xternal decoration of books B yzantine coatin gs
”
as t h ey were calle d .
“
, ,

were principally of m etal gol d silver and copper gilt into wh ich jewels were
,
—
, ,
-

,
—

e m be dded V ery often an ivory carvin g was place d in t h e centre of t h e cover an d a

.
,

border o f gol d an d jewels set aroun d it O n e subj ect of frequent occurrence is t h e .

S aviour seate d h o ldin g a book in one h an d w h ile t h e oth er is ra ise d in t h e act of

, , ,

bene diction T h e royal library at M unich contains t h e finest speci m ens of t h is

.

description of bi n din g Th e B ritis h M useu m an d t h e B o dleian e xh ibit a few exa m ples

.
,

but n o very early ones I n t h e Bo dleian th ere is a carved ivory representin g Ch rist
. .
,

seate d an exquisitely finis h e d piece of l ate B yzantine work now fixe d upon t h e silver
, ,

bin din g of t h e C o dex E b n e rian u s a fa m ous Greek twelfth century m anuscrip t T h e

,
,
-
.

ivory bears traces of gol d an d colour with wh ic h it was form erly a dorned (M S M isc
_
,
. . .

Gr ,
.

1
L o rd Byro n , Childe H aro l d’ s P ilgrim age , C anto I V stanz a x11 .

J o se ph Candall , “ O n B o o kbinding s , ” Tk e B ook bin der , v ol . i

. I 6. S ee furth e r, L acro ix, an d

‘N o titia D ig n it at u m I m
p e rii .
 58 A H I S TOR Y OF TH E A R T OF B OOK BI N DI N G
”

tenth century copy of t h e four Gospels in Greek now in t h e B ritis h M useu m

The -

, ,

calls for attention I t was boun d in a By z antine bin din g probably not later t h an th e
.
, _

twelfth century T h e woo den bo ar ds are covered with tarnis h e d cri m son velvet an d
.
,

lined with fine canvas rich ly e m broi dere d with coloured silks R oun d t h e upper cover
“

are n aile d th in pl ates of silver gilt wit h fi gures in relief probably conte m porary -

, ,

with t h e m anuscript T h e plates alon g t h e top an d botto m contain h alf len gt h

.
-

representations o f St Peter an d S t Paul an d t h e four E van gelists with th eir na m es ;

.
, ,

th ose at th e si des apparent ly represent t h e over th row of t h e h eresiarc h s Nestor

an d N o e t u s in t h ree desi gns with inscriptions ; wh ile t h e central plate (of m uc h later ,

work ) represents Ch rist between th e V irgin an d St j oh n all with ena m elle d ni m bi .

.
, .

(A dditional M S ; 2 8 , ,

T h e libraries on t he C ontinent are m uc h ric h er in early ge m s of t h is descriptio n

th an th ose in our own country an d m any of t h e m ost i m portant speci m ens h ave been ,

en graved or p h oto graph e d D r D ibdin h as describe d so m e of t h e m with great . .

m inuteness
1
A book of t h e Gos pels translate d in A D 37 0 by U lp h ilas B is h op of M oesia
.
,
. .
, ,

is an e xam ple o f t h e costly style in wh ich books were adorn ed in early ti m es It was
’

calle d t h e S ilver book of U lp h ilas fro m t h e fact of its bein g boun d in m assive silver
“ 2
.

I t was suc h m agnificence as t h is th at calle d forth t h e exclam ation of S t Jero m e .

Y our books are covere d with precious ston es t h ou gh C h rist die d n ake d before t h e gate
"
,

of H is tem ple
'
”
A si m i la r re m ark is recorde d of t h e E astern ph ilosop h er an d poet
.

S adi w h o sai d :
, T h e Koran was given to refor m t h e con duct of m e n: an d m en h ave
“

” 3
only th ou gh t of e m bellis h in g its pages .

A book presente d b y t h e E m peror Justin to Pope H o rm isda between t h e years 5 1 8

" “

an d 52 3 was boun d in plates of

gol d an d enric h e d wit h precious stones to t h e wei gh t
of fifteen poun ds L e o I I I w h o w as raised to t h e p o n t ific at e in 7 9 5 gave to various
.
-
.
, ,

c h u i c h es copies of t h e Gospels splen di dly orna m ented T h e abbot A n gilbe rt on t h e , .

,

restoration of t h e A bbey of St R iquier A D 8 1 4 presented to it a copy of t h e Gospels .

, . .
, ,

in silver plates ‘m arv e llo u sly adorned with gol d an d precious stones A not h er
’

f
, .

copy written in letters of gol d an d silver an d boun d in gol d enrich ed with ge m s was
, .
, , ,

presented to h is ch urc h by H in c m ar on beco m in g A rch bish op of Rh ei m s in

‘

Th e E m peror M ic h ae l about t h e year 8 55 sent as a present to St Peter s a Gospel of

’
, .
,

m ost pure gol d w it h div e rs precious stones E verar d Count of Friuli bequeat h e d to
~

.
, ,

h is ch il dren by will A D 86 1 , h is B ible an d a nu m ber of oth er books a m on g wh ic h were

,
. .
, ,

Gospels boun d in wrou gh t gol d an d silver an d carve d ivory 4 I n 1 0 2 2 t h e E m peror .

H enry I I on recoverin g fro m illness at t h e M ona stery of M onte Casino presente d to it

.
, ,

a copy of t h e Gospels covered on one si de with pure gol d an d m ost precious ge m s

,
.

R eturnin g t h e sa m e year into Ger m any h e h ad an interview an d e x c h an ge d presents ,

with R obert Kin g of France ; but of all t h e ric h gifts offered by th at kin g t h e e m pe ror
, ,

1
T F . . D ib din , “
B ib l io g rap h ical To ur, iii . 2 62 an d 460 .

2
A st le
’
s
“
W riting ,
”
87 an d 1 9 6 .

3
M . R e in au d, “
M o nu m e nts A rabe s , etc .
, To m . i .
, p . 26 .

4
S e e furth e r as t o Co un t Eve rard s ill , p 66
’
w . .
 B YZ A N TI N E B I N D I N GS .
59

accepte d only a copy of t h e Gospels boun d i n gol d a n d precious stones D esi derius
, .
-

w h o beca m e abbot of t h e above m onastery in 1 0 58 provi de d it wit h m any costly books

,

an d t h e E m press A gnes m a de m any ric h gifts to t h e Ch urc h a n d a m on g ot h ers a copy ,

of t h e G ospels w it h one si de of t h e cover of cast silver with c h ase d or e m bosse d work

, , ,

l
very beautifully gi lt T h ese S peci m en s will su ffice to give an i dea of t h e labour an d
.

AN C I E N T B I ND I N G I I TH CE N TU R Y ) O R N A ME NTE D w rr rx c o w AND J EW ELS .

(Fo rm ed) ; in Ike library f th e M arq u is

o de Ga n ay , n ow in S o u th K en s ing to n M u seu m .
)

treasure expen ded on t h e external decoration of book s at th is early p erio d of t h e h istory

of E urope .

I t woul d not be ri gh t h owever to pass on wit h out a brief referen ce to a fine ivory
, ,

bin din g now at th e B ritis h M useu m T h ere is no doubt th at t h e plaques wh ic h a dorn

.

t h e si des of t h is bin din g were inten de d for t h e purpose t h ey n ow serve T h is can be .

B r z fz s/z M agi , ix P a p e rs th e D ark Ag e s ,

’
No xiii
’ ’
“
24 on
.
9, . .
60 A H I S TOR Y OF THE AR T OF B OOK BI N DI NG .

sai d of very few early ivory carvin gs Th e m anuscript is a L atin Ps alter written a n d .

illu m inate d for M e lisse n da dau gh t er of B al dwin Ki n g of j erusale m (1 1 1 8

,
an d ,

wife of Fulk Count of A nj ou an d Kin g of j erusale m (1 1 3 1

,
I nserted in th e
,
»

wooden cov ers an d surroun de d by a re d m orocco bin din g are two fine B yzantine
ivory carvin gs w h ich D u S o m m erard supposes m ay date fro m t h e seventh or ei gh th
'

century 1 O n t h e u pp e r c o v e r are six scenes fro m t h e life of D avi d enclosed with in

.
,

fl
circles t h e fi gures i n t h e intervenin g spaces sy m bolisin g t h e triu m ph of t h e Virtues
, .

over t h e V ices t h e wh ole bei n g surroun ded with an elaborate interlaced an d o riat e d
bor der Close to each fi gure is a label with t h e na m e of t h e person ani m al virtue or
.
, , ,
”
vice represented T h e fi gure in t h e left h an d upper corner is B O N I TAS t h e next
.
— -
“
,
”
F I D E S an d so on In th e sa m e way lest th ere sh oul d be any doubt about t h e people
, .
,

an d obj ects represente d in t h e m e dallions si m ilar inscriptions are place d besi de th e m ,

.

I t will be notice d th at t h e fe m ale fi gures in t h e spaces between t h e m edallions wear a

tunic with l arge h an gin g sleeves T h is kin d of sleeve is calle d a m aunch an d was .
,

fash ionable in E n glan d at t h e e n d of t h e eleventh an d t h e be gin nin g of t h e ne x t

century It m ay h ave been in vo gue upon t h e C ontinent earlier T h ese an d oth er
. .

peculiarities in t h e dress an d ar m or of t h e m ale fi gures lead us to t h e conclusion

th at t h e c arvin g is not so o ld as D u S o m m erard supposes T h e general desi gn of .

t h e un der cover is si m ilar wit h six scenes in m e dalli ons representin g t h e works of
,

M ercy an d surroun de d wit h figures of birds an d be a

,
sts A t t h e top is t h e na m e .

H e ro diu s probably th at of t h e artist

, B ot h covers are jewelle d wit h s m all rubies .

an d turquoises T h e colour of t h e ivory is well preserve d an d t h e wh ole appearance

.
,

m ost delicate an d beautiful Th e clasps are gone but t h eir position is in dicate d b y
.
,

depressions in t h e ivory Th e back is covere d with a piece of e m broi dery

. Th e book .

for m erly belon ge d to t h e Gran de C h artreuse at Grenoble an d in 1 840 it was in t h e .

,

possession of D r Co m m arm e n t of L yons I t was purc h ase d for t h e M useu m fro m

. .

M essrs Payne an d Foss in 1 84 5 (E gerton M S

. .
,

Takin g M L ab art e for our gui de t h e m ain points in t h e h istory of Byzantine

.
,

art m ay be epito m ise d as follows Wh en un der C ons t antine Ch ristian art was at .
, ,

len gth enable d to display e xternal Sy m bols of its existence it a dopte d t h e th en pre ,

vailin g style o f pagan R o m e a degenerate for m of t h e classic an d bein g un able to

-

, ,

create for itself a n ew tech nica worke d out n ew subjects on o ld lines 2 Fro m th e , .

e x a m ples of carved i vories an d bookbin din gs alrea dy describe d it is evi den t th at so m e ,

Ch ristian arti sts attaine d a very high stan dar d of excellence but t h en as now t h ere were , ,

also artists of inferior skil l E x am ples of th is perio d are of course rare an d.

,

consequently little can be sai d about t h e m Fro m t h e co m m ence m ent of t h e si x th .

century Persian art began to a ffec t t h e sch ool of Byzantiu m D urin g t h e lon g an d .
~

glorious rei gn of J ustinian (A D 52 7 56 5) art m aintaine d its position at C onstan tinople

—
. .

.
1
_
D u S o m m e rard, A lbum t o
Le s A rts au M oyen A g e , To m v o f t h e te xt , p p 1 0 7 , 1 6 2
“
P lat e . . .

X X I X in A lbum ; t h e vignette s in fiv e p late s in t h e e ig h th s erie s, P late s X I I — X V I

. se e als o . .

H B W h e atl ey,
. . R e m ark ab l e Bin dings in t h e B ritish M us eum , ” P late 1 .

9
L abat te , A rts o f th e M iddl e Ag e s, ”
“ ‘

pp 2 , 1 7 1 8, et c . .
said o f v ery fe w c ariv tu -
rz u n m et The rn am iw i rai a [m in P5
illu m iu d md Fi r M al l . migh ty ; o f Baldw i n l i. j er nsalr m (1
Wi fe of Fulk , h ue -
f . u an d K in g mu m s-19a } H i

oo de n c w aded by m smxfi El ss h M ir Wm
"

w m m a ro w i-
1

av
e n
r 1 .

ivory ca fl
.

i l u S o m m erard W y pfj ‘fii M W "l au

‘
f
in at rs
,
en i i i rj th e u ppe r co ver are six se em s foam s t he 11 h
'
“

c .

circl e :
in t he xi ii;
W interven i ng $ 1W w y m inaliri u g 1m
'

mm " me s ; t he w h o le bein g s urm zw dd Wi th 31 1 1 ( law y er “

b um 3 C lose to e ac h fi gure is
-
. a label w ith t he M t if m y

Tb figurc m
'

le ft —hand m
'

d
w oe r e present e .
c
th e u pp m
”
F i n ns an d so o n I n ,
.
-

a n d objects re pr e sente d in t h e m ed allions si m i l ar ,

I t wil l be noti ce d t h at t he fem ale fi gu res in t h e spac es b etw e e n t h e M afia/e ar s.

tunic w it h large h an gin g sleeves T h is ki n d o f sl eeve is call ed a

-

'
-

fas h ionabl e in E nglan d at t h e en d of t h e elevent h an d t he begin

c e ntury It m ay h ave been in vogu e u pon th e Contin en t e arlier
peculi arities in t h e dress an d arm or of th e m ale fi gu re s lead us t o t he . r eo n c lu sio n ;
t h at th e Car vin g is not so o ld as D u S o mm erard s upposes Th e
‘

t h e un der cover is si m ilar with six scenes in m edal lio ns ,

M ercy an d surroun de d wit Pr figures of bir ds an d beast s

“

.
,

H ero diu s proba bly th at o f t he artis t

, th at) "sw am m e

m o st del ic ate an d
“

na m e s m fl aw s

de p ressions in t he
“

for m e rly bel o nged to t h e G

possessio n of D r Co m m arm e n t of Lyo ns .
Wm h ased MW .

M essr s P ay ne an d Fo ss in 1 84 5
. .

Takin g M Lab art e for o ur gui de t h e .

,

art m ay be e pito m ised a fo ll ows Whe n s

e it am p les
of carved ivor
C h ristian a rtists attai n e d a very h

con seq u ently litt le can be sai d

cent ury Persian art began to a
gloriou s rei gn of J us tinian

Alb hm h
m
' '

D u So m m erard, Le s Arts an Moyed Agar/ PM

‘ “

as ar ra sp y
'
“
-

te . 10 7 ,

Lab art e , “
A rts of th e M iddl e Ag es, pp . 2, 9
1 1, i t , em .
 l

C AR V E D I V O R Y C O V E R (O B V E RS E ) o r T H E P S AL T E R

QU E E N MELIS SE ND A .
P 1 2 T H C E N T U RY .

( Fr o m tb a o r ig i n a l i n t h e B r it ish M u se u m )
.
 B YZ A N TI N E BI N D I N GS . 61

with out pro gress an d with out decline an d professe d lon g afterwards to a dh ere faith fully
,

to its o ld traditions but fro m th at perio d it began to develop distinctive ch aracte ristics
a peculiar an gularity of outline a m ea greness an d elon gation of for m an d a , ,

rich n ess of costu m e in dicatin g O riental influence A ll th ese points are stron gly .

m arke d on t h e carve d an d wrou gh t bin din gs of t h is perio d I n t h e tenth centu ry t h e .

sc h ool of Constantinople was still a learned sc h ool fro m w h ich Italy an d Ger m any ,

borrowe d artists w h o m i gratin g carrie d th eir art with th e m to distant countries

, , , ,

so t h at t he Byzantine style lost its local i m portan ce an d definite geo graph ical position ,

an d beca m e general t h rou gh out t h e greater part of E urope .

Th e D o ge O rseolo e m ploye d celebrat ed B yzantine artists to beautify t h e C h urch of

.

St M ark at V enice th e E m peror H enry I I invited Greek artists to h is court an d in

.
,
.
,

1 0 66 D i dier A bbot of M onte Casino cause d works t o be e x ecuted in t h at abbey by

, ,

artists o f th is sc h ool I n t h e twelfth century t h e best artists e m i grate d fro m Con

.

st an t in o p le to t h e W est an d at t h at ti m e t h e B yzantine m eth o d was superse de d by t h e

,

newly develope d an d m ore vi gorous Goth ic style Th e tra ditions of t h e sc h ool were .
,

h owever recor de d an d h ave been Carrie d on to t h e present day by Greek artists

“

, ,

fostere d by th e E astern Ch urch T h ere is a notable exa m ple of th is survival in a m a gni

.

fic en t silver bin din g parcel gilt an d worke d in resp o u ssé

,
I t is date d A D 1 7 30 an d m ay . . .
,

be seen at South Kensin gton M useu m A fter t h e sack of Constantinople by t h e Turks .

,

t h e Greek artists retire d to t h e convents of M oun t A th os w h er e t h ey were welco m e d by ,

crafts m en of m any kin ds Fro m th at ti m e t h e H oly M ountain beca m e t h e sole focus of

.

reli gious art in t h e O riental C h urc h an d to th is day t h e libraries of th ose m onasteries

,

cont ain won derful treasures both of books an d bin din gs O th er an d m ore war like .
—

occupations are sai d to en gage t h e attention of t h e Fath ers at th e H oly M ountain at

present an d th eir th ou gh ts w h en not directed to reli gion are suppo se d to be busy
, , ,

upon politics B etter woul d it be fo r t h e m selves an d for m ankin d if th eir energies

.
,

were devote d to art in dustries lik e t h e m akin g an d bin din g of books ,

.

A ME D IE VA L S CR I BE A T W OR K IN H I S ST U DY .

(Fro m th e ti tle
.

pag e of a bo ok prin ted at Ven ice in

 C H APT E R VL

CA R OLI N GI A N P E RI OD
-
— BOO K B I N DI N GS I N I VOR Y —
G OL D S M I TH S
’
WORK
A N D E N AM E L .

been s h own in t h e precedin g ch apters th at for upwards of two

h as
th ousan d years t h e art of bookbin din g by m eans of attach in g t h e ,

leaves to t h e back a nd affixin g boar ds to t h e si des h as been practise d

'

, ,

t h e a ddition of em bellish m ent fo llo w mg as a m atter of taste if not ,

of necessity H avin g establish e d th ese facts it will be necessary

.
,

to consi der th e subj ect in its connection wit h t h e m onastic in st it u

tions of E urope Fro m t h e annals of reli gious co m m unities an d
. .
“

t he appearance of bin din gs of t h e sevent h an d ei gh th to t h e twelft h an d th i r teenth

centuries we s h all be able to s h ow wh at was th e state of t h e art at t h at ti m e
, ,

an d to confir m wh at h as been a dvan ce d as to t h e knowle dge of it p ossesse d by th e

ancients .

I t will be necessary to a dvert to t h e state of literature an d scarcity of books in t h is

an d oth er countries of E urope in early ti m es th is bein g partly illustrative of t h e
,

progress of t h e art connecte d as t h e m akin g an d bin din g of books will now be foun d to
,

be B efore t h e intro duction of paper m a de fro m linen books were so scarce an d dear as
.
,

to be beyon d t h e reac h of all bu t t h e rich an d it m ay reasonably be co m pute d th at t h e

,

price of books in t h e ninth century was a h un dredfol d th eir present value I n R o m an .

ti m es books were c h iefly transcribed by slaves Wh ose labour was ch eap ; but w h en
“

slavery ceased th ou gh th e m aterials of wh ich books were m ade h ad been as c h eap an d

,

plentiful as paper is at present t h e labour of m ultiplyin g copies in m anuscript woul d

,

always h ave kept th e m co m paratively scanty H en ce learnin g was al m ost exclusively

.

confine d to people of rank For five h un dre d years after C h rist t h e papyrus was in
.

general use ; but w h en t h e Saracens conquere d E gypt in t h e sevent h century it

coul d no lon ger be procured Parc h m ent t h e only substance for writin g upon w h ich
.
,

th en re m aine d was so di fficult to obtain t h at it was custo m ary to erase t h e ol der

,

62
 CA ROLI N GI A N P E R I OD . 63

writin g an d Sop h ocles or Tacitus resi gne d t h e parc h m ent to m i ssals h o m ilies an d
, , ,

t h e Gol den L egen d

l
I n t h is m anner m any of t h e best G reek an d R o m an classics
.

were for ever lost t h ou gh so m e h ave in late ti m es been recovere d fro m t h e i m perfect
, ,

m anner in w ic h h t h e first writin g was erase d 2

H istory recor ds m any facts wh ic h .

place in a strikin g li gh t t h e scarcity an d consequent value of books durin g t h e so .

,

calle d dark a ges Private persons sel do m possesse d an y b o o ks an d even m onasteries

, .
,

coul d so m eti m es boast o f no m ore th an a sin gle m issal Th e colle ctions w h ic h t h e .

ancients possesse d did not in th ose ti m es e x ist fo r t h e libraries particularly t h ose of , ,

I taly w h ich aboun de d in innu m erable an d inesti m able treasures of literature were as
, , ,

%
before st at e c v e ry w h e re destroyed by t h e precipitate rage an d barbarous i gnoran ce
of t h e nort h er a r m ies O f th e rarity of books W arton in t h e secon d D issertation t o , ,

H istory o f
”
h is “
E n lis h Poetry h iven a lon account D urin t h is perio d t h
\ g as g g g ,
e .

fl
m onasteries beca m e t h e prin cipal depositories an d sc h ools of art M onasteries were .

m ore tranquil t h an t h e outsi de worl d an d to t h e m t h e arts e d for refu ge ; a rtists ,

beca m e m onk s an d m onks b eca m e artists ; t h e m anuscripts an d illu m in ations e x ecuted

by m onks attest th eir skill in desi gnin g an d e xecuting t h e m ost beautiful an d co m plex
A n d it is evi dent fro m various accounts left us th at t h e reli gious were
3
subjects .

not only t h e writers an d illu m in ators but also t h e bin ders of books in t h e ti m es ,

of t h e Sa x ons an d t h ey co ntinue d to practice t h e art until t h e invention of printin g

,
.

Th e m onks an d stu dents in m onasteries were t h e principal labourers in t h is business ,

an d so m eti m es it was part of t h e sacrist s duty to bin d an d clasp t h e books use d for
’

th e service of t h e Ch urc h }

O n t h e ot h er h an d fro m t h e ti m e of t h e R o m ans all th rou gh t h e M i ddle A ges

,

t h ere were in m o st cities of E urope secul ar crafts m e n a m on g w h o m t h e bookbin der ,

was perh aps not t h e least i m portan t T h e leather worker t h e gol ds m ith t h e sculptor
, ,
-

, , ,

an d t h e worker 1 n ena m el woul d at ti m es co m bine t h eir lab ours upon t h e cover of a

'

sin gle volu m e an d t h e m an w h o bou nd an d orna m ente d books woul d probably unite
,

with h is craft tra de s of a kin dre d nature L ater on bookbin ders enrolle d th e m selves .

un der various tra de guil ds M on asticis m doubtles s e x ercise d a fosterin g care upon
.

all t h e arts ; but durin g t he seven or ei gh t centuries wh ich passe d between t h e intro
duction into E urope of t h e syste m of reli gious isolation an d t h e R efor m ation great
c h an ges took place in t h e h abits of m onks T h e growth of th e m unicipalities an d t h e .

establish m en t of tra de guil ds in t h e t h irteent h an d fourteenth centuries exercise d a

consi derable i n fluen ce both upon art an d t h e occupations of t h e m onks .

Th e h istory of m onas ticis m like t h e h istory of states divi des itself broadly into , ,

t h ree great perio ds o f growth of glory an d of decay ,

—
5
Th e si m ple h abits an d constant
, ,
.

G ibbo n s
Ro m e , v
’

3 80 . .

xlvi ii 353 Such m anuscrip ts a re call e d p al im p s ests so m e st

2
E d z n é u rg k R ev ie w an d o ft h e m o
'

.
, .
,

fam o us sp e c im ens h ave b e e n de scribed o n p p 2 9 , 37, et c . .

3
S p e c im ens o f A nc ie nt S culp ture , ” ii .

4
W art o n ,
ii . 2 44 .

5
Th e R e v .
J . G S in it h , M A
. . .
, C h ristian M o n astic is m , p .
9 .
64 A H I S TOR Y OF TH E A R T OF B O OK BI N D I N G .

labours of t h e early m onks for m a strikin g contrast to t h e life of ease lu xury an d , ,

so m eti m es of depravity le d by t he breth ren of great ari d wealth y abbeys in t h e fi fteenth

century T h e form er perfor m e d m anual labour of various kin ds an d boun d th eir books
.
,

th e m s elves ; t h e latter are m ore likely to h ave e m ployed oth ers to work for th e m .

Y e t even in t h ose late an d de generate ti m es m onks occasionally busie d t h e m selve s

with useful m anual work T rith e im iu s Abbot of S p an h eim at t h e e n d of t h e fifteenth
.
, ,

century did not forget bookbin din g in h is enu m eration of t h e di fferent e m ploy m ents
,
”
of h is m onks ; but th en T rit h e im iu s was a refor m er L e t t h at one says h e fasten .
“
, ,
“

t h e leaves to get h er an d bin d t h e book with boar ds ; you prepare t h ose boar ds ; you
dress t h e leath er ; you t h e m etal plates w h ic h are t o a dorn t h e bin din g .

D ivision of labour as reco m m en de d h ere was possible in a great m on astery

,
In , .

t h e s m all co m m unities of earlier ti m es it was not possible to t h e sa m e de gree ; but

t h ou gh t h e bin din g of an or dinary book in all its processes m ay h ave been t h e work
of a sin gle crafts m an we m ay well believe th at th e incrustation of ena m el jewels an d
, , ,

gol ds m it h s work on so m e of t h e glorious bin din gs still preserve d was t h e ac h ieve m ent
’
of m ore th an one m an s skill .

H owever t h e library of A bbot Trit h e im iu s (h e die d in 1 5 1 6) was o n e of th e

,

won ders of t h e fifteenth century I t consiste d of about t w o th ousan d m anuscripts .

,

an d excite d suc h
general attention t h at princes an d oth er e m inent m e n travelle d fro m
distant countries to visit t h e book lovin g abbot an d h is library About t h e ti m e of
'

-
.

t h e invention of printin g a library of six or ei gh t h un dre d volu m es for m e d a royal

‘

collection t h e co st o f wh ich coul d only be furnish e d by a prin ce A t t h e beginnin g

,
.

of t h e fourteenth century th e library of L ouis I X containe d o nly four copies of classical .

auth ors. . W e m ay suppose th en th at four centuries before t h at ti m e books were

excee din gly scarce .

By t h e rule of Saint B ene dict pro m ul gate d fro m h is h i gh retreat on M onte C asino , ,

between L atiu m an d C a m pania about t h e year A D 530 th e sa m e year in w h ich t h e ,

. .
,
—

sc h ools of A th ens were suppresse d an d J ustini an publis h ed h is fam ous co de a pen , ,

—

an d tablets to write upon for m e d part of t h e necessary equip m ent of every m onk .

T h e great d istinction of B ene dict s rule a distinction w h ic h h as le ft its m ark on

’
,

literature for all ti m e was t h e substitution of stu dy for m ere m anual labour No t
, .

th at m onks were to be less laborious th ey were rath er to spen d m ore ti m e in work ; ,

but th eir work was to be less servile of t h e h ead as well as of t h e h an d beneficial

-

, ,

to future ages not m erely furnishin g sustenan ce for t h e bo dily wants of an isolated
,

1
co m m unity To th is m ay be traced t h e love of literary pursuits always a ch arac
.
,

t e rist ic of t h e B ene dictines O f t h e books an d bookbin din gs of t h e B ene dictines

.

we h ave m ore to say elsewh e re H ere we m ust h owever draw attention to anoth er .
, ,

class of m en w h o th ou gh li v in g with in t h e m onastic precincts an d often adoptin g t h e

, ,

outward dress of th e m onks were in fact only lay breth ren skill ed in various h an di
, , _ , ,

crafts or tra des A t O sney A bbey O x ford a nu m ber of work m en tailors book
.
, , , ,

bin ders illu m inators an d wax Ch an dlers w h o lived outsi de t h e water gate h ad th eir
, ,
-

,
-

Th e R ev J Greg o ry Sm ith M A Ch ristian M o nastic ism

”
. .
p 74 , . .
, , . .
 CA R OLI N GI A N P E RI OD .
5

worksh ops wit h in t h e

abbey precin cts ilar a rran ge m ents prevaile d at oth er great ; si m
-

m onasteries
1
W h en m onks in course o f ti m e cease d to be regar de d as laym en an d
.
, ,
,

by t h e very fact of th eir profession began to be ranke d with t h e clergy an d as t h e ,

ori ginal si m plicity of m onastic life began to be lost t h e nee d was felt for a class ,

of persons in every m on astery to assist t h e m onks in so m e of t h eir m ore or dinary

occupations an d so leave t h e m m ore leisure for t h e services of th eir ch apel an d for
,
'

h
m e ditations in t eir cells .
2
W e are disposed to t h ink t h at a m on g t h e lay breth ren
.

attach e d to every g reat m onastery t h ere were o ne or m ore bookbin ders w h o if , ,

not followers of t h e craft entirely at least assiste d in m any ways by provi din g
-

, ,

material for t h e scriptoriu m an d perfor m in g oth er services in connection wit h book

,

bin din g .

M o reover t h e m onks were not t h e only patrons o f literature an d art ; princes an d

,
-

nobles often m u n ific en t en couragers of all t h at t en ds to elevate an d civilise m ankin d

, ,

did m uch to pro m ote a taste for fine bin din gs T h ere was in t h ose early days of .

C h ristianity no m ore popul ar gift t h an an illu m inate d m anuscript Prin ces an d .

prelates alike bestowe d such m arks of favour upon th eir favourite m onasteries an d
ch urch es L e o I I I on beco m ing P ope m 79 5 gave splen di dly a dorne d Gospel books
. .
, ,

to various ch urch es an d t h e E m peror M ic h ael (about 8 5 5 A D ) sent a Gospel decorate d . .

with pure gol d and precious stones as a present to St Peter s 3

.
’
.

Bu t t h e m ost distin guis h e d patron of art an d literature in t h e perio d usually

”
calle d t h e dark ages was t h e E m peror C h arle m a gne w h o gave h is n am e not
“
,

only to a race of king s but also to a style of art H avin g con quere d E urope he
,
.

wisely gave h is people e m ploy m ent both for h an d an d m in d Th e o ld c h ronicles .

relate h o w t h e Pope c rowned C h arles E m peror o f R o m e wh ile t h e people crie d out

‘
-
.

with one general voice .

“
H ap p in e sse lon g life an d victory to C h arles A u gustus crowne d t h e great an d
, ,

”
peaceable E m p e ro u r of t h e R o m aines always h appy an d victorious , .

T h is was done on C h rist m as D ay in t h e y e ar A D 80 0 a date w h i ch m arks an _

. .
,
— .

epoch in t h e h ist o ry of art in general an d of bookbin din g in particular Th e events .

i m m e diately followin g brou gh t C h arle m agne in contact with t h e e m pire of th e E ast .

Th e E m press Irene about t h at ti m e h ad a dispute wit h t h e bis h ops con cernin g i m a ge s .

C h ar le m a gne alth ou gh it is sai d h e coul d not write co m pose d a treati se on th is

, ,

subj ect an d welco m e d t h e fu gitive artists wh o m t h e iconoclasts h ad driven fro m Con

, ,

st ant in o p le Bu t C h arle m a gne did m ore t h an t h is h e invite d Britis h scribes to visit

.

h im on t h e C ontinent an d by brin gin g into contact t h e C eltic an d Byzantine sc h ools

,

pro duce d a new style of cali grap h y as well as of bookbin din g a style now known as ,

t h e C arlovin gian or m ore properly C arolin gian

, ,
.

To t h e rage of t h e icon oclasts in t h e E ast France Ger m any an d oth er countries , , ,

i n th e west of E urope owe th e a dvance m ent of t h e arts a m on g th eir own people .

1
Th e R ev . F Go l die ,
.
“
A Byg o n e O xfo rd, p 1 1 . .

2
Th e R ev Gre g o ry
.
J . S m ith , M A , Ch rist ia n M o nastic is m
. .
, p . 2 10 .

3
Tlz e B ook bm der , v o l i . .
p . 1 6 .
66 A H I S TOR Y OF TH E A R T OF B OOK B I N D I N G .

Th is progressio n is noticeable in m any bran ch es o f art especially in bookbin din g , ,

wh i ch inclu des adorn m ents in carved ivory ena m el gol ds m ith s work an d leath er work , ,
’

I n inventories an d wills of th is per 1e d books h an dso m ely boun d an d c ase s to contain ,

th e m are m entioned as well as gol d orna m ents statuettes diptyc h s an d oth er valuables
, , , , .

C h arlem agne gave to t h e A bbey of St R iquier a m agnificent book of t h e Gospels .

l
covered with plates of silver a n d m d
orna ente wit golh d a n d ge m s Th e B ook of S t . .

M axim in u s of Treves wh ich c am e fro m A da sister of Ch arle m a gne was or n a m ente d , l

, ,

with an en grave d a gate representin g Ada t h e e m peror an d h is sons Count E verard , , .

,

son in law to L ouis le D é bonnaire (7 7 8 840

- -
left by h is will writin g tablets — -

a ch alice a co ffer , an e v an ge list e riu m orna m ente d with bas reliefs an d a s w ord an d
,
-

belt all with decorations of ivory To t h e sam e perio d belon ged t h e carved ivory
,
.

cover of a book preserve d ti ll 1 7 2 7 in t he Convent of H autvillers near E pernay , .

We h ere transcribe fro m t h e intro duction to t h e Catalogue of t h e P u blic L ibrary ,

B russels a catalo gue of t h e library of C ount E v erard

,
it is one of t h e earliest lists
known an d h as not been printe d in any E n glis h book
,

com pte E verard par son testam ent partage sa bibl ioth eque entre ses trois fils ses tro is
Le , , ,

filles et sa veuve
, L e m eilleur m oyen d appré cier cette bibl ioth eque est de la reproduire non
.
’
,

pas selon l o rdre de l é crit testam entaire m ais selon l ordre des m at ieres de l ancienne classifica
’ ’ ’ ’

tion bibl iographique on verra q u e cette b ibl ioth eque était bien com posée et m em e rieh e pour u m ,

h aut fonctionnaire earlo vin gien du royau m e d I talie ou de Lo m bardie ’

.

'

B 1 BL1 0 T HhQ U E L I GU fi E VE RAR D , C O MT E FR I OU L, L ANN f

’
E PA R DE EN lE 875 A D
. .

1; Bible .

4 . Ev an gé liaire dont prem ier est orné d o r le second d argent le troisieme d ivoire
le
’
,
’
,
’
-
.

M issel le pre m ier est orné d o r e t dargent le second d ivoire le troisiem e quotidien etc
’ ’ ’

5 .
, , , , .

1 . P assio n n aire (Voir

’
L e c tio n n aires le pre m ier orné d o r e t d argent le se cond d ivoire le tro isiem e intitul é e t c
’ ’ ‘

3 .
, , , , .

D e ep zlvtolzrez ‘
’ '

ev angelz z} .

An tiph o n n a1re, _
orné d ivoire
’
.

C o lle c tan e u m e t eo m m en t ariu m .

P sautiers l ivre d h eu res avec psaum es le prem ier double le second orné d ivoire
’ ’
et u h ,

u n exem plaire est écr it en lettres d o r

'
’
.

S im ple l ivre d h eu res

’
.

T raités d expo sitio n sur El ie e t Aeh ab sur Ez ech iel et sur les é pitres de St P aul
’
'

. .
, ,

Autres traités de St Augustin de St J erom e et autres l ivres ascétiques savoir : de ve rbis

.
, .
, ,

D om ini (3 exem plaires) de c ivita te D ei ench iridion de u tilitate de quatuor v irtu tibu s
, , , ,

(z de h o e quod j aeo be s ait : q u i t o tam legem serv av e rit e t c

, , .

1 . Trai té de St E phre m . .

I d d e S m aragde
’

. .

1 . I d de regle m onastique : D e doctrina St Basilii

. . .

1
M . Paul L acro ix, “
Th e Arts in th e M iddl e Ag es , pp 47 1 , 472
. .
,
 B O OK BI N DI N GS I N I VOR Y . 67

De eo n st it u t io n ibu s prin c ipu m de e dic t is im perat o ru m

“

1 . et .

1 . L iber A n ian i .

1 . L eges Fran co ru m et R it u rariu m et Lo n go bardo ru m et Alam aen o ru m et Bav ario ru m .

1 . Autre exem plaire : Legu m L o n go bardo ru m .

S cien ces et A r ts .

'

L ibe r rei l taris

mii .

L iber be st iaru m .

Ph isio n o m ia L o xi, m e die i .

i
L zz‘ M élang es Z
’ ' ' '

F iz z lologz gu er
’

tér aiu re ci z t tcm z r es et .

Gram m aires et vocabulaire s Liber glo ssaru m

. et e xplan at io n u m dieru m ; o rdin e m

p rio ru m p rin cip io ru m , Ap o llo n ii, e t c .

1 . Ale u in i ad Wido n e m C o m ite m .

II z stoz re et Rob/gr ap fize

' '

n E xem plaires : Syn o n im a I sido ri .

k C o sm o graph ia e th ie i ph ilo so ph i .

A -
Libri M agn i O ro z ii P aul i ite m I sido ri Fu lgen tu et M artini episc o p o ru m .

s
b G esta p o n t ifieu m ro m an o r I Gesta Fran c o ru m . . .

u E xem plaires : V itae S M artini . .

H Vitae patru m . Plus le p assio n naire dés igné ala Th éologie .

H ine m ar A rch bis h op of R h ei m s in 84 5 or ders covers to be

, ,
m ade fo r t h e works
of S t J e ro m e w it h plaques of ivory an d also for a sacra m entary a n d lectionary
. Th e ,
.
1

illustration on pa ge 6 8 rep re sen t s a fi ne cover not later th an t h e eleventh c e n t u ry n o w in

“

, ,

t h e treasury of t h e cath e dral at E ssen To th ese m ay be a dde d two ivory plaques now .
,

for m in g t h e cover to a sacra m entary of M etz in t h e N ation al L ibrary Paris a bas relief , ,
-

on a book of Gospels at Ton gres in t h e diocese of L i ege an d a book cover in th e public ,

-

library at A m iens carve d with representations of t h e baptis m of C lovis an d with two

,

m iracles of R e m i gius T h e use of ivory for book covers was conti nue d fro m t h e ei gh th
_
.
-

to t h e si x teenth century V ery few e x a m ples of gol ds m it h s work o f t h e perio d i m m e

.
’

diat e ly prece din g t h e Carolin gian epoc h h ave co m e down to our ti m e T h e gifts of .

T h e o do lin da Queen of t h e L o m bar ds (A D

'

, to t h e Basilica of M onza are al m ost t h e . .

on ly bookbin din gs of t h ose days e x tant ; th ey consist of a r ich box enclosin g a m anu
“

script o f selections fro m t h e Gospels an d th e cover of an evan geliary orna m ente d with ,

jewels A fter C h arle m agne h ad subjected to h is sway a vas t e m p ire h e foun d artists
.

ready to carry out h is plans for t h e a dorn m ent of buil dings an d furniture of all
.

sorts By far t h e m ost m agnificen t exa m ple of bookbin ding of t h e Caroli n gian
.
_

perio d now preserved i n E n glan d is t h e upper cover of a noble copy of th e four Gospels ,

once belon gin g t o t he A bbey of L in dau on L ake Constance an d n ow t h e property ,

of th e E arl of Ash burn h a m T he u n der cover wh ich is of an earlier date is Celtic in

.
, ,

1
W M as kell .
,
3‘
Ivo ries .
68 A H I S TOR Y OF TH E A R T OF B O OK B I ND I N G .

ch aracter an d th erefore a description of it h as been reserve d for t h e c h apter on Celtic

,

bookbin din g (see p .

Th e upper cover o f t h is won derful bin din g m e asures 1 gg by inch es an d is ‘

'

,
_

co m pose d en tirely of gol d an d j ewels In t h e centre is a cross th e upper an d lower ar m s

.
,

B I NDI N G O F THE E LE V E NT H C E N TU R Y , IN TH E T R E A S U RY O F THE CA T H E D RA L O F E S S E N , N E AR D U S S E L D O R F .

of wh ich m easure 4 inch es each t h e lateral 2 } inch es bot h bein g 2 inc h es wi de

,
T h is , .

cross is for m ed by a structure of open work in gol d in ch h i gh by g in ch w ide .

Th e si des are for m e d by arca des wi der in t h e interio r th an t h e exterior m ade of fillets
, ,

w ith granulated surface Th e upper face of th is border is covere d with fi li gree in

.

s m all co m part m ents with a ge m or pearl set in t h e centre of each Four large p earls .

occupy t h e inner corners of t he cross four sapph ires t h e centre s of t h e en ds Th e

,
.
.
 GOLD S M I TH S
’
WORK AN D E N AM E L . 69

spaces between th ese are fill ed with carbuncles an d pearls set alternately th irty two of , ,
—

each not inclu din g t h e four large pearls T h e centre of th e spaces between t h e ar m s of
, .

t h e cross contain eac h a group of j ewels set on s m all lions feet inch h i gh Si m ilar ’
.

orna m ents are placed in t h e bor der one at eac h corner an d one at t h e term ination s of , ,

t h e cross t h e re m ain der of t h e bor der bein g set wit h th ree rows of stones or pearls 1
, It .

is of Sou th Ger m an work m an sh ip of t h e e n d of t h e nin th century ‘

.

E N AM E L S .

’
B esi de gol ds m ith s work an d carvin gs
in ivory ena m els now be gin to be u se d in ,

t he adorn m ent of book covers T h e art

of en a m ellin g u pon m etals was unk nown
'

-
.

in bot h Greece an d Italy at t h e be ginni ng of the t h ir d century I t was h owever .

, ,

practise d in t h e in dustrial cities of W estern Gaul an d in B ritain ; but durin g t h e

2

invasions an d w ars w h ich desolate d t h e W est fro m t h e fourt h to t h e elevent h century ,

al m ost all t h e arts lan guis h ed wh ile t h at of en a m ellin g nearly died out W h ile , .

th is art was slu m berin g in W estern E u rope it h ad taken root in Constantinople ,

an d was co m in g into notice i n I taly Towar ds t h e m i ddle of th e nint h century it .

reach ed its zenith at t h e E astern capital A century later as before state d D oge
'

.
, ,

O rseolo or dere d fro m Constantinople t h e Pal a d O ro for t h e h i gh altar of S t M ark

_

’
.
,

V enice an d at t h e be ginnin g of t h e elevent h century t h e E m peror St H en ry e m ploye d

,
.

3
Greek artists to decorate wit h ena m els t h e covers of h is books o f prayers .

To enable us to i dentify ena m elle d bin din gs of a particular sc h ool or period it is

necessary t o know so m eth in g about t h e various kin ds of en a m el m a de in different
parts of E urope Th e art of en a m ellin g was known in very early ti m es an d its use
.
_
,

m ay be trace d a m on g al m ost all c ivilise d n ations of antiquity I t is still practised to .

perfection by th e C h inese an d J apanese an d to a s m aller extent by t h e Persians an d ,

oth er A siatic peoples .

E na m el is appli ed to m etals in t hree differen t ways an d accor din gly th ree distinct ,

cl asses of en a m els are reco gnised

1 E m be dde d ena m els inclu din g Clo iso n n e an d
.
,

2 Tran sluci d enam els upon relie f

. .

3 P ainte d ena m els . .

E m be dde d en am els t h e m ost ancient kin d were freely use d to orn a m ent book
, ,

covers fro m t h e C arolin gian perio d down to t h e fourteenth centu ry A fter th at date .

pl aques of translucent ena m el Were occasion ally place d upon t h e covers of very precious
m anuscrip ts Painte d ena m els inven te d in t h e fourteenth century an d c h iefly m ade at
.
,

L i m o ges in t he fifteenth century were rarely use d for bookbin din g ,

.

F o r th is de scrip tio n I a m in deb ted t o t h e ab l e m o no graph b y M r A Ne sb itt,

1
entitl e d . .

Tw o M em o irs o n th e E vang e l ia Q uatuo r, o nc e b el ong ing t o th e A bb ey o f Lin dau , an d n ow t o t h e

’
-

.
. .

E arl o fA sh burnh am , B e ing P art I I I of V etusta M o num enta , v o l v i Th ere a re t w o p late s .

. .

Th e m a nus crip t w a s e xhibite d at th e E xh ibitio n o f B o o kbin ding s at th e Burlingt o n Fin e A rt Club in

18 1 — ED
9 . .
.

2
L abat te , H andbo o k , p . 131 .

3
Ibid .
, p . 1 32 .
70
. A H I S TO R Y O F TH E A R T OF B O O/( BI ND I N G .

C LO I SO N N E is t h e na m e given to enam el e m bedded in fi ligree fastened upon a

' "

plate of metal
. . Th e desi gn is first for m e d in outline by m eans of fine strips of m e tal ,

or flat wire set e dgewise soldere d upon a m etal surface t he c ells t h us for m ed are th en
,, ,

filled with th e vitreou s co m poun ds of v arious colours for m in g t h e ena m el

CH AM P L E VI"
.

: is t h e ter m use d to describe ena m el e m be dde d in cavities h ollow ed

.

out of m etal plates Th e desi gn bein g en grave d on m etal th ose portions of t h e surface
.
,

wh ich are inten ded to be covere d with ena m el are scraped away for m in g s m all h ollows ,

of definite for m into w h ich t h e en a m el is placed

, .

B ot h sorts of enam el easily len d th e mselves to t h e adorn m ent of book c overs an d -

wh en used upon t h e bin din g of vellu m m anuscripts an swer t h e double purpose of orna
.

m ents an d also w ei gh ts to keep t h e leaves of t h e book close to geth er th ey were ofte n

m ounte d on m etal plates an d woo den boar ds of consi derable t h ickness I f used upon
“

'

t h e bin din g of a m o dern paper book wh ere li gh tn ess is one of t h e essentials t h ey

, ,

woul d be o u t of place ; but to m any an o ld m anuscript th ey h ave for m e d ar m our of

proof against th e assaults of da m p dust insects an d oth er ene m ies of books
, , ,
.

Byzantine ena m els th ose fabricate d by Greek artists or I talians followin g t h e

Greek m et h o d were execute d in cloz so rm e wh ile t h e ena m els of L i m oges an d t h e
'
’
—

Germ an sc h ool were m a de in t h e c/z amplev e Th is distinction is i m portant Th e art . .

,

it is supposed was intro duce d into Constantinople fro m A sia w h ere it h ad reach ed
, ,

great perfection O riental m o dels bein g clo z som z e t h e Greek artists followe d t h e sa me
'
’
.
,

m et h o d in m akin g th eir ena m els .

I t h as been stated t h at ena m els were m a de in Gaul at an early perio d an d besi des ,

a few c h oice e x a m ples th ere is also t h e written testi m ony of Ph ilo st rat u s a Gre e k livin g ,

at Ro m e in t h e days of th e E m peror Septi m us Severus (early in t h e th ird ce ntu ry ) to t h e ,

.

effect th at t h e B arbarians livin g near t h e ocean pour colours upon h eate d brass so th at ,

1
th ey adh ere an d beco m e like stone a n d prese rve t h e desi gn represented I n later ti m es .

t h is t h e cl mmplev é m e t h o d was largely practised at L im o ges an d m ost of t h e o ld

’

, , ,

ena m elled book covers now preserve d inc h urc h es an d m useu m s belon g to th is class
-

T RAN SL U CI D E N A M E L S alth ou gh in poin t of ti m e belon gin g to a later perio d

, ,

wil l fit ly fin d a place in th is c h apter To I talian artists livin g late in t h e thirteenth

.

century t h e brilliancy an d i m perish able colours of t h e o ld en a m els were i nsu fficient

to atone for stiffness of outline cru dity of s h adin g an d want of perspective w h ich
, , ,

were th eir c h ief c h aracteristics B esi des th e gol ds m ith s required m aterial m ore costly
.
,

an d of less bulk t h an copper plates S o i n t h e th irteent h t h e th ick an d clu m sy

.

en am els of t h e twelfth century gave place to fine ch asin gs covered with transparent or
translucen t en a m els Th e en gravin g is seen th rou gh th e colours an d in so m e instan ces
.
,

t h e h ea ds an d h an ds of t h e fi gures are covere d with ena m el as transparent as crystal . .

Wh en appropriately m ounted in m etal fra m es ena m els o f th is kin d m ake m ost beautifu l
'

bookbin din gs but th ey h ave two disa dvantages — t h ey are brittle t h e ena m el bein g easily , ,

ch ipped fro m t h e m etal plate an d t h e plate itself by reason of its intrinsic value is a
,

te m ptin g m orsel for t h e h an d of a th ie f Few of th ese bin din gs h ave co m e down to.

1
P h ilo st rat u s L ib I c ap xxvii , . .
,
. .
 '

G OL D S M J TH S
'
WO RK A ND E N AM E L .
71

our ti m e T h e finest an d most perfect e xa m ple kn o w n t o t h e e ditor is now at t h e

’
‘ “
'

B o dleian L ibrary O xfor d ; it for m s t h e cover of a L atin psalter a t h irteenth century

, ,
-

m anuscript on vellu m E ach si de consists of a sin gle silver plate ena m elle d with .

translu cent colours of great depth an d b rillia ncy Th e ena m els m eas ure 35 by 1 fi ‘

.
—r

inch es an d are enclosed by bor de rs of silv er gilt foliage Th e subj ects represente d are
,
-

t h e Co r on ation o f t h e B lesse d V irgin an d t h e A nnunciation T h is beautiful bin din g is .

fully described a d reproduce in colours in H i stori c Bin din gs in t h e B o dleian

n d ” 1
.

S peci m ens of ena m el bin din g in France m ay be seen at t h e C luny M useu m ,

w h ere are two L i m oges ena m els one representin g t h e adoration of t h e M a gi t h e ot h er , ,

t h e m on k E tienne de M uret foun der of t h e O r der of Gran dm an t

(twelft h century ) , ,

conversin g with St Nich ol as . .

A s exa m ples of book covers in ena m el we m ay al so m ention -

I A m anuscript cover now in t h e N ation al L ibrary Paris

. Four little Clo iso n n e , .

en a m els for m in g a flower are place d wit h a preci ous stone at eac h an le of t h e Upper
,
g ,

panel of t h is cover an d serve as corner pieces to so m e gol d relief v e i y carefully ,

—

execute d T h e c o lo u 1 s use d are opaque w h ite li gh t blue an d se m i tr ansluci d green

.
, , ,
-
.

Th e date is sai d to be quite as early as t h e seventh century an d t h e work m ans h ip 1 s ,

(M S Suppl L atin No
2
By zantine . . . .

2 Th e ric h cover of an evan geliary of t h e elevent h century also at Pa ris written

. _
, ,

upon pu r
.

ple vellu m in letters of go l d O n t h e u pper panel of th is cover is a fine slab .

of 1 vory carve d i n h i gh relief enclose d in a rich border of gol d consistin g of t w o ban ds , ,

orna m ente d with pearls an d precious Stones cut el z m ew /z en Between th ese two ban ds .

a1 e place d on eac h si de fi v e little pl aques of d o z so m z e ena m el set in t h e panel of t h e

’ “
“

cover like precious stones T h e c o lours used are opaque re d an d wh ite an d sem i .
‘

, ,

transluci d blue green an d yel low T h is bin din g is not later t h an t h e twelfth century
, ,
3
. .

(M S S uppl L atin No
. . .

3 A t M unic h in t h e li brary m ay be seen an eva ngeliary enric h e d with

.
, ,

m iniatures one of wh ich represents t h e E m peror H enry I I (1 0 24 ) an d h is wife

’

, .

C u n e gu n da T h e upper si de of t h e cover is decorate d w ith an ivory carvin g surroun de d

'

"
by a border of gol d orna m ente d with w ear/1 0 m pearls an d ena m els A t t h e corners , ,
.

are m edall ions representin g t h e evan gelistic sy m bo ls an d between are twelve oth ers ,

with h a lf len gth fi gures of Ch rist an d eleven apostles T h ese m edallions are finely
-
.

executed in Clo ison n e ena m el Th e draperies are in brilliant colours t h e fles h tints in .
,

rose ena m el T h e m ono gra m of C h rist an d t h e na m es of t h e apost les in Gl eek

.
,

ch aracters are t 1 ac e d out by t h e th in strips of gol d wh ich form t h e partitions on a level

,

with th e ena m el I n a fillet surroun din g t h e ivory is an in sc 1 ip t io n in R o m an capital

. _

letters settin g forth t h at th is cover was e x ecuted by order of H enry I I (M 5 NO

4
. . .
,

1
W . Salt B rass ing to n , H isto ric B in ding s in t h e B o dl e ian L ibrary, O xfo rd, P late I V , p p 8 , 9 ‘
. . .

M Ch am p o ll io n Fig e ac , R ev u e A r c/z eo log z gu e , 2 ° A n né e , p 89 ; M Lab art e , Handbo o k ,

’
2 -
. . .

1 10
p . .

3
M L abat te .
,
“
H andbo o k , p . 1 11 .

4
I bid , p . . 1 12 .
72 A H I S TOR Y OF TH E A R T OF B OOK B I N D I IVG .

4 I n t h e sa m e library is a ric h box in t h e for m of a book cover containin g an

. ,
-

evan geliary of t h e twelfth century O n t h e upper si de of th is cover is a plate of gol d .

representin g Ch rist in t h e act of gi vin g t h e benediction T h e ni m bus an d t h e A lp h a .

an d O m e ga rou n d t h e h ea d of C h rist are in Clo is on n e ena m el as are likewise two ,

m e dal lions in t h e b or der w h ic h surroun ds t h e fi gure ; one represents C h rist t h e oth er -

t h e V ir gin Th e ena m els use d are deep an d l i gh t blue w h ite an d re d t h e fles h tints
.
,

(M S N o
l
are in pink en a m el Th ere is a L atin inscription . . . .

Th e four e x a m ples given above are all on go ld ; Clo ison n e en a m els were also
execute d upon copper .

5 M L ab art e describes a s m all book cover plaque

. . by 64 ;
inch es in th e -

collection of t h e Co m te de Po u rtales Gorgier U pon it is represented St George -

. . .

stan din g ar m e d with a lance with wh ic h h e is t ran sfixin g a dra gon at h is feet Several
,
“

inscriptions in Greek ch aracters are inscribed on t h e groun d T h e fles h tints are of a .

tolerably natural colour ; t h e ena m els use d in t h e draperies an d accessories are of various
colours Th e ena m el is fra m e d in a bor der of h a m m ered copper Th e plaque is
. .

2
Byzantine of t h e nint h or tenth century . .

6 In t h e B ritis h M useu m m ay be seen several fine en a m el book covers

. Two in t h e -
.

M e di aeval D epart m ent are deservin g of notice T h e fi rst is a G er m an ena m el of th e .

twelfth century I n t h e centre is an oblon g panel with a representation of St J am es ;

. .

roun d th is is a gol den borderorn a m ente d with j ewels t h e outer border w h ic h is raise d
‘

about 3} inch above t h e central panel is form ed of four ena m elled strips T h e aeco m ,
.

panyin g i llustration s h ows h o w t h e enam el was usually applie d to book covers in t h e -

twelfth an d th irteenth centuries .

7 I n t h e sa m e case t h ere is a co m posite book cover a goo d exa m ple of a m e di ae val -

.
,

m ake up Th e central panel consists of a piece of Ger m an ena m el probably of

.

th irteenth century work m ans h ip

-
I n t h e fourteenth century it appears to h ave been
.

re m ou n ted an d surroun de d with orna m ents of th at perio d T h is cover was bequeath e d

‘

by Feli x Sla de to t h e M u se u m in 1 868

'

8 T h is exa m ple in t h e D epart m ent of M anuscripts Britis h M useu m

.
,
perh aps , ,

deserves m ore consi deration as a piece of gol ds m ith s work t h an on account of t h e

’

ena m e ls with wh ic h it h as been orna m ente d but th ese are neverth eless of consi derable
,
-

m erit. I t is t h e cover of a m anuscript of t h e four Gospels in Latin probably written in , ,

N orth west Ger m any lat e in t h e tent h century an d boun d in t h ick woo den boards
-

, _

covere d wit h leath er I n t h e upper cover is a sunken panel wh ich togeth er with t h e
.
, ,

su ri o u n din g fra m e is overl ai d with copper gilt ; t h e fra m e is stu dded with lar ge
,
-

crystals T h e m etal in t h e panel h as a scale pattern repouss é t h e sunk e dges bein g

.
,

c o vere d with s m all leaves etc In t h e centre is a seated fi gure of C h rist in h i gh relief
, .
, ,

t h e eyes for m ed by two bea ds ; an d at t h e fo ur corners are s m all sq u a1 es of e/z amp lev e
e na m el in blue green an d re d a dde d not earlier th an t h e fourteenth century Th is
, , , , .

m anuscript was purc h ase d for t h e M useu m in 1 8 57 (A dditional M S . .

I t h as been very j ustly re m a1 k e d th at few of t h e covers of ancient m anuscripts are

1
M L ab arte H an db o o k p 1 1 3
.
, Ibid P 1 1 7 ,
”
. .
2
.
, .
 GOL D S M I TH S
’
WORK A N D E N AM E L .
73

conte m porary with t h e books t h e m selves ; an d w h en t h ese covers aspire to th e distinction

of works of art for m ed of costly m aterials it is often di fficult to fi x th eir date with ,

,
h d dd
certainty because th ey are frequently foun d to ave receive a itions at different dates 1
.

T h e tablets of fil m /112113725 ena m el at t h e four corners of t h is exam ple are fourteent h

5

century work an d for m n o part of t h e ori ginal desi gn Perh aps th ere were also two
,
.

ot h er ena m els at t h e si des bu t th ese h ave now gone leavin g only t h e h oles m a de by
, ,

t h e pins w h ic h fastene d t h e m to t h e cover .

9 T h is exa m ple also in t h e D epart m ent of M anuscripts at t h e B ritis h M useu m

.
, ,

covers t h e Gospels of S S L uke an d J oh n in L atin written in Ger m any in t h e .

, ,

t h irteenth century an d for m erly belon gin g to t h e Nu nnery of H einin gen in t h e diocese
,

of H il des h ei m It w as presented to t h e Mu seu m by t h e executors of F e lix S lade in

.
’

1 86 8 Th e volu m e is boun d in t h ick woo den b o ards c o v e re d wit h leat h er staine d re d

'

~
.
.
,

T h e lower cover is plain T h e upper cover is h alf t h e t h ickness of t h e book an d

”

ex cee din gly h eavy I n it is a sunken panel of L i m o ges ena m el on copper gilt of t h e
.
-

e n d of t h e t h irteen th cen tury : C h rist in glory wit h in a vesica wit h t h e sy m bols of t h e , ,

E v an gelists at t h e corners t h e fi gures gilt wit h t he h ea ds in relief

fl
,
Plates of en a m el .
,

of leaf an d o w er pattern are attache d to t h e outer fra m e Th e colours use d are s h ades
- -

, .

of blue li gh t green yellow wh ite an d re d Th e bevelle d si des of t h e bor der are

, , , ,
.
.

covere d with copper gil t worked in dia m on d pattern 2 (A ddition al M S 2 7

-

,
. .

1
H B . . W h e atl ey ,
R em ark abl e B in dings in th e British M us eum .

2
I bid . S e e P lat e p 4
. .

-
A N CI ENT I R IS H B OO K -
CO VE R , B R O NZ E .

(F ro m th e ori gi n a l in the B ritish M u seu m )

’

.
 W ‘s a - .

C HA PT E R V I I .

CE L TI C B O OK B I N DI N G I RI S H B O OK S A TCHE L S — B OOK S H RI N E S
- -
M E TA L
—

B I N D I N GS A N D ORNA M E N TA L LE A TH E R B O OK B I N D I N GS .

N W estern
culture a dvan ce d si de by si de wit h C h ristianity
E urope .

Th e footsteps of t h e first m issionaries m arke d by m onu m ents of art ,

an d literature t h e work of t h es e pioneers of a new reli gio n m ay

, ,

be traced frOm South ern E urope to t h eir fi nal h o m e in B ritain .

M any m anuscripts exquisitely illu m inate d s h rines in wrou gh t m etal , , ,

for bells or books ch alices personal orna m ents an d book —covers, , ,

re m ain to th is day in attestation of t h e h i gh artistic feelin g patien ce , ,

an d well directe d ener gy of our first C h ristian m issionaries

-
I n t h e early days before .
,

t h e E n glis h tribes ca m e to B r itain C h ristianity h ad sprea d t h rou gh W estern E urope

, ,

fro m R o m e th rou gh Gaul an d Spain to t h e I sles of t h e Sea to B rit ian an d to I relan d

’

, , .

Th e conquest of t h is country by t h e pagan tribes m en divi de d Ch risten do m into t w o

unequal portions O n one si de were t h e R o m anise d ch urch es of t h e Continent on
.
,

t h e oth er t h e in depen dent Celtic Ch urc h in t h e for m er all ener gy was e xpen de d i n t h e
stru ggle for e xistence in t h e latter t h e stren gth of t h e youth ful sect m a de itsel f felt i n
,

t h e sch ools an d m onasteries leavin g its recor d in t h e excellence

, t h e absolute goo dness —

fl
an d perfe ction o f its written an d illu m inate d books T h e science an d Bi blical know
—
“
.

ledge w rote t h e h istorian of t h e E n glish people wh ic h e d fro m t h e Continen t took

,
”
,
“

refu ge in fa m ous sch ools w h ic h m a de D urrow an d A rm agh t h e U niversities of t h e

,

W est .
”
1
Th e learnin g expelle d fro m A le x an dri aan d Constantinople foun d a h o m e a m on g
t h e war m h earte d I ris h people
-
I t is recor de d t h at St Patrick h ad a m on g h is fa m ily
. . .
,

or reli gious associates art ifice rs of great S kill (5 A D , So m e of th ese art ific ers . . .

co m bine d th e m ission of evan gelist with t h e callin g of art work m an t h ey h ad followe d

P at ric k fro m t h e Continent an d t h ey an d t h eir successors were conte m poraries of
.
,

t h e artists w h o fas h ione d t h e t h ro ne of D a gobe rt t h e ivory c h air of M ax im ian at

‘

R avenna an d t h e treasure s of t h e Cat h e dral of M o nza

,
B is h op Conla one of t h ese .
,

R Gre e A Sh o rt H isto ry E ngl ish P eo p l e,

”
o ft h e
1
J . . n, p 43
. .

74
 CE L TI C B O OK B I N D I N G .
75

early m i ssi onari es is sai d to h ave been an artist in gol d silver a n d o t h e r m etals H is
'

, , .
,

v est m ents were o f f o reign probably I talian m ake ; wh ic h fact points to a connection
.
,
-

between th at country an d our own at th at early date

“

St Patrick s i m m e diate successors a ttacked w it h fie ry zeal t h e h eath enis m aroun d

’ ' '
‘

t h e m M issionaries set out to convert t h e people of Gaul an d I taly I n t h e plains of

. .

B ur gun dy a m on g t h e lofty A pennines or besi de t h e blue waters of Lake C onstance

, ,

rose m onasteries an d c h urc h es foun de d by I ris h m en It woul d app ear t h at t h e .

wan derin g saints w h o foun ded t h ese institutions brou gh t with th e m m anuscripts an d
, ,

h oly vessels of native work m ans h ip ; it is fro m t h ese relics of an al m ost for gotten
-

race th at we are able to discover so m ethi ng of t h e nature an d c h aracteristics of t h e art

‘
prevailin g at th at early perio d in our own an d o u r sist e r islan d T h ere are of course t h e -
.

well known e x a m ples of I ris h art still preserve d in th at islan d but si m ilar e x a m ples
-

h ave been foun d on t h e C ontinent ; of t h ese m ay be instance d t h e ch alice of Tassilo at ,

t h e M onastery of R eic h enau on an islan d of t h e L ake of Constance T h is ch alice .

certainly dates fro m t h e ei gh th century since Tassilo was deposed A D 7 8 8 Th e un der , . . .

cover of t h e Gospel book of t h e nei gh bourin g M onastery of L in dau (se e pp 8 2 ) dates .

fro m a perio d quite as early .

I t is th ou gh t by arc h m o lo gist s w h o h ave m ade I ris h h istory a special stu dy

th at t h e teach ers an d scribes w h o m i grated fro m Irelan d to t h e Continent were in
fact returnin g to t h e c ountries w h ence th eir m asters h ad ori ginally co m e N u m erous .

I rish m anuscripts an d oth er relics of th e ei gh th to t h e tenth cen tury preserve d in , ,

E uropean libraries an d treasuries affor d evi dence of t h e trut h of t h e forei gn ch ronicles

, ,

w h ic h alone recor d t h e l abours of t h e Iris h teach ers C eltic enth usias m was h o w ; ,

ever s h ortlive d it flourish ed for a ti m e like t h e wil d exuberan ce of its interlace d

,

orn a m ent but it declined before t h e m ore e n du rin g in u e n c e of R o m e ; its art fell
,
,
'

fl
with t h e m asters w h o practise d it but not before it h ad left a ch aracteristic m a rk ,

upon t h e h oly vessels an d great books of t h e C aroli ngia n sch ool .

T h e equip m en t of a C eltic scribe c onsiste d of a pair of tablets covere d wit h w ax , ,

a stylus fo r writin g on t h e wax pens m a de of feath ers ink of various colours an d , , ,

parch m ent So h onourable was t h e profession estee m e d t h at t h e title of scribe was

.

fre q u e n t ly u se d to en h ance t h e di gnity of a bis h op

,
I ris h m onks instructed th eir .

disciples in all t h e tec h nicalities of writin g illu m in atin g an d bookbin din g ; an d to , ,

th eir careful syste m of instruction is du e t h e e x quisite beauty o f I ris h m anuscripts -

an d th eir coverin gs O n e of t h e earliest referen ces to books ih C eltic C h ristian

.
-

ti m es is contained in an accou nt of St Patrick s first co m in g to I rela nd H e an d .

’
.

written after t h e m an ner “

“

h is followers carrie d in th ei r h an ds lo ng woo den tablets

T h e i gnorant native s m istakin g t h ese tablets for swords fou gh t t h e peaceful
”
of M oses .
, ,

1
Ch ristians till t h e error was discovere d so runs t h e le gen d .

I rish scribes were accusto m e d to bin d th eir books in rou gh

B OOK SATCH E LS -
.
—

leath er or in woo den boar ds with out m uch orna m ent so far as can now be ascertai ned ,

p 5O 9 N A
”
S ee To dd s St P atric k Ap o stl e o fI relan d
1 ’ -

. .
.
, ,
.
,
 ‘

76 A H I S TOR Y OF TH E A R T OF B OO/( BI N D I N G .

but w h en a volu m e was inten ded for a m an in great repute or h ad belon ged to ,

a s aint n o orna m en t was too elaborate to be lavis h e d upon it

, W h en books were .

boun d th ey were placed in leath er cases or satch els furnis h e d with straps for h an gin g
over t h e s h oul der or upon a pe g E xa m ples m ay still be seen enclosin g t h e volu m es .

th ey were m a de to protect for t h e satch el of t h e Book of A r m a gh t h at of St , , .

M o e do c s R e liq u ai y an d th at o f t h e I ris h M issal at Corpus C h risti Colle ge O xford

’
.
, , ,

yet re m ain 1 T h e O x ford exa m ple is a rou gh leat h er case bearin g m arks of great
.

antiquity ; it contains a s m all m issal about 6 inc h es in len gth by 5 in wi dth Th e , .

m issal is boun d in stron g woo den covers w ith out orna m ent but upon t h e si des of ,

t h e satc h el m ay still be seen im p1 esse d upon t h e le at h e i a pattern consistin g ch iefly

of in te 1 se c t in g lines an d circles pro duce d by m ea ns of a blunt point an d a
punch .

fl
I t appears to h ave been t h e usa ge of Irish ecclesiastics to keep books in satch els
of th is kin d w h ich were calle d p ol/l ire or ag li n lebu r a n d by th i s m eans to carry
, ,

th e m fro m place to place wh en goin g j ourneys T h e custo m is m entioned in o ld Gaeli c .

2
tales an d inci dentally also by Geral d de Barri in h is account of an interview sai d
, ,

to h ave occurre d about A D 1 1 8 2 between an U lster priest an d a m an wolf an d h is . .

,
-

dyin g fe m ale c o m p am o n m a woo d on t h e bor ders of M eat h

'

Th e wolf sai d h e was

, .

a m an of O ssory on w h ose fa m ily lay an ancient curse wh ereby every seven years a
, ,

m an an d a wo m an we re c h an ge d into wolves resu m in g t h ei 1 natural for m at th e expira ,

tion of seven years Th e sh e wol f so runs t h e story desire d t h e las t consolation of

.
-

, ,

reli gion an d th e m an wolf pointin g to a scrip (perMia ) containin g a m issal an d so m e

, ,
/

consecrate d ele m ents wh ic h in accordance with ancient usage wan derin g priests were
, , ,
’
accusto m ed to carry suspen ded roun d th eir necks inti m ated th at h is dyin g partner s ,

wis h es were to be respected .

It is 1 ec o 1 de d th at a m on g t h e prese n ts given by St Patrick to F iac e Bis h op of .

,

S le tt y were a bell and reliquary a c ro iz ier an d a b ook satc h el

, A satc h el in dee d w as , .
, ,

a necessa ry articl e of episcopal equip m ent w h en a bis h op h ad to tru dge on foot over
“

a large an d uncultivate d diocese St Patrick is described as carryin g h is book . .

satc h el on h is back St Colu m ba is sai d to h ave blessed one h un dre d polaires

. .
“
,
” 3
noble an d ra re an d to h ave m ade crosses
, book satch els an d oth er ecclesiastical ,
-

gear .

T h e custo m of usin g book satc h els was brou gh t fro m Gaul to Irelan d ; it h ad -

_
_

probably passe d fro m t h e E ast to Gaul an d in m o dern ti m es it was still p rac tise d in t h e ,
-

m onasteries of E gypt an d t h e L evan t Curzon w h o travelled early in t h e nineteent h .

,

century n o t l c e d th at books 1n t h e library of t h e A byssinian M onastery of S o u rian s on t h e

, ,

M atron L akes l n E gypt were boun d i n th e Usual way eit h er in re d leath er or in woo den
, ,

1
M . Sto k e s , E arly Ch ristian Art in I re lan d, p 50 ,
. w h e re th e satch el is state d e rro neo usly to
at Cam bridg e
"

be .

9
S ee also T .
J . Gilbe rt, “
Facsim il e s of N atio nal M anuscrip ts of I reland . P art I ntro .

p . xxi v , p late 51 als o

M S R oy 1 3 B . . .
,
B ritish M use um .

3 “
L e ab h ar B re ae, fo l 1 6 — 6 0 . .
 B OOK S A TCH E L S 77
-
.

boar ds wh ich were occasion ally elaborately carved in ru de an d coarse devices Th e

,
.
.

bo oks were enclose d in cases tied up with leath er t h on gs an d attach ed to a strap for ,

convenience in carryin g th e volu m es over t h e s h oul ders ; by t h ese straps books were
also h un g on woo den pe gs t h ree or four on a p e g Th e usual size was th at of a s m all
, .

very th ick quarto I n t h is respect t h e A byssinian books rese m ble t h e ancient I ris h
.

1
m anuscripts .

B ook satc h els probably cease d to be generally use d in t h is country before t h e

’

elevent h century but th ey h ave been in use occas i on ally fro m t h e earliest ti m es
,

to t h e presen t day E very on e is fa m iliar with carvin gs an d pictures of m onks

.

an d ecclesiastics carryin g th eir books su spen de d by a strap fro m t h e girdle .

In our days t h e dainty m orocco sat ch els enclosin g bij ou e ditions of th e Book of ,

Co m m on Prayer an d H y m ns are in fact representatives of t h e ancient Celtic , , ,

p ola ires .

We of a Sta ffordsh ire vicar lately dea d w h o wh en travellin g in

h ave h ear d , ,

Palestine was attacke d by bri gan ds Seizin g t h e Bible w h ich h e carried in a satc h el .
,

suspen ded fro m h is n eck by its leath er strap t h e worth y divine use d t h e sacred ,

volu m e as a weapon of defence so effectually t h at h e kept t h e A rabs at bay till his

frien ds ca m e up an d rescued h im .

A lth ou gh out of strict c h ronolo gical or der i t m ay be well h ere to add a few
wor ds _

upon book satch els in general I n I taly an d Ger m any in m edia v al ti m es book sat c h els
-
. -

of cu irhozi i/Zi an d occasion ally of m etal were in fash ion Th e m z rhou i/Zi was beauti
’

, , .

fully orna m ented wit h cut desi gns T h ese desi gns co n siste d fo r t h e m ost part of .
, ,

conventional folia ge h eral dic ac h ieve m ents an d inscriptions A fine exa m ple m ay be
‘ “

, , .

seen at t h e B ritish M useu m It is describe d as an oblon g breviary case in eu irho u ii/i

.
,

It alian leath er work of t h e fifteent h century wit h loops at t h e e dges for straps Two , .

si des bear t h e coat o f ar m s an d crest of t h e A ldo bran din i fa m ily a ben d e m battled ;
“

- —
,

with th eir c rest a fe m ale h ea d A t eac h corner is t h e representation of a pa dlock

, . .

Th e back groun d is covere d with a diaper Of leaves an d flowers cut an d punc h e d in an ,

e x cee din gly beautiful m anner T h is case w as bequeat h e d to t h e M useu m by Feli x

.

Slade in 1 86 8. I t was exh ibited at an art e xh ibition h el d at I ron m on gers H all an d 1 5 _

’

fully describ ed in t h e catalo gue th en publish ed .

In t h e sa m e roo m at th e M useu m is anoth er but s m aller eu irhou illi case or forel , , , ,

for a book I t is sm aller in size an d less elaborately orna m ente d t h an t h e A ldo b ran din i
.

forel I t is I talian work of t h e sixteenth cen tury Si m ila r ancient book cases m ay
. .
-

be foun d a m on g t h e t 1 e asu res of m any an c 1e n t libraries an d m useu m s A t t h e Bo dleian .

L ibrary O x ford t h ere is one still containin g t h e book for w hic h it w as ori ginally m ade
, ,
.

T h is is a beautifully illu m inated c h art book of fift e en th century date boun d in cedar - -

w o o d in laid w it h ivory an d coloure d w oo ds

s
To protect th is c h art fro m inj ury it was .

place d in a stron g c ase o f black eu irho u il/z wrou gh t on t h e si des w it h v ery beautiful
.

conventional leaf orn a m ent Cu irhou i/li work is now a l ost art ; it m igh t be revive d
.

wi t h ad vantage .

1
ur
C zo n Mo nast e rie s o f t h e L evant ”
p 93 ,
-
, . .
78. A H I S TOR Y OF TH E A R T OF B O OK B I N DI N G .

BOO K S H RI N E S -
book satch els th ere were in early C h ristian ti m es
.
~ —
B esi des -

1
m a gnificent book s h rines co m paratively co m m on in I relan d
-
I n o th er cou ntries
,
. .

t h e bin din gs th e m selves were m ore frequently e m bellis h e d with gol d silver ena m el , , ,
'

an d je w els so t h at t h e b o o k s m i gh t add splen dour to t h e altars upon w hi c h t h ey w ere

,

placed ; but in I re lan d books b ei ng in m any cases t h e h an diwork of th e patron saint ,

of a c h urch or at least h is gift were venerate d by h is successors as th in gs to be

, ,

preserve d inviolate even to t h e covers Fo r t h e preservation of books boxes were

“

m a de an d upon t h e m all t h e ski ll of t h e gol ds m ith was lavis h e d

,
Ce rtain fa m ilies were .

t h e h ere ditary guar dians of th ese sacre d books an d th eir s h rines In course of t im e .

t h e h eirloo m s were put to a very di f ferent use f1 o m th at for wh ich t h ey were Ori ginally
desi gne d bein g use d so m eti m es as a talis m an in b attle an d in one instance worn
, ,

as a b 1 e ast p lat c O n e case th at calle d th e Cath ac h was h er m e tically seale d

.
, ,
.

T h e earliest cu m cz cz c/z or book s h rine recor de d is t h at m ade for t h e B ook of

'
-

, ,

D urro w by Flann Sinna Kin g of I relan d circa 8 7 7 T h is is now lost but it was seen in
, ,
.
,

1 6 77 T h e next book s h rine is t h at of t h e Book of A r m agh datin g fro m c irca A D 9 3

.
—
, . .

I n t h e A nn als of Four M asters we rea d t h at t h e s h rine of t h e B ook of

“ ”

Kells was stolen A D 1 0 0 6 : T h is was t h e principal relic of t h e W est e rn worl d on

. .
“
,

account of its sin gular cover ; an d it was foun d after twenty ni gh ts an d two m onth s ,

”
its gol d h avi n g been stolen o ff it an d a so d over it T h e writer of “
E arly , .

Ch ristian A rt in Irelan d gives a list o f t h e cu nn in g/cs dati ng fro m A D 8 7 7 to A D I 534

'

. . . . .

Th e s h rines vary fro m 9 % inch es in len gth an d are m ade of various '

m aterials gol d silver bronze an d woo d

,
—
, I n t h ose exa m ples w h ic h are still extan t
, , .

th at of M o laise is of bronze plated with silve r ; th ose of t h e Cat h ac h an d Dim m a s ,

’

book brass plate d with silver th at of D o m n ach A irgid is of yew woo d

,
-
-

B ook s h rines of Byzantine work m ans h ip are still preserve d at so m e ancient

-

c h urc h es on th e Continent Th at of t h e Gospels at M onza h as been alrea dy m ent ioned .

'

(p T h ere are also ot h er s h rines in t h e s am e ch urc h E xa m ples of I ris h czcm aachs ’

'

. .

m ay be seen in t h e royal library of M unic h an d elsew h ere on t h e Continent ,

-

Th e case of M o laise s Gospels circa A D 1 0 0 1 is for m e d of bronze pl ates orna

’

, ,
. .

m ente d wit h silver an d wit h gilt p at t ern s riv e te d to t h e b rOn z e foun dati o n L ike al l
'

, ,
.

cases an d book —covers of th is class a c rOss for m s t h e b asis o f t h e desi gn Between

'

.
,

t he ar m s of t h e cross th e four sacre d beas ts a1e pla ce d an d t he na m es of t h ese sy m bolic ,

creatures are en grave d besi de th e m Th e re m ainin g spaces are fi lle d with gilt cable . .

patterns an d in t h e centre of t h e cross an d at th e fou r cor ners are stones cut en ca bochon
, _
.

Th e un der si de is plainer but as m ay be s een by t h e illustr at ion t he desi gn is e ffective

, , _ , .

Ne x t in date co m es t h e s h rine of t h e S towe M issal the ol der part of wh ic h see m s ,

to h ave been m a de between t h e y ears 1 0 2 5 an d 1 0 52 In the c e n t re is a large rosette . n

of m e t al c o n t ain in g a c ry stal fro m whi c h sp rin g th e ar m s of a cross ter m i nati ng

h _ , _
,

in a bor der en grave d wit h an 1n sc r1p t io n an d an interlace d orna m ent at t h e four _

-

, .

corners T h e se m icircles at t h e e n d of t h e ar m s of t h e cross are also decorated

. .

1
M . Sto k e s, “ E arly Ch ristian A rt in I relan d, pp . 88— 9 6 , c o nta ins th e m o st c om preh ensive
acco unt o f I ris h bo o k sh r in e s
'

-
.
THE CA S E
’
O F M O LA I S E S G OS PELS (U N DE R SIDE ) , IRISH W OR K ,
E A R LY E LE VE N TH CE N TU R Y .

(P ho tog raph ed fro m th e g in a l in the m

o ri u seu m f the Roy al
o I rish A cademy .
)
80 A H I S TOR Y OF TH E A R T OF B OOK B I N D I N G .

wit h interlaced work Th e inscription i m plores t h e pious to pray for t h e soul of

.

a certain early Iris h kin g an d for D u n ch ad descen dant of T ac c an of t h e fa m ily , , ,

of C lu ain w h o m ade t h e box ; h e was a m onk of Clo n m ac n o is an d a S ilversm ith

, ,

but noth in g m ore is k nown about h im T h e sp aces between t h e ar m s of t h e cross .

are fille d with plates of en grave d silver Th e crystal an d its settin g in t h e c entre .

are later a dditions Th e upper si de of t h e box is divi de d into four co m

.

covere wit h silver en rave d to represent t h e Crucifixion t h e B lesse d

'

p a rt m e n t s d , g ,

V irgin a saint an d a bis h op an d is of m uc h later work m ans h ip

, ,
As to t h e ,
.
.

h istory of t h is fa m ous book an d its coverin g it is hel d to h ave belon ge d ori ginally ,

to t h e M onastery of L orrh a in Tipperary w h ence it m ay h ave been carried to , ,

t h e I ris h M onastery of R atisbon I t was foun d in A ustria by M r J oh n Grace . .

,

an o ffic e r in t h e A ustrian serv ice in t h e year 1 7 84 Fro m t h e fam ily of M r Grace

'
,
. .

’
it was obtained by D r O Co n o r for t h e D uke of B uckin gh a m s library at Stowe
.
’
,

wh en ce it passe d into t h e possession of t h e E arl of A sh burn h a m an d is now ,

deposite d in t h e m useu m of t h e R oyal I ris h A ca de m y .

’
Th e s h rine of D im m a s book t h ou gh si m ple in con structio n is one of t h e m ost , ,

curious czcm cict chs now extant its h istory is ro m antic Th e s h rine was m a de to conta in .

a copy of t h e Gospels written by one D i m m a a scribe w h o was e m ploye d by St , , ,

.

Cronan in t h e year A D 6 34 to write a copy of t h e Gospels Th e book belon ged

. .
, .

to t h e A bbey of R oscrea fou nded by C ronan I n t h e m i ddle of t h e twelfth centu ry

, .

’
by order of T at h eu s O Carro ll an I ris h C h ieftain , it was ensh rine d in its present ,

coverin g . A t t h e ti m e of t h e dissolution of m onasteries bot h s h rine an d book dis

appeare d T h ey were foun d in t h e year 1 7 89 by so m e boys w h o were rabbit h u ntin g
.
,
-

a m on g t h e rocks of t h e D evil s Bit M ountain in th e county of Tipperary Th e boys ’

.

upon discoverin g th is treasure tore off t h e silver pl ate an d picke d out som e of t h e [ep is
laz u li wit h w h ic h it w as stu dde d but t h ey feare d to touc h t h e si de of t h e s h rine on
,
,

wh ich th ey foun d t h e representation of th e Passion A fter passin g th rou gh several .

h an ds i t at last reac h e d its presen t restin g place in t h e library of Trinity Colle ge -

D ublin . O n e si de of t h e c ase is divi de d i nto four co m part m ents by a cross of plain silver ,

orn a m ente d with j ewels in t h e centre an d at t h e four extre m ities an d j oinin g a plain ,

silver bor der also orna m ented with jewel s at t h e four corners Th e spaces between
, .

t h e ar m s o f t h e cross are fille d wit h interlace d desi gns of curious ani m als Th e date .

of th is sh rine is A D 1 1 50 . . .

T h e last sh rine w h ic h can be m entione d h ere is t h e lar ge case m a de to con tain t h e

Cat h ach of t h e O D o n n e lls acopy of t h e Psalter so calle d because it was carrie d into
’

, ,

battle by t h e ar m y of Ce n é l Conaill h un g on t h e breast of a h ereditary lay successor

“
'

,
”1
of a priest with out m ortal sin (so far a s h e coul d h elp ) T h e inscrip tion on t h e box
runs as follows : A prayer for C ath b arr U a D o m n aill for w h o m t h is case was m a de
“ -

, .
_

for S it ric son of M ac A c da w h o m ade it ; fo r D o m n all son of Ro b art ac h ; for t h e

,
-

, ,

successor of Ke lls for wh o m it was m ade , T h ere is reason for assignin g a date not .

later th an A D 1 0 84 to th is book an d sh rine

. .
'

O D o nn ell s Life o fSt C o lum ba qu o t e d b y M Sto k e s E arly Ch ristian Art in I relan d p 96

’ ’ ” “
1
.
, .
, ,
. .
CA S E TH E S TO W E M I SS A L (U ND E R S 1 DE ), I R IS H WO R K ,
E A R LY E LE VE NTH C E N TU RY , c. A .D . 1 0 2 3.

TH E C E NT R E O R N A M E N T S E E MS To BE A L ATE R A DD 1 T1 0 N .

(P h o tog r aphed fro m th e or ig in al in th e m u seu m f the

o R oy a l I rish A cadem y .
)
82 A H I S TOR Y OF TH E A R? OF B OOK B I N D I N G .

B ook rines were not peculiar to I relan d U n der t h e n a m e o f copra th ey are

-
sh _
.

1
frequently m entione d in ancient inventories Gre gory of Tours relates th at Ch ilde b ert
'

in A D 53 1 brou gh t fro m B arcelona twenty ev ang eliorm n copra of pure gol d set with
. .

stones In t h e L ouvre is a b o x overlai d with plates of gol d ; t h e C rucifi xion in h am

.
,

m ere d work occupies t h e upper panel Th is subj ect place d un der a sem icircular arch
,
.
,

s u pporte d by colu m ns is surroun ded by a wi de bor der containin g fine clOisom z e enam els
,
’

Th e s ym bols of t h e four E van gelists are place d at t h e corner s t h e re m ainin g space ,

-

of t h e border bein g ornam ented with ena mels alternatin g with stones cut en cabochon
,
.

Th e style in dicates t h at it was fas h ione d at t h e be ginnin g of t h e e leve nth century _

.

Th e case of gol d given by Queen T h eo do lin da to t h e Ch urch of M onza in t h e si x th

‘

century an d still preserve d th ere is a book sh rine not unlike t h e I rish exa mples above
, ,
-

describe d but di fferin g in detail

,
Th e orna m entation of t h e M onza copra m ay be .

describe d as a cross p at é e m arked out by a granulated bor der an d decorate d with , ,

lines for m ed by slices of garnets ; an d in th is respect it rese m bl es t h e ornam ent

2

upon t h e un der cover of t h e L in dau Gospels wh ich we next describe ,

.

Th e m ost fa m ous early Celtic book bin din g now in t h is country m ay be seen up on
t h e un der S i de of t h e cover of t h e Gospels of L in dau t h e uppe 1 si de of w h ic h was de ,

scribe d o n pa ge 6 7 Th i s m anuscript wh ich belon ge d to t h e A bbey of N oble Canoness es

.
, ,

foun ded in A D 8 34 by t h e E m peror L ewis t h e Pious at L in dau on t h e L ake o f

'

. .
,

Constance fell to t h e sh are Oft h e C anoness A ntoinette B aroness von E u z b u rg wh en

, , ,

t h e abbey was d i ssolve d in 1 80 3 after h er death it was purch ase d by B aron J os e ph de

' '

L apsb u rg w h o so ld it to M r B oo n e a bookseller fro m w h o m it was bo u gh t by t h e l a

, te .
, ,

E arl of A s h burn h a m in wh ose collection it still re m ains , .

Mr N esbitt describes th is won derful bin di ng at great len gth in “ V etusta M onu
.

”
m enta , publish ed by t h e S ociety of A ntiquaries Th e ol der si de of t h e cover h e .

consi ders a n unique c om binati on of artistic processes in use in I relan d an d in Ger m any
“ ‘

or in I taly in t h e ei gh th century T h e oth er t h e finest exa m ple of art of t h e C arolin gian .

T h e desi gn of t h e un der si de un doubte dly is Celt ic , b u t t h e exe cution m ay

”
'

p erio d .
, ,

h ave been Ger m an of t h e ei gh th c en t u 1 y In its ori gin al state t h e ol der s ide o ft h is .

te x tus of L in da u measure d by 9 4 in ch es Strips of gilt m etal h ave bee n adde d on .

t h e si des ; one in place of t h e ori ginal bo 1 de 1 of ena m el t h e oth er as an a dditio n to ,

t h e bor der w h ic h h owev er is now wantin g at t h e botto m

, , Th e total wi dt h of t h e , .

cover is now 1 0 4 inch es A cross p at é e occupies t h e centre of t h e panel an d upon it

“

.
,

a1 e orna m ents O f garnets an d enamel Th e spaces between t h e ar m s of t h e cro ss a re .

occupied except t h e quadrants at t h e e x terior an gles by ch iselle d work of interlace d

, ,
(

ani m als in bronze T h e outer bor der j u dgin g fro m wh at is left consiste d Of
.
, ,

s m all tablets of clo ison n e ena m el very ru dely execute d t h e colours bein g wh ite li gh t
’

, ,

blue an d re d on a blue groun d with spots of oran ge B etween each ena m el was
, , .

a square orna m ent co m pose d of flat slices of

garnets for m e d into patterns by fillets .

of m etal Th ese orna m ents vary an d eac h altern ate space h as in its centre a s m all
.
,

‘
f H ist E c c c
1
. . lib iii . .
, . 10 .

A Ne sb itt, F S A "
. . .
, M e m o ir on Evan ge l ia Quatuo r
’
o f L indau , Vetusta M o num enta , ” 1 88 5 .
 OR N A M E N TA L L E A TH E R B OOK B I N D I N GS . 83

h e m isph ere of Uncoloure d glass ,

in one case an e m eral d Fi gur e of t h e E van .

ge list s at t h e four corners are late additions datin g probably fro m 1 59 4 w h en t h e , ,

book was reboun d T h e pieces of wh ic h t h is cover is co m posed are fi x e d by pins to

.

a boar d 5 inc h th ick Th e enam els are of two kin ds clo ison n e an d ch a mp lev e"; t h e
.
—
’

orna m ents are e n t ire ly o f t h e zoo m orp h ic kin d T h e ol der or spiral syste m of
. .
.

decoration is entirely wantin g Garnet work went out of fash ion about A D 80 0 but
.
. .
,

is often foun d on objects of A n glo Sax on an d Gaulish work m ans h ip —

.

A lt h ough but fe w exa m ples of Celtic bookbin din g are now e x tant th ere can be no ,

doubt th at bin ders of t h ose days knew h o w to cover books substantially wit h woo d ,

m eta l or leat h er a dorne d in various w ay s

,
I t h as been state d th at t h e ea rly I rish . ,

bin din gs were usually plain an d th at o rn am e n t E l a dditions were generally confine d

,

to t h e boxes or cases m ade to contain books To th i srule h owever t h ere are notabl e .
, ,

e x ceptions I ris h bin din gs q u it e as elaborately orna m ente d as any book s h rine are
.
-

e x tant I n desi gn an d plan th e decoration closely rese m bles t h at upon t h e si des of

“

book s h rines O u r Celtic forefath ers also k new h o w to or n a m ent leath er

'

-
. Th e .

beautiful desi gns upon so m e of t h e leath er s atc h els h a v e counterparts upon t h e si des “

of ancient leath er bin din gs .

Th e na m es of a few Celti c boo kbin ders are know n D agae u s a m onk livin g in .
,

I relan d earl y i n t h e sixth century is sai d to h ave been a skilful c aligrap h ist an d to h ave
, ,

m a de an d orna m ente d bin din gs with gol d silver an d precious St o nes h e die d A D 58 7 , , . . .

E t h e lw o lf a m onk of L in disfarn in a m etrical ep istle to B ish op E gbert at th at ti m e

, , ,

( nint h century ) resi dent in I relan d wit h a view of collectin g m anuscripts e x t ols one
, ,
1
U ltan an ,
I ris h m onk for h i s talent s in a
,
dornin g books .

S cattered in different p arts of t h e country an d especially in I ris h m useu m s are , ,

nu m erous fragm ents of C eltic bookbin ding s so m e of great beauty so m e m erely , ,

grotesque A m on g t h ese fragm ents m ay be foun d en grave d m etal plates once

.

'

for m in g t h e orna m ental covers of books ; corner pieces probably use d to ado rn an d —
, ,

protect t h e corners of woo den bin din gs covere d with leath er Suc h are t h e fra gm ents .

foun d at Clo n m ac n o is an d in P h oeni x P ark D ublin an d now in t h e Britis h M useu m , , .

Cl asp s were used even in th ose days an d m uc h goo d taste was displaye d in orna m enti ng ,

th e m .

I t woul dbe stran ge if m our own islan d we coul d fin d no relics of t h e art work m an
sh ip of t h e Iris h m issionaries ; probably t h ere are so m e h i dden away in ancient C h urch es
or country h ouses but very few h ave been discovere d,
Pa t rick t h e apostle Of .
,

I relan d h ad been dea d h alf a century w h en h is followers se t out to C h ristianise oth er

,

nations Colu m ba a m an of royal descent born in t h e north west of Irelan d ab out

.
, ,
-

A D 520 left h is native country in h is fo rt y seco n d year an d crosse d in a little boat to

. .
,
;
,

t h e islan d o f ft h e coast of S cotlan d subsequently renowne d asIona Colu m ba an d h is

,
.

successors brou gh t wit h t h e m books an d book sh rines but no exam ple of th e latter is -

at present known to us ; th ey are h owever n otice d in ancient records T h us in t h e , ,

.
,

Aber deen M artyrolo gy t h e Gospel of St M atth ew belon gin g to St Ternan is

“
. .
,

‘ ”
R e ru m H ib ern ic arum
1
cl xxvii
’ ’
O C or
o n s
1
, .
84 A H I S TOR Y OF TH E .
A R T OF B OOK B I N D I N G .

describe d enclosed in a m etal case covere d wit h silver an d gol d ; an d it is sai d in

as ,

Bower s continu ation of F o rdu n th at t h e Gospels of St A n drews were covere d by

’
.

l
B is h op F o t h ad before A D 9 6 0 . . .

Towards t h e close of t h e seventh century B ene dict Bisco p foun der of t h e , ,

M onastery o f We arm o u t h in N ort h u m berlan d m ade no fewer t h en five j ourneys to , ,

R o m e to purc h ase books vessels vest m ents an d oth er orna m ents for h is m onastery , , , ,

an d t h us collecte d a valuable library For one of th ese book s a volu m e on Cosm o

°

.
,

grap h y Kin g A lfre d gave h im an estate of ei gh t h i des or as muc h lan d as ei gh t plou gh s

_

, ,

coul d cultivate Th e bargain was conclu de d by B enedict with t h e kin g a little before
.

h is death A D 6 9 0 an d t h e book was delivere d an d t h e e state receive d by h is successor

,
. .
, ,

A bbot C o elfre d A n o ld writer (D r H enry) co m m entin g on t h is re m ark s : A t t h is

. .
“

rate none but kin gs bis h ops an d abbots coul d be possesse d of books ; w h ich is , ,

t h e reas on th at t h ere were t h en no sch ools but in kin gs palaces bis h ops sees or
’ ’

, ,

m on ast eries .

Two Iris h m issals are e x tant in Scotlan d one calle d t h e D ru m m on d M issal fro m —
“
,

its h av in g been preserve d at D ru m m on d Castle in Perth s h ire ; t h e Other now at

'

E dinburgh an d for m erly attribute d erroneously to St Colu m ban is n o w m ore

,
.
,

appropriately desi gnated t h e R osslyn M issal fro m its havin g been for so m e ti m e in
” “
,

2
t h e possession of t h e Sinclairs of R osslyn .

T h e m ost notable leat h er bin din g of th is early perio d is th at upon t h e little volu m e ,
_

containin g th e Gospel of St Joh n taken fro m t h e to m b of St C uth bert at D urh a m Th e .

,
. .

si des of th is bin din g m easure 5% by 32 inch es t h ey are th in woo den boards covered with —

dark cri m son leath er wit h interlace d orna m ents coloure d yellow , T h e obverse contai ns .

a panel 2 inc h es square t h e surface of w h ic h is sli gh tly depresse d upon it is a twinin g

,

branch orna m ent sli gh tly raised A bove an d below are pan els with an interlace d cable .

desi gn in intaglio t h e w h ole bein g surroun de d by a bor der of un dulatin g cable patter n
, .

U pon t h e reverse a panel m easurin g 3 by 1 % inches surroun de d by a double—rule d , ,

bor der is divi ded into two h un dred an d ten squares by depresse d lines so m e of wh ic h
, ,

h ave been painte d yellow T h e colour ha vin g worn away consi derably it is now .
,

i m p ossible to tell wh at t h e ori ginal desi gn m ay h ave been .

St Cuth bert it m ay be re m e m be re d died on t h e isl an d of Fa m e in th e year

.
, ,

A D 6 87
. . H e was burie d at L in disfarn an d eleven years later h is bo dy was translated
.
,

to D urh a m I n t h e rei gn of H enry I Cuth bert s to m b was again opened ; h is bo dy it ’

‘

.
,
.

is sai d was not deco m pos ed t h e li m bs were fle x ible an d t h e vestm ent s entire I n t he
, , , .

coffin were foun d a gol d ch alice with an onyx foot ; t h e h ead of Oswal d Kin g of t h e ,

N orth u m brians w h o lost h is life fi gh tin g a gai nst t h e D an es ; an d as it is suppose d

“

, , ,

t h is s m al l volu m e containin g t h e Gospel of St Joh n in w h ic h Cuth bert used constantly .

,

to read Th e text is written in uncials an d th ere is no doubt as to its antiquity

.
.
, .

A t t h e be ginnin g of t h e book is t h e followin g inscription in a later , probably t h irteent h

century h an d : E w a ng eh zcm foh an n z s qa od in v en ta m fenercz t ad cap n t B ea t i P a tris
“
’ ’
'

1
M S to k e s ,
. E arly C h ristian A rt in I re lan d, p 9 6 . .

9
J oh n T Gilb e rt , P S A
. Fac sim iles o f t h e N atio nal M anuscripts
. . ofI e r lan d , 1 87 8 .
 ORN A M E N TA L L EA TH E R B OOK B I N D I N GS . 85

‘
n osz r z
'

Cu l/z é e fli
fa rm s am mo m la t z o m s zp
z,
'

n p ( Th e Gospel of J oh n
se u lc/z ro
' ' ' '

sz u s .
“
,

wh ich w as foun d at t h e h ead of our B lesse d Fat h er Cuth bert lyin g in h is to m b in t h e , ,

year of h is translatio n ”) T h e vellu m fly leaves m ay h ave been a dde d at a later date -

Fro m t h at ti m e till th e
dissolution of m onasteries
t h e book is suppose d to

h ave been kept in t h e tre a t

sury at D urh am ; after

Wards it fell into pr ivate
h an ds and at len gt h beca m e
,

t h e property of t h e fa m ily
of Lees afterwar ds E arls ,

of Lic h fie ld in t h e ti m e of ,

Ch arles I I Th e E arl of .

Lic h fie ld gave t h e book to

t h e R e v Th o m as P h ilips. .
_

auth or of a L ife of Cardin al

”
Pole w h o gave it to t he
,

C olle ge o fJ esuits at L i ege ,

in A fter t h e sup
pression of t h e or der one
of t h e fat h ers brou gh t t h e
volu m e to E n glan d an d it ,

is now carefully preserved

at S t o n y h u rst College .

M any years ago t h e

R e v J M ilner P S A e x
. .
, . .

h ib it e d th is book to t h e
Society of A ntiquaries h e
t h en supposed th at t h e bin d
in g w as of E lizabet h an date ,

but th ere isl it tle doubt th at

th is w as an error Th e bin d
2
.

in g cannot be m uc h later ‘

tha n t h e tenth century ; it

m ay be conte m ora r y wit h w s rs Ad
p . . . .

NG o r s G O S P LS ’
A H R N c u rH ER LE T E BI DI r B r s E
t h e m anuscript wh ich is
D iag am f o m th e a gin a"
. .

3 ( a t S to y h t Col l g ) r r n n u rs e e
consi derably ol der
.

A r ch aeo l og z a v o l xv i p I 7 ; Transactions o f th e O xfo rd P h ilo l o g ical So c ie ty O cto be r

’
1 “
.
, .
, .
,

3 rst , 1 879 .

M r E Go rdo n Duff,
. . Burlingt o n Fin e Art Club Catal o gue o fB o o kbin ding s , I ntro ductio n , p v i
“
. . .

3
Fo r a rubb ing o f th is m o st intere sting b in din g a n d fo r in fo rm atio n co nc ern ing it th e e dito r
de s i re s t o e xp re ss h is th an k s t o th e R ev Geo r e J in k s , o f S t o n yh u rst C o ll e g e , Blac kburn
0

g . .
 C H A P T E R V I II .

M ON A S TI C B OOK BI N D I N G— E NGLI S H A N D CON TI N E N TA L B OO KB I NDI N G UP TO

TH E I N VE N TI ON OF P RI N TI N G
. .

onasticis m beca m e m ore fi r m ly establis h e d in E n gl an d after t h e

S m
N or m an Conquest an d one after anoth er great m on asterie s arose ih
,

t h e fairest an d m ost fruitful spots t h rough o u t t h e lan d t h e rule of ,

St B ene dict an d oth er si m ilar syste m s b egan to e x ercise a deci ded

.

influence on literature O n th e Conti nent t h e e xpansion of m on as

.
-

t ic ism took place a t an earlier perio d t h an in E n glan d but t h e result _

,

was m uch t h e sam e Th e Bene dictine m onk was t h e pioneer of

.

m e dia v al civilisation an d Ch ristianity i n E n glan d Ger m any Polan d B oh e m ia Swe den , , , , ,

1
an d D en m ark Th e B ene dictines foun de d se m inaries in Fran ce an d fi lle d t h e pro
.
,

W ith t h e din o f arm s aroun d

v

fesso rial ch airs in t h e universities of C h risten do m .

h im it was t h e m onk in h is cloister w h o by preservin g an d transcribin g a

,
-

ncient
,

m anuscripts both C h ristian an d pa gan

,
as well as by recording h is observations
,

on conte m porary events was h an din g down t h e torch of knowle dge unquench ed to
,
.

2
future generations .

‘
I n every great E n glish abbey a room called a scrzp z on u m was appropriated to t h e
' '

scribes w h o w ere constantly em ployed in transcribin g not only service books fo r t h e

,
.

,
-

c h oir but books for t h e library also an d in bin din g t h e m Th e library h owever did not
, ,
.
, ,

becom e an i m portant part of t h e m on astic bui ldin gs till towards t h e fourteenth century .

The libraries foun de d at Y ork by A lcuin in t h e ei gh th ce ntury at D urh a m Canterbury , , ,

Lincoln an d W orcester were not lar ge ; o ld catalo gues of so m e of t h ese collections are
, ,

D e S tud M o m
”
M ab illo n I ix
, .
, . .

J G S m ith Ch ristian M o nasticism p 1 2

2 “
. .
.
, , .

86
 M ON A S TI C B OOK BI N D I N G .
87

e x tant A t L incoln a typical e x a m ple th ere is a ca talogue of t h e cath e dral library

.
, ,
,

date d I I 50 ”
but t h e new library a roo m built about 1 4 20 was but a s m all apartm ent
“
, ,

t h ou gh larger probably th an t h e one it sup ersede d

, , .

I n B ene dictine m onasteries one or m ore walks of t h e Cloisters were general ly .

occupied by t h e woo den carrols or little stu dies wh erein th e m o n k s coul d retire for
'

, , .

purposes of readin g or transcribin g b ooks A t W inc h ester C h ester an d Gloucester .

, ,

t h e south cloister was occupie d by carrols ; at D u rh am t h e nort h si de A t Worcester

'

an d B eaulieu lar e au m bries or cupboar ds for books were si uate

g , t d in recesses in th e wall
,

of t h e east cloister t h e bookbin ders vVo rk ro o m w as n ot in t h e cloister but in anoth er

’ '

part of t he conventual buil din gs .

A M O N k T RA N S C R I B I N G A B OO K .

T h is one goo d use of convents an d of C h ri stian societi es was we h ave ,

alre ady seen of early ori gin

,
A bout t h e year 2 2 0 A le x an der B is h op of Jerusale m
.
, ,

built th ere a library for t h e preservation of t h e epistles of t h e learne d An d . _

O ri gen was assiste d in t h e pro duction of h is works by severa l notaries w h o ,

wrote down in turn th at wh ich h e uttered 1

I n m ore recent ti m es H erm an o n e of .
,
.

t h e N or m an bish ops of S alisbury about t h e year 1 0 80 no t only w rote an d illu m in ate d

, ,

books but also boun d th e m 2 So m e of t h e cl assics were written an d boun d in E n glish

,
.

m o nasterie s. H enry a Be ne dictine m onk of H yde A bbey near W inch ester transcribe d
, , , ,

1
E ccl H ist
. . o fE us ebius Bo o k V I .
, ch ap . xx
.

2 “
M on . iii . 275 .
88 A H IS TOR Y OF TH E A RT OF B OOK BI N D I N G .

in t h e year 1 1 7 8 Terence B oetius Suetonius an d Clau dian ; h e b o u n d t h e cop ies i n

, , , ,

1
one book , an d form ed t h e brazen bosses of t h e covers with h is own h an ds
'

In t h e year 1 1 7 4 W alter Prior of St Swith in s Winch ester purch ase d of t h e m onks ,

.
’
, ,

of D orch ester i n O xfo rdsh ire t h e H o m ilies of B e de an d St A u gustine s Psalter for

, ,
.
’

twelve m easures of barley an d a pall on wh ich was e m broi dere d in silver t h e h istory , , , ,

of St Birin u s convertin g a Sa xon kin g

'

. .

A t W orcester t h e m onastic recor ds were gen erally boun d in w h ite s h eep skin -
.

I n a m onastic roll of t h e ti m e of R ic h ar d H is th is entry : .

”
I n iij pe llib s o m n is p b ib liis in claustro iiij d ( Th ree skins for books in t h e
’
.
, .
“

cloister 4d , an d .

“
I t su t t e t o ri pro li gatura m a gni libri in c h oro x xd To th e bin der for bin din g .

t h e great book in t h e c h oir ,

I n one instance t h e bin din g of a W orcester bo ok was fastene d with a letter lock so -

t h at it coul d be opene d only by so m e one w h o kn ew t h e secret of t h e co m bination .

Fro m th ese entries it is evi dent t h at t h e W orcester m onks e m ploye d a professional

bin der as did th ose of W inch ester an d oth er great m onasteries ; but it m ust not be
,

suppose d th at t h e m onks of th ose m onasteries did not th e m selves so m eti m es follow

t h at co m m en dable callin g .

Fo r t h e support of t h e scr zp to r z a m estates were often grante d T h at at St

' '

. .

E dm o n dsb u ry was en dowe d wi th two m ills Th e tit h es o f a rectory were appropriate d .

to t h e C at h edral Convent of St Swith in at W in ch ester in t h e year 1 1 7 1 M any .

, , .

si m ilar instanc es occur A bout t h e year 7 9 0 C h arle m agne grante d an unli m ite d
.

ri gh t of h untin g to t h e abbot an d m onks of S it h in for m akin g t h eir gloves an d ,

girdleS o f t h e skins of t h e deer th ey killed an d co v ers for t/zez r boo/es N i gel in

'
'

, .
,
‘

t h e year 1 1 6 0 , gave t h e m onks of E ly two c h urch es ad lz brm facz en dos R de Paston

' '
~

. .
,

grante d to B ro m h o lm A bbey in Norfolk 1 2 d per annu m a rent c h arge on h is lan ds , , .

, ,

to keep th ei r books in repair T h ese e m ploy m e nts appear to h ave been dili gently .

practise d at Croylan d if we m ay accept t h e evi dence of an auth ority so doubtful as ,

I n gu lph u s w h o relates t h at w h en t h e abbey was burnt in t h e yea r 1 0 9 1 seven h un dre d

,
-

volu m es were consu m e d L arge su m s were disbursed for grails legen ds an d service .
, ,

books for t h e c h oir of t h e c h apel of W in ch ester College as is s h own by a rol l ,

of Jo h n M o ry s t h e warden ann o xx R ich ar d I I A D I 39 7

, I t appears in t h is , . . . . .
,
"

case, th at th ey bou gh t t h e parc h m ent an d h ire d persons to do t h e writin g , ,

illu minatin g notin g an d bin din g with in t h e w alls of t h e col lege Th e books were
’

, , ,
.

covere wit d h d eer skin “

I te m in v j p e llib u s cer w n z s e m pt is pro libris pre dic t is
' ’

-
.

”
c o o p e rie ndi s X l lJ S 11 l d
j ( A lso e x pen de d upon six deer skins for covering t h e books
“
-

, . .

aforesai d I 3s , T h e m onk s as h as been before re m arke d were skilful illu m inators

.
, ,
.

T h ey were also t aag b t t o bin d bo o bs I n th e year 1 2 7 7 t h ese constitutions were

“

-
.

given to t h e B ene dictine m o nasteries of t h e province of C anterbury : Tbe a bbots m ay

"

'

allo w tbez r
’

cloz st er ed on ks, in o t/z er

’ '

m in place of m an u al labo u r, a cco rding t o t heir abz lz zgl

W arton , I . c xl iv .
, dis . 2 .

2
J . No a ke , Th e M o nastery an d Cath e dral of W o rc e ste r , p 445. .
 M ON /I S TI C B OO /( B I N D I N G . 89

occup a t ion s ,
to employ tb em selv es in stu dy ing , in w r iting , in co r rect in ,
g in ill u m in a ting ,
and in bin ding boobs Th at t h e stu dents an d m onks were bookbin ders is furth er con
.

fir m ed by a note on t he fly l eaf of a m anu script at L in coln : M as ter Tleo m as D ufield -

“

so m et im e Ca n cella r iu s of t/ee Ca tnedral C/z u rc/t of L in co ln bo u n d a n d g a v e t /z is boo/é t o t /ce ,

N ew L ibra ry A D also by a note in a B urton book t h e first pa ge of a m anu

, . .
,
”
script L ife of Co n c u b ram is
“
I t is written in m onkis h L atin an d alth ou gh of late .
,

date m ay be quote d h ere : Tbe bin ding of S ir Willia m E dy s m on k of tbe M on astery ,

of tbe B lessed M a ry a n d of S t Modw en a th e Virg in B u rt o n o u Tren t w /z ile be w as .

,
-

st u dy ing at Oxford A D ,
.

H ay m o de H eth in t h e ori gin al en dow m ent of C h alk in Kent in 1 32 7 co m pelle d

g t h e ir m
, , , ,

t h e vicars to be at t h e e x pense of bin di n

;
”
issals libro s et i a m l iga r i fa ciet ,
“
.

U ntil t h e invention of pri ntin g t h e W 1 itin g an d bin din g of books was la1 ge ly but ,

not e xclusively practise d by m onks I n one of A bbot Joh n T rit h e im iu s ex h ortations

,
.
’

to his m onks of S p an h e im in t h e year 1 4 8 6 after m any inj unctions against i dleness , ,

h e obser v es t h at h e h as di m i nis h e d t h eir labour out of t h e m onastery lest by workin g ,

badly th ey s h oul d only add to th eir sins an d h ad enj oined on th e m t h e m anu al labour ,

of writin g an d bin ding books A gain urgin g th e m to atten d to th is duty h e says .

,

It is true th at t h e in dustry of t h e printin g art lately in our day discovere d at M entz , , , ,

pro duces m any volu m es every day ; but it is i m possible for us depresse d as we are ,

3 ”
by poverty to buy th e m all ,

B ook s bein g scarce an d val uable till t h e invention of printin g an d bein g usually ,

m a de of parc h m ent instea d o f paper Cause d people to be m ore c ai e fu l for t h eir ,

preservation th an th ey are at present ; but unfortunately t h at w h ich appeare d likely

to protect th e m for ages often prove d t h eir destru ction T h e covers of woo d .

fa cilitate d th e rava ges of wor m s ; t h e e dges too go t da m a ge d an d t h e books suffere d , , ,

consi derably .

A n early instance of an E n glis h m onk labourin g to a dor n t h e bin din g of a book

is th at of one B ilfrid a m on k of D urh a m (c A D w h o is m entioned in Si m on of
, . . .

E cclesiastical H istory 4 i n con nection wit h a book u sually known by t h e

”
D ur h a m s
’

'

.
n a m e o f Te xt u s Sanctus Cu th b e rt i preserve d in t h e B ritish M useu m (M S Cotton ,
. .
,

N ero D iv ) I t is a fine speci m en of Sax on cali grap h y an d decoration of t h e seventh or

. .

ei gh th ce ntury an d was written by E adfrid B ish op of D urh a m ; an d E t h e lw o ld h is

, , ,

successor executed t h e illu m in ations t h e capitals an d oth er illustrations with infinite

'

, , _
,
-

labour an d elegance B ilfrid covered t h e book an d a dorned it with gol d an d silver

.
“

plates set with precious stones Th ese particulars are relate d by A l dre d t h e Saxon .
,

gl ossator at t h e e n d of St Jo h n s Gospel Si m on of D urh a m or Turgot tells us th at ’

, . .
, ,
”
t he cover was orna m ente d : with preci ous gem s an d gol d M any curious tales are “
.

related concernin g th is book ; a m on gst oth ers Turgot gravely asserts th at wh en t h e , ,

m onks of Lin disfarn were re m ovin g t h e n ce to avoi d t h e depre dation s of t h e D anes , ,

t h e ve ssel wh erein th ey were e m barke d oversettin g t h is book w h ich th ey h ad wit h , ,

W arto n I c xlvi dis 2 A r ch e o l og ia v o l xi , p 36 2 B r it t s/z M ag , x 1 2 8

'
3
, . . .
, . . . . . .

4
“

Warton , En gl ish P o etry .

, 1 c xl ix , dis 2 ; Sim e o n D unh e lm ,
. . .
-
“
H st E ccl D
i u n h e l ,
m
”
. . 1 17 .
90 A H I S TOR Y OF TH E A R T OF B OOK BI N D I N G .

th e m fell into t h e sea

, T h rou gh t h e m erits of St Cuth bert t h e sea ebbin g m uch
.
“

.
,

fart h er th an usual it was foun d upon t h e san ds above th r ee m iles fro m th e s h ore
, , ,

wit h out h avin g received injury fro m t h e water 1 Th e ori ginal bin din g h aving been .
,

m ost likely despoile d of its orna m ents at t h e perio d of t h e R efor m ation h as been
, ,

replaced by a russia coverin g .

I t 15 related th at W ilfri d A rch bi sh op of Y ork w ho die d A D 6 7 7 h ad a copy of t h e , , . .

,

Gospels written on t h e fi nest vellu m an d place d m a cover enrich ed with ge m s an d gol d 2 , .

A book of even greater h istoric interest is t h e Stowe m anuscript containin g t h e

Passionale a portion of t h e H oly Gospels use d for t h e coronation oat h of E n glish sove
, ,

rei gns t h e ori ginal book ln fact upon wh ich all our kin gs fro m H enry I (A D 1 1 0 0 ) to
, , , , . . .

E dward V I (A D took t h e coronation oat h (Stowe M S S No

. . . Th e pages of . . .

th is m ost interestin g m anuscript are a h un dred an d seventy four in nu m ber Th e beautiful -

.

letters nearly approach R o m an capitals in for m A m e m oran du m in t h e autograph of .

’
Jo h n Ives dated Y ar m outh Norfolk St L uke s D ay 1 77 2 gives t h e followin g account
, , , .
, ,

of it T h is very ancient curious an d valuable o ld m anuscript appears to be t h e ori ginal

book on wh ic h our kin gs an d queens took t h eir coronation oath s before th e R e fo r
Th e book appears to h ave been written an d boun d for t h e co r
”
m ati o n . onation of
H enry I Th e ori ginal bin din g w h ic h is still in a perfect state consists of two oaken
.
, ,

boards nearly an inch t h ick fastene d togeth er with stout th on gs of leath er an d th e

, , ,

corners defen de d with lar ge bos ses of brass O n t h e front cover is a crucifix of . ,
'

gilt bronze wh ic h was kisse d b y t h e kin gs upon th e 1 r 1 nau gu ration T h e covers are
'

-
.
,
-

fast e n e d by a stron g clasp of brass fixe d to a broa d piece o f leat h er secure d with two
'

brass pins Th is book was afterwards i n ; th e library of t h e D u ke of Buckin gh a m at

.

Stowe A t t h e sale of th e Stowe collection s in 1 849 it w as purch ased for t h e B ritis h

.
,

M useu m 3 It was for m erly re gistered in t h e E x ch equer as a little book with a crucifix
. .

A repro duction of a p h oto grap h of th is bin din g is given on t h e opposite page A .

4
drawin g of it by V ert u e is in t h e collection of t h e S ociety of A ntiquaries -

A noth er m an u scrip t GO S p e l partly L atin an d partl y Sa x on in t h e B ritis h M useu m

'

, ,

(Cotton M S S Titus D is also boun d wit h oaken boards one bein g in lai d with
’

.
.
,

pieces of carved ivory supposed to h ave been executed at a later perio d T h ese carvin gs ,

are h owever very curio us an d deservin g of notice Th e first consists of o u r S av io u r w it h

, ,
.
, _

an an gel above Him t h e secon d of t h e V irgin with C h rist in h er l ap t h e V irgin is in '

h alf len gth ; t h e th ird is a s m all w h ole len gth of J osep h with an an ge l above A gilt .

ni m bus is roun d t h e h ead of each but th at wh ic h encircles t h e V irgi n is perfect ; ,

an d t h e co m partm ent in w h ic h sh e appe ars (about 5 inch es h i gh ) is twice t h e size of

each of t h e oth ers Th e draperies th rough out are good . I t is altoget h er a c h oice .
“

speci m en of ancient bin din g 5

T h is m o de of ex ternal ornam ent is furth er illustrate d
“

by t h e followin g description of two books by M r A stle in a paper on crosses an d .

,

c ru c ifi A booke of Go sp e lles garnis h e d an d wrou gh t with antique w o rk e of silver

“
x es :

1
A stl e, W ritin g , p 1 0 1 “ ”
. .
4
D ibdin
’
s B ib D e c am
. .
, 11 .
434 .

2
A r cnceo l og ia v o l iv , p 57 , . . . .
5
Ibid .

3
M o ul e , Bib l io th e ca H e ral dic a , 49 3 .
 mm er
si ; o f THE B O O K w u rc rr HE NRY 1 . A nn 5 15135 199 0 5 11? m es or
? EN G LAN D AR E
; su p
 A H I S TOR Y OF TH E A R T OF B O OK B I N D I A G
'

92 .

an d g ilte wit h a n i m a e of t h e crucifi x wit h M ary an d Jo h n po iz to get h er c c c xx i oz

g j In , , . .

t h e Jewel H ouse in t h e Tower a booke of gol d ena m ele d claspe d with a rubie h avin g , ,

on t h one sy de a crosse of dy am o u n t s an d v j oth er dy am o u n t s an d t h oth er si de a

’
,
.
,
’ '

flower de luce of dy am o u n t s an d iiij rubies wi th a pen dante of wh ite sapp h ires an d ,

.
,

t h e ar m es of E n glan de W h ich booke is garnish ed with s m all e m e ralde s an d rubies

.

h an gin g to a c h ayne pillar fash ion se t with xv k n o t t e s e v erie one c o n t e y n in g iij rubies .
, .

” 1
(one lackin g)
I t was also usual in early ti m e s to en grave t h e ar m s of t h e owner on t h e clasps
wh ich were generally attach ed t o b o o k s E leanor D uch ess of Gloucester m entions in _ , ,

h er will in 1 339 ,
a C h ronicle of France in French with t w o clasps of silver ena m elle d
, , , ,

with t h e ar m s of t h e D uke of B urgoyne ; a book containin g th e Psalter Pri m er an d “

, ,

oth er devotions with two clasps of gol d ena m elle d with h er arm s ; a Frenc h Bible in
,

two volu m es with two g ol d clasps ena m elle d with t h e ar m s of France ; an d a Psalter
,

rich ly illu m inate d wi t h t h e clasps of gol d ena m elle d with wh ite swans an d t h e ar m s of
, _
,

2 ”
m y lor d an d fath er ena m elle d on t h e clasps A m on g t h e books in t h e inven t ory of t h e .

e ffects of Sir Jo h n F asto lfe were two M y ssay le s c lo sy d with sylver an d a S auter , ,
” “

” 3
c laspy d w it h sylver an d m y m aysters is ar m ys an d m y lady es t h er u p p o n
, .

Th e Be dford M issal is perh aps as splen di d a speci m en of t h e taste an d in genuity

, ,

of art in t h e fifteenth centu ry as any book e x tant I t contains fift y nine large m iniatures .
-
-

occupyin g nearly t h e wh ole p age an d above a th ousan d s m al l ones in circles of ab out , ,

an inch in dia m eter displaye d in elegant borders of gol den foliage with variegate d
, ,

flowers etc A m o ng t h e portraits are wh ole len gth ones of Jo h n D uke of Be dford
'

-
.
, , ,

R e gent of France in t h e rei gn of H enry V I an d of h is duc h ess T h e volu m e m easures .

, .

1 1 by 7 9 ; inch es in wi dth an d 2 5 inc h es in t h ickness I t is boun d in cri m son velvet ~

, .

with gol d clasps wh ereon are en grave d th e ar m s of H arley C aven dish an d H ollis
, , ,

quarterly Th e D uke of Be dfor d presented it to h is nep h ew H enry V I 4 I t was bou gh t

“

. .

of t h e So m erset fam ily by H arley secon d E arl of O xford fro m wh o m it cam e to t h e ,

late D uc h ess of Portlan d at wh ose sale M r E dwards beca m e t h e owner for 2 1 5 guineas
, . .

I t was sol d a gain in 1 8 1 5 to th e M arquis of B lan dford for £68 7 1 5s Sir J oh n Tobin .

was t h e nex t possessor it h as now foun d a restin g place in t h e Britis h M useu m -

.

I n t h e year 1 8 88 M r Bernard Q u arit c h h ad in h is possession a very re m arkable

.

bin din g apparently N orth I talian work of t h e early th irteenth century I t was super
,
.

i m pose d upon a fift een t h century m anuscript of Ofiicia S o ro ru m ordin is B ea t i A ugu s

—

tin i written about A D 1 4 80

,
Th e bin din g is in velvet t h e front si de covere d with
. . .
,
'
'
a gilt m etal plate ex h ibitin g in re pousse an d h a m m ere d wo rk a desi gn in relief of our , ,

S aviour seated on a rainbow with t h e terrestrial globe at h is feet an d surroun ded by , ,

t h e sy m bols of t h e four E van gelists an d t h e A gnus D e i ; four rock crystals polis h e d ,

en cabocno n for m th e corner orna m ents

,
Th e le tters A an d M for A an d 12 (alpna .
,

an d o m eg a) stan d one on t h e left t h e ot h er on t h e ri gh t of t h e ent h rone d C h rist

, ,
.

A rc/i ce o log z a ,
'

1
A r clz w o log ia , v o l xiii , p 2 2 0 . . .
3
v ol . xxi .
, p . 2 76 .

2
N ic o las ,
“
T e st V e tusta ,
”
.i 1 48 _
. .
q

4
r
Ho ne
’
s “
B i io g p , i 30 2 ; an d N ich o l
bl ra h y ”
.
’
s I llust .
, vi
. 296
(M S . A dd .
 E N GL I S H A N D CON TI N E N TA L B O O/( B I N D IN G .
93

In t h e B ritis h M useu m
be seen a m anuscript of t h e four Gospels in L atin m ay ,

written probably in W estern G erm any in t h e nint h century ; boun d in woo den boards
, ,

covere d wit h silver plates , s h owin g traces of gil din g of t h e fourte enth century I n a , .

sunk panel on t h e upper cover is a seate d fi gure of Ch rist in h i gh relief ; t h e h ollow ,

.

beneath it is fille d with relics Th e borders h ave a scroll an d leaf pattern repouss é an d .
- -

, ,

as well as t h e panel; are set with ge m s renewe d in 1 8 38 A t t h e two outer corners are )
,
.

t h e sy m bols of S S L uk e an d Jo h n set in translucent ena m el of deep blue t h e ni m bi

.
, , -

green O n t h e un der si de is a sunk panel with an ivy leaf pattern repouss é an d an

.
,
.
-

e m bosse d A gnus D ei in t h e centre So far as t h e h istory of th is book is known i t .

,

appears to h ave been in E n glan d since t h e be ginnin g of t h is century ; in 1 8 3 1 it was

purch ase d at Soth ebys at t h e sale of L or d S trah gfo rd s library by B ish op Butler of ’

L ic h fie ld for £ 1 0 0 Th e M useu m bou gh t it in 1 84 1

.
(A dditional M S S 1 1 . .
,

I n an inventory of goo ds belon gin g to t h e C ath e dral Ch urch of St Paul L on don

.
.
, ,

m ention is m ade of a B ible containin g in its fore cover t h e relics w h ic h B is h op T h eo dore

h ad presente d to t h e c h urc h 1 A curious bin din g of th is kin d is m entione d by S cali ger

.

’
as bein g on a printed Psalter in h is m oth er s possession T h e cover was 2 inch es th ick .
,

an d in t h e insi de was a kin d of cupboar d wh erein w as a s m all silver crucifi x an d be h in d , ,

2
it th e n a m e of B eren ica Cadron ia de la S cala A lth ou gh th is appears to h ave been a .

late exa m ple of w h at m ay be ter m ed a s h rine bin din g th ere is no doubt th at book “
-

covers were often use d to contain so m e s m all obj ect of a doration or relic of a saint .

H ansar d speaks of a book h e h ad seen with a recess for a relic an d th at relic a h u m an ,

3
toe.

Th e particulars given su fficiently e xh ibit t h e varie d talent of ancient E uropean

bookbin ders ; ti m e da m p t h e wor m an d reli gious zealotry h avin g worked t h e de
, , ,

struction of t h e coverin gs of nearly all early m anuscript s ; th ou gh to t h e latter cause

m ust b e attribute d not only t h e scarcity of proof of w h at t h e bin din gs of th ese talente d

m onks an d artists were but often t h e entire loss o f t h e books t h e m selves

,
Th e m istaken .

zeal enth usias m an d bi gotry of t h e early lea ders of t h e Refor m ation an d of th ose th ey
, , ,

e m ploye d swept away with ou t distinction t h e works of t h e learne d with t h e books of

'

devotion p reserve d in t h e reli gious h ouses an d deprive d t h e worl d of m any treasures ,

.

B ooks an d bin din gs were alik e destroye d an d even in cases wh ere t h e book m ay ,

h ave been preserve d t h e cupi dity of o fficial visitants of t h e reli gious establis h m ents
_ ,

woul d lea d to t h e destruction of m any valuable orna m ents with w h ich th e bin din gs
were enrich ed an d decorate d .

No t only were t h e libraries co m pletely sacke d but t h e h u ge volu m es w h ic h c ontain ed ,

t h e ancient services an d aboun de d in all t h e c h urch es an d m onasteries were destroye d

, ,

with out m ercy ardently an d enth usiastically M any of t h ese books h ad been brou gh t
,
.

direct fro m R o m e w h ere a m anufactory of suc h works h ad fo r so m e centuries e xiste d

,
.

A n i m m ense volu m e was lai d upon t h e lu tr in or readin g desk in t h e m i ddle of t h e

“

, ,

ch oir an d t h e letters an d m usical notes wh ic h acco m panied t h e words were of such a

, , ,

P al m e r s 2
H isto ry of P rinting , 96
’
l
A r c /z ceol og ia , vol I 4 51 p
“

. .
, p . . . .

H ansard s Typ o grap h ia

3 ’ “ ”
, p . 10 5
.
94 A H I S T OR Y OF TH E A R T O F B OOK B I N D I N G .

m agnitu de an d so black t h at th ey coul d be rea d b y t h e canon s, as t h ey sat in

, ,

th eir stalls with as m uc h c ase as an inscription on a m onu m ent

,
T h ese pon derou s .

volu m es wh ich were sel do m re m ove d fro m t h e desk o r only carrie d to t h e adjoinin g
'

, ,

sacristy were a part of t h e furniture an d al m ost of t h e fi xtures of t h e c h urch es

, , , ,

an d were frequently th erefor e of so m e antiquity T h ey were garnish ed with corners

1
.

of brass with bosses an d brass n ails to preserve th e bin din gs fro m injury in bein g
, , ,

rubbe d on t h e desk or pulpit an d protected fro m dust by m assive clasps So m e of

, .

t h e largest of t h ese service books were for furth er protection lai d upon rollers;
-
“
, ,

but probably t h ese very large books are not so ancient as at first si gh t m i gh t be
i m agine d .

’
It is related of P etrarch t h at h e h ad a m an uscript of Cicero s L etters transcribe d by
,

h i m self t h e book was so h eavy th at h e kept continually droppin g it on h is legs till at ,

last one was so severely inj ure d th at it al m ost beca m e necessary to a m putate t h e
li m b
. I n so m e instances we fin d th at th ese great books were provi de d with loose
ban ds runnin g roun d t h e backs an d fastened to eith er si de as a protectio n to t h e
_

book t h e j oints o f wh ich woul d be liable to break with t h e strain

,

an d wei gh t of t h e h eavy si des .

T h e accu m ulation of books t h ou gh slow h ad in a great , , ,

nu m ber of years led to t h e for m ation of m any consi derabl e libra

,

ries in t h eh ouses of t h e reli gious at t h e perio d of t h e R eform ation 2 .

O f th e e x tent of t h e devastation an d fri gh tful h avoc th en c o m

m it te d a writer of t h e ti m e gives an account Speaki ng of t h e .

m m c u m no m c , destruction of books h e in di gnantly says : N ever h ad we been ,

” TE N TH E NTU RY
C
o ffen de d for t h e loss of our li braries bein g so m any in n u m ber
'

, ,

an d in so desolate places for t h e m ore part if t h e ch ief m onu m ents an d m ost notable ,

works of our m ost excellent writers h ad been preserve d I f th ere h ad been in every .

sh ire of E n glan d but one so lempn e library to t h e preservation of th ose noble work s , ,

an d pre f er m ent of goo d learnin g in our posterity it h ad been yet so m ewh at B u t to , .

destroy all with out consi deration is an d will be unto E n glan d for ever a m ost h orrible
, ,

infa m y am on g t h e grave seniors o f oth er nations A great nu m ber of th e m w h ic h .

purc h ased th ose sup erstitious m an sions reserved of th ose library books so m e to sc ou r , ,

th eir can dlesticks an d so m e to rub t h eir boots ; so m e th ey sol d to t h e grocers an d

,

soap sellers so m e t h ey sen t over sea to t h e bo okbin ders not in s m all nu m bers but at
—
, ,

ti m es wh ole sh ips full to t h e won derin g of t h e forei gn n ations Y e a t h e universities

, .
,

of t h is real m are not all clear of th is detestable fact Bu t cursed is th at belly wh ic h .

seeketh to be fed with such un go dly gains an d s h a m eth h is natural country I know , .

a m erc h ant m an w h ic h s h al l at th is ti m e be na m eless th at bou gh t t h e contents of tw o

, ,

n o ble libra ries f o r fo rty s/i illing s price ; a s h a m e it is to be spoken T h is stuff h ath h e .

occupied in th e stead of grey paper by t h e space of m ore th an t e n y e ars an d yet h e

'

"
, ,
3
h hat store enou g h for as m any years to co m e
L e lan d s Co ll ectane a ,
'

E din bu rg h R ev iew , lviii 9 6

x . .
3 ’
i . 109 .

3
B al e s P refac e
’
to L elan d s
’
J ourn ey , 1 549 .
 E N GL IS H A ND C ON TI N E N TA L B O OK B I N D I N G .
95
.

To take but a sin gle instance of th is wh olesal e destruction of books an d th eir

‘

bin din gs for t h e subject is a painful one w e m ay relate th at t h e Co m m issioners of th at

— —

m is gui de d boy E dwar d V I ca m e to O x for d in t h e year 1 5 50 an d foun d t h e m a nificent

g
.
,

public library wh ich H u m fray D uke of Gloucester h ad foun ded i n t h e year 1 4 2 6 full
, , , ,

of books dee m ed to be popish “

So m e th ey burne d ot h ers th ey sol d to bookbin ders
.
.

to cut up for covers an d e n d papers or to tailors fo r m easures T h is was done with out
—
, .

du e e x a m ination of t h e contents of t h e volu m es t h e orna m ents upon t h e bin din bein

g g ,

enou gh in m any instances to seal t h e fate of a book

‘
H o w t he rest of t h e c o lle c -

tion was disperse d is not known ; but in 1 556 not a volu m e re m aine d an d t h e ,

U niversity sol d t h e benc h es at wh ic h t h e re ade rs h ad sat Wh en Sir Th o m as B o dley r .

returned to O x ford at t h e co m m ence m ent of t he seventeenth century h e foun d D uke

H u m fray s library a roofless an d grass grown ruin A n y one fa m il iar with th e books
’
-
.

of a seventeenth century library m ust h ave noticed nu m bers of s m all volu m es boun d
-

in leaves of illu m inate d m anuscripts I n t h e T h o m as H all Collection for m erly in t h e .

,

ancient Gra m m ar S ch ool of Kin g s N orton W orcesters h ire an d now for m in g part ’

, ,
.

of t h e Free R eference L ibrary at Bir m in gh a m m ay be seen several books so boun d ; ,

relics of t h e Refor m ation deserv in g careful preservation as sh owin g h o w well m eant -

but m istaken zeal m ay lea d to wanton destruction of valuable art treasures .

W ith th ese facts before us it need not be a m atter of surprise h o w few speci m ens of
bookbin din g prior to t h e intro duction of printin g now exist Previous e x tracts h ave
’

, , .

s h o w n t h e early a doption of woo den boards as si de covers for books by t h e m onastic

bin ders Stren gth an d durability were m ost stu died Th e m onastic bin ders Sewe d
. .

t h e sh eets on pieces of skin or parch m ent ; an d even carrie d t h eir precaution so far
as to protect each s h eet externally an d internally with a slip of parc h m ent to preven t ,

t h e t h read wi th w h ic h t h e book was sewn cuttin g t h e vellu m or paper an d to protect

, , ,

t h e back fro m inj ury W h en t h e boar ds were first covered it appears th at a co m m on

.
,

parc h m ent or vellu m was often use d but for th is rou gh ly dresse d deer skin was so m e ,
-

ti m es substituted I n t h e library o f L ord Norton at H a m s H all near B ir m in gh a m th ere

.
’

, ,

was a m anuscript ch artulary of W orcester Prio ry boun d in deer skin with t h e h air left on ,
-

t h e leath er R ic h ard Ch an dos Bish op of C h ich ester m entions 1n h is will so early as t h e

.
, , ,

year 1 2 53 a B ible with a rou gh cover of skin an d bequeath s it to Willia m de Selsey 1

”
.
, , ,

A n o t h er p ro o f of t h e a doption of t h is coverin g occurs in th e A ccounts of t h e H ouse h ol ds

'

of E dvvard I an d contai ne d in four m anu script volu m es presente d to t h e Society of

'

A ntiquaries by Sir A s h ton L ever an d w h ic h were in t h e ori gin al bin din g of calf skin -

dresse d like parch m en t wit h t h e h air on an d wit h razures of t h e h air m a de for writin g t h e ,

inscription ? E lizabeth de B urgh in t h e year 1 355 by will left to m y h all called Clare
_ , ,
“
,

”
Hall Ca m bri dge a m on g oth er books on e m issal covere d with wh ite l eath er or h i de
, , , , ,

an d one goo d B ible covere d with black leath er

3
M ore expensive orna m ent followed as .
,

h as been s h own .

1
Nic o las T e stam e nta V etusta , ii 7 6 2
. . A r ch aeo l og ia , vol . v i1 .
, pp .
4 1 8, 4 1 9 .

3
N ic o las , i .
58 .
 96 A H I S TOR Y OF TH E A R T OF B OOK B I N D I N G .

V elvet was lon g t h e m aterial used for th e co v ers of th e best works N ich olas .

inci dental ly m entions t h e use of th is m aterial in t h e fourteenth century Th e B ible .

,

wh en first translate d into L atin w as divi ded into four or six parts I n th e will of , .

St R ich ard B is h op of C h ich ester 1 2 58 h e bequeath e d to each of t h e four orders of friars

.
, , ,

‘
one part glo ssat am w h ich m eans with m arginal notes
, ,
’
In t h e ne x t c en t u ry t h e .

Bible was translate d into Frenc h an d t h ere are references to an illu m inate d m anuscript
,

with a co m m ent ary boun d in ,

two volu m es covere d with velvet ,

with clasps of gol d ena m elled ,

with t h e ar m s of t h e prince or
n oblem an at w h ose ex pense t h e
book was m a de Psalters were .

m ore co m m on M issals as h as .
,

been before re m arked were so ,

splen di d as to h ave m iniatures

on every page an d were en ,

rich ed with jewels on t h e velvet

”1
covers .

T h e wills of t h e nobility
of th is country in ti m es w h en ,

it was t h e custo m to leave

books as legacies to frien ds
a n d eccles iastical bo dies furnis h ,

t h e best evi denc e of t h e use

of velvet as a cover for books
in th ese ti m es I n t h e will .

of L ady Fitz h u gh A D 1 4 2 7 , . .
,

several books etc are th us , .

,

bequeath ed
A ls so I w y l yat m y son “
.

W illia m h ave a Ry n g with a

dy am o n d an d m y son Ge ffray
a gretter an d m y son R ob t a ,
’

B I N DI NG 1 N G R EE N V E LV ET W I H S I LV E R OK
R N A M E NTS
T ON A
sauter covered with rede v e lw et
O ,
BO
,
B E N G N G ro M A R G U R I TE W I F E 0 ? JA M E S W
LO I E o r S COTLA N D
an d m Y do gh t er M arl o ry a
, . .

(P h t g raphed f o m th o gi al a t th e B itish M s m )
o o r e ri n r u eu
pri m er co n ed in R ede an d m y
.
’

do gh t e r D arcy a sauter con e d in blew an d m y do gh t er M alde E ure a pri m c o u e d

’ ’ ’
,

in blew .

E leanor Countess of A run del left by will to A n n wife of h er nep h ew M aurice

, , , ,
.

Berkeley a book of M atins covere d with velvet

, Th is was in t h e year 1 4 55 an d in .

1
N ic o las , i xxv n . N o te s . .

2 “
W ills an d I nvento rie s , P art I .
, Surt ee s S o c iety ; an d N ic o las , i . 2 13 .
 E N GLI S H A N D CON TI N E N TA L B OOK B I N DI N G .
97

1 4 80 a si m ilar bequest was m ade to h e r dau gh ter by A n n D uc h ess of B uckin gh a m , ,

1
h h
of a pri m er covere d wit purple velvet wit clasps of silver gilt ,
-
.

I t is not known wh en velvet was first woven Th e ol dest piece wh ich can be .

referre d to is a cope of th e fourteenth century still preserve d at t h e College of M ount

St M ary C h esterfiel d ; but t h e records just quote d prove velvet to h ave been use d as
.
,

a cover fo r books lon g before t h e ti m e usually as si gned to it an d s h ow th at varieties

-
,

of colour were a dopted accor din g to t h e taste of t h e owner of t h e volu m e T h is was .

particularly t h e case in t h e fourteenth century for a m on g t h e courtesies of love in ,

ch ivalric ti m es th e present of books fro m kni gh ts to ladies was not forgotten an d it ,

‘
h appene d m ore often t h an m onkis h aust erity a pprove d th at a volu m e bo u n d in
'

sacred u ise containe d not a series of h y m ns to t h e V ir gin but a variety of a m atory

g , ,

?
e ffusions to a terrestrial m istress
T h e will of W alter L or d H u n gerford also proves t h e use of coloure d cloth s for
, ,

bin din g at an early perio d H e bequeath ed in 1 4 49 t o L ady M argaret wife of Sir

.
,

R obert H un ger for d h is son m y best L e gen d of t h e lives of t h e saints in Frenc h

“
, ,

an d covered with red clo t Great ladies often h ad th eir books of devotion boun d
in velvet orna m ented with si lver guards an d stu ds A particularly brilliant exam ple .

is carefully preserved i n t h e B o dleian L ibrary (M S D ouce 1 3 5) but one of t h e prettiest .

bin din gs of th is kin d m ay be seen at th e B ritish M useu m T h e boar ds are covered .

with green velvet A t eac h cor ner an d in t h e centre are Tu dor roses in silver
.
,

each with a letter in t h e centre T h ese letters spell t h e wor d M AR GVE RI TE

“
.
”
,

probably representin g t h e n a m e of a for m er owner M arguerite Tu dor wife of J a m es I V , , .

” ”
of Scotlan d O n t h e c l asps are I H S A an d N N A th e s acre d m onogra m an d t h e
.
“ “
.
, ,

na m e of t h e princess fo r wh o m t h e dainty book was m a de A nn a wife of Ferdin an d , , ,

Kin g of t h e R o m an s afterwar ds E m peror T h e book is entitle d L e Ch app e le t de

,
.
,
“

”
J é sus e t de la V ierge M arie
'

I t c o n t ain s a m etrical life of Ch rist etc illustrated

.
, .
,

with a series of fine m iniatures For si m pl icity an d beauty th is bi ndin g can scarcely
.

be surpasse d .

V elvet bein g by no m eans a durable m aterial is never likely to superse de leat h er

, ,

as a c o v erin g fo r books an d it is not surprisin g th at w h ile m any books were boun d in ,

precious m etals an d rich stu ffs t h e art of workin g upon leath er was a dvancin g until in
, ,

t h e fifteenth century it al m ost attaine d to t h e perfection of a fine art Its use h owever .
, ,

was not restricted to bookbin din gs h an gin gs for th e walls an d carpets for t h e floors were
also pro duce d in leath er finely decorated in raise d an d coloure d desi gns L eat h ers for .

”
layin g down in t h e roo m s in su m m er ti m e are m entione d in t h e inventories of furniture -

belon gin g to t h e D uke of B urgun dy ; an d in 1 4 1 6 Isabeau of B avaria an d t h e D uke —

of B erry or dered leath er carpets an d h an gin gs fro m Cordova at t h at ti m e t h e c h ief seat ,

of t h e leath er in dustry .

We will now take a m ore particular survey of bookbin din g in t h e various E uropean
countries .

1
Nic o las , i . 2 79 , 357 .
1’
M ill ’
s Histo ry of Ch ivalry, i .
42 .
3
N ic o l as , i . 2 58 .
 L E AT H E R .
‘
H A N D W R O U GH
'
- I
G ERM AN
“

V I A RY (F R O NT )
,
F F
I TE E N T H C E N T U R Y

B I ND I NG o r A B RE
 GE RM A N M E D L E VA L B OOK B I N D I N G .
99

I n Ger m any all th rou gh t h e M i ddle A ges m any m agnificent speci m ens of book
.

X IV AN D X V
fl bin din g were m a de both in m on asteries an d in t h e worksh ops of artists
® 2t m n2 w h o were not m onks Ju dgin g fro m speci m ens wh ich we h ave seen
. .
,

Ger m an m edi e val bin din g was very fine Th e Ger m ans excelle d in .

CE NTU RI ES
orna m entin g leath er ; th ey m anufactured m any beautiful bin din gs
'

‘
covered with a variety of sta m pin gs pro duce d by m eans of s m all dies an d ornam ente d ,

with m etal clasps corner pieces an d bosses , So m e of t h e m on asteries appear to

—
,
_
.

h ave use d distinctive st a m ps an d in a few instances in t h e fi fteenth or early

,
_

sixteenth century t h e bin der p lac e d his na m e in a litt le label u pon t h e si des of t h e.

book s h e boun d Wh en t h e art of o rn a

.
‘
s

m e n t in g leath er was first practise d in

Germ any we h ave not been able to asc er
tain but th ere is no doubt th at in th at
‘

country it foun d a con genial h o m e Th e .

ambient Spanish leat h er work fro m Cordova -

was soon i m itated in I taly an d t h e L o w

Countries an d later in Fran ce an d Germ any
,
.

Paris L yons C arpentras a n d A vi gnon ;

, , ,

A u gsbur g an d N ure m berg were t h e c h ief _

citi es fa m e d for th is kin d of work Th e .

decoration was pro duce d in various ways .

O n e of th e ol dest processes is so m eti m es

calle d cu ir bo u ill i t h e leath er was cut with
a knife an d raised in relief Th e punch ed .

cu ir bo u illi accor din g to M

,
de L abor de .
,

is a later process True cu ir bou ill i was

.

practised in t h e n inth century wh ile t h e ,

punch ed variety dates fro m t h e fourteenth

but besi des t h e difference in decoration
th ere was also a di ffere nce in preparin g th e
leat h er .T o ? S O h i gh a de gree O f elabora G E R M AN B N D I NG I N H A N D W ROU GH T LE A H ER _
I -
T ,

FI H E E N T H CE NT U R Y'
tion was th is orn am ented leath er brou gh t
’
by Ger m an artists th at its rich ness rivalled gol ds m ith s work ; an d bein g entirely
,

pro duced by tools directed by t h e h an d no two p iec e s w ere e x actly alike so th at th ere
“

, ,
l

was great variety as well as artistic m erit in t h ese pro ducts o f m e diaav al boo kbin ders .

fl
N ure m ber g was especially celeb rate d for Wrou gh t leath er bin din gs th ese were decorate d -

with desi gns cut in t h e at surface of t h e leath er t h e back groun d bein g sli gh tly sunk ,

an d covere d with m inute p u n c hin gs so t h at t h e desi gn appeare d in relief ,

-
Several .

speci m ens of wr o u gh t leath er bin din gs m ay b e seen at t h e B ritish M useu m an d one

-

_
,

of unusual size an d beauty is ex h ibite d in t h e Bo dleian L ibrary (M S D o uce .

U pon it on t h e upper si de several grotesque fi gures of m en an d wo m en are represente d

, ,

a m on g gracefully twinin g folia ge ; t h e un der si de is orna m ented with representations

BI Np m
-
G or A B RE V I AR Y (B A CK) .
 I TA LI A N M E D I E VA L B O OK B I N D I N G . 10 1

The m e
.

of fabu lous ani m als cut with m uch spirit an d quaint h u m our
‘

t al c o rn er
’

.
. .
,

pieces to th is volu m e deserve sp ecial attention T h is m o de of decoration bein g suitable .

fo r h eral di c devices we fin d t h at Ger m an artists in leat h er pro duce d m any beautiful

,

desi gns u p o n b o o kb in din gs bel on gin g to n obles an d ot h ers entitle d to bear ar m s

'

Sta m pe d leat h er bin din gs of Germ an ori gin generall y h ave th eir orn a m ent planned
—

in a special m ann er (see ch a p but beyon d t h e points already m entioned Ger m an

.

bin din g possesses few peculiarities an d up to th e pr ese nt ti m e t h e artists of th at

, , ,

country h ave never for m e d w h at m ay be calle d a n ational style of bin din g .

Fro m t h e great e x tent of t h e country Ger m a n bookbin ders h ave h owever always , , ,

been nu m erous Th ey h ad at an early period laws for th eir gui dance an d t h e t ax

.
,

or price for bin din g books in s h eep sk in v elhrrn etc settle d by t h e m a gistrates
‘

, .
, , .

fl
T h rou gh out t h e electorate of S axony t h e prices in sh eep were for large fol ios one , , _
,

guil der or fio rin t h ree grosses ; co m m on folio one o rin

,
lar ge quarto twelve grosses ; , , ,

co m m on quarto ei gh t grosses large octavo five grosses co m m on octavo four grosses

, , ,

duo deci m o th ree gr osses

, T h ese prices we i m a gine coul d not h ave been fi x e d at an
.
, ,

1
,
h
early period but th ey m ay ave been based on an earlier t ari ff .

I n S pain I taly up to t h e fifteenth centu ry bookbin din g seem s to h ave

an d

"
flourish ed S o m e I talian bin din gs appear to h ave been su i g en er is ;
.

I tal ” th ey were in fact pictures an d v ery curious an d interestin g I n t h e , .

f
Xl v
gin fifm libraries an d a m on g t h e arch ives of m any Italian cities m ay be foun d
'

bin din gs of great artistic m erit ; but t h e city of Sien a is especially

fa m ous for a won derful col lection co m m encin g perh aps as early as t h e th irteenth century
,

an d exten din g to t h e seventeenth It is probably owin g to t h e intelli gent care bestowe d

.

upon t h e preservation an d arran ge m ent of th is splen di d collection by t h e govern m en t

of th at city th at so much is kno w n about t h e h istory of Sienese bookbin din g ; for
with out doubt oth er ancient cities cou ld h ave e xh ibite d a collection equally interestin g
h ad t h ey b ee n in cline d to do so
_
.

Th e m agnificent collectio n of arc h ives of t h e city an d district of Siena is now

a dmirably arran ge d i n t h e P alazzo del Governo an d t h e m uni m ents of m any private ,

fa m ilies of t h e province h ave also been confi ded to t h e custo dy of t h e director of

th a t 1n st 1t u t 1o n Th e covers of t h e Treasury books th ere preserve d h ave been fra m ed ,

an d h un g ch ronolo gically in t h e lon g corri dors of t h e upper story of t h e palace

- .

T h e series is al m ost conte m porary with t h e l o cal schoo l of paintin g an d in clu des ,
i

t h e w o rk o f m ost of t h e gre at m asters an d th eir pupils ; t h e wh ole develop m en t of

I

'

S ienese art fro m t h e th irteenth century down to m odern ti m es m ay th us be stu die d

on t h e bin din gs t h e subjects bein g as various as th ey are nu m erous
,
.

So m e of t h e paintin gs h ave been i dentified as t h e wo rk of D uccio di Bu o n in Se gn a ,

t h e artist w h o desi gne d t h e noble retable for t h e h i gh altar of t h e cat h e dral an d perh aps
‘

th e greatest m aster of t h e S ie n e se sc h o o l; wh ilst oth ers are certain ly by t h e L orenzetti .

1
Fritz sch e , “
D iss e rtat io n on B o o kbin de rs .
10 2 A H I S TOR Y OF TH E A R T OF B OOK B I N D I N G .

fa m ous sy m bolical fi gure of t h e govern m ent of Siena for m erly

A m bro gio L o re n z e t t i s
’

suppose d to represent an e m peror is repro duce d very cl o sely on a cover of t h e y e ar l 34 3 44

'

—
,

four years after t h e last recorde d date of pay m ent for t h e m aster s fresco in t h e ’

Sala de i N ove in t h e Palazzo Publico U po n one of th ese re m arkable covers is a .

picture of t h e interior of Sien a C at h edral s h owin g t h e ori ginal arran ge m ent of th e

c h oir with t h e great pulpit of N iccolo Pisano on t h e south si de with i n t h e ch oir screen
, ,

an d D u c c io s fam o u s retable in its place over t h e h i gh altar

’
S o m e of th ese pictures .

represent c h a m bers in t h e Sienese Treasury with fi gures of officers an d citizen s Th ree , .

of th ese bin din gs are at present in E n glan d an d are fu lly described below , _
.

I n t h e N eth erlan ds public account books an d re cords were so m eti m es a dorned

,
-

with paintin gs on t h e cover ; but th ese so far as is known were purely h eral dic , , ,

representin g t h e ar m orial ach ieve m ents of t h e officers o f S tate an d oth er great

'

persons Th e b ri gh t little bin din gs executed in I taly an d Fran ce in th e sixteen th

. ,

century an d so m eti m es called M é dic i ena m els on account of t h e patterns in

,
“
,

coloure d pi gm ents wh ich enrich th eir si des m ay be survivals of t h e ancient practice ,

of p ain t in g b in din gs I n Ger m any also leath er bin din gs were so m eti m es a dorne d
‘

with t h e ar m s of princes an d dukes painted i n brilliant colours on panels sli gh tly ,

recessed O u r own E x ch equer recor ds ex h ibit pictorial sy m bols of a rough kin d

.

on t h e e x terior but th ese m arks are practical rath er th an ornam ental in c h aracter
'

, .

South Kensin gton M useu m possesses a s m all Sienese book cover belon gin g to t h e -

accounts of a city o fficial for t h e six m onth s fro m J anuary to July 1 3 1 0 T h e cover is .

for m e d of an oblon g panel of woo d m easurin g about 1 4 % by 8 § inch es divi de d across t h e

, ,

m i ddle by an attach e d leath er strap painte d re d with a wh ite pattern at t h e four corners
are large h ea de d iron nails wh ich h ave prevente d t h e paintin g fro m being scratch ed
—
,
.

Th e upper portion above t h e strap h as a picture brilliantly painte d in t e m pera ,

representing a m onk seate d at a table countin g m oney H e is t h e C h am berlain Frate .

M e o of t h e order of t h e U m iliati an d h is na m e is written in black letters on a wh ite

, ,

groun d below th e picture h e is cloth e d in a w h ite h abit with t h e h oo d over h is h ead .

Two covers e xh ibited by M essrs E llis E lvey of Ne w B on d S t reet t o t h e .

Society of A ntiquaries on February 4 th 1 89 2 an d now in South K ensin gton M useu m , , ,

are t h us describe d by M r A lfred H i ggins P S A .

,
. . .

T h e earlier of t h e two speci m ens bears an inscription in Italian on th e lower h alf

of its outer surface written in fine Goth ic letters recordin g th at it once co vered t h e
, ,

book of receipts an d expen diture of t h e Treasury of th e co m m une of Siena for t h e six

m onth s fro m July I 3 57 to January of t h e sam e year to J an uary 1 358 accordin g ,

to our reckonin g) Th e n am es of t h e Ch am berlain an d t h e four oth er m em bers Of th e

.

B oar d of Tre as ury (as we s h oul d call it) are set out at len gth an d also th at of th eir ,

clerk In th e upper part of t h e cover divi ded from t h e inscription by an attach e d ban d
.
“

of leat h er is a paintin g in te m pera representin g a scene in th e interior of t h e Treasu ry

, .

O n th e furth er si de of a lon g counter is seate d to t h e left a clerk w h o apparently h ol ds ,

in one h an d a draft wh ich h e is about to enter in a book To t h e ri gh t is a cash ier

, .
,

w h o is countin g out
gol d coin to a m an in an O riental lookin g costu m e (possibly a J ew )
-
 F RE N CH M E DI E VA L B O OK /BI N D I N G . 103

in t h e ri gh t fore groun d B e t ween clerk an d cas h ier is place d a Treasury ch est one
.
-

co m part m ent of wh ic h contains gol d .

T h e cover consists of a panel of li gh t woo d 1 4 i nc h es lon g by 1 0 inch es broad , ,

an d 58 inc h t h ick T h e back surface 18 th at of t h e natural woo d plane d an d s m ooth e d

.
, .

U pon t h e front surface t h ere was lai d t h e usual pri m in g of gesso preparatory to
paintin g T h e leath er ban d wh ich divi des t h e picture fro m t h e inscription was fi xe d
.

in its place before t h e gesso was applie d B oth picture an d inscription are fra m e d .

in with narrow gol d bor ders bearin g a si m ple incise d pattern of leaves an d dots T h e
, .

gol d coins are m arke d by black rin gs pro duce d by a punch on a gol d groun d Th e
,

lines of t h e inscription are unspaced but are divi de d by re d lines an d t h e lower part
, ,
‘

of th e field is fille d by bol dly drawn fo liat e d sc ro ll work also in red pro ducin g r '

, ,

alto geth er a very rich e ffect .

Th e secon d speci m en is t h e cover of a si m ilar book relatin g to t h e six m onth s ,

fro m J anuary 1 40 1 to June 1 40 2 accor din g to t h e reckonin g of th e perio d A s in

, .

t h e e x a m ple j ust describe d t h e picture on t h e upper part of t h e panel represents a

,

c h a m ber in t h e Sienese Treasury O n t h e near si de of t h e counter stan d th ree

.

fl
By a convenient painter s licence t h ey are represente d as of very di m inutive
’
m en .
,
’
stature in or der t h at th ey m ay not interfere with t h e spectator s view of t h e o i c ials
,

on t h e oth er si de of th e counter Two Treasury ch ests are sh own O n a ledge runnin g

. .
,

t h e w h ole len gth of t h e space beh in d t h e o fficials is a row of account books lai d wit h , ,

th eir faces to t h e front ; upon each book is painte d a black s h iel d .

B elo w t h e picture in place of t h e strip of leath er is a fine ban d of orna m ent

, ,

displayin g six large s h iel ds of ar m s Th e cover m easures 1 7 by 1 2 5 inch e s . .

Tech nically t h e m et h o ds of decoration are i dentical on all t h e covers but t h e ,

skill with w h ich t h e gil de d gesso on t h is one is ornam ented by blunte d styles of
1
v aryin g size s h oul d be observed N o sta m p s are applied . .

W e h ave before n otice d t h e beautiful ivory gol d an d j ewelle d bin din gs for wh ich , ,

I taly is j ustly renowne d I n leath er work t he o ld Italian bin ders also excelled th ou gh
,
-

th ey copie d t h e tech nica of th e O riental sc h ool .

I n t he m atter of bookbin din g France see m s to h ave fol lowe d th e lea d of I taly an d

j fi nw
K m T0 X V
fl oth er countries till sh e establis h e d a sch ool of h er own in th e six
t ee n t h centu ry
s Th e m agnificent speci m ens of bin din g belon gin g to
.
_

t h e Carolin gian an d succee din g perio d h av e alrea dy been notice d fro m

CE NTU RI ES
_

th at ti m e till t h e rei gn of L ouis X I I (1 49 8— 1 5 1 5) we know of no

'

exa m ples of Fren ch bin din g wh ic h call for special notice .

A rt w as sc arc ely associate d wit h th e work of preservation of t h e m aj ori t y of

'

French books before t h e fifteenth century L eat h er velvet an d ot h er ric h stuffs .

, ,

were used to cover th e wooden si des ; but no furth er a dorn m ents except a few m etal
.
,

1
Fo r t h eabove acco unt I am indebte d t o t h e e xc ell ent p ap e r b y A lfre d H igg ins E sq ,
.
,

P ro c ee ding s o ft h e S o c iety o f Antiq uarie s v o l xiv No 1 s e c o nd s e rie s

”
in th e — ED
, . .
,
.
, .
104 A H I S TOR Y OF THE A R T OF B OOK B I NDI N G .

stu ds of gre at er o r less valu e accor din g to th e wealth or taste of the possessor
,
'

are to be foun d upon t he covers of ordinary b ooks M L é on Gruel in h is valuable .

-
.
,

t reatise on bookbin din g states th at in t h e north of France as well as in Ger m any

1
, , ,

m uc h excellent bin din g w as pro duce d between t h e t h irteenth an d six t een t h centuries
'

but artists in th is epoch h ad not aban done d t h e plain style of b in din g dest in ed to
receive plaques of ivory an d precious m etal wh ich t h e Byzantine style h ad ren dered ,

fash ionable .

French leath er bin din gs of t h e th irteenth century are excee din gly rare but ,

one datin g fro m t h e ti m e of St L ouis (1 2 2 6 1 2 70 ) is ext an tf I t once protecte d a

“

—
.

Frenc h m anuscript written about t h e m i ddle of t h e th irtee nth century Th e wooden si des .

are covere d with p ig skin parc h m ent of a red colour T h is colour w h ic h rese m bles
-
.
,

s ca rlet lake is sai d to h ave been use d exclusively by royalty ; w e nee d not th en be
-

surprised to learn th at th is bin din g wh ich h as co m e down t o us m inus t h e contents , ,

is sai d to h ave been m a de for th e kin g St L ouis h i m self T h e si des are a dorne d with a ,
. .

fl
variety of sta m pin gs an d th e co m position th ou gh rath er bare is on a large scale T h e
, , , .

stam ps inclu de t h e eu r de lis of France an d t h e towers of C astile e m ble m o f L ouis

- -

,
’

queen Blan c h e Th ere is also a c h i m aera or fantastic beast wh ic h th en was a usual

.
,
“

orna m ent Th e general arran ge m ent of th e sta m ps is vertical A few French bin dings
. .

of t h at perio d bear traces of E n glish influence in t h e desi gn an d arran ge m ent of t h eir

sta m pin gs .

I t is generally supposed th at t h e Crusa des gave a consi derable i m petus to E uropean

art but perh aps th is i nfluen ce h as been over rate d T h e A rabs it is true h ad fo r a ges
,
-
.
, ,

known t h e art of preparing dyein g stam pin g an d gil din g leath er th ey were a lso skilful
, , ,

bookbin ders Th e covers of th eir books it is sai d took t h e n am e of win gs (alt—e ) fro m
.
, ,

t h e rese m blance between t h e m an d t h e win gs of a bir d of ric h plu m age .

I n t h e rei gn o f P h ilip I V in th e year 1 2 9 9 wh en a tax was i m pose d upon th e

'

,
.
,

in h abitants of Paris for t h e e xi gen cies of t h e kin g it was ascertaine d th at t h e nu m ber ,

of bookbin ders actuall y en gage d in t h e city was seventeen T hese m e n as well as .

,

t h e scribes an d booksell ers were directly depe n dent on t h e U niversity t h e auth orities of
, ,

w h ich place d th e m un der t h e surveillance of four sworn book bin ders w ho were con ,

side re d t h e a ents of t h e U niversity O n e bin der h owever was exe m pt h e w as attach e d

g .
, ,

to th e cha m bre des comp tes an d be fore h is appoint m ent to th at o ffice h ad to a ffir m
, , ,

th at h e coul d neith er read nor write ? In t h e m usters or processions of t h e U niversity of , ,

Paris th e bookbin ders cam e after t h e booksellers Consi derin g t h e nu m ber of books
, .

written and boun d with in th e walls of m onasteries an d t h e co m paratively s m al l n u m ber ,

th en annually pro duced t h e seventeen bookbin ders of Paris probably well represented
,

t h e bin din g tra de of France .

Co m in g to a later perio d we are able to gath er so m e useful infor m ation about ,

bin din g fro m th e inventories of goo ds an d j ewels belon gin g to kin gs an d nobles I n
_
.

t h e inventories of goo ds belon gin g to t h e wealth y dukes of B urgun dy P h ilip t h e B ol d , ,

1
Leo nGru el , M anue l H isto rique de l Am at e u r de R el iure s ’
.
”

2
P aul L acro ix, “
Th e A rts o f t h e M iddl e A g e s ” .
 F RE N CH M E DI AE VA L B O OKB I N D I N G . 10 5

Jean sans Peur an d P h ilip t h e Goo d w h o lived about t h e e n d o f t h e fourteenth an d t h e

, ,
-

be ginnin g of t h e fi fteenth century we fin d ,

A Book of t h e Gospels an d of H eures de la C roix wit h a bin din g e m bellis h e d with ,

gol d an d fift y ei gh t large pearls in a case m a de of c am le t w it h one large pearl an d a

-

, , .

c luster of s m all pearls .

“
Th e R o m ance of M oralit é des H o m m es sur le J u (jeu ) des E sc h ie rs (t h e gam e of
ch ess ) covered in silk with wh ite an d red flowers an d silver—gilt nails on a green groun d
, ,
.

A B ook of O risons covere d in re d leath er wit h silver gilt nails ,

—
.

A P salter h av in g two silver —gilt clasps boun d in blue with a gol d eagle with two , ,

h eads an d re d talons to w h ic h is attac h e d a little silver gilt instru m ent for turnin g over
,
-

t h e leaves wit h th ree escutc h eons of t h e sa m e ar m s c o vere d wit h a re d velvet c h e m ise

1 ”
.
, ,

M any references to th ese bag covers ch e m ises as th ey are called l n French occur - —
,
—

in inventories for instance in t h e Co m ptes R oyau x we h ave ,

1 36 0 For cen dal to li ne t h e cover of t h e kin g s m issal

.
’
.

1 36 0 For m akin g two covers fo r t h e kin g s books

.
’
.

1 46 3 For m akin g a cover (c h e m isette) for t h e kin g s s m all B ook of H ours

.
’ “
.

1 49 2 A s m all m issal boun d i n re d leath er an d garnis h e d with a cover (c h e m isette)

.

of re d kid (Inventaire de Nostre D a m e) .

A m on g t h e goo ds of t h e D uke of O rleans brot h er to C h arles V I (ear ly fifteenth ,

.

century) were t h e followin g

,

V é gec e s book on C h ivalry covere d in re d leath er inlai d w h ich h as two little brass
’

, ,

book of M eliadus covered in green velvet with two silver gilt cl asps enam elle d
Th e ,
-

with th e ar m s of H is R oyal H i gh ness .

T h e book of B o ece on Con solation covere d in fi gure d silk ,

.

Th e Gol den L e gen d covere d in black velvet with out clasps

, ,
.

”
Th e H eures de N otre D am e covere d i n w h ite leat h er ,
.

Th e sa m e i nventories give an account of prices pai d for so m e bin din gs w h ic h m ay ,

be co m pared with t h ose pai d in E n glan d by our own kin gs for si m ilar work (see ch ap xiv ) . .

I n 1 386 M artin Lh uillier a bookseller at Paris received fro m t h e D uke of B urgun dy

, ,

d h h h
1 6 francs
(equal to about 1 1 4 francs Frenc h now ) for bin in g ei g t books of w ic ,

six were covere d in graine d leath er .

O n Septe m ber l gt h 1 39 4 t h e D uke of O rleans pai d Peter B lon del gol ds m ith 1 2
, , , ,

l i es 1 5 sols for h avin g wrou gh t besi des t h e duke s silver seal two clasps for t h e
, , ,
’
,

book of B o ece an d on J anuary 1 5t h 1 39 8 to E m e lo t de R ubert an e m broi deress at

'

, , ,

Paris 50 sols tournois for h avin g cut out an d worke d i n gol d an d silk two covers
, ,
”
of green D am p m as cloth one for t h e B reviary t h e oth er for t h e Book of H ours
, , ,

an d for h avin g m ade fifteen m arkers (sinets ) an d four pairs of silk an d gol d straps for
— -

th e sai d books V arious su m s were pai d by t h e duke to J acques R ic h ier an d

.

Guillau m e de V illiers h is bookbin der for m aterials used in bin din g

, ,
.

1
P aul L acro ix, Th e A rts o ft h e M iddl e Age s .
106 A H I S TOR Y OF TH E A R T OF B O OK BI N D I N G .

Fro m th ese e x tracts we m ay gath er th at in France in t h e fourteenth an d fifteenth

centuries books wh en belon gin g to wealth y persons were covered with velvet silk an d
, , , ,

oth er stu ffs with e m broi dery an d with leath er enrich e d with orna m ents of m etal
, ,

Th e passa ge w h ic h relates to a book w h en boun d bein g place d in a ch e m i se or

s h irt cou v er t d u n e ch em ise de v elvy a n v er meil illustrates t h e well known practice at
’
-

t h is perio d of coverin g a book in a piece of woven m aterial or fine leath er t h e “ c h e m ise

was usually m a de larger th an t h e si des of th e book so as to h an g over t h e e dges an d ,

protect th em fro m dust or to fol d over t h e page so th at t h e fin gers m i gh t n ot touch

,

t h e delicate leaves a very necessary precaution to take in t h e case of a valuable

,

illu m inate d service book wh en in constant use —

Cov ers of th is kin d were often .

represente d in pictures .

Th ese outer covers were at first m ade to protect rich bin din gs fro m inju ry but
.

so m eti m es even th ese coveri n gs receive d a dorn m ents of e m broi dery an d precious m etals .

For furth er infor m ation on th is subject t h e reader is referre d to t h e references given

A n e x a m ple m ay be seen in t h e L ouvre protect in g a L ivre d H e u res of
1 ” ’
below .

St L ouis Th is coverin g is m a de of a kin d of rou gh silk called sen da l in colour re d

. .
,
.

I n E n glan d th ere are exa m ples of so m ewh at si m ilar covers at t h e B o dleian L ibrary
an d at t h e B ritis h M useu m .

I n t h e fourteenth century we fin d leath er bin din gs co m in g into m ore general use ,

an d at t h e e n d of t h e fifteenth Century an d t h e be ginnin g of t h e si x teenth century

'

sta m pe d leat h er bin din gs are foun d in great nu m bers

-
.

1
B eck e r u nd H ifn e r, “
K unstw e rk e u nd G erat h sc h afte n 3 B and, p 56
. F airh o lt
. .

Co stum e in E n gland Sh aw D re ss e s an d D e co ratio ns o f th e M iddl e A g e s

” “
p 219 . .
,

L ab o rde , Gl o ssaire Fran ca is du M oye n A ge (P aris

”
v o l ii , p l 86 an d p 78 21 1
. . . . .
, p . .

B o rk , Ge sch ich te der l iturg isch e n Ge w an der de s M itte lalte rs (Bo nn , Taf xxxi
. . A r c/i n o
l og ia , v o l I , p art 1 , p 75 (w h e re t h e ab o ve r eferenc e s a re g iven )
. . . .
 C H AP T E R I X A
—
.
1

E N GL I S H S TA M P E D LE A TH E R B OOK B I N D I N G I N
-
TH E T WE LF TH A N D
TH I R TE E N TH CE N T URI E S .

T sh oul d be gratifyin g to E n glish m en to know t h at in t h e twelfth century

th eir country took t h e lead of all Continental n ations as re gar ds
bookbin din g T h ere w as in fact at th at perio d a distinct E n glish
.
-

, ,

sch ool of bin din g of t h e h i gh est m erit W inch ester L o n do n ; D u rh am .

, ,

O x for d Y ork an d a few oth er cities an d m onasteries vie d with eac h

, , ,

oth er in th e pro duction of toole d leath er bin din gs of won derful beauty
fl
-
.

I t h as been prove d th at these E n glish bin din gs in u e n Ce d forei gn

art ; a few m anuscripts boun d in th e B ene dictine m on astery at D urh a m in t h e twelfth
century were at a l ater ti m e sent abroad an d t h e bin ders in t h e m onastery to wh ich
, , ,

t h e E n glis h m an uscripts h ad been given i m itate d t h e D urh a m sta m pin gs upon t h eir
own m ore m o dern bin din gs N o t only were t h ese early sta m ps i m itate d abroa d but
.
,

in t h e fourteenth century so m e of t h e o ld dies were still use d by E n glish bin ders w h o ,

applied th e m in an in artistic m anner very differ ent fro m th at of th eir twelfth c e ntii y -

pre decessors A n y on e w h o h as seen t h e g reat B ible of B is h op Pu dsey or looked

. ,

th rou gh a folio of rubbin gs of D urh a m bin din gs m ust h ave been struck with t h e ,

rich ness variety an d suitableness of th eir decorations ; not only are t h e in divi dual
, ,

sta m ps m e ritorious th e arran ge m ent of th e m is precise an d skilful contrastin g m ost

,
,

favourably with t h e carelessly applie d sta m pin gs of later bin din gs .

T h e si des of t h ese o ld book covers were toole d wit h a nu mber of s m all sta m ps
_
-

o r dies of various s h apes cut in inta glio so as to leave an i m pression like a seal in
, , ,

ca m eo t h e exact opposite of t h e prin ciple e m ployed in gol d toolin g t h e effectiveness

,
—
,
— .

of each sta m p depen din g rath er upon th e h i gh li gh ts an d corresp on din g s h a dows th an

upon t h e actual desi gn T h e arran ge m ent of t h e stam ps w as for m al I n all known
.
.

ex a m ples an outer bor der of lines of sta m ps for m ed a parallelo gra m with in wh ich ,

were arran ge d eith er oth er parallelogra m s or circles or portions of circles all co m pose d
, , , ,

like t h e border of a variety of s m all dies N o two exa m ples are e x ac t ly alike an d
,
. ,

1 - ro m a rubbing o f th e b in ding o f th e regi ste r

Th e h e a d p ie c e is c o m p o s e d o f fin e stam p s ta k e n f
o ft h e lan d b el o ng ing t o t h e K n igh ts Te m p lars ab o ut 1 1 85 ,
.

10 7
10 8 A H I S TOR Y OF TH E AR T OF B OOK B I N D I N G .

i f t h e plan of one si de of a cover was arran ged in strai gh t lines th e oth er si de was ,

1
often a dorned with circles in a m anner wh ich see m s to be peculiar to E n glan d .

I n so m e of t h e c h ief cities of E n glan d fro m th e twelfth century downwar ds it , ,

wou ld appe ar t h at th ere were skilled profession al bookbin ders w h o in all probability ,

were not m onks A t W inch ester an d L on don th is was certainly t h e case an d we

.
,

m i gh t also e xpect to fin d bin ders in provincial cities like Y ork an d Gloucester Th e '
-
.

art of workin g in leath er one of t he m ost ancient an d useful coul d be applied to

, ,

m any purposes A m an w h o knew h o w

. to cover bo x es an d co ffers with leath er ,

ornam ente d with quaint devices coul d fash ion an d a dorn t h e bin din g of a book ; so , ,

alth ou gh th ere m ay h ave been m e n w h o devote d t h eir ti m e entirely to bookbin din g ,

t h ere were oth ers w h o carrie d on t h is tra de as an a dj unct to occupations of a kin dre d
nature Th e work of t h e m onks too cannot be overlooke d
. Th e Bene dictines at , , .

D urh a m an d t h e m onks of H y de A bbey W inch ester were in t h eir day skilful book
'

, , ,

bin ders W ith v ery si m ple tools th ese early bin ders pro duced ornam ent at once
.

e ffective an d in e xcellent taste So m e of t h e best early sta m ps represent m e n birds .

, ,

beasts an d fis h es T h e grotesque fi gures are full of expression an d ani m ation ; th e

, .

lion walks t h e bird ben ds h er neck to drink an d t h e stag boun ds aw ay fro m h is

, ,

pursuer I n m any instances t h e die sinker copied t h e wil d creatures th en in h abiti ng

“

-
.

t h e woo ds an d wastes in cou n tless nu m bers an d w h ose h abits were fa m iliar to h im ,

th rough lon g association O th er sta m ps represent fabulous beasts conventional l eaf

.
,

an d flower orna m ents kni gh ts on h orseback bis h ops in canonicals an gels an d v arious
, , , ,

oth er subjects .

A s an illustration o f t h e lon g survival of t h ese early sta m ps a bin din g in t h e

library of W est m inster A bbey a ffords an excellent e x am ple U pon t h e bin din g of .

“
E pistole M arsilii P icini Flo re n t in i printe d in V enice in t h e year 1 4 9 5 a nu m ber
'

, ,

of s m all sta m ps are arran ge d in t h e Ger m an m anner aroun d t h e edge an d in lozen ge ,

s h ape d spaces with in a central panel T h ese sta m ps bear a strikin g rese m blance to .

t h ose on th e W in ch ester book an d if t h e sam e dies were not use d for both th ey h ave
'

, ,

been very closely i m itate d A t Strassburg in t h e fifteenth century so m e strikin gly

.

si m ilar sta m ps were in use .

Co m paratively few speci m ens of twelfth an d early th irteenth century bin din gs are
e x tant T h e precious e x am ples fro m t he Benedictine H ouse at D urh am are h owever
.
, ,

su fficien t to prove h o w well t h e o ld m onks coul d work wh ile t h e known exa m ples of ,

L on don bin din g s h ow t h at t h e city crafts m en were sca rcely less skilful To th e sch olarly .

rule of St B ene dict m ore t h an to any oth er we owe t h e encourage m ent of art an d
.
, ,

literature but t h e or dinary m onastic recor ds an d books of accounts were rou gh ly boun d ,

s o m eti m es in un dresse d h i de so m eti m es in carefully prepared deer or sh eep skin usually

,
—
,

with out orn a m ent an d th erefore in strikin g contrast to t he bin din gs we h ave to
,

describe ne x t .

For convenience of reference we h ave arran ged th ese bin din gs un der t h e respective
1
M r E Go rdo n D u "
.
,
“Burl ingto n Fin e A rts Club
. fl . Catal o gue of E xh ibitio n Of B o o kb in din
gs ,
1 89 1 , I ntro ductio n .
 E NGL I S H S TA AI P E D LE A TH E R B OO/( B I N D I N G I N -
TH E T WE LF TH CE N T UR Y . 10 9

cities to w h ic h t h ey are suppose d to belon g but it is obvious t h at it m ust be i m possible ,

in every case to prove t h at a given bin din g was m a de in t h e place to w h ic h it is h ere

assi gned Th e sa m e di fficulty exists wit h re gar d to so m e e x a m ples foun d in France ;
.

four w h ic h were m a de for H enry son of L ouis V I I an d given by h im to t h e A bbey of

, , .
,

C lairvau x in 1 1 4 6 are suppose d b y M ri W e ale to be E n glish work on t h e groun d of

‘

, ,

t h eir si m ilarity to un doubte d E n glish speci m ens an d t h e absen ce of anyth in g lik e t h em ,

?
w h ic h can be prove d to be Frenc h
So m e forty un doubte d e x a m ples of E arly E n glish leat h er bin din gs h ave been foun d .

To t h e distin guis h ed librarian at South Kensin gton M useu m M r W H J a m es W eale , . . .

,

t h e worl d owes t h is discovery for it was h e w h o first dre w attention to t h e re m arkable

,

sta m pin g upon t h e covers of early E n glis h m anuscripts .

W I N C H E S TE R royal city of t h e Nor m an kin gs w h ere m ost of t h e official

.
-
The ,

business of th e country was transacte d w h ere records like t h e great D om es day Survey , ,

o f 1 0 86 w ere co m pile d an d w h ere wealt h y nobles an d ecclesiastics con gregate d woul d

, , ,

be certain to attract wit h in its walls crafts m en o f various sorts an d a m on g t h e n u m ber ,

so m e professional bookbin ders R esearc h i nto t h e city recor ds an d careful stu dy of t h e

.
,

bin din gs of m anuscripts obviously of W inch ester ori gin lea d to t h e conclusion t h at ,

2
th is was un doubte dly t h e case .

Th e best known W inc h ester bin din g is t h at of t h e W inton D o m es day Book “

,

now in th e library of t h e Society of A ntiquaries T h is m anuscript contains a record of .

property with in t h e city of W in ch ester m ade by order of Kin g H enry I an d dated ,

.
,

A D 1 1 48
. . Th e woo den si des of t h e bin din g are covere d wit h dark re d leat h er w h i c h
.
,

h as been carefully repaire d in m o dern ti m es T h e si des m easure 9 2 by 6 2 inc h es Th e . .

date of t h is bin din g cannot be later t h an t h e early years of t h e t h irteent h century .

Obv erse I n plan two circles place d with in a parallelo gra m for m e d by vertical lines
.
—
,

of dies ei gh t on eith er si de place d about a inc h apart T h ese oblon g sta m ps bear two
, ,
.

win ge d ani m als with h u m an h ea ds Near th e fore e dge is a row of nine circular sta m ps .
,

an d near t h e back a si m ilar row of s m all sta m ps ; t h ese are connecte d at both h ea d

an d f oot by two circular an d two lobe s h ape d sta m ps Th e outer border of t h e circles -
.
,

1 inch wi de an d 1
for m e d by repetitions of a curve d tool 5 % inc h lon g is orna m ente d with , _

a si m ple leaf an d branch pattern I n t h e centre is a circular dragon stam p an d ra diatin g

- —
.
-

fro m it eleven lobe s h aped sta m ps bearin g a cockatrice Th e spaces between t h e circles
-
.

are toole d with s m all circular an d lobe s h ape d dies O n th is si de four large an d two -
.

s m all dies are used .

R ev er se H ere th e plan is t h at of a parallelo gra m with in a parallelo gr am

—
Four .

large dies a n d one s m all circular die are use d In t h e centre a panel co m pose d of .

a re p e t it io n o f square dies orna m ente d with stags arran ge d in two rows of five eac h
'

, , ,

1 inc h apart an d with s m all circular sta m ps at eac h an le

4

4 g A roun d t h e panel is a .

border of t w enty an d a h alf oblon g sta m ps by 3 inch ) bearin g with in a se m i ,

1
Mr \V H
. . . J a m e s W e al e Th e B oo kbin der v o l ii p 2
, , . .
, . .

Mr W H
. . . W e al e P ap e r re a d b efo re th e S o c ie ty o fAntiq uarie s
, ,
M ay 1 7t h , 1 888 .
1 10 A H I S TOR Y OF TH E A R T OF B O OK B I N D I N G .

circle a ph easant (or si m ilar bird) feedin g A roun d th is bor der is a blank space toole d .

only wit h s m all circles at intervals Beyon d at t h e si des lines of s quare dies twenty .
, , ,

two in all with a goat runni ng an d a twinin g branch back groun d ; at t h e top an d
, ,

botto m a curious do m e s h aped sta m p representin g a sh eep fee din g in all t e n ti m es

—
,

repeate d .

L ON D ON Several e x a m ples suppose d to be t h e work of a professional L on don

.
—

b in der of t h e twelfth or early th irteent h century m ay still be seen in so m e of t h e

‘

great public libraries A ccor din g to general belief t h e volu m e preser v e d in t h e

.
,

Public R ecor d O ffice entitled I n q u isit io de Te rrarum do n at o ribu s per A n gliam

,
“ ” ‘

bein g a register of t h e lan ds of t h e Kni gh ts Te m plars in E n glan d drawn up about 1 1 8 5 .

an d boun d s h ortly after t h at date in oak boar ds covere d with brown calf is t h e work ,

of a L on don bookbin der ; and a book for m erly in t h e library of St M ary O very .
,

South wark an d now e xh ibite d in t h e B ritis h M useu m is th e work of t h e sam e

, ,

artist A n even m ore elaborate speci m en beautifully toole d with dies so m e of wh ich
.
, _

appear to be th e sa m e as th ose on t h e bin din gs referre d to above h as la tely been ,

discovere d a t t h e Bo dleian (M S R awl C but n otwith stan din g t h e si m ilarity o f

. . .

t h e tools to th ose use d upon L on don m anuscripts it is probable th at t h e bin din g ,

was m a de elsewh ere .

(1 ) I n q u isit io de T e rraru m e t c E leven large an d two s m all sta m ps , . .

Obv erse Each si de h as a border form e d by repetition of sta m ps t h e panel

.
-

enclose d bein g divi ded into th ree by two narrow vertical ban ds ; th ese ban ds plain ,

on t h e obverse are on t h e reverse relieve d by s m all circles an d quatrefoils

, Th e .

fl
vertical portions of th e border are for m e d by t h e repetition of nine rectan gular sta m ps
of interlaced work for m e d by two dragons wi th o riat e d tails an d ten containin g ,

a foliate d crucifor m orna m ent ; th ese are connected at both h ea d an d foot by a row
of fine pal m ate d leaves Central division : ei gh t i m pressions o f a rectan gular stam p
.

representin g a lion passant wit h in a quatrefoil flanke d by four trefoils L ateral , .

divisions : four ei gh t leave d rosettes an d t h ree lobe sta m ps wit h two dragons fro m
-

,
—
,

t h e union of wh ose tails sprin gs a ste m ter m inatin g in a fleur de lis on w h ic h is

.
- -

perch e d a bir d t h e intervenin g spaces relieve d by quatrefoils

, .

R ev erse V ertical portions of bor der for m e d by repetition of two sta m ps fourteen
—

fl
lions passan t on one si de facin g as m any dragons with tails ter m inatin g in foliage
,

on th e oth er ; th ese are connecte d at both h ead an d foot by th ree o riat e d orna m ents ,

each co m posed of two i m pressions of t h e sa m e sta m p Th e central division : seven .

i m pressions of a rect an gular sta m p representin g with in a large quatrefoil flanke d by , ,

,

four s m aller ones D av i d crowned seate d with h is legs crosse d playin g t h e h arp ; on
, , ,

each si de of th is fi gure is a s m all quatrefoil L ateral divisions eac h four circular .

an d t h ree trian gular sta m ps alternatin

g t h e for m er representin g a gryph on t h e latter , ,

a h eron stan din g on th e back of a pike 1 .

(2 ) H istoria E vangelica by P e ter Co m e st o r (E gerton M S , Britis h M useu m .

.

1 Th e B ookbin der , v ol ii
_ . .
, p 4 . .
 E N GL I S H S TA M P E D L E A TH E R B O OK B I N D I N G I N
-
TH E T WE L F TH CE N T UR Y . 11 1

Obv erse si de h as a bor der for m ed by t h e repetition of sta m ps : ei gh t near

.
—
E ac h ,

t h e back oblon g in for m an d containin g dra gons with interlace d tail s ; ten square
,

sta m ps near th e fore edge containin g a foliated crucifor m orna m ent ; th ese are
, ,

connecte d at both h ea d an d foot by rows of five pal m ate d leaves E i gh t i m pression s .

of a r ectan gular sta m p bearin g a lion passant occupy t h e centre S o both in .

arran ge m en t an d sta m ps th is bin din g rese m bles t h at of t h e Te m plars book but t h e ’

lateral divisions di ffer bein g h ere ornam ente d with th ree lar ge circul ar an d two lobe
,
“

s h aped sta m ps of dragons with foliated tails .

R ev erse Th e sta m ps on t h is si de are t h e sam e as t h ose on t h e reverse of t h e

—

Te m plars book except in t h e two i nner d at e ral rows w h ere a lobe s h aped sta m p of
’

,
-

,
-

two dragons occupies th e space assi gned to t h e t rian gular sta m p of t h e bird fee din g
on a pike M easure m ents : 1 0 by 6 % inc h es M aterial : dark brown leath er B an ds
. . .
:

two .

Y ORK next exam ple is un doubte dly E ngl ish an d it m ay h ave been m a de at
—
Ou r ,

Y ork ; it is m ore beautiful th an t h e bin din gs at t h e R ecor d O ffice an d B ritis h Museu m

j ust describe d but we are unable to i dentify it with certainty T h e volu m e is now at t h e
,
.

B o dleian O x for d N o less t h an t h irty di fferent dies were use d to a dorn t h e t w o si des of
, .

th is bin din g on t h e obverse are twelve sta m ps eleven lar ge an d one s m all on t h e reverse ,

fl
sixteen large an d two s m all ones M easure m ents : 1 4 by 9 5 inch es (M S R awl c . . . . .

Obv erse V ertical portions of th e bor der : ten rectan gular panels
.
— o riat e d orna ,

fl
m ent eac h co m pose d of two i m pressions o f t h e sa m e sta m p ; fifteen square sta m ps
,
-

o riat e d orna m ent ; th ese are connecte d at bot h h ea d an d foot by rows of st am ps t h ose ,

at t h e h ead bein g at present covere d with m o dern leath er an d th ose at t h e foot partly
covere d but th ree stam ps representin g bir ds are visible
, C entral division : seven .

i m pressions of a rectan gular sta m p representin g a lion passant with in a quatrefoil

fl
flanked by four trefoils Th is is flanke d by two vertical rows of ei gh t an d a h alf
.

sta m ps each with o riat e d orn a m ent aroun d th is is a plain bor der relieve d at intervals
,

with s m all circular sta m ps Th e next bor der consists of two vertical rows of sta m ps .

to t h e left t h e win ge d fi gure of an an gel kneelin g h ol din g a book t h e sta m p is th irteen , ,

ti m es repeated to t h e ri gh t ten i m pressions of a stam p bearin g t h e fi gure of an an gel ,

but di fferin g fro m t h e last A t t h e corners are pal m ate d leaves pointin g outwar ds . .

L ateral divisions two ei gh t leave d rosettes an d t h ree lozen ge sh ape d in t erlac in gs At

- -
.

top an d botto m a rosette .

R ev erse Th e vertical portion of b o rder i twelve rectan gular dies with continuous
“
—

branc h orna m ent for m in g circles in wh ic h are bir ds Twenty th ree trian gular dies of a .
-

bir d fee din g joine d at top by ei gh t sta m ps of a h in d runnin g an d (apparently) a bir d

,

attacki ng it Th is is a m ost beautiful sta m p E i gh t dra gons I n t h e centre a circular

. . .

sta m p of a dra gon surroun ded by ei gh t lobe s hape d sta m ps pointin g inwards th ree
,
-

,
—

varieties a dragon a bird an d two dragons between each a rosette of ten points an d
, , , ,

near t h e centre a sm all circle Two circular lines dotte d at intervals join two vertical
“

.
, ,

bo r ders t h e one with a lion passant fourteen ti m es repeated t h e oth er alternatel y a

, ,
1 12 A H I S TOR Y OF TH E A R T OF B O OK B I N D I N G .

dragon an da win ge d lion T h ese are joined by th ree stam ps at top two griffin s facin g
.
,

one anoth er ; at botto m by four an d a h alf sta m ps of two lio n s w it h birds h eads ‘
’
,

ra m pant facin g one anoth er I n t h e next border are ten circu lar dies of a bird an d
,
.
,

ei gh t oblon g of a fish , an d six s m all rosettes M easure m ents : 1 35 by 9 5 inch es . .

D U R HA M — H u gh Pu dsey, bis h op of D urh a m ,

live d towards t h e e n d of t h e w ho
twelfth century (1 1 53 gave to t h e library of t h e c h urc h th ere a great B ible
an d ot h er books w h ic h h e h ad cause d to be written an d boun d in t h e Bene dictin e
,

h ouse overlookin g t h e strea m of W ear B is h op Pu dsey s books are to th is day

’
.

preserve d in t h e cath e dral library ; t h ey are triu m p h s of m onkis h art an d t h e bin din gs ,

are t h e finest known speci m ens of early E n glis h sta m pe d leath er O n t h e great B ible .
,

in four volu m es no less th an fifty one sta m ps or dies are e m ployed an d on t h e cover
,
-

_
,

of t h e first volu m e alone th ere are twenty seven different sta m ps T h e p lan of orna -
.

m entation on eac h volu m e is di f ferent but t h e general effect of ric h ness is t h e sa m e in

,

all Fine interlaced c h ain work so m ewh at like t h e orna m ent often foun d u pon I talian
.
-

bin din gs su ggested perh aps by t h e guilloc h e orn am ent co m m on on m osaic pave m ents
,

of t h e perio d of t h e R o m an E m pire or possibly fro m O riental m o dels ch aracterise th ese

, ,

bin din gs I n a ddition to t h e interlaced orn am ent t h e desi gns upon t h e stam ps are
. ,

very varied inclu din g th e fi gures of angels m e n an d m onsters birds beasts an d

, ?
, , , ,

ve getable for m s too nu m erous to be specifie d h ere .

I n t h e curious o ld library at H ere for d Cath edral a D u rh am boun d book m ay b e -

.

seen ; it is a twelfth century m anuscript D ionysius de Coele st i H ierarch ia an d t h e

-

, ,

bin din g is very interestin g .

Two volu m es of I saia h with glosses given to t h e library of D ur h a m by M aster ,

R obert of H addin gton h ave bor ders of interlacin g c h ain work pro duce d by t h e repetition
,
-

of an oblon g sta m p of a kin d not foun d elsewh ere on early E n glish bin din gs Since .

th ere is a great si m ilarity in all th ese bin din gs an d t h e space at our disposal prevents us ,

givin g a description of all of th e m we h ave selecte d as an e x a m ple of D ur h a m bin din g

,

t h e cover of on e of R obert H addin gt o n s books (A I I I

” ’
I saias Glo sat u s
'

. .
“
.

R ev erse E leven stam ps

—
A t top an d botto m a row of square stam ps representin g
.
,

t h e kneelin g fi gure of a kin g crowne d an d apparently h ol din g in h is h an d a cup wit h

, ,

a pal m branch in it Th is sta m p is twelve ti m es repeate d at th e top an d eleven ti m es

.

at t h e botto m A t t h e si des are rows of lar ge pal m ate d stam ps twelve in nu m ber each
.
, ,

placed in a co m part m ent bor dere d with double ruled lines In t h e ne x t border top -
.
,

an d botto m are six circular dra gon sta m ps

, T h e inner bor der at top an d botto m is .

co m posed of five and a h alf square sta m ps place d close to geth er con tainin g t h e , ,

representation of a non descript m onster T h e central panel is lozen ge s h ape d ; t h e .

-

trian gles at t h e outer corner s contain a trian gular stam p of l arge size orna m ente d ,

with a twinin g branch In t h e central h orizontal co m part m ent are th r ee sta m ps Th at

. .

in th e centre contains a seated fi gure apparently t h e M a donn a with t h e Ch il d upon ,

h e r knee .O n eith er si de is an elliptical sta m p of D avi d p layin g upon t h e h arp Th e .

trian gular co m part m ents above an d below contain interl ace d work E ac h line of .
 E N GL I S H S TA M P E D LE A TH E R B OOK B I N D I N G I N
-
TH E T WE LF TH CE N T U R Y . 1 13

sta m ps is separate d fro m th e

ne t by x ruled
lines between w h ich at in t e rv als s m all
'

rosettes are placed .

The o bv erse is sli gh tly different in plan an d is orna m ente d with nine sta m ps ei gh t
, ,

of wh ich are different fro m th ose on th e reverse .

I n t h e B ritish M useu m th ere is an early th irteenth century m anuscript entitled

-

L iber Sapienti a (A dd M S . . in its ori ginal bin din g of dark leath er elaborately
blin d tooled Th is is an E n glis h bin din g but we are at present unable to assi gn it to
-
.
,

any particular town or m onastery I t bears a stron g rese m blance to t h e D urh a m

.

bin din gs b ut t h e sta m ps are not t h e sa m e as th ose foun d upon any of t h e D urh a m
,

books U pon one si de si x an d upon t h e o th er nine stam ps are used all arc h aic in
.
:

appearance .I n t h e centre panel of t h e obverse si de is a fin e oval sta m p twice

.

repeate d containin g t h e fi gure of a bis h op h ol din g a book in one h an d an d h is staff

,

in th e oth er O n t h e reverse is a curious series of sta m ps representin g a c h urc h

. .
 C H A PT E R X .

CON TI N E N TA L B O OK B I N D I N G I N TH E F I F TE E N TH CEN T UR Y OF
L I TE RA T URE L E A THE R B OOK B I N D I N G, E N GL I SH G UI LD S GE R M AIV,
L A
I TA I IV, N E TH E RL AN D I S I—
I , A N D F RE N CH B I N DI N GS .

H E art of b o okbin din g, both as respects style variety of m aterial an d

for t h e covers was far a dvance d at t h e perio d wh ic h witnessed t h e

“

invention of printin g T h is invention or rath er its develop m ent by

.
, ,

Joh n Gutenberg of M ayence M entz or M ai nz about th e yea r 1 4 50

, , , , ,

took place at a fortunate m o m ent wh en fro m m any circu m stances it

, , ,

becam e of m ore value to posterity by preservin g a greater nu m ber

of t h e noblest literary pro ductions of past ages th an woul d h ave been
possible h ad it been postpone d a century l ater For w h il e t h e art was in its infancy t h e
.

fall of Constantinople an d t h e consequent dispersion of th e e x tensive an d m agnificent

library of t h e B yzantine e m perors in affor din g great facilities to t h e early printers
, ,

m ultiplie d t h e m ost i m portant classic treasures m any of wh ic h existe d in sin gle copies
,

onl y an d of wh ich t h e acci dent of a m o m en t m i gh t h ave deprive d th e worl d for ever

'

.
,

O f t h e one h un dre d an d twenty th ousan d m anuscripts wh i ch are sai d to h ave dis

appeare d a valuable portion was depos ited in I taly an d after w ar ds issue d fro m t h e
1
, ,
-

presses of t h e early printers m any of th ese first printe d book s h ave been preserved to
our ti m es by t h e sturdy inte grity an d firm work m ans h ip of conte m porary bookbin ders .

M uch h as been written about t h e invention of printin g an d both Ger m any an d t h e ,

L o w Countries clai m t h e h onour of h avin g pro duce d t h e first printer I t see m s th at th e .

h onours are divi de d for w h ile t h e D utc h un doubte dly issue d t h e earliest D o n at u ses
, ,

t h e Ger m ans can pro duce t h e earliest s h eet printe d entirely fro m m ovable types th e ,

fa m ous In dul gence of Nic h olas V to such as sh oul d contribute m oney to aid t h e Kin g
.
,

of Cyprus a gainst t h e Turks printe d at M ayence in 1 4 54

, .

Th e art of printin g rapi dly sp rea d to t h e prin cip al cities of G er m any I taly and , ,

Gibb on s
1 ’ ”
Ro m e “
.

1 14
 CON TI N E N TA L B OOK B I IVD I N G I N TH E F I F TE E N TH CE N T UR Y . 11 5

Fr ance ; an d since th e early printers were bookbin ders also forei gn bookbin ders in
-

crease d in nu m ber as t h e co m m erce in books beca m e exten ded an d ev entually spread

. ,

th e m selves over m ost Oth er countries m any of t e per anently settlin g in E n glan d
h m m ,
?

Wh at printin g was to t h e oth er arts bin din g now in an especial m anner beca m e , , ,

to t h e pro ductions of th e press T h at t h e practisers of t h e art were fully sensible

‘

of t h is is sh own by t h e firm way th e bin din gs of early printe d books wh ich are still
_
,

preserved were execute d To t h is care we

, .

m ay attribute t h e existence of so m any speci

m ens of early typo grap h y for if t h e sli gh t ,

an d careless m anner in wh ic h so m e bin din gs

of a later date h ave been execute d h ad at

th at ti m e been co m m on it is but reasonable ,

to suppose we sh oul d also h ave to re gret t h e

loss of m any of th ose speci m ens we now
possess .

T h e acco m panyin g en gravin g taken fro m ,

an o ld B ook of Trades r epresents a six

“
,

t ee n t h century bookbin der and h is assistant

-

at Work Th e m aster t h ou gh seate d an d

.
,

takin g h is ease m ore t h an is now t h e prae

tice appears to be h am m erin g away at a
,

book on t h e stone with a firm determ ination

'

of doin g j ustice to h is depart m ent Th e opera .

tion of s ewin g is also h ere displayed wh ile

a m on g t h e folia ge in t h e back groun d an open
an d a closed book t h e one with clasps t h e, ,

oth er furnis h e d with tags are introduced , .

B e fore t h e invention of m ac h inery fo r rollin g

an d co m pressin
g t h e leaves bin ders were ac ,

custo m e d to beat th eir books wit h a woo den

AN N B OO K N E R S A T W ORK FR O M A B O K CIE T BI D ,
O
h a m m er in or der to pro duce as m uc h soli dity
, O F T RA D E S .
”

as possible a custo m of wh ich t h e poet

,

Cle m ent B arks dale h as left t h e followin g evi den ce in h is A ddress to t h e Book “

bin der
H as m y m us e m ade a fault ? Friend I e ntre at , ,

B efo re yo u bin d h e r u p y o u w o ul d h e r bea t ; ,

Th o ugh S h e s n o t w an to n I c an t ell
’
, ,

U n l e ss y o u bea t h er yo u ll n o t bin d h er w ell ”

’
.
,

In public libraries of t h e Continent Ger m an French Italian D utch Spanish

the —
, , , , ,

etc h
f
m an y early speci m ens of bin din g rich ly studde d with ge m s or orna m ente d wit h ,

1
See A c t Rich ard I II
“
ch ap ix s ect xii
. .
, . .
, . .

C l e m e nt B ark s dal e
3
Nym p h a L ib e th ris o r t h e Co ts w o l d M use
,
“
95 , , .
1 16 A H I S TOR Y OF TH E AR T OF B OOK BI N D I N G .

silver an d gol d still exist an d in t h e less preten din g ones of t h e m onasteries t h e oake n
'

boards of t h e fourteenth century covere d with vellu m are foun d attach ed to a great , ,

1
nu m ber of books an d still in a goo d state of preservation
, .

(1 4 58 I t is h owever on t h e C ontinent as in our own country to t h e

, , , ,

patrona ge of t h e wealth y an d lovers of books th at we h ave to attribute t h e successful ,

operation of t h e best work m en ; an d in t h e h istory of th eir libraries an d t h e speci m en s

re m ainin g can we alone trace t h e progress of t h e art To M ath ias Co rv in u s Kin g of .
,

H un gary w h o died A D 1 4 9 0 m ust be assi gne d t h e h onour of t h e rank as first patron

'

.
,
.
,

of t h e perio d of w h ic h we are now treatin g H is library consisted of not less t h an .

fi fty th ousan d m anuscripts an d books 2 preserve d in t h e m ost costly bin din gs an d ,

e m bellis h e d with all th at in genuity coul d su ggest or wealth procure T h is splen di d .

collection was preserve d in a vaulte d gallery T h e books were c h iefly boun d in sta m pe d .

leat h er re d velvet or brocade protecte d by bosses an d clasps of silver or oth er precious

, , , ,

m etals . Bo n fin iu s referrin g to th e m says , cultus libro ru m lu xu rio sissim u s T he , ,

“
.

destruction of t h e library took place in 1 52 6 wh en Soly m an I I lai d sie ge to Bu da ,

. .

Th e city was taken by assault an d t h e library with all its exquisite appurtenances
_ , , ,

beca m e a prey to t h e rapacity of th e Turkish sol diers Th e bin din gs torn fro m th e .
,

books w h ic h th ey protecte d were s tripped of th eir costly orna m ents 3

O b so pa u s
, .

relates th at a m anuscript o f th e E t h io p ic s of H elio do ru s was brou gh t to h im by

.

a H un garian sol dier w h o in t h e pilla ge h ad acquire d an d preserve d it with m any

, ,

oth ers as a prize fro m t h e cover retainin g so m e m arks of gol d an d silver w ork m an
, ,

sh ip . C ar dinal B o z m an n i o ffere d for t h e re de m ption of t h is inesti m able collection

4
two h un dre d t h ousan d pieces of t h e i m perial m oney but with out effect Th e , .

m anuscripts were eith er burnt or torn to pieces an d of t h e w h ole c o llection scarcely ,

th ree h un dred are now known to exist Several of th ese are still preserved in t h e .

i m perial library of V ienna but of th eir ori ginal splen dour little re m ains Th e public
, .

library at Stuttgart also possesses a m anuscri pt St A ustin on t h e Psal m s covere d with .

,

leath er an d t h e ori ginal orna m ents of t h e ti m e of Co rv in u s, if not belon gin g to h is

,

library I t is m uch fa ded but th e for e e dges preserve th eir for m er gilt sta m pe d
.
,

5
orna m ents T h ese inclu de t h e well known badges of Co rv in u s th e dragon barrel etc
.
- —
, , .

Th ere are also in t h e public library of Brussels two m a gnificen t m anuscripts wh ich ,
”
once graced th is library Th e first is a L atin E van gelistariu m written in letters of
.
“
,

gol d upon t h e m ost beautiful vellu m an d not in a ptly calle d T H E G OLD E N BO O K It ,

.

h ad beco m e t h e property of P h ilip I I of Spain w h o kept it in t h e E scurial L ibrary .

,

un der lock an d key an d it is sa d to h ave been for m erly s h own to stran gers with great
cere m ony an d by torc h li gh t H owever t h is m ay be
”
"
tis a precious m orceau an d of _
,
“ ’
,

6
finish ed e xecution Gibbon awards nearly th e sa m e h on our to a c o py o f t h e Pan dects
. .

of Justinian taken at Pisa in t h e year 1 40 6 by th e Florentines an d still preserve d as

, , , ,

a relic in th e ancient palace of t h e republic A ccordin g to Bren c k m an it was new .

,

1
D ibdin
’
s
“
B ib . To ur, 3 v o ls .
4
W arto n iii 2 4 3 ,
. .

3
W arto n s ’
E n g l ish P o etry, ’ iii . 24
3 .
5
Dibdin ’s “ Bib T o ur, . ii 34 . .

I bid , “ Bib
’
3
D ib din s -
“
Bib . ii 46 1
. .
5
. iii . . 15
7 .
 P A TRON S OF LI TE RA TURE .

bo u n d in p m yb le, deposite d in a rich casket , an d s h own to curious travellers by th e m onks

an d m ag istrates bare h ea de d an d wit h li gh te d tapers .

An attem pt is now (1 89 3) bein g m ade to collect t h e volu m es re m ainin g fro m t h e

fam ous library of Co rv in u s for t h e publi c library at Prague ; an d m any volu m es still
retainin g t h eir h an dso m e leath er covers blin d toole d or gilt h ave been recovere d , ,
.

W h ile th e art t h us flourish e d in H un gary it was equally successful in I taly an d , ,

fou nd in th ose distin guish e d patrons of literature t h e M e dici fa m ily stea dy supporters , ,

an d liberal aid Th e speci m ens of bin din g still e x istin g s h ow t h at no e x pense was
.

spare d by th e I talians of t h e fifteen th century in t h e e m bellis h m ent of th eir books Th e .

m anuscripts etc collecte d by Piero de M e dici (1 4 6 4

, .
,
are h i gh ly orna m ente d with
m iniatures gil din g an d oth er decorations an d are distin uis h e d by t h e fi eu r de—lis
g
-
.
, , ,

Such as were acquire d by L orenzo (1 4 6 9 calle d t h e fath er of literature are also ,

finis h e d with great attention to ele gance Th ey are not only sta m ped with th e .

M edicean ar m s but with a laurel bran ch in allusion to h is na m e an d t h e m otto

, , ,

“
Se m per .

I n W estern E urope at t h e beginnin g of t h e fi fteenth century P h ilip t h e Goo d .

D u ke of B ur gun dy eclipse d all oth er patrons of literature ,

A t B ru ges w h ere h e .
,

kept h is court h e gave continual e m ploym ent to a crow d of au th ors translators

, , ,

copyis t s illu m inators an d we m ay suppose bookbin ders w h o enrich e d h is libra ry

, , , , ,

wi t h th eir best pro ductions an d did not forget to sin g t h e praises of th eir generous ,

patron .
3
I n th e account wh ich M B arrois gives of t h e library of th is prince h e .
,

enu m erates nearly two th ousan d works t h e greater part bein g m a gnificent folios on ,

vellu m beautifully illu m inate d an d boun d in velvet satin or da m ask stu dde d w ith ge m s
, , , , ,

an d close d by
gol d cl asps jewelle d an d c h ase d M any of th ese books are still preserve d
, .

in t h e royal library at Brussels .

L ouis de B ru ges Sei gneur de la Gru t h u y se a noble m an w h o receive d E dwar d I V

, ,
.

of E n glan d wh en h e sou gh t refuge in Flan ders fro m th e L ancastrians possesse d a ,

library scarcely in ferior to t h at of t h e D uke of Burgun dy an d e m ploye d artists at ,

B ru ges an d Gh en t to write illu m inate an d bin d h is books , ,

.

H en ry V I of E n glan d encoura ge d literature an d h ad a valuabl e library of w h ich

.
, ,

so m e volu m es are to th is day in t h e royal collection at th e B ritis h M useu m Th e .

D uke of B e dfor d an d H u m frey D uke of Gloucester were bot h book collectors an d , ,

-

patrons of literature O n e or two folios bearin g t h e si gnature of t h e latter noble m an

.

Ces t a m o y H o m fre y
”
are preserve d in th e B o dleian L ibrary
'

— .
.

To t h e en courage m ent of t h ese princes an d nobles th e great increase in t h e nu m ber

of books an d t h e i m prove m ent in t h e m anner of bin din g w as in a m easure du e Co stly .

bin din gs a dorne d with silver gol d an d jewels were by no m eans rare even in t h e , ,

si xteenth centu ry wh en princes an d c h urch m en vie d with on e anoth er in t h e splen dour

,

of th eir books T h us for instance C ardinal Gri m ani h ad h is B reviary bou nd in

.
, ,

cri m son velvet t h e greater part of w h ich was conceale d by m ost elaborate m ounts
, ,

Gibb o n s v R o sc o e s L o re n z de M e dic i, ii 59
’
Ro m e,
’

38 1
“
. . o . .

W Bla de s , \
V illiam Caxto n tio n
’
3
.
“
, 8v o e di , 1 88 2 .
1 18
'

A H I S T OR Y OF TH E A R T OF B OOK B I N D I N G .

clasps corner pieces an d borders of soli d gol d of exquisite work m ansh ip an d

,
-

, ,

de corate d wit h a m e dallion portrait of t h e car dinal h i m self A lbert of B ran denbur g .

cause d a B o ok of H ours to be decorate d with clasps an d m ounts of pure go l d .

Bin din gs ric h w it h e m b o sse d an d c h ase d gol d stu dde d with precious ge m s were
'

, ,

m a de to ensh rine t h e costly m anuscripts of Giulio C lo v io an d ot h er fa m ous m iniaturists

1
of t h e sixteenth century perio d of deca dence
-
.

To th ese liberal patron s of lit e rature m ay be a dde d m any of t h e nobles an d clergy .

of I taly in t h e si x teenth century w h o were profuse ,

in th ei r love of e m bellis h m ent but none m ore so ,

t h an t h e celebrate d Cardinal M azarin H is library .

in h is palace on t h e Quirinal h ill at R o m e consisted

of five th ousan d well selecte d volu m es boun d by -

,
“

”
artists w no ca m e exp ress fro m P ar is A n gelus .

R o c c h a in h is appen di x to t h e Biblia A postolica ,

”
V aticani speakin g of t h e library of Car
dinal L au n ce llo t says it was ce lebrate d as well ' ‘
“
, ,

on account of t h e quantity of books (for th ere ,

are seven th ousan d volu m es) as for t h e beautiful

bin din g th eir adm irable or der an d m agni ficent , ,
”
ornam ents Cardinal B o n e lli s library was also .
,
’

“
celebrated as bein g illustrious for t h e rich est
3 ”
bin din gs of books .

Th e libr aries of Ger m any are particularly rich

in bin din gs of al m ost every age an d descripti o n .

So m e speci m ens h ave be en referre d to in a previous

ch apter an d oth ers of w h ich we sh all h ereafter , ,

speak attest t h e patronage bestow ed on th e art , .

B u t t h ou gh we h ave no na m es on record as bein g

p ar excellen ce lovers of book e m bellis h m ent th e ,

n u m erous speci m ens of e arly bin din g s till pre

served in A ustria B avaria etc s u fficiently attest a , , .
,
W R O U G H T S LVE R B I N D N G I
t h e succes sive rulers of t h e
I
lon g list of patrons in .

(F m th mg al S th K n i g t M s m )
'

ro e o zn , ou e s n on u eu
various kin gdo m s an d states
.

In t h e i m perial .
.

”
library of V ienna an early speci m en e x ists of a fine E van gelistariu m
, _
“
T h e bin din g .

is of t h e ti m e of Fre derick I I I (t h e m i ddle of th e fourteenth century) Th e orna m ents . .

’
consist of a lion s h ead in t h e centre of t h e board surroun de d by gol den rays an d h avin g ,
’
a lion s h ead in eac h corner of t h e square A n arabesque border surroun ds t h e wh ole
“

.
,
.

}
g ivin g an e ffect bot h splen i
d d an d tasteful O th er speci m ens m igh t be given to a great
e xtent both in th is an d t h e e m peror s private library in all t h e varieties of silver velvet
,
’

, , ,

silk calf an d vellu m

, , .

1
P ro fe ss o r J . H M iddl et o n
.
,
I llum in at io n .
3
1b id 49 2 .

Bib To ur,
2
D b din s
’
i “
Bib D e c , , , ii 49 5
. .
4
Dib den
’
s
“
. iii . 2 74 .
 S I L VE R B OOK B I N DI A/ G .
1 19

A m anuscript o ffice of t h e V irgin in t h e public library at M unic h bears witness to

, ,

t h e custo m of bin din g books in silver wit h coloure d inlai d orna m ents up to t h e year 1
-

,
574 , ,

wh ic h date it bears T h is library contains also four splen di d folio volu m es t h e te x t of

.

the
“ ”
Seven Penitential Psal m s w h ic h e xh ibit e x traor dinary proof of t h e skill of t h e
,

writer m usician painter an d bookbin der O f eac h of th ese artists th ere is a portrait
, , , .

Th e na m e of t h e bin der is Gaspar R itter Th e books are boun d in re d m orocco .

variegate d with colours an d secure d with clasps E veryth in g about th e m is square firm .
,

S IL V ER B I N D I NG PI E RCED A ND EN G RA V E D , GE R M A N , E A R LY EI G HTE E NT H C ENT U R Y .

(Fro m th e or igi n a l S o u th K en sz ng to n M u seu m

’

at .
)

an d co m p lete an d sta m ps Gaspar R itter as one of t h e m o st skilful artists of th e

, _

si x teenth century }
T h e practice of placin g devotio nal books in bin din gs of wrou gh t
,

silver was continue d i n Ger m any an d H ollan d till t h e ei gh teenth century .

I n t h e public libraries of A u gsb u r g Stuttgart L an dsh ut etc si m ilar speci m ens, , , .

, ,

cloth e d in eve ry variety of m aterial m i gh t be a dduce d in furth er illustration I n t h e

,
.

U niversity library at L eyden , celebrate d t h rou gh out E urope m ost of t h e books are ,

boun d in fine wh ite vellu m an d decorated with con si derable taste an d spl e ndour
,
2
.

Bib To ur, S avag e s Lib raria n , i 89

’ “
Dib din
’
s . iii
. 2 74. . .
1 20 A H I S TO R Y OF TH E AR T OF B OOK B I N DI N G .

LE AT H E R BO O K B I N D I N G .

a for m er ch apter t h e subject of leath er bookbin din g h as been briefly

N
referred to A few exa m ples h ave been given of E n glish leath er bin din g
.

supposed to h ave been e xecute d in th e twelft h or early th irteenth century

by crafts m en livin g in W inch ester L on don an d oth er large towns Th is , , .

work it h as been sai d Will co m pare favourably with bin din gs known to h ave been
, ,
-

m a de in th e abbeys of D urh a m an d Hy de (W inc h ester) We now take up t h e h istory .

wh ere it was left at t h e en d of ch apter ix an d proceed to trace th e develop m ent .

,

of t h e art on t h e continent of E u rope .

Fro m t h e twelfth to t h e e nd of t h e sixteenth century we h ave in E n glan d as

well as on t h e Continent an al m ost unbroken series of bin din gs in sta m pe d leath er
, ,

provin g th e continuity of t h e art an d exh ibitin g all t h e peculia rities of style wh ich
m arke d t h e di ff erent sch ools and perio ds For fully th ree centuries after t h e m agn ifi .

cent bin din gs o f B ish op Pu dsey s books were m ade at Durh a m we fin d so m e of th e

’

twelfth century sta m ps or i m itations of t h e m in use both in E n glan d an d on th e

-

, ,

Continent but st am p e d b in din gs o f t h e th irteenth century are rare I n t h e fou rteenth

_
.

century it was still usual to b in d b o o ks in orna m ente d leath er an d sta m ps of a lar ger
.
‘

size began to m ake th eir appearance on t h e Continent ; but in th is country t h e art

h ad al m ost die d out owin g doubtless to t h e decline of sch olastic literature an d t h e
, , ,

de m oralisation of t h e clergy w h o were ceasin g to be an intellectual class The , .

testi m ony of Poggio an I talian traveller w h o visited E n glan d twenty years after
,

C h aucer s death stron gly supports th is View

’

,
T h e m onasteries w ere no lon ger t h e .

”
seats of learnin g I foun d in th e m sai d Poggio “ m e n given up to sensu ali ty in
.
“
, ,

abu ndance but very few lovers of learnin g an d th ose of a barbarous so rt skille d m ore
'

, , ,
.

in quibbles an d soph is m s th an in literature ”1

.

O n t h e Continent h owever t h e spirit of t h e revival of learnin g be gan to s h ow

, ,

itself an d its worki ngs m ay be seen in isolate d works of art first lin gs of t h e R enaissance
, , .

O n e of t h e earliest e x a m ples of a bin din g ornam ente d wit h panel sta m ps m ay be seen -

upon a volu m e in t h e arch ives at L ouvain ; it is sai d to be th e work of L a m bertu s de '

Insula an d to date fro m t h e year I 36 7 Fro m th at ti m e stam pe d bin dings began

, .
‘

to increase an d in th e first h alf of t h e fifteenth century t h ey becam e nu m erous

, .

T h e m ost i m portant leat h er bin din gs of th is perio d were m ade in France the L o w ,

Countries an d Ger m any I taly an d Spain too attaine d a h i gh de gree of excellence

, ,
, ,

in so m e kin ds of leath er work ; in fact stam pe d leath er bin din gs of t h e th irteenth ,

-

fourteenth an d fifteenth centuries h ave been foun d t h rou gh out E urope

, .

I f t h e ch ief e n d of bin din g a book be th e preservation of it m e dia v al bin ders ,

certainly attained th at e n d fo r m any a book boun d from four to six h un dred years, _

1
J . R Gre en ,
.
“
A Sh o rt H isto ry of t h e E ngl ish P e o pl e ,
13 57 2
. .
 LE A TH E R B OOK B I N D I N G, E N GL I S H GUI L D S . 121

ago is as goo d now for all practical purposes as it was on t h e day th at it left t h e
, ,

h an ds of t h e bin der N o t only do t h ese o ld bin din gs excel in durability : th ey are also
.

true works of art exh ibitin g decoration in a m ost appropriate an d attractive for m
, .

I n Ger m any an d t h e N eth erl an ds t h e develop m en t was slow but t h e progres sion ,

continued durin g th e fourteenth an d fifteenth centuries I n I taly at first t h e leath er .

workers i m itate d A rabian m o dels but after a ti m e t h e influence of Ger m an especially

, ,

of Swabian bin ders m a de itself felt th ere until after t h e si x teenth century w h en
, ,

O riental desi gns again prevaile d I n Spain t h e Ger m ans intro duced th eir syste m of
.

orna m entation wh ich h owever was quickly m o difie d by t h e a doption of M oorish

, , ,
“

details .In France t h e art was in fluence d to a great e x tent by both G er m ans an d -

N et h erlan ders w h ile in our own country it su fféfed a process of denation alisation so
'

FI G. I .
—
E A R LY EN G L I S H P LA N . FI G . 2 .
-
N ET H E R LA N D 1 5 H P LA N OF A R R AN G E M EN T .

co m plete th at it cannot be sai d yet to h ave recovere d th e position it h el d at t h e e n d

1
of t h e twelfth century .

I t is i m portant to know s om eth in g of t h e plan o r m anner of arran gin g orna m ent al

stam pin gs a dopte d by artists in leath er i n several of t h e European countries ; we h ave
th erefore repro duced h ere four diagram s wh ich s h ow at a gl ance t h e four ch ie fm eth o ds ,

of arran gin g t h e st am ps .

Fig 1 s h ows t h e o ld E n glis h syste m an d is copie d fro m a D ur h a m book

. ,
.

Fig 2 is t h e N eth erlan dis h syste m w h ere t h e si des were generally i m presse d wit h
. ,

one or m ore pan el stam ps t h e spaces between t h e two sta m ps bein g filled up with
-

eith er a series of s m all sta m ps or a ban d T h e ol der Frenc h plan was to a dorn t h e .

fiel d with vertical rows of sta m ps or with p o w de rin gs enclosed with in one or m ore ,

borders Th e Fren ch panel stam ps were often divi de d into four co m part m ents by a
.
-

vertical an d a h orizontal line intersectin g in t h e centre .

M r W H Jam e s W e al e you r n al of M e So ciety of A rts M arch rst 1 889

. . .
, , , .
 1 22 A H I S TOR Y OF TH E A R T OF B OOK B I N D I N G .

F ig 3 Th e
usual Ger m an plan was a fra m ework of intersecting vertical an d
‘
-
. .

h orizontal ban ds (pro duce d by a roller ) t h e fiel d wit h in bein divi de d by rule d dia on al
g g ,

lines in t o n u m ero u s lozen ge sh ape d co m partm ents ; th ese an d oftenti m es t h e spaces

—
,

between t h e fra m ework an d t h e e dge of t h e cover were i m pressed wit h stam ps , .

Fig 4 M any E n glis h bin ders a dopte d t h e Ger m an plan ; so m e m o difie d it by

. .
—

divi din g t h e fiel d into four trian gular co m part m ents so m eti m es left plain so m eti m es , ,

orna m ented with s m all dies .

A ll t h ese plans were subject t o m o dification .

T h e tools e m ploye d to orna m ent leath er bin din s were so far as we know of
’

g , ,

two kin ds
I Th e sta m p or die wh ich was of s m all size ori gin ally but in t h e fifteenth an d
.
, ,

sixteenth centuries assu m e d proportions nearly as larg e as th e si de of an octavo volu m e .

F I G. 3 .
— G E R MAN P LA N . FIG .
4 .
— EN G LI S H A DA PTA TI ON OF G E R M AN P L AN .

2 . roll a cylin der m ounte d on a h an dle so as to allow it t o revolve

Th e ,
.

T h is tool was m uch use d in t h e sixteenth century It m ay h ave been su ggested by .

,

t h e repetition of s m all sta m ps place d in ju x taposition T h e desi gns upon rolls Were at .

first m eritorious but th ey gra dually degenerated an d at len gth beca m e co m m onplace
, , .

A s to t h e m aterial of w h ich stam ps an d rolls were m ade th ere is no doub t th at t h e ,

s m all dies were usually of b rass or latten ; t h e rolls also were of t he sam e m aterial .

L arge panel stam ps appear to h ave been en grave d on m etal but in so m e instances th ese
-

were of woo d ; ancient sta m ps both of wood an d m etal are extant I n t h e en gravin g . .

of a sixteenth centu ry bin din g sh op th ree rolls are represented in a rack upon t h e
-

wall by t h e win dow Th e length of t h e h an dle enabled t h e bin der to use consi derable
.
‘

pressu re in applyi ng t h e tool .

A t t h e Britis h M useu m m ay be seen several s m all brass dies suppose d t o h ave been ,

used by bookbin ders an d c ertainl y inten ded fo r leath er work O riental bin ders m a de
‘

.
 LE A TH E R B O OK B I N D I N G, E N GL I S H G UI LD S .

use of si m ilar brass dies w h ic h diffe rfro m t h e tools use d by m o dern bookbin ders in t h at
,

th ey are cut like a seal in inta glio pro ducin g an i m pres

, , ,

si on in relief S o m e of t h e leath er workers at W alsall in

.
-

S taffordsh ire to th is day e m ploy sta m p s cut in t h e ancient

‘

, ,

m anner for t h e a dorn m ent of t h e backs of stable brus h es

,
-

an d oth er or din ary leath er articles W e h ave be for e us a .

m e dallion of St George an d t h e D ra gon m a de by M essrs

. .

H awley an d S m ith of W alsall for t h e back of a stable brush

, ,
-
.

It is an excee din gly e ffective piece of work an d m o dern ,

bin ders woul d do well to a dopt t h is c h eap an d e x cellent

m eth o d of decoratin g t h e si des of leath er bo u n dé b o o ks —
.

A t A ntwerp in t h e Pl antin M useu m t h e bin din g tools

, , ,

inclu din g sta m ps an d rolls use d by t h e fa m ous si x teenth

,

century printer Ch ristop h er Plantin are careful ly preserve d , .

Th e process of sta m pin g was m uc h ai de d by t h e in

v e n t io n of t h e sc re w
_
press wh ic h en able d t h e work m an to
—
,

apply a stea dy an d lon g continue d pressure but in earlier B a R s s

-

F R M A s x n au r a s
r
’
no p, O r r

ti m es wh en s m all dies or punch es alone were use d t h e

, cE N U R B OO K r RA ES ,
'

r Y o T D .
”

1
force was si m ply applie d by a blow fro m a h a m m er .

W h en books be gan to be issue d fro m t h e newly establish e d printin g presses an -

i m petus was given to t h e trade of t he bookbin der an d t h en arose a distinction wh ic h h as ,

re m ained t O t h is day
'

T RAD E B I N D I N GS an d S P E CI A L BI N D I N GS Th e greater .

nu m ber of bin din gs we h ave to describe in t h is c h apter m ay be classe d un der t he for m er

h ea d. Th e special bin dings m a de for great collectors or for presentation purposes are
, ,

quite distinct in style fro m t h e sta m pe d leat h er bin din gs co m m on all over E urope at —

B OO KB I N D E R S ’

TOO L A N D IM P RE S S I ON , SI X TE E N T H CE NT U R Y .

(Fro m th e o rig in al at th e B ri tish M u seu m .

)

the of t h e fifteenth an d beginnin g of t h e sixteenth century A t th at period bin ders

en d .

b egan to sta m p th eir na m es in full upon t h e si des of bin din gs or to i m press upon t h e ,

1
Pr
ofe ss or
J . H M iddl eto n ,
. I ll u m in atio n, 1 8 2.
9
1 24 A H I S TOR Y OF TH E A R T OF B OOK BI N D I N G .

leath er a rebus tra de m ark or initials an d in so m e instances th eir own portraits ; T h us

,
-

, ,

t h e panel sta m ps of t h e ear ly printers an d bookbin ders for m an interestin g series of

—

desi gns illustratin g t h e develop m ent of art st e p b y step fro m t h e purest Goth ic to t h e .

m ost debase d for m of t h e R enaissance I n t h e L o w Countries th ese desi gns were .

t h e bin ders property bein g reco gn ise d an d protecte d as m uc h as t h e noble m an s coat

’ ’

,
’
o f ar m s or t h e m erc h ant s m ark In E n glan d h owever w h ere t h e bin ders guil ds
'
— .
, ,

were not of m uch i m portance th is was app arently not t h e case ; but h ere an d on , ,

1
t h e C ontinent tra de m arks or cip h ers were protecte d a gainst piracy
,
-
.

I n Ger m any t h e Net h erl an ds an d France th ere were guil ds of bookbin ders
, ,

constantly trainin g fres h work m en in t h e e x ercise of t h eir craft i m provin g t h e taste ,

an d skill of t h e work m en an d raisin

g t h e stan dar d of th eir work I n E n glan d ln t h e -
.
,

fifteenth century t h ere were guil ds or associations of stationers or bookbin ders but ,

n everth eless th e influence of t h e forei gn craft associations see m s to h ave m a de itself felt
in t h is country probably because t h e E n glis h gui lds h ad less power to enforce th eir rules
, .

O win g to t h e fash io n for beautiful books w h ic h arose in t h e fifteent h century an d

spread th rou gh Italy Ger m any France B urgun dy t h e N eth erlan ds an d E n glan d t h e
'
, , , , , ,

book t rade b ec am e an i m portant in dustry e m ployin g artists an d work m en of several ,

kin ds In no for m er age h ad finer copies of books been m a de ; in none h ad so m any

.

been transcribed T h is increase d de m an d for th eir pro duction cause d t h e process of

.

copyin g an d illu m inatin g m a nus cripts to be transferred fro m t h e scriptoria of t h e

reli gious h ouses into t h e h an ds of trade guil ds like t h e Guil d of St Joh n at B ru ges or -

,
.

2
t h e Broth ers of t h e Pen at B russels To ensure rapi dity as well as e x cellence of work .

m ans h ip division of labour was effecte d to a large e x tent

, T h us it h appene d t h at in .

m any cities tra de guil ds were foun de d for t h e purpose of protectin g an d encoura gin g
-

t h e craft .

A t Bru ges in t h e year 1 4 54 a c h arter was grante d to t h e

, Guil d of St Jo h n t h e ,
“
.

”
E van gelist ; St Joh n bein g accounte d t h e patron saint of scribes was for t h at
.
,

reason ch osen t h e patron of t h e new co m pany of crafts m en Th e r egister of t h e .

guil d is still preserve d an d in it m ay b e read t h e na m es of t h e breth ren an d sisters

'

classe d un der th e di fferent branch es of t h e i ndustry in wh ich th ey were e m ployed .

Th ese were booksellers p rin t se llers painters painters of Vi gnettes scriveners an d , , , , ,

copyists of books illu m inators printers wh eth er fro m blocks or types bookbin ders
, , , , ,

curriers clot h sh earers parch m ent an d vel lu m m akers boss carvers letter en gravers
,
-

, , , ,

?
an d fi gure en ravers Si m ilar corporations e x iste d in oth er cities of t h e L o w Countries
g
At A ntwerp t h e Guil d of St L uke was foun de d before 1 4 50 an d a m on gst its m e m bers .
,

inclu de d various crafts m en si m ilar to th ose of t h e Guil d of St J oh n at B ru ges an d .

”
“
L es Fr eres de la Plu m e at B russels A ll th e early Fle m ish printers wh ose na m es .

are now fa m ous belon ge d to one or oth er of th ese tra de associations an d appear to ,

h ave derive d m uc h benefit fro m t h eir gu ildsfi

1
Mr . W H J am e s W e al e
. .
,L ette rs to Th e B oo k bin der , N ovem ber 1 888 .

2
J . R Gre e n , . A Sh o rt
“
H isto ry o f t h e E n gl ish P eo p l e , p 574
”
. .

3
W . Blade s , “
W ill ia m Caxto n , tio n
e di 1 882 , p 37. .
 L E A TH E R B I IVD I N GS , E N GL I S H G UI L D S .
125

H alf a century before the

incorporation of t h e Guil d of St Joh n at Bru ges t h e .
,

list of craft guil ds of L on don inclu ded one specially devote d to

-

QEngIanD bookbin ders

.
.

TRA E GU I LD S A N
D D
Th e L on don trade asso c 1at 10 n s are first m en t 1o n e d du rm t h
E A R LY B o o xam p m s g e

rei gn of H enry I (1 1 0 0
.

about fifty years after t h e first .

appearance of a gu il d m erch ant i n t h e city 1

A t first t h e guil ds inclu de d only artisans .

of a sin gle trade but in course of ti m e several tra des were inclu ded in one guil d an d
, ,

still later so m e of th ese trades were separate d an d in t h eir turn beca m e in depen dent -

societies I n t h e fourteenth century we fin d leath er sellers po u c h m ake rs cor dwainers

.
-

, , ,

an d scriveners for m e d into or ganise d trade associ ations A t th e co m m ence m ent of t h e .

fifteenth century th ere was in L on don a guil d of te xt w riters an d bookbin ders -

O n J uly 1 2 t h 1 40 3 a petition w as presente d to t h e m ayor an d al der m en of

, ,

L on don by t h e craft of writers of text letter th ose co m m only calle d ‘li m ners an d
“
, ,
’

oth er goo d folks citizen s of L on don w h o were wont to bin d an d sell

, Th e ,

petition contains several interestin g points notably t h e reference to t h e or dinance as ,

to t h e election of war dens of t h e guil d (See A ppen di x A ) T h e ordinance provided . .

th at two War dens s h oul d be electe d t h e one be a ly m e n o u r t h e o th er a te xt writer ,

“
,
-

Sh owin g t h at even at th at ti m e t h e two crafts were beco m in g in depen dent an d t h at ,

t h e bookbin ders were subor dinate N ineteen years later in 1 4 2 2 (9 H enry . it ,

woul d appear fro m t h e list of L on don crafts an d m ysteries preserved at B rewers ’

H all th at t h e te x t writers an d t h e bookbin ders were enrolle d in separate guil ds an d

-

of su fficient i m portan ce to in duce t h e clerk of t h e Brewers Co m pany to in clu de th e m ’

in a list of th ose guil ds wh ich bein g with out h alls of t h eir own woul d be probable
, ,

h irers of B rewers H all on festive occasions

’ ”
Th e b o ke b y n ders appear as t h e .
“

eigh ty fifth of t h e h un dre d an d twelve guil ds I t is a si gnificant fact th at i n t h e

-
.

list of co m panies preserved in th e records of t h e Pewterers C o m pa ny in 1 4 88 neith er ’

b ookbin ders nor text writers are m entione d ; an d it see m s probable th at t h ese two
-

trade co m panies h ad su ffere d consi derably by t h e influ x o f Continental stationers _

an d th e superior or anisation of t h e craft guil ds to wh ic h th ese belon e d T h e intro

g g
-
.

duction of printe d books seale d th e fate of th e te x t writers an d li m ners ; t h e bookbin ders -

inevitably woul d suffer with th e m for a ti m e A s a m atter of fact t h e tra de was so

-

.
,

depresse d in t h e rei gn of H en ry V I I I as to in duce Parliam ent to pas s an act for its .

special protection an d aliens were forbi dden to co m pete with E n glish bookbin ders
,
.

A m on g t h e few na m es of L on don bin ders of t h e fourteenth an d fi fteenth centuries

now known we m ust fi rst m ention th at of N ich olas le Bo kb in de re livin g in t h e parish
, ,

of St A u gustine near St Paul s Gate By h is will proved A D 1 30 5 6 h e directs th at

.
, .
’
.
, . .
—
,

h is tene m ent near t h e gate sh all be sol d an d A m ic ia h is wife s h all h ave five m arks out ,

of t h e procee ds for h e r m aintenance 3 T h is record is m ost interesti n g since it s h ows .

,

C Gro ss, “ Th e Guil d M erch ant

. .

2
Ril ey s M e m o rials o L o n do n , p 89
”
’
f . .

3
Cal en dar o f W ills P ro ve d an d E nro ll e d in t h e Co urt of H ustin g s , L o n do n, A D . . 1 2 5 8— 1 688,

P art I , p 1 7 5
. . .
1 26 A H I S TOR Y OF TH E A R T OF B OOK B I N DI N G .

th at Nich olas was carryin g on h is business un der t h e s h adow of th e grea t cath edral in
t h e t h irteenth century an d t h at at t h at early date t h e purlie us of St P aul s were
’
.
,

tenanted by crafts m en en gaged in t he m akin g an d bin din g of books A few years .

later in A D 1 3 1 1 it is recor de d th at a burglary was co m m itte d at th e h ouse of

,
. .
, _

” 1
D ionisia le B o k e b y n de re in F le t e st re t e in t h e suburbs of L on don by certain
'

“
, ,

W elsh m en m e m bers of th e h ousehol d of E dwar d I I D ionisia is t h e earliest lady

,
.

bookbin der with wh ose na m e we are acquainted I t will probably be a m atter of .

surprise to th e lady bookbin ders of t h e nineteenth century to fin d th at in t h e M i ddle

A ges t h eir occupation was not confine d to t h e sterner sex D ion isia s nam e woul d
’
.

seem to i m ply th at sh e Was a forei gner ; in deed it is surprisin g h o w m any forei gn ,

bookbin ders h ave foun d t h eir way to th is country fro m t h e M i ddle A ges down to
m o dern ti m es .

I n 1 32 1 paym ent was m ade to W illia m t h e bookbin der o r L on don for bi n din g
“
, ,

an d newly repairin g th e boo/é of D om esday in w h ic h is containe d t h e counties of E sse x , ,

N orfolk an d S u ffolk an d for h is stipen d costs an d labour receive d t h e m oney th e fift h

, , , , ,

day of D ece m ber by h is ow n h an ds 3s 4 d

”2
T h is entry refers to t h e bin din g of t h e ,
.

s m aller of th e two volu m es of D o m es day possibly to t h e one re m ove d wh en t h e book ,

was at t h e Ch a pter H ouse W est m inster an d wh ich is still preserve d at th e R ecor d

, ,

O ffice ; but if so it m ust h ave been repaire d at a subsequent date

, .

3
In 36 7 Joh n Bo k by n de re th e el der appears as a witness to two dee ds ; an d in 1 4 1 7
1
”
R o ger D u n se b o k b y n dere is m entione d as livin g in L on don
e ,
4
, .

I n I 379 th e th ird year of t h e rei gn of R ich ar d

, a grant of a h ouse l n A l dersgate
was m ade to S teph en V ant bo o kby n n de r an d oth ers presu m ably m asters an d war de ns
, , ,

of th e Guil d of S S Fabian an d Sebastian A l ders gate 5 A bout a century later W illia m

.
,
.

C axton was a m e m ber of t h e Fraternity or Gu il d of our B lesse d L a dy A ssu m ption ” “

.

Fro m t h e little th at is known ab out th ese two guil ds it is p resu m e d th at th ey were of a

-

reli gious an d social rath er th an of a trade ch aracter , Bu t since in th os e days m e n .

followin g t h e sa m e tra des usually con gre gate d to geth er in t h e sam e quarters of t h e city ,

it is probable th at t h e Guil d of S S Fabian an d Sebastian contained m ore th an one .

bookbin der a m on gst its m e m bers .

I n t h e rei gn of E dward IV (1 46 1 — 1 4 8 3) Piers B an du y n appears from t h e R oyal

.

W ar drobe accounts to h ave been t h e Cour t bookbin der ; from th e m aterials h e use d an d
t h e a m ounts pai d to h im for work done for t h e kin
g h is bin din gs m ust h ave been ,

d
excee in gly su m ptuous 6
.

1
Ril ey s M e m o rials L o n do n ,
’ “
of p 89 . .

2 “
I ssu e s o f th e E xch e que r ” (P ell Re c o rds), p . 1 35
.

3
R il ey, p p 333, 334
4
Ibid , p xxxii . . .

5
E arly Eng l ish Te xt S o c iety, No 40 , z u d p art . .

6
Th e e dito r de sires t o ac kn o w l e dg e t h e k in d ass istanc e h e h as re c eive d from M r E M B o rraj o , . . .

w h o m o st g en ero usly p lac e d at h is dis o sal m any refe renc e s t o Lo ndo n uil ds an d e arly bo o kb inde rs
p g .
 NU R E M B E R
FI FTE E NTH CE NTU R Y .
B I NDI N
G OF A GE R M AN B I B LE , NO W I N T H E NAT I O NA L M U S E U M, G '
1 28 A H I S TOR Y OF TH E A R T OF B OO/( B I N DI N G .

I n Germ any in fifteenth century besi des m any goo d bookbin ders in t h e
, the ,

m o nasteries we m ay m ention Joh n R ic h enbac h of Geislin gen wh ose

Qbet m anp
, , ,

work m ay be recognised by sta m ps givin g h is na m e in ful l an d

.

so m eti m es t h at of t he person for wh o m t h e book was boun d T h ese bin din gs are .

usually of p ig skin a favourite m aterial with Ger m an bin ders

-

,
So m e exam ples are .

date d as early as 1 46 7 an d t h e latest yet foun d bears date 1 4 75,

T h e earliest date d
bin din g of Ger m an ori gin is perh aps th at of th e E ggestey n 4 1 lin e Bible in th e -

U niversity L ibrary Ca m bri dge T h e date 1 46 4 is i m presse d upon t h e m etal bosses

, .

at th e corners Joh a n nes Fogel used so m e delicate stam ps an d is sai d to h av e boun d a

.
,
.

copy of t h e M azarine B ible now in E ton Colle ge L ibrary an d anoth er copy of t h e

sam e book recently sol d in Ne w Y ork 1 A ntony K o b u rger of N ure m berg boun d h is .
, ,

printed books in an elaborate an d distinct m anner He aban doned t h e use of s m all .

.

dies an d by m eans of larger tools covere d t h e S i des of h is books wit h h an dsom e

,

sta m pin gs H e usually sta m pe d t h e title of t h e book in gol d letters upon t h e top of
.

t h e obverse cover Th e na m es of so m e oth er Ger m an printers are also occasionally

.

foun d upon th eir bin din gs as for instance A m e rb o ch A m brose Keller an d Z einer
, , , , .

I n t h e B ritish M useu m in a case in t h e Kin g s L ibrary m ay be seen a stoutly

,
’

boun d volu m e with a c h ain still attach e d to it T h is is a representative exa m ple of .

fl
Ger m an fift e e n t h century bin din g Th e nu m erous s m all dies are well desi gned an d
-
.

applied Th ey represent a rose an ea gle eu r de lis a h eart pierced by an arrow etc

.
, ,
- -

, , .
,

an d in a s m all scroll t h e n a m e of t h e bin der Co nradu s de A r entin a Th e book upon

g , .

w h ic h th is na m e appears was printed at V enice by Vin de lin u s de Spira i n 1 4 7 1 but ,

C o n radu s de A rgentina see m s to h ave been a Ger m an A r gentina bein g t h e ancient ,

na m e of Strassbur g V e lde n e r anoth er Ger m an is supposed to h ave boun d books after

.
, ,

th is m anner Th e na m e N icolaus Gh au n t is so m eti m es foun d upon th e bin din gs of

.

Ger m an or N eth erlan dish books printe d late in t h e fifteenth century A n interestin g .

exa m ple of t h e union of two system s of orna m entin g leat h er m ay be seen upon t he
”
cover of t h e B ritis h M useu m copy of R ain eriu s de Pisis P an t h e o lo gia printe d by ’ “
,

Bert h o ldu s at Basle about 1 4 7 5 Th e panel in t h e centre is of h and wrou gh t leath er.
-

t h e desi gn bein g h eral dic t h e s h iel d be a

rin g a pair of co m passes exten ded T h e border
,
.

surroun din g t h e panel is orna m ente d with sta m pin gs pro duce d by m eans of s m all
dies after t h e Ger m an m eth o d
, .

In ordinary leath er bin din gs of th is period were frequently a dorne d with

I taly the
beautiful an d intricate interlaced patterns so m eti m es orna m ented
3]talP
,

with s m all circles o r dots of gol d an d colour but generally p lain :

’

th ey are probably of Saracenic origin A n excel lent exa m p le m ay be seen a m on g .

Sir Kenel m D i gby s books at t h e Bo dleian O xford I talian bo oks h ave a furth er
’

, .

M r E Go rdo n D uff (“ B u rl ingto n Fin e A rt Club , C atal o gue

. . of B o o kbindin g s to w h o se
re s earch es as em bo died
, in th e in tro ductio n t o th at catal ogue , th e e dito r gr ate fully ac kno w l e dges
h im s elf indebte d .
B I N DI N G P O S TI L LA
-
TH O M E AQ U I NO J O B, c . EY NE R , ES S LI N GE N 1 4 74 , CE NT RA L PA N E L H A ND -
W R OU GH T
,

BO R D E R S TA M PE D .

(F ro m th e o rig in a l in th e B r itish M u seu m ) .

1 30 A H I S TOR Y OF TH E A R T OF B O OK B I N D I N G .

peculiarity t h e bin ders puttin g four clasps on a bin din g instea d of t w o as was t h e
‘

, ,

custo m in m ost E uropean countries Th e e xtra clasps were place d at t h e top an d .

botto m of t h e book W h en t h e bi ndin gs were of parch m ent ta gs of leath er served

.
,

t h e purpose of clasps A L ucian printe d an d boun d in V enice by A l dus in 1 52 2

.
,
’
an d now in t h e E ditor s collection h as four sets of leath er ta s accor din
g g to t h e I talian
,

m anner .

A noth er peculiarity w h ic h is sai d to h ave been brou gh t fro m t h e E ast after t h e fall
,

of Constantinople in 1 4 53 is t h e runnin g of a groove down t h e e dge of th e cover

, .

I t was not till t h e intro duction of gol d toolin g -

t h at Italian bin din g m a de an y perceptible differ

ence to French or E n glish art an d its only refle x ,

on sta m ped bin din g woul d see m to be on a few

.

m e dallions an d so m e arabesque borders c h iefly of

Ger m an ori gin .

w h ere , as we h ave seen In t h e Neth erlan ds , ,

t he tra de was protected by

6502
guil ds and encoura ge d by t h e
ms et l nng patrona e of t he nobles book
g
fl .

bin din g attained a h i gh degree of excell ence T h e .

printers w h o m i grated fro m Ger m an y an d th ose -

w h o first establis h e d presses in t h e N e th erlan ds ,

were eith er bin ders t h e m selves or were assiste d ,

by bin ders By wh om w h en an d w h ere t h e lar ge .

, ,

pa nel sta m ps after w ar ds so extensively use d were

invented is not known but th ey appear about t h e , ,
.

m i ddle of t h e fourteent h century ; an d a century

later wh en printe d books of s mall size began to ,
-

be issued t h e a dvanta ge of th is rea dy m anner of ,

orna m entin g a cover wit h one or at m ost two ,

N ETH E R A N D I S I—
IN NG A E F FT
L I B DI N H
,
sta m ps was reco gnise d an d for a ti m e ca m e into
L T I EE T
,
O R E A R LY S XT EE N H C N T R
I T E U Y
eneral use in h e N eth erlan ds France an d E n glan d
.

g t , ,
.

N o w arose a nu m ber of peripatetic stationers an d bookbin ders w h o wan dere d fro m ,

th e L o w Countries Rh enis h towns France especially fro m N or m an dy an d Paris to

, , , ,

E n glan d . T h ese stationers w h o co m bined th e craft of bookbin din g with th e tra de of

,

booksellin g brou gh t with th e m th eir own sta m ps I t is on th is account th at in

, .

E n glan d so m any varieties of forei gn sta m ped leath er bin din gs are fo u n d -
.

I n most great Continental towns dies of a distin ctive kin d were used A t G h ent .

so m e beautiful panel sta m ps were m ade t h e earliest now exta nt datin g probably about ,

t h e latter h alf of t h e fifteenth century A ntwerp L ouvain an d Bru ges eac h h ad a variety
.
, ,

of beautiful sta m ps A t first t h e h an d worke d sta m pin gs of t h e period were i m itated

.
-

on m etal dies of large size but after a ti m e t h e desi gn s cut upon th ese dies assu m e d a
,
 I TA LI A I V, N E TH E RL A N D I S H , A N D F R E I VC‘II B I N DI N GS . 1 31

distinct c h aracter I n later N et h erlan dis h sta m ps t h e orna m entat ion often consists of
“

spiral foliage containing birds an d beasts w h ile roun d t h e e dge runs a m otto or te xt
, ,

an d so m eti m es t h e bin der s n a m e a lau dable practice m

,
’
ore general in t h e N eth erl an ds
,

th an elsew h ere Th us on a well desi gne d sta m p of t h is kin d we fin d t h e n am e of

.
-

'

L u dovicus Bloc
Bu bov icu s QBtoc 0 8 tau bem g risfi fiBru m 5u m
’
recte figam .

On a si m ilar panel are th e words

O B tau bem CBristi 6am: f
iBru m recte
j B
figav it o an n es n
’
ffcaeret .

In the cen tre of anoth er s m all panel runs th e m otto

j
”
fecrt
“
acoB iffu m in ator m e
'
’

An d On anoth er
Saeofiu s fifiu s Q incenfii
T h ere is an e x a m ple of th is in t h e D ouce Scrapbook at t h e Bo dleian L ibrary
.
“
.

A not h er bin din g perpetuates t h e na m e of J o h a n nes Gu ile bert A book in t h e before .

na m e d collection h as th is inscription on t h e bin din g

Boris be Gav ere m e figav it in gan bav o om n es sancti an gefi et ac an gefi bet crate pro n oBrs
’ ’ ’
”
, , .

Several m e m bers of t h e fa m ily of G avere h ave perpetuated t h eir na m es in th is m anner .

A b in din g in t h e library of W est m inster A bbey is a dorne d w ith a well des igne d sta m p
'
-

with a loze nge sh ape d co m part m ent in t h e centre containin g a ra m pant lion crowne d
-

, , ,

an d in t h e f our trian gular co m part m ents ab out it as m any s m all dra gons an d in t h e ,
:

fl
border t h e m otto
"
30 8m m“; be ® ou bir atw erpre m e fecit
’

A not h er e x a m ple is surroun de d by t h e ej acul ation

"
O aten be n oB Er m
l ise ico et s af n o Bia
’

m in e
’

rs , , r rbram fu am , u tare tu u m be .

B etween t h e pa nels are two oblon g sta m ps curiously orn a m ente d wit h t h e representa
tions of h u m an fi gures fastene d to geth er by t h e n eck A curious le gen d is th at use d .

by Petrus E lsen u S °

Jn s u bore o u tfit s tu t v esceris pan e tu o per (petru m E

( f
s en u m .

An d scarcely less so
( r
E xe ce e tu biu m qu em b re pereeperie
’

artem Q fl artin u e Q u feam u s

’

An d th e variation
m
l a tin u s Q
’
D ie cere t
’

n e eeeeee cu re s apien tra cree cit

’

r u cam u e .

N et h erlan dis hpictorial st am ps of great m erit are occasionally foun d A good .

‘
exa m ple occurs on a little volu m e pri nted in Paris by Jean Petit O n one si de is a .

panel representin g t h e A doratio nof t h e M agi an d t h e tra de m ark an d initials B K ; -

. .

on th e oth er si de is a beautiful panel of t h e A nnunciation Scarcely less beautiful .

are t h e pair of panels bearin g t h e n a m e of B roth er Jo h n de Weesalia t h e one represents

t h e entry into Jerusale m t h e ot h er t h e A nnunciation T h e le gen d reads
fl
, .

fini te»: j ofj ann es be Qfiees afia 0 8 tau bem ximstr et Q atrre ej u a fiBru m Ban e recte figav rt
’ ’ ’ ’

.
 P DI N G, FR E N CH D ES I G N, E A R LY SI XTE ENTH C E NT U R Y .

S TA M E D LE A T H E R B I N

gi n a l in th e libra ry f Wo rcester
o Ca th edra l )
.

(Fro m th e o ri
 I TA LI A N , N E TH E R LAN D I S H , A N D F RE N CH B I N D I N GS . .33

S o m e bin ders m a de use of o ld le gen ds or th e tra ditions of t h e places wh ere th ey dwelt

.

orna m entin g t h eir panel sta m ps with t h e m ystic h unt of th e unicorn or th e fi gure of t h e ,

M ai d of G h ent .

I n Fran ce very m any panel sta m ps of great beauty were used ; th ese are so

fl
fit nw
nu m erous th at we Can h ere only attem pt to describe a few of t h e
best known exa m ples
.
-
.

A favourite way of disposin g t h e subjects on

a panel was to divi de t h e stam p into four equ al
'

co m part m ents by two intersectin g lines o n e drawn ,

across t h e panel fro m top to botto m t h e other froth ,

si de to si de ; in e ac h co m part m ent t h e fi gure of

a saint was represented So m eti m es t h e bin der .

place d h is na m e at t h e foot of t h e panel so m e ,

ti m es h is initials o n a s h iel d in th e centre .

Frequently th e devotio n al pictures an d curi

o u sly en grave d bor ders fro m Book s of H ours were

copie d by th e bookbin der to a dorn t h e leath er

covers of h is bi ndin gs O n e of t h e best instances
.

of t h e application of th e sa m e design to book illus

t rat io n an d to bookbin din g m ay be seen in t h e
_

acco m panyin g en gravin g of a bin din g in W orce ster

Cath e dral L ibrary T h e central co m part ment
.

represents Kin g D avi d prayin g t h e A l m i gh ty ap ,

pearin g t o h im in clou ds of glory Bot h th ese .

subjects occur on oth er bin din gs each in a separate ,

co m part m ent of a large sta m p Th e border aroun d .

th i s subj ect is copie d fro m th e en grave d border of

a B o ok of H ours printe d b y T h iel m an K erv e r .
,

circa 1 52 5 but t h e desi gn is pr obably earlier an d

, ,

see m s to h ave been taken fro m an illu m inate d

m an uscript an d per h aps Ori ginally en g
, ,
raved on
,

m etal by P igo u ch e t or one of h is associates Th e .

stam p m easures 6 } by 4 inch es .

Two oth er large panel s ta m ps were use d by -

N i w h ose n a m e in full J e h an N i F RE NC H A NE L S A M P A R S XTE E N“

“ P '
T E LY I
J. o r n s ,
o r n s ,
CE NTU R Y
,
’

'

appears at t h e foot of an e ffective desi gn of acorn s ,

surroun de d by an orna m ental border on a stam p of s m all di m ensions O n e represents .

t h e vision of t h e E m peror A u gustus (a ra ca li ) an d t h e ot h er a fi ure of St B ernard

g , .

an d a bor der containin

g t h e sibyls A t t h e foot of t h e first panel are t h e bin der s
’
.

initial s I N wh ich for m any years h ave been m isread I H as m ay be seen fro m t h e
. .
, . .
,

acco m panyin g en gravin g .

1 34 A H I S TOR Y OF TH E A R T OF B OOK B I N D I N G .

A le x an dre A lyat ,
a Paris statio ner about 1 50 0 use d a large sta m p wit h a fi gu re
‘

,
"
of Ch rist an d t h e e m ble m s of t h e P assion ; A n dre B oule signe d h is n a m e in full
beneath two lar ge panels one of t h e C rucifi xion t h e oth er of t h e m artyr do m o f St
'

.
, ,

Sebastian ; Guillau m e a n d H er m on L e F evre a lso use d panels depictin g t h e l atter _

subject, Jeh an D upin a n d several Oth ers a panel with four saints ; P G é rard use d a .

representation of t h e C rucifi xion an d E dm on d B ayeu x T h eo dore R ic h ard A n dr é , ,

Boule an d H er m on L e F evre also use d large pictorial sta m ps

, .

I n Nor m an dy t h e bin ders of C aen an d R ouen u se d st am ps rese m blin g th ose '

supposed to h ave been m a de in E n glan d b u t owin g to t h e close tra de relationsh ip

,
'

between t h e stationers of th o se towns an d th is country it is i m possible at present to ,

discover wh et h er t h e sta m ps bearin g distinctive E n glis h desi gns were pro duce d by
E n glis h or N or m an wor km en U nlike m any of h is conte m poraries D enis R oce of
.
, ,

R ouen w h o use d a panel with t h e fi gures of four saints did not sta m p h is na me in
, ,

w e h ave else w h e re m e n t io n e d J e h an M o u lin o f R ouen

' '

full upon h is bin di n gs .

'

, ,

an d R M ac e
. W e will conclu de th is c h apter with t h e na m es of J R ich ard an d
. .

Jean H uvin wh ose R ouen bin din gs With panels of St N ic h olas an d St M ich ael are
, ,
. .
,

of great m erit .

w
‘
o o n cu r F RO M ’ “
TH E GA M E P LA Y 1 48 1
-
CAXT O N s A ND O F TH E C H E SS , A. D . .
 C H A PT E R X I .
1

E N GL I S H S TA M P E D L E A TH E R B I N D I N G, - TR AD E B I N D I N G, F I F TE E N TH AND
S I X TE E N TH CE N T URI E S .

NE W
era in t h e h istory of bookbin din g in E n g lan d co m m ence d in
th e year 1 4 7 6 w h en W illia m C a x ton returnin g fro m B ru ges settle d
, , ,

in th e A l m onry at W estm ins ter an d th ere set u p th e first printin g ,

’

press use d in th is country C a xton is suppose d to h ave carried with .

h im fro m B ru ges a press an d types h e als o appears to h ave brou gh t

bookbin din g tools an d possibly bookbin ders as well ,
I n 1 47 7 h is .

press was fully establis h e d an d h e issued Th e D ictes an d S ayin gs “

”
of t h e P h i losoph ers t h e first book printe d in E n glan d wh ich bears a plain state m ent
,

of t h e place an d ti m e of its execution H e w as t h e fi rst of a lon g line of great E n glish

.

printers w h o carried on t h e business of bin din g with t h e trade of printin g .

U nfortunately al m ost all t h e books issue d fro m Cax t o n s press (1 4 7 7

’

,
1 4 9 1 ) wh ich —

h ave co m e down to our ti m e h ave been reboun d So m e fe w , h owever are still i n t h eir .
,

ori ginal bin din gs of brown sta m ped leath er S om e biblio graph ers h ave suppose d th at s

C ax ton occas ionally boun d h is books in vellu m A n exa m ple of a vellu m bin din g .

”
m ay be seen on t h e B o dleian copy of T h e Co rdy ale printed by Ca xton in 1 4 7 9 , .

Th e m ark s of th e rivets whereby t h e book w as secure d to a ch ain are visible upon

th is bin din g M r W B la des Cax t o n s bio graph er was of opinion th at t h e Bo dleian
. . .
,
’
,
”
copies of Th e A rt an d C raft (1 49 1 ) an d T h e Ga m e an d Play of t h e Ch ess (1 4 8 1 )
still retained th eir original vellu m bin din gs ; but th is is doubtful since vellu m bin dings
2

’
were n o t u se d in th is country till lon g after Caxt o n s ti m e .

Th e ornam ent usually foun d upon genuine speci m ens of Caxto n s bin din g is
pl anned in t h e Ger m an or N eth erl an dis h m anner A n exa m ple of th is m ay be .

”
seen on t h e ori ginal cover of t h e copy of Bo ec iu s de Co n so lac io n e P h ilosop h ie “
,

1
Th e h e a d pie c e
-
rep re sen ts a p o rtio n o f a ro ll bo rder so m etim e s us ed in co nj unctio n
-

,
w ith
J ul ian N o ta ry s p ane l stam p s Th e initials L R an d K L are p ro b ably th o se o ft h e binder fo r w
’
-
. . . h om
t h e ro ll w a s m a de .

W B de
. la s W ill
,
iam C ax t o n ”
e ditio n 1 88 2 p 1 33
, , . .

I SS
1 36 A H I S TOR Y OF TH E A R T OF B OOK B I N D I N G .

printe d by Caxton in 14 7 9 an d discovered by W illia m B l ades in t h e o ld gram m a r '

sc h ool at St A lbans in t he year 1 8 58 Th e boar ds of th is bin din g consisted of a p ad

. .

co m posed of sh e e t s o f printed paper re m ark able as th e largest fin d of printe d

'
“ "
,

fragm ents fro m Caxt o n s press Th e two covers yiel de d no l ess th an fift y six h alf
’
.
-
'

s h eets of printe d paper provin g t h e existence of t h ree works fro m Caxt o n s press quite
,
‘
’

unknown before 1
Th e orna m ent o n th is b i ndin g is of t h e p lain est CO n sist in g only of
“ ‘
-

.
,

strai gh t lines pro duced by m eans of a plain roll leavin g t h ree parallel depressed lines , .

Th e back h as four ban ds an d t h e sa m e tool is use d upon it as upon t h e si des

, At .

h alf an inc h fro m t h e e dges an d parallel to t h e m lines are rule d so as to intersect

, ,

one anoth er at t h e corners ; at t h e top an d botto m oth er lines parallel to t h e first are
place d but at less th an an inch apart with in t h e space th us enclose d is a lattice work
,
-

of lines for m in g dia m on d s h ape d co m part m ents No stam pin gs adorn th is cover
— . .

T h e bin din g of t h e B ritish M useu m copy of t h e secon d e dition of t h e F e st iall is

si m ilar in plan to th at of t h e St A lbans B o e c iu s but with t h e a ddition of sta m pin gs
.
, ,

representin g a dragon a d a conventional flower Th e bin in g of t

n d h e
“
S m all Black .

”
B ook of t h e E xc h equer at t h e R ecord O ffice th ou gh not quite so form al in arran ge ,

m ent is suppose d to h ave issue d fro m Caxt o n s bin dery since it is decorate d with t h ree
’

, ,

of t h e four sta m ps known to h ave been used by our first printer .

Th e sta m ps usually foun d upon Caxt o n s bin din gs are as follows

’

1 A loze n ge s h ape d sta mp an inch square wit h t h e representation of a gryp h on

.
-

, ,
.

2 A s m all lozen ge s h ape d sta m p about h alf an inc h square with a conventional
.
-

, ,

flower .

3 A trian gular s h ap ed sta m p with a t w o legge d win ge d dragon

-
. e .

4 A square sta m p si des fiv e ei gh t h s of an inc h with a quatrefoil with in a square

,
.
,
-

, ,

flanke d on each si de by a dem i fleur de—lis — — .

Sta m p nu m ber th ree is always used as a bor der t h e triangles bein g divi ded fro m ,

one anoth er by a zi gzag line .

It is probable th at Ca x ton h ad m ore th an four dies but th ese on ly h ave yet been -

i dentifie d T h e first is of a co m m on Ger m an type t h e th ird closely rese m bles a stam p

.

use d by a contem porary bin der at B rug es t h e fourth also is Fle m ish in ch aracter an d ,

m ay h ave been cut in B ru ges Th ese sta m ps at Caxt o n s death passe d to W y n ky n

.
,
’

de W or de in w h ose possession th ey appear to h ave re m aine d till after t h e co m m ence

"

m ent of t h e si xteenth century w h en so m e of t h e m are believe d to h ave been u se d by

,

H enry J acobi a forei gn stationer

, .

(1 49 1 W y n ky n de W or de was associated with Caxton an d at his m aster s ,

’

death (1 49 1 ) carrie d on t h e business in t h e sa m e h ouse at W est m inster wh ence at t h e , ,

e n d of t h e year 1 4 9 9 h e re m ove d to t h e si n of t h e Sun in Fleet Street

, g D e W or de .
,

w h o was probably a n ative of t h e town of W Ort h in t h e D uke do m of L orraine appears , ,

to h ave entere d Caxto n s service at an early age srn ce h e was still l1v 1n g in t h e year
’
,

1 535 .I n 1 4 9 1 h e s u cc e e de d to th e stock in tra de of h is m aster but in after years h e ,

-

H e regularl y e m ployed a book

'

m u st h ave a dde d consi derably to h is b in din g tools .

W Blade s W ill iam Caxto n edi tio n 1 882 p 2 1 5

.
, , , . .
 E N GLI S H S TA M P E D —L E A TH E R BI N D I N G , TRA D E B IN D IN G . 1
37

bin der at h o m e an d m ay also h ave sen t so m e of h is books to be boun d elsewh ere

, ,

since in h is will date d J une 5t h 1 534 an d prove d on J anuary l gt h 1 535 h e leaves

, , , , ,

to Nowel t h e bookbin der in S h oe L ane (Fleet Street) xx 5 in books ; an d to

-

, , , . .

Alar d bookbin der m y servant v j l xiv s

, , , . . . .

Several of Wy n ky n de W orde s bin din gs h ave been identifie d I n th e library of ’

.

W orcester C a th e dral m ay be seen a fine copy of “ Joh n Cap grav iu s : Nova L egen da ‘

A ngli c
”
. I n do m o W in an di de W or de (folio L on don 1 5 1 6 ) (x B
“ ”
Th is book , , . .

is in its ori gin al bin din g w h ich h owever h as been rebacke d A fram e of rolled borders
,
“
, , .

r ic h ly orna m ente d with fabulous beasts an d conventional flowers encloses an

oblon g ,

panel divi de d by dia gonal lines into loze n ge s h aped co m part m ents each of wh ich is -

adorne d with a lace like sta m p A roun d th e out er border sta m ps consistin g of si m ilar
-
.

orna m ents divi de d in h alf are arran ge d I t is p robable th at th is book h as been in th e .

library for upwards of th ree an d a h alf centuries an d it is possible th at it was purc h ased ,

by t h e Prior of W orcester direct fro m th e printer .

Prior W illia m M oore w h o always a dded a few books to t h e m onastic library w h en

,

h e took h is perio dical j ourney to L on don h as l eft th is recor d in a list of books supplie d ,

to h im in t h e year 1 5 1 8 1 9 : —

L e gen da
’ ’

j 5 s tor in E n glissh e , v . .

Alth ou gh t h e orna m ents of th is bin din g are N eth erlan dish in c h aracter th ey are ,

in all likeli h ood of E n glis h work mans h ip done by t h e forei gners in D e W or de s e m ploy ’
.

fl
O n so m e of h is early bin din gs a s m all stam p of t h e royal ar m s appears .

"

I n t h e y le av e s of one or two panel sta m pe d bin din gs fragm ents of pages printe d -

by Wy n ky n de W orde h ave been foun d but th ese do not supply su fficient evi dence to ,

i dentify t h e bin din g as h is I t see m s probable th at h e e m ploye d Fren ch or N eth erlan dis h
.

bin ders w h o use d th eir own sta m ps

, .

D e W orde also m ade use of Caxt o n s bookbin din g too ls till t h e be gin nin g of t h e
’

sixteenth century wh en th ey see m to h ave fallen into oth er h an ds In h is will wh ich

,
.
,

we h ave be fore m entioned we fin d t h e na m e of J G aver w h o was probably one of t h e

,
. .
,

la rge fa m ily of Gavere bookbin ders in t h e L o w Countries

,
8
I t is probab le th at so m e .

bin din gs bearing th e initials I G are t h e work of t h is m an . . .

(c . J oh n L e t to u an d W illia m de M ac h lin ia also were bookbin ders as w el l

4
as printers ; but only two bin din gs can at present be assi gne d to t e h m an d th ese ,

do not present any new c h aracteristics L e t t o u an d M ac hlin ia Were t h e first printers .

w h o settle d in L on don ; t h ey live d first in H olborn near t h e Fleet B ri dge after w ar ds , ,

by All Saints C h urch ; th ey appear to h ave been in L on don in t h e year 1 4 80 an d

’
,

to h ave continue d resi din g th ere for a few years Th ey were Ger m ans th ere is little
“

.
,

doub t ; an d W illia m cam e fro m t h e city of Mech lin wh ence h is na m e Joh n L etto n ,
.

is sai d at first to h ave assiste d M ac h lin ia but afterwards h e beca m e h is partn er ,

Am e s Typ o g raph ical A n tiq uitie s

1 ’
i 1 20 , . .

M r J N o a ke
3
Th e M o naste ry a n d C ath e dral o f Worc e ste r p 4 1 5
. .
, ,
. .

”
3
M r E Go rdo n D uff Burl ingt o n Fine Art Club C atal o g ue
. .
,
.

4
I b id .
 1 38 A H I S TO R Y OF TH E A R T OF B OOK B I N DI N G .

wh ile D uke of Gloucester sh owe d h is love of literature by e u

'

Ric h ar d
“

c o u rag in g t h e work of C axton I n after years durin g t h e one session of Parlia m ent
.
—
,

(1 4 84 ) of h is brief rei gn h e gave fur th er proof of h is desire for t h e enli gh ten m ent of h is
,

people in t h e provision th at n o statute sh oul d act as a h in drance to any art ificer Or “

m erch ant stran ger of w h at n ation or country h e be for brin gin g into t h is real m or
, ,
”
sellin g by retail or Oth erwise of any m anner of books written or i m printed (See ,
.

A ppen di x A ) .

T h e result of t h is statute is seen in t h e constantly increasin g influ x of stati oners

into th is country fro m t h e N eth erlands t h e Rh enis h towns Nor m an dy an d Pari s , , , ,

co m m encin g i m m ediately after th e enact m ent in 1 4 8 3 an d continuin g with sli gh t

interruption till t h e rei gn of H enry V I I I A s before state d th ese alien stationers .
,
.
,

w ho co m bine d t h e craft of bookbin din g with t h e tra de of booksellin g at first pai d ,

m erely p erio dical vi sits to L o ndon O x ford Ca m bri dge Y ork an d oth er i m portant , , , ,

towns an d especially places wh ere fairs were h el d ; but soon seein g th at business
, ,

prospects Were goo d th ey took up t h eir abode h ere T h ese m en brou gh t with th e m
,
.

th eir own sta m ps an d followed t h e tra ditions of t h e guil d in wh ic h th ey h ad learne d

,

t h eir craft 1
T h is influx of Continental stationers floo de d th e E n glis h m arket with
.

forei gn literature an d at th e s a m e ti m e deal t a death b low to our national style of

,
.
-

orna m entin g bookbin din gs .

T h e success of H enry Tu dor at Boswort h Fi el d see m s for a ti m e to h ave paralyse d

t he ef forts of t h e first E n glis h printers A fter th e year 1 4 86 all t h e E n glish presses .
,

with th e exception of Caxt o n s h ad cease d workin g Th e printers of O xford St ’

,
.
, .

A l bans an d L on don h ad disappeare d an d t h e divine art appeare d in dan ger o f

, ,

beco m i n g e x tinct in th is country Th e general confusion wh ich inevitably follow s a.

c h an ge Of dyn asty coupled with t h e overth row of so m e of t h e m ost powerful nobles

, ,

patrons of literature fri gh tene d t h e printers fro m our s h ores ; but in H enry V I I th ey
, ,

soon fou nd a patron even m o re rea dy to assist th e m th ant h e late kin g h ad been .

E ng a ged in s ch em es Of f orei gn intri gu e an d stru gglin g with dan gers at h o m e H enry ,

coul d still fin d opportu nity t o assist th ou gh h e coul d not participate in t h e revival , ,

of letters t h e great intellectual rev ol u tion e ffected in E n glan d durin g h is rei gn

, .

A si gn of t h e settle m ent of a ffairs an d of t h e increasin g de m an d for books

ap peare d in t h e year 1 49 3 wh en Wy n k y n de W or de Caxt o n s suc c essor at W est
’

, ,

m inster an d R ic h ar d P y n so n M ac h lin ia s succes sor at L on don issue d th eir first date d

’

, , ,

books . In t h e sa m e year two im portant forei gn stationers Frederic E gm o n dt an d ,

N icolas L eco m pte visite d t h is country an d appear to h ave done a t h rivin g trade in
, ,
2
books ch iefly liturgical printe d expressly for t h e E n glish m arket in I taly an d France
, ,
.

T h e A c t of R ic h ar d I I I re m aine d in force till th e twenty fift h year of th e rei gn

.
-

o f H enry V I I I
_
wh en it was repeale d an d anoth er A c t passe d forbi ddin g any
.
,

but E n glish Subj ects t o sell boun d books with in t h e real m Seein g th at th ere were .

1
W H J am e s W e al e you r n a l of
. .
, t h e S ociety f
o A r ts , M arch I st , 1 889 .

Fo r a m o no gr aph o n Fre de ric E g m o n dt see Th e L ibr ary , J un e 1 89 0 , p 2 1 0 ,

2
. h e re M r E
w .

Go rdo n D u fi h a s re co rde d th e re sult o f a n extensive in quiry into th e do ing s o f th is o ld bo o k s e ll er

'

.
 E N GLI SH S TA M P E D L E A TH E R B I N DI N G , -
TRA D E BI NDI N G .
9

but few books an d printers (a ter m th en inclu din g bookbin ders ) in E n glan d in th e
ti m e of Ric h ar d I I I an d th at sin ce th at ti m e m any of t h is real m bein g th e kin g s
.
,
“
,
’

n atural subjects h ave given th e m selves so dili gently to learn an d e x ercise t h e sai d
,

craft of printin g t h at at th is day t h ere be wi th in th is real m a great nu m ber of cunnin g

an d e x pert in t h e sai d scien ce or craft of printin g as able to e x ercise t h e sai d craft ,

”
in al l points as any stran ger in any oth er real m or country
, .

It is probable t h at th ere were oth er re asons th an t h e one stated in th e A c t for

exclu din g forei gners an d th eir books but be t h at as it m ay t h e A c t of t he twenty fifth ‘
,
—

of H enry V I I I was not repeale d till 1 7 38 t h e t w e lft h of Geor ge I I Th e na m es of

.
,
.

m any of th e forei gn stationers an d bookbin ders w h o obtaine d letters of denization

after t h e p as sin g of t h e A c t of 1 534 h ave been “

rescue d fro m oblivion by t h e in dustry of M r .

W eal e S everal of t h ese m en h ad fro m ti m e to

.

ti m e visite d E n glan d but wh en t h e i m portation ,

of boun d books was proh ibited t h ey see m to h ave

t h ou gh t well to establis h t h e m selves h ere I n th e .

year 1 53 5 t h e followin g stationers obtained letters

of den ization : H enry H arm an so n fro m D eventer ,
‘

in th e diocese of U trec h t J a m es van Gavere fro m ,

t h e do m inio n of t h e e m peror ; J o h n H o lib u sch e ,

a lias H o ly b u sh e of L on don born in Ru re m o n d

, , ,

in th e do m inion of t h e e m peror J oh n G ach et alias ,

F re n ch e m an of Y ork fro m R ouen ; H enry B rik

, ,

m an
“

,
fro m Cule m bor g ; Si m on M art in sso n e of ,

L on don fro m H aarle m ; Gerar d Pilgro m e of

, ,

O x for d f ,
ro m A ntwerp .

B ooks boun d in E n glan d durin g t h e rei gn

of H enry V I I an d th e earlier part of t h at of
.

H en ry V I I I were usually decorate d accor din g to

"

PAN S TA M P W I H A RM S F E DW A RD
.

EL -
T O I V.

t h e Ger m an N et h erlan dis h or N or m an fas h ion b u t

e 1 6m m"
,
,
(F m
,
th e q ue g i al th ro u ni o ri n 1 1: 1

m any su rv 1v als of t h e o ld E n gl1sh style m ay st l ll of W m m te, A bbe y ) es s .

be seen I n H enry V I I I s ti m e h owever m any

. .
’

, ,

books of value especially th ose for th e kin g s l ibrary were boun d not in t h e ordinary
,
’

, ,

s t a m ped leath er but in gol d to o le d bin din gs i n i m itation of French o r m ixed Fren ch
,
-

or I talian desi gns T h ese latter are special bin di n gs an d are describe d in anoth er
. ,

c h apter W h en C axton intro duced printin g into th is country panel sta m ps were as we
. , ,

h ave seen m uch in fas h ion on t h e C ontinent ; but it is not kno w n at wh at d ate t h ey
,

were first brou gh t to E n glan d T h e earliest known exam ple of an E n glish panel sta m p
.

is to be foun d on a loose bin din g in t h e library of W est m inster A bbey Th is bin din g .
,

wh ic h m easures 8 2 by 6 inch es is of brown leath er T h ere are five ban ds O n eac h ,

.
.

si de th ere are two i m pressions of a panel stam p m eas urin g 2 5 by 1 2 inch es B et w een 7 .

th e two panels is a ban d orna m ente d wit h five h eart sh ape d sta m ps aroun d th e panels are -
1 40 A HI S T OR Y OF THE AR T OF B OOK BI NDI N G .

t h ree bor ders one with out t h e o th er t h e first is co m posed of diam on d sh aped sta m ps
, ,
-

representin g a fleur de lis ; t h e secon d consists of h earts t h e th ird of h u m an h an ds with

- —
,

t h e t h um b an d forefin ger e x ten de d Th e panel contains a s h iel d bearin g t h e ar m s of

.

Fran ce an d E n glan d quarterly ensi gne d by a royal crown an d su pported at t h e top by

,

two an gels an d below by two lions B eneath t h e sh iel d a wil d rose bush is depicte d
.
-
.

T h ese are t h e ar m s of E dw ard I V but wh eth er or not t h e bin din g was m a de for th at
.
,

m onarc h it is i m possible to say Th e h eart an d h an d sta m ps are peculiar ; th ey m ay

.

stan d for a rebus of t h e bin der or owner ; th ey m ay h ave a sy m bolic m eanin g ; t h ey

certainly are not ordin ary sta m ped bin din g
tools .

M any of t h e panel sta m ps h ave upon th e m -

two circular indentations th e ori gin of wh ich ,

is doubtful By so m e th ey are th ou gh t to be .

tra de m arks but t h e m ost usu al e xplan ation -

is t h at th ey are t h e m arks of t h e h eads of -

t h e pe gs by m eans o f w h ich t h e sta m ps were

fi xe d to a block .

We h ave seen th at a m on g t h e first sta

t iOn ers w h o ca m e to E n glan d in H enry V I I s
’
.

ti m e were Fre deri c E gm o n dt an d Nicolas “

L eco m pte T h ese m e n were settled h ere in .

1 49 3
A fter 1 49 9 , writes M r Gor don D u ff, we .

lose si gh t of E gm o n dt as a publish er fo r a
consi derable ti m e ; but w e h ave evi dence of
h is in dustry in anoth er branch of h is trade ,

th at of bookbindin g wh ich was consi dere d ,

“

at th at ti m e part of t h e business of a book “

s eller Two panel sta m ps bearin g h is m ark .

or na m e are known an d both see m fro m ,

P A NE L U SED BY R icH AR D p VNS ON AND OTHE R
-

t h eir appearance to h ave been c u t about t h e

B rNDE R s E AR LY S X
‘
E NI H CE NT U R Y
'

, I TE .

” 1
beginnin g o f th e sixteenth century Th e .

fi rst is a desi gn co mm on in th at perio d R ich ard Py n so n used a Si m i lar one an d .

,

perh aps N icolas L eco m pte also I t consists of a Tu dor rose in t h e centre of a panel
.

surroun de d by a graceful border of vine leaves ; but E gm o n dt s sta m p is distin guish ed ’

by an arabesque floral border bearin g h is initials an d m ark .

W ith regar d to t h e u se of t h e Tu dor rose on a bin ding panel M r W eale writes , .

,

A dee d o f foun dation of m asses by H enry V I I in t h e abbey ch urc h of H yde

.
.
,

W inch ester now in th e town library o f B re m en preserves its ori gin al sta m ped b in din g
, , ,

with a finely desi gne d panel of wh ich t h e Tu dor ro se is t h e principal orna m ent T h ere
"

, .

are th ree i m i tations of th is panel one of wh ich bears t he trade m ark of th e stationer w h o
“

1 M r E Go rdo n D uf
. f Th e L ibr ary June 1 89 0 p 2 1 2
.
, , , . .
 E N GL I S H S TA III P E D L E A TH E R B I N DI N G, -
TRA D E BI N D I N G . 141

used it . He w as probably a Y ork stationer . T h is see m s to refer to Frederic

E gm o n dt .

’
E gm o n dt secon d panel is m ore fanciful : it is a copy of t h e printer s device of ’
“

P h ilippe Pigo u ch e t of P aris a wil d m an an d wo m an stan din g on eith er si de of a tree

, ,
“

covered w it h lé av és and fruit ; wi th one h an d th ey support a s h iel d h angin g fro m a

’

bou gh an d bearin g t h e m ark an d initials of E gm o n dt ; in th e oth er h an d is a floweri n g

,

bou gh B eneath t h e m ark is th e legen d

.
,

F re de ric u s E gm o n dt m e f[ecit] .

’
O nly two speci m ens of E gm o n dt s
panels are known— o n e in th e library at
C aius Colle ge t h e ot h er in Corpus C h risti
,

College Ca m bri dge B oth bin din gs h ave

, .

upon th e reverse a panel cont ainin g th ree

rows of arabesque an d foliage sur i
,

roun de d by a b o rder h av in g ribbons in

t h e upper an d lower portion s in scribe d
with t h e na m es of th e four E van gelists .

Th e dates of th e two books are circa

1 50 5 an d 1 52 1 but t h e sta m ps m ay h ave
,

been cut about t h e year 1 50 0 .

(1 49 3 R ic h ar d P y n so n
used a sta m p like E gm o n dt s rose a ’

si m ilar floral desi gn upon a panel so m e

ti m es foun d in conj unction wi th one

’
bearin g h is well know n p rinter s m ark -
.

Two very fin e ex a m ples of t h e fl o ral

panel appear on th e bin din g of Ray
m un di Su m m ula Paris e tc now , , .
,

at S t o n y h u rst College (T 9 Th is .

sta m p m eas ures 4 by 2 % in ch es .

A n exa m ple of a panel fro m t h e

cover of A bb rev iam en t u m S t at u t o ru m
“
,
”

printed by Py n so n i n 1 4 9 9 now in th e ,

B ritish M useu m is h ere given Th e , .

N G PAN E S A M P W I H R 1 CH A RD P Y NS ON S M A R K
’
B N I DI L T T
panel with th e device of t h e printer
-
.
_

,
(F om th o ig in al i th B iti h M m ) r e r n e r s u seu .

bin der m easures ,

by 2 2 inch es nearly .

Th e panel on t h e reverse of th is bin din g is t h e sa m e as th at given on t h e opposite

p age Th ere are th ree ban ds
. .

R ich ar d Py n so n th ou gh a naturali se d E n glis h m an by a patent date d 1 4 9 3 was a

, ,

native of N orm an dy and th erefore it is not surpris ing th at so m e of t h e books h e printed

,

are boun d in b in din gs orna m ente d with panel stam ps use d in th at country; O n e of
P y n so n s book s A ssert io Septe m S ac ram en t o ru m
’

,
”
in t h e Britis h M useu m is ,
1 42 A H I S TOR Y OF TH E A R T OF B OO/(B I N D I N G .

adorne d with a large panel sta m p arran ged in t h e French style an d co n t ain in g t he ,

representation of t h e fi gures of four saints ; th is sta m p probably ca m e fro m R ouen .

P y n so n like Wy n ky n de W or de h ad assiste d Ca x ton an d upon leavi n g th at m aster took

, , ,

w . s 8
, ,
J e t .

PAN E L S TA M P (OBVE R S E )
-

, u sE D BY JO H N R E YN E S . A R MS o r H E NR Y v r1 .
, A N D T U DO R RO S E.

(F ro m a bin ding in th e parish library of K in g s N orto n ,

’
n ow in B ir m ing ha m F ree L ibra ry .
)

up W illia m de M ac h lin ia s
’
press ll I n 1 49 3 h e was establish e d with o ut Tem ple Bar ; in
.

50 3 h e h ad re move d to t h e si gn of St George besi de St D u n st an s C h urc h in Fleet ” ’

1 .
,
.

Street . He appears to h ave been favoure d by H enry V I I I an d in t h e co lop h on of an

H en ry Bra dsh aw M e m o ran da
1
,
.
 E N GL I S H S TA M P ED —L E A TH E R B I N D I N G . TRA D E BI NDI N G . 1 43

e dition of th e statutes 1 50 9 are th e words By m e R ich ar d Py n sOn sq u y er an d prenter , ,

to th e K y n ge s noble grace H e die d or retire d fro m business in 1 52 9

’
.
”
.

H E RALD I C PAN E L S TA M P S Th e bookbin ders of L on don about t h e first decade of

- —

t h e si x teenth century perh aps even earlier a dopted a pair of h eral dic panels for th eir
, ,

bookbindin gs O n e containe d t h e royal ar m s with supporters a greyh oun d an d a

.
, ,

dra gon discar de d in I 52 8 t h e oth er a large Tu dor ro se an d motto

, ,

fi s ren
e
'

j ros a v ii tit ties be

ec ceto m iss a
’ e
-

”
Gtem u m f
foren s re
gia aceptra feret .

Th ese h eral dic design s, it h sligh t m a ny bin din gs N ine

'
“

w
’

EA N E L -
S TA M P (RE VE RS E ) , U SE D BY J U LI AN N OTAR Y , B EARIN G H I S MA R K .

”
P etit, P an s
’

rin ted by j
’

( F ro m the bin din g f

o Cicero s Oratio n s, p ean

or ten bookbin ders used one or both of th ese panels Th e initials H N H A E G .

,
. .
,
. .
,
. .
,

H I I N I R
. .
, .
G G R L an d A H h ave been foun d upon ten or m ore varieties
.
, . .
,
. .
,
. .
,
. .
.

T h e sta m p bearin g t h e initials of Jo h n R eynes a nd represented in t h e acco m panyin g ,

dia gram is a typical exa m ple

,
Som eti m es t h e stationer place d h is initials un der t h e
.

rose or royal s h iel d ; an d if h e h appene d to be a L on doner h e placed t h e ar m s of t h e ,

city on one of t h e s m al l s h iel ds in t h e upper corn er of t h e panel .

It is absurd to suppose th at all bin din gs bearin g t h e ar m s of t h e kin gs an d queens

of E n glan d belon ged to t h e royal library ; but it is by no m eans i m probable th at t h e
of th ese ar s represente d so m e privile e as it al m ost certainly did in t h e case of
u se m g ,
Joh n R eynes T he books for t h e E nglis h R oyal L ibrary were boun d in q riit e a di fferent
.

m anner an d t h e wh ereabouts of m ost of t h e m is wel l known to stu dents of biblio graph y

,
.
 A H I S TOR Y OF TH E A R T OF B O OK B I N D I N G
‘

44 .

P erh aps t h e earliest exa m ple of a pai r of panel stam ps bearin g th ese des i gns
is on a volu m e now in t h e library of W orcester C ath e dral Th e bin der s initials .
’

are H N ; th eir owner perh aps was not a citizen of L on don

. .
1
.

A L on don stationer wh ose initials were H A places t h ese letters u pon ano th er . .

pair of sta m ps upon wh ic h t h e city ar m s also appear

, .

H enry J acobi also a L on don stationer bookseller printer an d bin der certainly
, , , , ,

used on e of th ese desi gns perh aps both since h e appears to h ave h ad two or th ree
, ,

varieties of th ese stam ps ; but h e co m bine d with t h e royal ar m s a sta m p representin g

'

PA N E L -
S TA M P (O B VE R S E ) , U SE D BY J U LI A N N OTAR Y

mth
.

Oration s,
”
(F ro
'
bin dm g Cicero
'

e f
o s prin ted by j ean P etz t, P aris

gryp h on ,
si m ilar to th at used upon so m e of Caxt o n s bin din gs or el se a pan el ’
a
,

representin g O u r L ady of Pity with t h e m ar ginal antiph one ,

m
‘
é afv e Qll ater l ieerrcorbie
' '

So m e of Jacob1 s bin din gs are i dentifie d by h is printer s m ark w h ich also occurs ’
-

on t h e title page o f a book printe d fo r h im in t h e year 1 50 6

- -

(1 49 8 c —
J ulian Notary a French m an h ad establis h ed h i m self in Kin g
.
, ,

Street W est m inster in 1 49 8 I n 1 50 3 we fin d h im livin g wi th out Tem ple B ar ; in

, , .

’
1 5 1 5 in St Paul s C h urc h yard by t h e west door wh ere h e w as busily en gaged in
.
, ,
“

printin g an d bin din g books Notary used at least two varieties of t h ese panels
.

but not till after h e re moved fro m W est m inster it is supposed since h e placed t h e ,

1
W H J am e s W e al e y o u r n a l of th e S ociety of A r ts M arch I st 1 889 p 3 1 2
. .
, , , , . .
 E N GLI S H S TA M P E D L E A TH E R B I N D I N G TRA D E BI N D I N G
-

, . 1 45

ci t y ar m s on both panels ; h is initials I N h e place d beneath t h e rose on eith er si de

. .

h is tra de m ark
-
.

(1 52 7 c —
J oh n R eynes w h o in h is day was a fam ous L on don printer an d
.
,

bookbin der use d two varieties of h eral dic panels

.

, H e place d t h e arm s of t h e city .

PA NE L S TA M P (RE VE R S E )
-

, U SED BY j o H N RE Y N E S , E AR LY SI XTE E N TH CE N T U R Y .

a v o lu m e in the arish librar f K ing s N o rto n ,

’
p y o n ow in B irm ing h am F ree Library .
)

in t h e ri gh t h an d upper corner on t h e panel containin g t h e royal ar m s an d in t h e on e

-
.

containin g t h e Tu dor rose h e place d two s h iel ds one bearin g h is initials t h e oth er —
,

h is device . Below t h e rose w as t h e po m e granate of A ragon Th ese panels are on .

Julian Notary s on t h e contrary are on two In conj unction with th ese

’
o n e st am
p .
, , .

IO
1 46 A H I S TOR Y OF TH E A R T O F B OOK BI N D I N G
'

R eynes Often use d a won derful h eral dic sta m p representin g th e instru m ents of t h e
Passion T h is sta m p woul d see m to h ave been copie d fro m a conte m porary woo d
.

en gravin g w h ic h e m bell ish ed so m e o f t h e e arly p rinte d B ooks of H ours issue d fro m

' '

5 y 32
1 inc h es
-

t he press of T h iel m a n K e rv e r Th e panel m easures b .

-
.

U n der an arc h is a lar ge s h iel d bearin g t h e cross crown of t h orns inscripti on , , , ,

to m b pal m branch spear ro d an d spon ge h a m m er pinc h ers pierce d h an d dice

,
-

, , , , , , ,

ar m ent lante rn t h irty pieces of silver an d t h e h ea d of Ju das I scariot with t h e

g , ,

m oney b ag h an gin g roun d h is n e

-
ck Th e sh ie l d is supporte d by t w o unicorns . .

A bove it is a royal h el m et an d m antlin g sur m ounte d by a crest consistin g of ,

PA N E L CO NTAI NI N G EA R LY AR MS OF I I E N RY
-
FR O M A B I ND I N G BY A LO N D O N S T A T I O N E R , G . R .

in B irm ing h a m Free L ibra r )

’
(Fro m a s ecim en
p in th e p ar ish libra ry r
j K in g
a -
s N o r to n , n ow .
y .

a pillar rope birch ro ds Scourges an d a cock B elow t h e s h iel d upon a scroll is t h e

, , , ,
.
, ,

"
m otto in Gothic letters R e de m p t o ris M un di A rm a (Th e ar m s of t he S a v io u r of th e
”
, ,

w o rld) O n s m all s h iel ds o n eit h er si de are t h e m ark an d initials of J oh n Reynes

“

. .

Th e date of t h is panel is suppose d to be about 1 530 or earlier .

E x am ples of th is interestin g bin din g m ay b e seen at t h e B ritish M useu m [on a -

copy of H enrici V I I I ad L u t h eri E p ist o lam R e spo n sio J (Lon don

“
. at t h e ,

Bo dleian L ibrary O xfor d at W orcester C at h e dral at Bir m in gh a m Free L ibrary an d

, , , ,

e lse w h e 1 e T h e m ark of t h is bin der appears also on a h an dso m e roll sta m p

.
_
-
.

J oh n R eynes was it is sai d appointed royal bookbin der t o H enry V I I I but

, , .

w e h ave been U nable to fin d any evi dence of t h e appoint m ent ; h e resi ded at t h e S i gn
of St George I n S t Paul s Ch urch yard in 1 52 7 H e is supposed to h ave died about
. .
’
.

1 54 5. J oh n Cawood h is servant succee de d to h is business a n d beca m e W arden of

, , ,
 E N GL I S H S TA M P E D —L E A TH E R B I N D I N G, TRA D E BI NDI N G .
47

th e Stationers Co m pany in 1 557 wh en h e pai d for two n ew glass win dows in th eir
’
,
.

h al l one for J o h n R eynes h is m aster an d t h e oth er fo r h i m self

l
— T h ese an d a , ,
.
,

portrait of J oh n R eynes were prob ably destroye d by t h e Great Fire of L on don ,

.

A noth er citizen G R appears to h ave use d t h e panel with t h e royal ar m s but not
,
. .
, ,

t h at with t h e Tu dor rose T h e ar m s .

h e enclose d wit h in a bor der bearin g

a verse fro m t h e Psal m s
Con f
itemin i bom in o qu oniam Bon u s qu ee
n iam in s ecu fum m ia (m isericorbia)
”
I D ear; respice
’

ej u si . m etre .

give 0t h ank s unto t h e L o rd

for H e 15 goo d : for H is m ercy e n

dureth for ever ; et c (Psal m
”
.

I n a volu m e th us boun d in t h e
Th o m as Ha
fl
ll collection now in B ir ,

y leaves
'

m in gh am Free L ibrary t h e ,
-

for m p art o i a book printe d by

-
“

Wy n k yn ide W or de in
'

I n conj u nction wit h t h e r o yal

arm s G R e m ploye d a panel sta mp
“

. . .

divi ded in to four co m part m ents eac h

_
,

containin g th e full len gth fi gure of a — -

sai nt beneat h a canopy in t h e N o r ,

m an style .

A Stationer w h o se initials were

R L use d a h an dso m e p air o f panels
'

. .

containin g in t h e upper corners a

fl
, -
,

rose ,
e u r de lis an d s h iel d of
— St -

, .

Geor ge His initials are placed b e

.

neath t h e rd y al s h iel d .

A citiz en G G substitute d for

’

. .
, ,

t h e dra gon an d greyh oun d two an gels

as supporters O f t h e S h iel d ; h e place d
PA N U S B Y TH O N DON S A TI ON R G R EL ED E L T E I

h is m ark an d initials in a s m all s h iel d

(O 6 m , f am b k ) n 0 0 o s e oo .

beneath t h e rose .

A n unknown bin der A H use d t h e Tu dor rose sta m p surroun de d by a bor der , . .
,
-

of foliage in Conj unction with a panel representin g t h e Annunciation surroun ded by

, ,

t h e verse

Gcce fa bom im
an cif f
iat m icBi secrm bu m v erBu m tu u m
’

J J o h ns o n Typ o gra p h ia , v ol i
“
50 3
“

.
, . .
, p . .

F o r full acc o unt

_

3
se e Th e B oo k bin der , v ol . i, p
. . 1 63 .

/
1 48 A H I S TOR Y OF TH E A R T OF B OOK B I N D I N G .

of t h e L ord etc (L uke i

B eh ol d t h e h an dm ai den ,
. . E xam ple in t h e B o dleian

L ibrary, O x for d (A 2 4 A rt Sel d )

.
,
.

M any of t h e stam ps already described m ay h ave been m ade in t he rei gn of H enry

PA N E L S TA M P (OB VE RS E )
-
, W I TH AR M S OF H E N R Y v m .

(F ro m th e bin ding of a co llectio n o f tracts prin ted by Wy n ky n de Wo rde ) .

V II before t h e accession of H enry V I I I after wh ic h Queen Kath erine s badge

an d
’
.
, .
, ,

a pom egranate was a dded beneath t h e rose as on t h e panels use d by E G an d Jo h n

, ,
. .

R eynes but of course m any o ld stam ps woul d be u se d lon g after t h at event O th e r

‘

.
,
 E N GLI S H S TA z WP E D —L E A TH E R B I N D I N G, TRA D E BIND IN G . 1 49

bin ders used th e royal ar m s di fferently arran ge d notably th ree wh ose initials are
, R O
. .
,

M . D .
,
an d H . A .

R O discarde d t h e
. . supporters , a nd place d t h e roy al ar m s in two circular m e dallions

PA NE L S TA M P (RE VE R S E )
-

, W I TH A R MS or Q U E E N K AT H E R I N E O F AR A GON .

(F ro m th e bin din g fa
o co llectio n o f tra cts prin ted by PVy n ky n de Wo rde ).

surroun ded by foliage in one panel ; to geth er with th is h e use d a panel with a re pre
.
“

sen t at io n of O u r L ady of Pity .

M D w h o is believed to h ave been a Frenc h m an use d two upri gh t panel sta m ps

. .
, ,
-
1 50 A H I S TOR Y OF TH E A R T OF B OO/( B I N D I N G .

with t h e royal arm s 1 n t h e centre ensi gned by a crown sur m ounted by a rose on eith er , _
,

si de of wh ich are two S sh ape d labels two portcu llises flank t h e sh iel d an d below are
-

t h e supporters a dragon an d a greyh oun d an d between t h e m t h e initials M D

,
a border , . .

'

of lions an d fleur de lis surroun ds t h e wh ole T h e panel u sed with t h is h as a saint with
- -
.

swor d an d sh iel d in a circle in t h e centre ; at t h e corners are t h e four sacre d beasts ‘

M D also used a panel sta m p wit h m edallion h eads

. . .

H A intro duc ed a quaint little panel with t h e ar m s of H enry V I I I im palin g t h ose

. . .

of Queen A nne B oleyn

In a ddition to t h e ro yal ar m s alrea dy m entioned th ere are so m e large an d very fine ,

unsi gne d sta m ps so m e of wh ic h we are disposed to th ink were used by J oh n R eynes

, .

T h e first m easures 55 by 3% inc h es an d represents t h e royal ar m s an d supporters of ,

H enry V I I an d H enry V I I I above are two an gels h ol din g sc ro lls b e t w ee n t h e m a rose

. .
, _
,

an d below t h e sh ie ld t w o portcullises T h ere are at least two varieties of th is stam p I t

'

. .

m ay h ave been copie d fro m a conte m porary woo d en gravin g a print of wh ich m ay be ,
‘‘ ”
seen in a book called Questiones m o ralissim e super libros e th ic o ru m etc printed at , ,

O x ford by J oh n S c o lar 1 5 1 8 I n conjunction with th ese are t h e fine sta m ps bearin g

,
.
,

t h e ar m s of H enry V I I I i m palin g th ose of Queen Kath erine of A ra gon . an d of ,

H enry V I I I i m palin g t h ose of Quee n A nn e B oleyn (see pp 1 4 8

. .
,

T h ere are m oreover th re e or four varieties of panel st am p s w it h orna m ents of t h e

, ,

royal Tu dor ba dges as well as nu m erous borders of ba dges describe d fully in th e notice
, ,

of Ca m bri dge bin din g (pp 1 52 .

,

P I CTO RI A L S TA M P S Th is class of sta m ps is m ore rarely m e t with in E n glan d

.
—

th an t h e h eral dic an d it is probable th at nearly all pictorial sta m ps u sed in th is count ry

, _

were i m porte d fro m t h e C ontinent w h ere fi gures of saints an d oth er reli gious subjects ,

see m to h ave been m ore popular th an in th is country Th ere are h owever four or five .
, ,

fine sta m ps o f th is class wh ich alth ou gh rese m blin g in style t h e work of N or m an ,

artists m ay neverth eless h ave been cut in E n gl a

,
nd .

T h ere are a pair of panels of St George an d St M ich ael with fi gures an d . .

,

accessories decorative in treat m ent St George is seate d on h orseback h ol din g a drawn . .

,

sword in his ri gh t h an d a s m all s h iel d with a cross u pon it protects h is left si de h e is

fully ar m ed an d upon h is h ea d is a cap orna m ente d with th ree feath ers T h e h orse also
,
.

is case d in arm our but th e ani m al s h ead wh ic h is ridiculo u sly s m all see m s un protecte d
,
’

, , ,

an d it is turne d so as to lb o k at t h e dra gon wh ich lies beneath it s feet I n th e back ,

.

groun d are t h e princess an d th e la m b :

T h e co m panion panel repres ents t h e A rch a ngel M ic h ael slayin g anoth er kin d of
dra gon m ore h u m an in appearance th an t h e first
, T h is design is spirite dly drawn t h e .
"
drapery especially goo d Below t h e fi gure is a s h iel d ensi gne d by a crown an d upon t h e
.
,

sh iel d a m ai den s h e ad B ot h th ese panel s are t h orou gh ly E n glis h in appearance

’
.
.
.

Th ey are th ou gh t to h ave bel on ge d to a bin der livin g in a provincial city N orwich “

perh aps or else L incoln or Y o rk an d t h e si gn of wh ose h ouse is suppose d to h ave been

, , ,

t h e M ai den s H ead
’
.

A noth er sta m p of St Geor ge bears t h e b in der s in it ials L W T h is like t h e two last ’

. . .
, ,
 P G BY J R RE PR E S E N TI N G ST G E OR G E AN D TH E DR A G ON
S TA M E D LE A T H E R B I N D I N
.
-
,
. .
,

xfE E NT H C E NT U RY
EA R LY sx
.
1 52 A H I S TOR Y OF TH E A R T OF B OOK B I N D I N G .

describe d, is E n glish in appearance an d certainly as o ld as t h e ti m e of H enry V I I but , .

since t h e bin ders o f R ouen an d C aen used si m il ar st am ps it is i m possible to state t h e

'

_
,

nation ality of th is one with certain ty .

.

A bin der w h o joine d h is initials I R wit h a tr u e lover s knot m a de use of tw o very

’
-
. .

fine stam ps one of St George t h e o th er of t h e baptis m of Ch ri st M r E Gordon D u ff

— .
, ,
. . .

h as prove d t h at th ese sta m ps fell at a later date into th e h an ds of Jo h n R eynes w h o , , ,

use d th e m for so m e ti m e W e h ave alrea dy m entione d R eynes well known sta m p of t h e

.
’
-

e m ble m s of t h e Passion .

A noth er citizen wh ose init ials A R appear on h is sta m p o f t h e A n nunciation w as

“

, , ,
. .
,

probably an alien .

R M ac e w h ose na m e in L o m bar d capitals appears at t h e foot of one or two early

.
,

panels was a N orm an bookbin der w h o probably visited th is country but apparently did
, , ,

not settle h ere h e lived at R ouen H is sta m ps m ay date fro m t h e e n d of t h e fifteenth .

century but th ey are usually foun d on books printed early in t h e si x teenth century H is
, .

two best known stam ps are a Coronation of t h e V irgin an d an A n nunciation E x a m ple

-

L a m beth Palace L ibrary (1 0 3 . .

A n elaborate pane l representin g t h e M ass o f St Gregory was m uch used in “

.

E n glan d an d is sai d to h ave bee n foun d upon t h e bin din g of so m e of Caxt o n s books
’
.
, .

T h ere are at least two varieties of th is panel an d it frequently occurs in conj unction ,

with a well desi gne d fi gure o f S t B arbara w h o m ay always be recognised by h e r

“

- -

,
.

sy m bol a th ree win dowed tower

— -

To th ese na m es may be a dde d th ose of M ich ael L obley an d W illiam Hill livin g in ,
”
.
’
4
St Paul s C h urch yard 1 53 1 1 536 as also Toye th e bookbin der nam ed as engaged , ,

in search for t h e printers of a work against th e govern m ent of th e C h urch about

L obley w h o was one of t h e ori ginal m e m bers of t h e Stationers C o m pany uni ted
’

, ,
.

t h e t rades o f bookseller printer an d bookbin der at t h e s ign o f St M ic h ael in St P aul s

' ’ ’
.
, , ,
.
,

Ch urc h yar d H e fille d several o ffices in t h e Stationers Co m pany but in t h e latter part
’
.
,

of h is life appears to h ave been so m uc h re duced in circu m stances as to h ave been

unable to disch arge h is note fo r £7 wh ic h h e stoo d in debte d to t h e co m pany fo r ,
” 2
h avin g pai d 3 t h e rest was forgiven h im by t h e h ole table
, .

W illia m H ill live d at t h e si gn of th e H ill in St Paul s C h urch yard I n 1 54 8 49 .

’
.
—

h e printe d several books ; afterwards h e left o ff printing an d devoted h is atte n tion to .

bookbin din g H e was fined in 1 556 for bi nding pri m ers in parch m ent contrary to th e
'

.
,
’
co m pany s orders .

Joh n Toye Carried on t h e business o f a printer an d bookbin der at t h e si gn o f St .

N ich olas in St Paul s Ch urc h yard about 1 53 1 an d is suppose d to h ave been th e sa m e

’

, .
, ,
_

person w h o in 1 566 was associated with t h e celebrate d printer J oh n D ay in search in g

for se ditious works .

CAM B RI D GE Th e C a m bri dge bin der N ich ol as S pe ry n g use d t w o panel sta m ps

—

one of t h e A nnunciation with h is m ark an d initials at t h e foot t h e other a fi gure of ,

1
Am e s Typ o gr ap h ical A n tiquitie s , ii 7 56 i 569
’ “
. an d . .

2
Ibid , ii 7 56
. .
3 I id
b . .
PANE L -
S TA M P OF J E H AN M O U L I N , A R OU E N S TA TIO N E R, W HO VI SI TE D G
E N LAN D E A R LY I N
‘
TH E S I XTEE NI H CE NTU RY
'
.

(Fro m a s ecim en
p in th e library f Wo rcester Ca thedral )
o .
1 54 A H I S T OR Y OF TH E A R T OF B O OK B I N DI N G .

St . N ic h‘o las th ree c h il dren in t h e pickle tub with h is na m e in full micb olas
an d the -

, ,

S pternich A t h ird sta m p use d in conjunction wit h t h at o f t h e A nnunciation is

. , ,

divi de d into two lon g an d n arro w panels by a vertical line ; th ese panels each conta in
a branc h form in g th ree circles with a ?bird an d a dragon in each (See furth er p ,
.
, .

J eh a n M oulin a Nor m an stationer use d a pair of very curious sta m ps wh ich fro m
, , ,

t h e ir frequ ent occurrence in E n glis h libraries woul d seem to h ave been brou gh t to th is
“

country by a travellin g stationer e arly in th e si xteenth century ; both h ave a punnin g _

allusion to t h e bin der s na m e Th e first represents a m iller ri din g on an ass th rou gh a

’
.

woo d on t h e m an s s h oul ders is a l arge b ag of wh eat B elow t h e picture is t h e bin der s

’
.
.
’

nam e in full seb an (lDOll Iin an d a representation of t w o pi gs eatin g acorns

, .
, Th e .

secon d panel bears a representation of a win dm ill ; t h e ass relieved of h is burden , ,

browses in t h e foregroun d Wh ile t h e m ill er ascen ds a ladder to t h e grin din g roo m

,
-

carryin g t h e sack of corn upon h is back A bove h is h ead are th e letters Jeh a an d a .
-

large fly On t h e oth er si de of t h e m i ll are a ragged sta ff an d a fly above t h e m ill are

nine stars .

D urin g t h e early years of t h e si xteenth century a lar ge nu m ber of service book s ,

-

were i m porte d fro m France an d t h e Neth erlan ds to t h is country U pon t h e bin dings of .

t h ese volu m es t h e fi gures of certain saints were often place d th e m ost usual bein g ,
‘

St B arbara St Nich olas St Jo h n th e B aptist an d St C ath erin e

.
, .
, .
, . .

O n e of t h e bin ders of litu r

.

gical books of t h e u s e of Y ork place d h is initials P P .

-

. .

on h is bin din gs h e was a N or m an an d see m s to h ave lived at R ouen , .

A noth er class of sta m ps generally well cut but poor in desi g n are t h e m e dallion
, ,

panels of distinct Renaissance style datin g fro m after 1 530 S o m e of th ese bear , .

t h e initials of Joh n R eynes Go dfrey M D T P an d G P ; oth ers are u nsi gne d

, , . .
, . . . . .

Perh aps t h e finest of t h is series is th e panel bearin g t h e m ark an d initials of I P an d . .

oth er initials probably th ose of t h e desi gner I n t h e centre in a circular m e dallion

,
.
.

appears a portrait perh aps t h e bin der s ; over it are t h e initials I : P ; beneath on a ’ '

, .

s h iel d th e sa m e initials an d a tra de m ark below is th e fi gure of Cleopatra with t h e asp

aroun d h e r arm T h e word C L EO PA T RA appears on a label above t h e le g of th e figure
. .

I n t h e ri gh t —h an d lower corner is a m o n o g1 am sai d to be th at of t h e A u gustinian Priory _

of S S M artin an d Gregory at L ouva in O n a label at t h e top of t h e panel IS a m otto

.
. ,

pro bably t h e bin der s ’

“
I N GE N I U M VOLE N S N I H IL N ON .

Th e re m ain der of t h e panel is fille d with R enaissance orna m ent In conj unction .

with th is pan el anoth er by t h e sa m e artist an d bearin g t h e sa m e initials m ono gra m , , ,

tra de m ark an d m otto an d t h e a ddition of t h e date 1 534 occurs on a volu m e in t h e

-

, , ,

B ritish M useu m (C 4 6 T h e subject of t h e secon d panel is L ucretia stabbin g

.
, _

h erself Th e bin der was probably estab lis h e d at L ouvai n In t h e N et h erlan ds an d m any
.
,

of h is bo o ks see m to h ave reac h e d th e E n glish m arket T h is is a very rare instance of . .

a date d panel .

A not h er very c u r
’

io u s p an e l represents t h e fi gure of a wo m an stan din g on a sto ne

 E N GL I S H S TA M P E D —L E A TH E R B I N D I N G, TRA D E BI N D I N G . 1 55

en grav ed w ith t h e word Fi des an d lookin g towards t h e clou ds wh ere rests a cross ; , ,

M eri t u m Ch risti ” ”
t h e wor ds
“
are by t h e si de o f it T h e word S pes is place d .
“

”
beh in d t h e fi gure an d C h aritas at t h e feet T h ere is an inscription at t h e si de of
“
, .

t h e fi gure an d anoth er roun d t h e m argin

, T h e first inscription .

al lowin g for contractions reads as follows

’
’
p er a v i fn n a a r in
’
I n te ao m zn e s , n o n co n e t er n a m , in j u st it ia t n a l ibe r o
m e, et er zjbe m e . P sa l 7 1 . .

'

Th e inscription in t he border run s t h us

t, l i be r a ba e a m fir ofeg a m ea m
'

Qn o n z a m in m e s j er a w , q u on iam , e tc .

F sa l 9 0 (I n E n gl ish ve rs io n Psal m 9 1 9
'

”
-
. .

T h is p anel also bears t h e m ark a n d initials of I P A not h er . .

variety bears t h e m ark an d initials of I B Th e fi gure see m s to . .

b e e m ble m atical of t h e virtues Fait h H ope a n d Ch arity , , .

A noth er late panel bin din g is date d 1 540 .

E N GLI S H P RO VI N C IAL BI N D I N GS Early —

in th e sixteenth century several forei gn stationers

are suppose d to h ave settled in t h e city of Y ork .

A m on g th ese early printers an d bookbin ders

were H u go Go es an d Gerar d Fre e z or W an sfo st ,

or W an se fo rd H u go Goes w h o is sai d to h ave .

,

been t h e son of a well known printer of Antwerp -

probably ca m e to Y ork about t h e year 1 50 6 an d

GE R AR D W A N S FOST S
, , ,

M AR K c I 50 0
, . re m ainin g th ere for a few years re m oved th ence
.
,

to B everley wh ere h e live d for a s h ort ti m e in ,

t h e Hy egate an d fin ally to L on don ,

Gerard W an sfo st also a .
,

forei gner is believe d to h ave been associated with H u go Goes

1
.
,

I n 1 4 9 7 t h e n a m e of Fre derick F re e z was entered in t h e .

re gister of free m en of th e city of Y ork with t h e desi gn ation of

Bo k e b y n der an d S t ac y o n e r at a later date h e is styled a Buke
p ry n t er . G erar d F re ez or Wan sfo st w h o is suppo se d to h ave bee n ,

h is broth er live d with in t h e L iberty of St Peter at Y ork w h ere

,
.
,

h e carrie d on t h e tra de of a stationer H is will was p 1 oved . . w a.

O Ct O e I SI O . R O LL S T A M
-
P , W I TH I N I TI A LS

Joh n Gu sch e t or G u c h e t a stationer appears to h ave been W A N S F °S T A N °F G E RAR D D

'

, , ,
A N O H ER E A R S A N“ T LY T TI O
at H ere ford early in t h e sixteenth century I n 1 5 1 6 h e h ad a .
‘

sh op with in t h e close at Y ork h e was associated with Joh n Caillard, a R ouen stationer ,

an d is cre dite d wit h h avin g prin te d a L atin E nglis h D ictionary A n i m portant branc h -
.

of t h e trade of all th ese early stationers was t h e publish in g of liturgical books of t h e

”
various E n glis h uses w h ich book s were generally printed abroa d specially for t h e
,

E n gli sh m arket an d were o ften boun d in th is country,

.

1 R D avie s M e m o ir o ft h e Y o rk P re ss ” 8v o 1 868.
,
“
, . .
1 56 A H I S TOR Y OF TH E A R T OF B OOK B I N D I N G .

M r JD av ie s account of th es e Station ers is so m ewhat co n jectural an d it is not

’
.
,

certainl y known w h ere th ey worke d Th ey appear to h ave travelled from place to .

place and W an sfo st use d M ac h lin ia s printed sh e et s in h is book bindin gs

'

’ '

.
,

W an sfo st s tra de m ark occurs on t h e c overs of m any book s boun d in E n glan d

’

’
—

between 1 4 89 an d 1 5 1 0 I t consists of t h e letters G and W an d a cross with alon g

. . .
,

lower li m b divi de d at th e en d It is borne on a s m all s h iel d s h ape d sta m p an d was

. .
-

usually i m presse d m any ti m es on th e cover of eac h volu m e A fter Goes an d W an sfost .

beca m e associate d th ey both placed th eir tra de m ark on a very beautifully desi gned
,
-

roll sta m p M any bin din gs e x ecuted between 1 5 1 0 an d 1 535 are th us a dorned T h ere
-
. .

is an ex a m ple in t h e M unicipal L ibrary Bir m ingh a m , .

O X F O RD Th e de m an d for boun d books m ust h ave been great in O x for d all

.
-

th rou gh t h e M i ddle A ges but so far as we know at present O x for d bin din g th ou gh , , , ,

well finish e d an d of great soli dity w as not conspicuously artistic Th e O x for d book ,
.

bin ders if we m ay ju dge fro m t h e few re m ainin g e x a m ples of th eir work orna m ente d
,
-
,
'

t h e leat h er si des of th eir boun d volu m es with a variety o f s m all dies arran ge d in t h e o ld
E n glis h m anner but t h e dies used in t h e fifteenth century were extre m ely poor Th e .

bin din g of t h e O sney C h artulary n o w preserve d at t h e Publi c Recor d O ffice m ay , ,

be take n as a speci m en U p on th is bin din g fou r sta m ps were use d

fl
. Th e oblon g .

central panel is filled with dia m on d sh aped dies each bearin g a e u r de lis T h is panel -

,
— -
.

is separate d fro m an orna m ented border by fo u r rule d lines at t h e intersection s of wh ich ,

th ere are s m all circular pu n ch in gs Th e m ner border i s co m posed of s m all dies (1 by .

inch ) place d e n d to e n d pro du cin g a continuous scroll of branch es leaves an d fr uit

, , , ,

Th e ne x t bor der is co m pose d of sta m ps of t h e sa m e size as t h e last but orna m ente d

‘

with a pattern of leaves twinin g rou n d a ro d Th e outer border of dies of t h e sa m e .

size represents a p ro c ess1o n of sta gs .

T h o m as H unte an E n glish stationer assiste d Th eodore R ood of Cologne in

, ,

carrying on th e first printin g press establish ed at O xfor d an d th eir bin din gs

e xh ibit a com bination of t h e E n glish an d Germ an styles Th e tools wh ich are forei gn .
,

in appearance were n o dou bt supplie d by R oo d 1

T h ere is a distinctive c h aracter
“

, .

about th ese o ld O x ford bin din gs by w h ich t h ey m ay be reco gnised eas ily .

D avi d Caslay h as left a note in h is cat a logue o f books in th e Royal Collection of

'

an o ld O xford bin din g now unfortunately destroye d in wh ich w as t h e followin g

,

, ,

inscription
L 1 b e r ligat u s erat Oxo n ii in Cat st re te ad in st an t iam R everen di D o m ini Th o m e , ,

Wy b aru n in sacra t h e o lo gia Bac alarii M o nac h i Ro ffe n sis A nno D o m ini 1 46 7
,
2
,
”

Fro m th is it woul d appear th at th ere was a bookbi nder an d stationer livin g near
t h e sch ools at O xfor d in t h e fifteen th century O n an o ld m ap t h e bri dge le adin g fr om .

O sney A bbey to w ar ds O x for d was calle d t h e B ookbin ders bri dge ; but w h enc e t h is
’

nam e arose d0 e s n o t appear .

So m e li gh t as to th e m at e rials u se d for bin din g in O x ford m ay be derived from a

o rd b o o kb in ding se e
Fo r furth er in fo rm atio n o n O xf
1 ”H isto ric Bindin s in t he B o dl e ian Library
g '
.

2
M S S R eg 6, D ii
. . . .
—
S e e D ib din
’
s
“
B ib . ii 449
. .
E N GLI S H S TA M P E D L E A TH E R B I N DI N G, -
TRA D E B I ND I N G
.

H i gh Co m m issioners in E lizabeth s rei gn concern

’
letter of th e
in g perstitious books belon gin g to A ll Souls College in 1 56 7
Su
’
.

“
A Psalter covere d with skin a prick son g book covere d wit h -

a h art s skin ; five oth er of paper boun d in parch m ent ; an d th e

’

”
Foun der s M ass Book in parch m ent boun d in board
’
, .

Th e often quote d passage fro m C h au cer describin g th e ,

c olour of t h e bin din gs of t h e books desired by th e clerke of

O x en fo rde m ay be a dduce d as evi dence in favour of th e colours
,

of bin din gs th en fash ion able at t h e U niversity

l evere have at h is beddes h eed

’
’

Fo r h im w as

Tw e n ty b o k e s ; cla d in b la k o r re e d ,

Af A risto tl e an d h is p h ilo so ph ye ,

Th an ro b es ric h e o r fith e le o r gay so u t rye

'

, . .

S o far as is known at present no panel sta m p was u sed by -

any bookbin der in O x ford in t h e early years of t h e sixteenth

cent ury .

C A M BRI D GE O win g perh aps to t h e geo graph ical positio n

.
—

of Ca m bri dge near t h e east coast towns wh ere trade with t h e —

,

Lo w C ountries was c h iefly carr ie d on we fin d th at several ,

bin ders usin g tools of consi derable beauty were at an early

M ention h as already been
‘
perio d settled in th at U niversity .

m ade of t h e panel —st am p s u sed by N ic h olas S p ery n g w h o b e ,

lon ge d to a N e t h e rlan dish fa m ily of stationers illu m inators , ,

an d bookbin ders so m e of wh o m were establis h ed at L ille

, ,

oth ers at A ntwerp W e m ust now descri b e a m o st interestin g

.

series of roll sta m p s bearin g th e trade m ar k of S p ery n g an d

- -

h is associates .

A word upon roll sta m ps m ay not b e c u t of p lace h ere -

.

O rnam ental roll s ta m ps were generally use d upon folios -

or books of large size wh ic h coul d not be rea dily ornam ented ,

with panel sta m ps A t first t h e rolls were wi de gen erally

-
.
,

m easurin g about an inch acros s ; but as t h e si x teent h century

"

advanced th ey rapi dly beca m e s m aller till in t h e ti m e of Hu gh ,

Sin gleton (1 56 2 4 1 59 3) th ey h ad sh runk to l ess th an a th i rd of

—
.

th eir ori ginal di m ensions Sin gleton s roll sta m p consists of .

’
-

little m ore th an h is printers m ark an d a scroll A t t h e be ’

.

ginnin g o f t h e seven teenth century t h e roll h ad reach e d its

lowest state wh en t he desi gn , instea d of bein g struck fro m a
,

roll cut in intaglio was struck fro m on e cut in cam eo an d ,

appeare d in dente d as in gol d toolin g H ERA LD C BO R D E R F R O M S TA M PE D

- I '

NG E N GL S H
.

E A TH E R B N L I DI I
J oh n R eynes used a fin e roll sta m p beari n g a b 1rd a flower E A R LY snm mu m 5m m “
-

, , ,

(F ro m a specim en in the library

o
f L ichfield Cath edral )
.
 A H I S TOR Y OF TH E A R T OF B OOK BI N D I N G
'

1 58 .

a bee a do g an d h is trade m ark T h ere is a bin ding orna m en ted wi th "t h is too l in
, ,
-
.
“

t h e lib rary of Gloucester C at h e dral .

I n t h e year 1 52 9 t h e U niversity presente d a petition to C ardinal W olsey prayin g

'

th at for t h e suppression of error t h e kin g woul d allow to C a m bri dge th ree booksellers ,

w h o s h oul d be sworn not to buy or sell any book w h i ch h ad not been approve d by

t h e censors of books of th at U nive r sity th at such booksellers s h oul d be m e n of reputa

tion an d gravity an d m oreover fo r eign ers (so it s h oul d be best for t h e prizin g of books )
, , ,
.

an d t h at t h ey s h oul d h ave t h e privilege to buy books fr o m fo rei gn m erch ants .

Wh en t h e A ct of 1 534 was passed a special privilege was granted to t h e U niversity ; ,

-

for on t h e 2 0 t h of J uly in th at year H enry V I I I grante d L etters Patent to N ic h olas .

S p e ry n g Garrat Go dfrey an d Segar Nich olson to beco m e printers book bin ders an d
, , , ,

book buyers to t h e U niversity

-
.

S p e ry n g live d in t h e par ish of S t M ary of w h ic h h e was ch urch warden in 1 5 1 6 ; . .

h e die d in 1 54 5 4 6 Garrat Go dfrey succeeded S p ery n g as ch urch war den of St M ary s

—
. .
’

R oger A sc h a m speakin g of E ras m us custo m of ri din g

’
in 1 5 1 7 an d die d in 1 539
, .
,

”
on h orseback for e xercise after h e h ad been sore at h is booke a dds as Garrett
,
“
,
“
,
”
v e ry e oft tol d m e
1
Probably t h e Garrett h ere m entione d was .
“

G arrat Go dfrey wh ose na m e ori ginally w as as so m e say Gerard van Graten

, , , .

J oh n L air de S ib e rc h w h o se tt le d in Ca m bri dge be fore 1 52 1 an d w h o clai m s to

,
‘

be t h e first printer of th at U ni versity use d a broa d roll with h is initials wh ic h afte rwards , ,

appears to h ave fallen into t h e h an ds of S p ery n g w h o erasin g t h e I substituted h is own ,

initial N M r D uff h as drawn attention to a bin din g in t h e library of West m inster

.
“

A bbey w h ere S p ery n g s roll h as been use d to obliterate t h at of h is associates

’
Garrat .

’
Go dfrey s m ark we believe consisted of t h e letters G G with a broa d arro w over
, , . .
,

t h e secon d G Gay Gi m pus an d Gerard van Graten are sai d to h ave u se d very
.

fl
si m ilar m arks O n e of t h ese rolls h as a s h iel d bearin g t h ree h orses h oes
. Th e best .

of th ese Ca m bri dge rolls are th ose bearin g t h e Tu dor badges t h e rose e u r de lis —
,
e -

po m egranate an d portcullis O th er bin ders orna m ente d th eir roll sta m ps w it h sim ilar
, .
- '

h eral dic devices but t h at used by S ib e rc h is p e rh ap s one of t h e e arliest So m eti m es

'

, .

a s m aller roll was use d with goo d e f fect upon quarto volu m es _
.

In conclusion it m ay be notice d th at Ca m bri dge bin ders often use d a leath er dyed
a dull re d colour a peculiarity often seen in Neth erlan dish bin din g but rarely in th is
—
,

co untry .

A sc h am s E n gl ish W o rk s
’ “
p 77 , . .
 C H A PT E R X II .

B OO/( B I N D I N G IN TH E SI X TE E N TH CE N T UR Y— SI GN A TUR E S— F OR WA RDI N G

— P RI CE OF B I IVD I N GS R E S TRI C TE D BY LA W IN E N GL A N D — B O OK S IN
CH A I N S OR N A ZII E N TE D E D GE S — E Il/I B R OI D E R E D B O OK B I N D I N GS .

HE
ultiplication of books it h as been sai d le d to a less e x pensive
m , ,

m o de of bin din g th an h ad been usual before t h ou gh still retainin g ,

m uc h orna m ental b e au t v th is m ay be pronounced t h e style peculiar

to t h e si x teenth century I n all t h e bin din gs of t h at perio d a m inute
.
,

care atten de d every operation T h e work m en or p e1 h aps t h e printers .

, ,

w h o were also bin ders appear to h ave b e endesirous th us to preserve

,

th eir books to posterity T h e pages were fol de d with an an x ious

.

care for evenness an d integrity of t h e m ar gins an d it is rare to fin d any transpositions ,

of t h e sh eets To guard a gainst error in th is respect si gnatures were use d

.
.

S I GNAT U RE S Si gnatures are t h e si gn o r m arks w h ich printers place be neath

— ~

certain pages for t h e convenience of t h e bin der an d to distin guish t h e sequence of t h e ,

sections (so m eti m es style d quires or gath erin gs) w h ich t h ey print
,
.

A m on g o ld writers it was custo m ary to consi der t h at t h e practice of si gnin g sh eets

w as t h e invention of printers but th ere cannot be any doubt th at t h e practice was
,

si m ply adopted by th e printers fro m t h e scribes W illiam B la des one of t h e first

. .
,

biblio graph ers w h o calle d attention to th is fact wrote as follows ,

Th e ch ief use of si gnatures was an d is fo r t h e bin der B in din g is certainly as .

o ld as books Si gnatures are certainly as o ld as bin ders W h en t h e m anufacture

of books passe d fro m t h e m onk s scriptoriu m into t h e han ds of tra de guil ds an d
. .
.

’
,

t h e increase d de m an d fo r books cause d a great sub division of labour ; an d wh en ,

’
instead of one a m anuscript woul d pass th rou gh a dozen work m en s h an ds before
,

co m pletion th en si gn atures becam e a necessi ty as m uch for t h e scribe as fo r t h e

,
—
,

bin der as necessary for t h e coll ation of t h e early m anuscript as fo r t h e stea m printe d
,
-

1 ”
novel of to day — .

1
W ill iam B lade s B o o k s in C h ain s et c p 88
, , . .

I 59
1 60 A H I S T OR Y O F TH E A R T OF B OOK B I N DI N G .

In early ti m es it was t h e custom to place t h e si gnatures at t he extre m e edge o f

t h e parch m ent or paper in or der th at b ein g uni m portant to t h e boun d book an d not
, , ,

pertinent to t h e text th ey m i gh t disappear un der t h e kn ife of t h e bin der

, Th is .

position of t h e si gn atures will account for th eir absence in m ost o ld books alth ou gh ,

t h ey are so m eti m es still to be foun d h alf cut away .

Till th e si x teenth century t h e b in der did not m ake use of t h e p lou g h to cut “

t h e e dges of h is bo o ks W h en th at pernicio u s instru m ent was invented is unknown

.

but in t h e fifteenth century t h e sh ea rs see m to h ave been in general use I n J ost .

A m m an s B ook of Trades (Frankfurt 1 534 ) we h ave t h e earliest representation of

’
,

a bin der at work (see p H e h as a book secu rely fastene d between two stron g
.

pieces of wood by m eans of scre w s an d h ol din g it between h is knees h e is plou gh in g

, , ,

with a s h arp knife th rou gh t h e edges T h is of course woul d m ake th e leaves per fectly
.
, ,

even a c h aracteristic never foun d in a fift ee n e r wh ich retains its ori ginal bin din g ”
.

Wh en printin g was invented wrote M r Blades no new m eth o d of si gnatures , .

,

was at first a dopte d Th e M azarine B ible for instance wh ich is a large folio was
.
, , ,

printe d page by page an d si gned by t h e pen at t h e foot of t h e first four rectos of eac h
,

si gnature, j ust as if it h ad been a m anuscript ”

. .

Caxt o n s early books s h o w t h e s a m e treat m ent O win g to t h e sm all size of t h e

’
.

”
platen (wh ich is th e flat surface lowere d by t h e screw to squeeze t h e paper upon
t h e type ) of t h e earl y presse s it was i m possible t o print t h e si gnatures near t h e e dge
,

of t h e paper an d consequently so m e Italian printers tried th e e x peri m ent of sta m pin g

, ,

t h e m in with types by h an d. Th is an d so m e oth er m eth ods were foun d to be in co n

v e n ien t an d at last a bol d i dea stru ck a C olo gne printer w h o
, i gnorin g t h e u gliness , , ,

placed h is type si gnatures close up to t h e soli d page Th is custo m soon beca m e .

general .

FORWARDI N G Th ere is a so li dity about th ese early books wh ic h testifies to no little

.
—

labour in t h e beatin g an d pressin g of th e sh eets wh en fol de d Bin ders continue d t h e .

“

use of a slip of parc h m ent roun d t h e e n d papers an d first an d l ast s h eets of m any -

book s to preserve t h e backs from inj ury an d to stren gth en t he j oint Th e last leaf
, , .

was also stren gth ene d by t h e a ddition of oth er paper an d In th is position t h e fragm en ts ,

of early printe d books and en gravin gs previously unknown h a\e been di scovere d , , .

Th e quires we re sewn on a series of stron g slip s o f wh ite leat h er placed at equal ,

distances fro m each oth er so as to for m th e division of t h e back w h en covere d

,
So m e .

ti m es double ban ds arran ge d close toget h er are seen t h e th read ti gh tly an d fir m ly ,

drawn roun d in t h e sewin g Th ese double ban ds are very distinguish able on t he cover
.
,

a line bein g run across in t h e s m all groove between t h e m Th e soli dity of th is portion .

of th e bin din gs of th e si x teenth century couple d with t h e form ation of t h e back is , ,

seen in m an
y books w h ic h still re m ain perfectly firm after t h e cover h as been worn

away noth in g but dam p appearin g to a ffect th e m

, .

Th e boards Wh en of wo od were generally of oak an d beec h but plane d t h inner

, , ,

t h an th ose of t h e period prece ding So m e of th e m were bevelled off to a fine edge .

,

slantin g fro m t h e leaves of t h e book T h e ban ds or th on gs of leath er were laced into.

 P RI CE S OF B O OK B I N D I N GS . 16 1

the board in a si m ilar m anner to t h e present m o de but part of t h e wood was cut away ,

to m ake roo m for th e m .

P R I CE o r C O M M E R CI AL BI N D I N GS By th e A c t of I 534 th ree kin ds of co m m ercial .

—

bin din gs are recognised : books boun d in boar ds h alf in leath er an d in “

,

parc h m ent T h ese were t h e co m m on Covers for early printe d books an d were si m ilar
.
,

to t h e bin din gs of or dinary m anuscripts before t h e in vention of printin g Bu t for .

books of t h e noble an d ric h m ore costly m aterials were used V elvet was at th is perio d
‘
.

m ost usually e m ployed in coverin g volu m es of special inter est or valu e as appears fro m ,

particulars of o ld libraries an d in inventories (Se e C h ap X IV ) . . .

Th e prices of boun d books fi x e d by law are m entione d in several royal procla m a

O n e bearin g date M ay 1 540 relates to Gt h ft o n s B ible th en recently printe d
’
tions .
, ,

wh ich Was to be sol d at 1 0 3 unboun d an d not above 1 2 5 well boun d an d c lasp e d 1L A t

.
, . .

”
t h e e n d of t h e Booke of C o m m on Prayer printe d by R ic h ar d Grafton in folio in 1 54 9 , , , ,

is th is notice : Th e Kin g s M aj e st ie by t h e advice of h is m ost dere uncle t h e lor d

“ ’

protector an d othe r h is h ign es c o u n se il strai gh tly c h arge th an d co m m an deth th at no

, , ,

m anner of persone s h all sell th is present book unboun d above t h e price of two sh y lly n ge s
an d two pence A n d t h e sa m e boun d in paste or in bor de s in calves le t h e r not above
.

”
t h e price of four sh y lly n ges t h e pece Go d save t h e Kyn g . .

Strype relates t h at Sir W il lia m Cecil Secretary of State to E dwar d V I procure d , .

,

for Seres a printer in St Paul s Ch urch yard in 1 56 9 a licenc e to print al l m anner of

,
.
’

private prayer s cal le d Pri m ers as sh oul d be agreeable to t h e Co m m on Prayer establis h e d

, ,

by Court of Parlia m ent an d th at none o th er sh oul d print th e sam e A n d wh en printe d

, .
,

th at by th e lords of th e Privy C oun cil or by t h e L ord Ch ancellor etc th e reasonable

, , , .
,

price th ereof be set as well in t h e leaves as bein g boun d in paste or boar d in like
, , ,

m anner as was expresse d in th e e n d of t h e B ook of Co m m on Prayer .

T h ese prices of early printe d books m ay be co m p ared with t h e cost of anor dinary
m anuscript at t h e en d of t h e fifteent h century bef0 1 e printin g h ad superse de d t h e tra de ,

of th e scribe I n an account book of t h e destroye d C h urch of St E wen B ristol occu r

. .
, ,

t h e followin g entries respectin g t h e cost of a lesson book calle d a L eg end for t h e use , ,

2
of t h e ch urc h
1 468 . ST H Y E AR O F E D WARD
i do ss (do z
. en ) an d v
.
q u ayers (q uire s) t o p e rfo rm y e L e g e n d
I te m fo r w ryty n g o f ye sam e
I te m fo r ix sk yn n s an d i qu aye r o fv e llo m t o sa m e L e g e n d
‘
. .

I tem w rytyn g ye fo re sey d L eg e n d

A ls o fo r a k eve r th e L egen d
re d sk yn n e t o

I te m fo r bin din g an d c o rre ct ing o f t h e said b o k e

Als o fo r g am in g o ft h e said L eg e n d
A ls o fo r c l en syn g o fth e sam e bo k e

To tal iiil iv s iiid

. . .

L e w is , “ Translatio ns o f th e B ible , p 1 37
1
. .

2 J
o h n T ayl o r ,
“
Th e M o nastic S crip to rium , a p ap er re a d b e fo re th e Lib rary A ss o c iatio n ,
L o n do n , 1 889 Th e L ibr a ry , J uly 1 89 0 , p 2 37
. . .
1 62 A HI S TOR Y OF TH E A R T OF B OOK B I N DI N G .

total of t h is account does not see m large but t h e value of m oney at t h e ti m e

Th e ,
”
m ust be consi dere d I t appears th at a tyler was pai d 35d a day for repairs to t h e
.
“
.

c h urc h roof an d it h as been co m puted th at t h e book coul d not h ave been worth less
“

t h an 30 of present m oney A n inventory of goo ds at t h e sa m e c h urch taken in 1 4 55

.
, ,

records th at th ere were th irty volu m es of service books an d if th ese cost about t h e sam e -

as t h e L eg en d St E wen s C h urch l ibrary m ust h ave been a v alu able one Th e int erestin g
,
.
’
.

poin t in t h e com parison h owever is th e di ffe rence between t h e cost of a m anuscri pt an d

, ,

a printed book Th e bin din g of t h e m anuscript with its various processes in 1 46 8 cost
.

n early £ 1 wh ile th at of a printe d book a century l ater cost but 2 s ; t h e leath er in

, .

t h e first instance costin g 5d w h ile t h e bin din g a lone was c h ar ged 53

“

.
,

O f t h e pro gressive i m prove m ents in bookbin din g an d t h e m aterials with w h ich ,

b o o k s w ere covere d t h e public libraries of E urope an d especially as Wil l be seen in

'

, , ,

anoth er c h apter t h e royal libraries at L on do n an d Paris e xh ibit m any speci m ens

,
’
,
.

I t was in t h e sixt e e n t h c e n t u ry th at woo den boards were at len gth discar ded in
favour of pads of paper or sh ee t s o f cardboard an d m ore i m portant th an all previous
‘

, ,

innovations gol d toolin g c am e into general use

, .

BOO K S I N C H AI N S Bu t before we co m m ence to trace t h e h istory of t h e develop

.
—

m e nt of t h at orna m ental an d h i gh ly se du ctive art we m ust investi gate t h e h istory of ,

t he ancient practic e of i m pris onin g literature by ch ai nin g books to t h e library s h elves

a practice wh ich b eca m e general in t h e latter part of t h e fifteent h century w h e n books
‘

were no lon ger kept in co ffers o ra rm a r ia but place d upon open booksh elves ,
.

Th e custo m of fastenin g books to th eir s h elves by c h ains was co m m on at an early

“

perio d th rou gh out all E urope wrote W illia m Bla des in h is e xcellent m ono graph on th is ,

subject W h en a book Was given to a m e die val library it was necessary in t h e fii st

.
, ,

place to buy a ch ain an d if t h e book was of espec i al value a p air of clasps ; secon dly to
, , , , ,

e m pl oy a s m ith to put t h e m on ; and lastl y a pa inter to write t h e na m e an d class m ark -

across t h e fore edge L arge Collections Of ch aine d books were for t h e use of particular
bo dies of s tu dents but wh en reli gious zeal m a de m any people feel t h e want of spiritual
foo d it le d to t h e c h ainin g o f sin gle volu m es in c h urc hes wh ere any paris h ioner able to
, , ,
”
rea d coul d s atisfy h is soul 1
, .

Th e B ible was of course one of th e books m ost co m m only foun d c h aine d in

, ,

ch urch es b ut Fox e s Book of M artyrs an d various works of goo d B ish op J ewel were
’ “
, ,

favourites also ; an d in one instance in t h e north of E n glan d a dictionary was c h ained

to a desk in t h e Ch urch .

O f th is peculiar custo m an early notice occurs relative to t h e books left by R ic h ar d

de Bury to D urh am n ow Trinity Colle ge O x ford in 1 34 5 , A fter t h e colle ge beca m e , , ,
.

possesse d of th e m t h ey were for m any y e ars ke pt in ch ests un der t h e custo dy of several

'

‘
,

sch olars depute d for th at purpose an d a library bein g built in t h e rei gn of H e n ry I V ,

'

.
,

th ese books were put into pews or stu dies an d ch ained to th e m Th ey continued in ,
.

th is m anner till t h e college was dissolved by H enry V I I I wh en th ey were conveye d .

,

away so m e to D uke H u m frey s library 2 L elan d

, speakin g of W re ssil Castle ’
.
,

W Blade s B o o k s in Ch ain s e t c p 1 8
.
, K in g s M u n im e n t a A n tiq ua 1 52 an d W arto n
,
.
,
. .
2 ’ “
, , .
 CHA I N E D B O OK S . 63

Y orks h ire , says : O n e th in g I likid e xc e din gly y n on e of t h e towers th at was a Stu dy

“
, ,

c au llid Paradise w h er was a closet in t h e m idle of 8 Squares lat ise d aboute an d at t h e , ,

Toppe of every Square was a D esk le dgid t o set B 00 ke s on Gofers w it h y n th e m a n d ,

th ese se m id as y o in id h ar d to t h e Toppe of t h e C loset ; an d yet by pullin g one or al ,

” 1
wol d c u m downe briste h igh e in rab e tt e s an d serve for D e sk es to lay B 0 0 k e s on , .

I n an o ld account book of St Jo h n s College C a m bri dge is th is entry . A nno 1 556

’

, ,
.

For ch ains for t h e books in th is library 33 A nno 1 560 For ch ainin g t h e books , . .

in t h e library A n d a m on g t h e articles fo r keepin g t h e U n ive rsit ie L ibrarie

,

M aie I f any c h aine clasps , ,

rope or such like decay h appen to

,

be t h e sayd keeper to si gnify t h e

,

sam e unto th e V c h an c e llo u r with in .

th ree days after h e s h all spy such

default to t h e en de t h e sam e m ay
,

be a men de d ”
.

Th at books were frequentl y

c h aine d t o desks we learn fro m
W oo d w h o in speakin g of Fo u lis s
’

, ,

“
H istory of t h e Plots an d Con
sp irac ies of our Preten de d Saint s
”
th e Pr esbyterians says T h is , ,
“

book h ath been s o pleasin g to t h e

royalists th at t h ey h ave c h ained it
,

to desks in public pl aces fo r t he

vul gar to rea d .

Sir T h o m as L yttleton kni gh t , ,

bequeath e d A D 1 4 8 1 ,
“
to t h e. .
,

abbot an d convent of H ales O wen -

,
S MA O A R N CA S IN O LD C H E LS E A C H U R H C N A N NG LL E E
“ C O T I I
a boke w h erein is c o n t aign e d t h e
. , ,

N BO O KS FI VE CH A N D TE ,
I E .

Constitutions Provincial an d D e
d ot h er t i t h erein w h ic h I wull be lai d an d boun de d with an
G est is Ro m an o ru m a n-

t re a s
, ,

yron c h ayne in so m e convenient parte with in t h e sai de ch urch at m y costs so t h at all , ,

ot h ers se d re d e it h it pleaset h t h e m
” 2
Sir T h o m as bequeat h e d
p reest s an d m a a n w en n e
y .

an oth er book to th e Ch urch of Kin g s Norton W orcesters h ire The o ld parish c h urch ’
,
. ,

typical collection of c h aine d b ooks kept in an o aken case upon t h e

C h elsea contains ,
a _

sill of on e of t h e win do w s Th e five c h aine d volu m es are .

1 Fo x s B ook Of M artyrs 1 6 8 1
.
’
,
.

2 .
9 t h e dition 1 6 84 ,
.

3 T h e H o m il ies 1 6 8 3
.
, .

4 Th e V ine gar B ible 1 7 1 6

.
, .

5 T
'

h e
. B o o k of Co m m on Praye r 1 72 3 ,
.

t rar T e st V etusta i ’ “
I in e
y i 59
“ 3
,
N ”
ico l as s . .
. ,
.
1 64 A H I S T OR Y OF TH E A R T OF B OOK B I N D I N G .

I n th e ch urch of Granth a m L incolnsh i re was a library re m arkable for bein g o n e of , ,

t h e very few re m ainin g th at h ad its volu m es c h aine d to th e s h elves

1
Th e books t h ere .

are now well care d for T h ere are two h un dre d an d si x ty ei gh t volu m es principally
.
-

divinity in var ious bin din gs of calf a n d vellu m w ith woo den boar ds or stron g paste "
,
.
,

board Seventy four h ave ch ains attach ed to th e m still Th is library was given to
.
-
.

t h e Ch urc h of Grant h am in 1 59 8 Th e books were for m erly fi xe d to stron g desks o r .

bench es t h e rin g at t h e e n d of t h e c hain bein g attach e d to a bolt fastened to t h e shelves

,
.

It is suppose d th at th is library was first neglecte d about one h un dred an d seventy years
ago wh en fro m a great fire t h at took place in t h e town a nu m ber of t h e sufferers were
, , ,

allowe d to take refu ge i n it to t h e great in j u 1y of t h e books I n t h e year 1 8 8 2 t h e ,

.

roo m an d t h e bookcases were th orou gh ly repaire d .

Th is custo m of c h ainin g books appears to h ave been very gen erally adopted in al l
public libraries in t h e si xteenth an d seventeenth centur ies I n t h e first draft of
statutes wh ich Sir T h o m as B o dley drew up for h is library h e observes A s it m ay be
‘
, ,

lawful an d free for all co m ers in to peruse any volu m es th at are c h ained to t h e ,

desks in t h e bo dy of t h e library not for gettin g to fasten t h eir clasps an d strin gs to

, , ,

untan gle th eir c h ains ” 2

etc H e speaks in one of h is letters of books bein g c h aine d
,
.
“

3 ”
to prevent e bezzle ent an d th at th ey h ad better be claspe d after th ey ar e ch aine d
m m , .

H is orders for ch ains are v ery frequent an d very e x tensive o n one occasio n for a , _

th ousan d H e wis h es to know w h at fault is foun d with th e m for I know th ey will

'

“
. ,
,
.

catch but yet less th an any I h ave seen an d requests M r H a ido che to proc u re
,
”
,
“
.

clasps for M r Vice Ch a n cello r s two great volu m es so th at th ey m ay be c h ai ned

.
’

, ,

H e also speaks of t h e ch ains bein g so dispose d “ t h at

”
an d stan d as a fair orna m ent . .

”
th ey m ay not take away t h e si gh t an d S h ow of t h e books an d m entions Jo h n S m ith ,
“
,
” 4 ” “
t h e m aker of t h e c h ains t h e c h ain m an etc , , .

To t h e year 1 7 2 0 at least did th is pre caution against pilferin g partially continue

, , .

”
A paper foun d in a copy of L ock on th e E pistles of th is perio d th us a m usin gly “
, ,

enters into t h e subject Since to t h e great reproac h of t h e nation an d a m uch greater

.
, ,

one of our h oly rel igion th e th ievish disposition of so m e t h at enter into libr ar i es to
,

learn no goo d th ere h ath m ade it necessary to secure t h e innocent books an d even t h e
, ,

sacred volu m es th e m selves with c h ains wh ich are better deserve d by th ose ill persons —
,

w h o h ave too m uc h learn i n

g to be h an ge d an d too little to be h onest care s h ould be , ,

taken h ereafter t h at as a dditions sh all be m a de t o t h is library of wh ich th ere is a

,
'

h opeful expectation t h e ch ain s h oul d neit h er be lon ger nor m ore clu m sy t h an t h e use
, , ,

of th e m r equires an d th at t h e loops wh ereby t h ey are fastened to t h e b ooks m ay be , ,

rivetted on such a part of t h e c over an d so s m ooth ly as not to gall or raze t h e , ,

books wh ile th ey are rem oved fro m Or to th eir respective places

, Till a better .

m ay be devise d a pattern is given in t h e th ree volu m es of t h e Centur M a gdeburg

“

, ,

l ately given an d set up A n d foras m uc h as t h e latter an d m uc h m ore convenient

.
,

m anner of placin g books in library es is to turn th eir backs outwards with t h e titles an d , ,

1
H artsh o rn e s “ B o o k R arit ie s
’

fCam b ridg e
o ,
17 .
3
I bid .
,
102 .

9
H e am e s “ R e l Ibid
’
26 . .
4
.
, 1 2 3, 1 37 ,
 CH A I N E D B OOK S .
1 65

oth er decent orna m ents in gilt work wh ich ou gh t not to be h i dden as in th is l ibrary —
, , ,

by a contrary position t h e beauty of t h e fairest volu m es is , th erefore to prevent th is —

,

fo r th e future an d to re m e dy th at w h ic h is past if it s h all be th ou h t worth th e pains

,
g ,
,

t h is n ew m eth o d of fi x in g t h e c h ain to t h e back of t h e book is reco m m en de d till on e

‘

,
1 ”
m ore suitable s h all be contrive d .

Th e m ost i m portant c h aine d library in t h e worl d is t he L aurentian L ibrary at

Florence Th is library was begun in 1 52 5 by or der of Pope Cle m ent V I I (Guilio de i
.
.

M e dici ) M ich ael A n gelo desi gn e d t h e buil din g T h e bookcases were probably desi ne d
g
. .

by A ntonio di M ario di Giano an d G ianbattista de l Tasso .

T h e largest c h aine d library in E n gland is th at in H ereford Cath e dral I t contains .

about two th ousan d volu m es of wh ich fi fteen h firl dre d are c h a ined ''
'

, .

A t A ll S aints Paris h C h urc h H ere

’

for d th ere is a library containin g so m e

,

two h un dre d an d ei gh ty fiv e ch aine d -

volu m es bequeath ed to t h e parish by

, _

W illia m B rewster M D so late as 1 7 1 5 ,

. .
,

but books were ch ained in c h urc h es even

m ore recently t h an th at .

I n a roo m over t h e ves try of Wim

borne M inster D orsetsh ire about two , ,

h un dre d an d forty books are c h ai ne d

to th eir sh elves .

B ook sare still i m prisone d in c h ains

in nearly a h un dre d libraries a n d c h urc h es
in E n glan d an d W ales A full list .

O f t h ese Places is given in W ill ia m A OOK ASE OR H A I N D B O KS H OW N G HE U A B C F C E O ,

S I T SU L

AR RA N G E M N T F A M DIE VAL
B la des interestin g work to w h ic h we
’
BRA R “ E O E LI
,

m ust refer t h e rea der for furth er in

-

(D a fr m th ig i l H r f d Cath d l Lib ry ) r w n o e or na t ie e e or e ra ra .

2
for m ation .

In m any o ld books of accounts entries occur of m oney pai d to t h e local s mith or

b o o kbin de r fo r a ddin g m etal guar ds bosses an d c h ains to books place d in c h urch es
'
, , ,

guil d c h apels an d public libraries ,

For instance in t h e accounts of th e guil d of .
,

Stratford o n A v on we rea d un der t h e year 1 4 4 2 4 3

- - —

P ai d W illia m L o ky er for m akin g fe rre m ents circa lib ru m in capella vocat le

” 3
By b ill, 7 s . 2d .

W h en books were ch ained it was al m ost i m possible to place t h e m as th ey are now

place d with t h e fore edge towards t h e wall an d t h e back frontin g outwards because
,
—
,

t h e c h ains were usually fastene d to t h e front e dge of t h e cover ; but lon g before t h e _

si x teenth century th is m eth o d of arran ging books leaves outwards on t h eir s h elves h ad
“
P ap e rs On th e D ark M g fl w X '
39 1 °

9
W . B la de s , B o o k s in Ch a in s .

3
Stratfo rd -
ou -

Avo n G u il d A cc o un ts , p . 26 .
1 66 A H I S TOR Y O F TH E A R T OF B O OK B I N D I N G .

prevaile d Th e titles wh en not written on t h e upper cover were usually inscribed upon
.
, ,

t h e fore e dge of t h e leaves

-
In t h e twelfth centu ry h owever it woul d see m th at books
.
, ,

so m eti m es h ad th eir titles written upon t h e back as at present ; an ex a m ple of th is ,

m ay be seen upon a m anuscript of St A u gustine at t h e Bo dleian L ibrary

. . .

O R N AM E N T E D E D GE S Sinc e in a m e di ae val library t h e edges of t h e volu m es

.
—

alone were visible wh en t h e books were store d upon s h elves it beca m e i m portant th at ,

t h e e dges s h oul d be a dorne d ; accor din gly we fin d in t h e si x teenth century wh en gol d

“

toolin g cam e into fas h ion mu ch pain s bestowed upon gil din g toolin g or gau fferin g an d
, , ,

paintin g of t h e e dges of books .

I talian especially V enetian books , ,

were th us adorned an d t h e fash ion ,

sprea d to France an d E n gl an d A .

bin din g in t h e Biblioth eque M aza

r ine upon a book printed in 1 50 7
by Gilles de Concourt at Paris an d ,

h avin g t h e e m bl em s of L ouis X I I .

upon t h e cover h as th e edges ,

gilt an d toole d very beautifully .

Th is m ay be one of t h e earliest
French e x am ples of tooled e dges ,

but we h ave seen earlier I talian

speci m ens S o m e of t h e volu m es .

fro m t h e collection of Henry I I .

an d D ianne de P o y t iers h ave t h e

edges beautifully gilt an d gau ffere d

with t h e wel l known e m ble m s an d -

m ono gra m of t h e royal favourite .

T h e L yonese bookbin ders excelle d

in th is kin d of orna m ent pro ,
'

du c in g so m e gorgeous e ffects in
gol d an d colour H enry VI I I of . .

DO U BOO K :
B LE w o B OO K S
T N O N E B I ND I N G (E A CH O P N I N G TH E
I E n glan d h ad m any of h is books
E

R V RS WA T HE O H R) S A CK E M RO D E R D
dorne d with gilt an d gauffere d
E E E Y o T ES AN T E ID D B B I E

G ES GA U FF E R E D N EW TE S TA M N AND PS A LM S 1 630
ED
,
aE T .
,

.
,

M e d g es E x a m ples possibly by B er
(B iti h u s m )r s eu .
.
,

t h e le t m ay be seen at t h e B o dleian ,

L ibrary So m e E n gli sh collectors preferre d to place th eir coat o f ar m s e m blazoned

.
- -

in proper colours upon t h e edges of th eir books as m ay be seen in W orcester C ath e dral
, ,

L ibrary w h ere so m e of t h e volu m es b ear t h e ar m s of B is h op Babin gton

,
V arious .

elaborate m eth o ds of orna m entin g t h e edges after th ey h ad been gil ded were practise d
in th e sixteenth century in all t h e co u ntries of W estern E urope but t h e earliest was ,

t h e punch in g o f a desi gn upon a plain gol d surface as seen in t h e curious l ittle

'

double volu m e h ere rep resente d .

 OR N A M E N TE D E D GE S .

Pictures were at ti m es painte d upon t h e e dge s of books T h ere is a co m plete .

si x teenth centu ry library consistin g of a h un dre d an d seventy volu m es wit h painte d

-

, ,

illu m inations on t h eir e dges T h is library for m erly at t h e V illa Cast e ldarn o B elluno is
.
, ,

now in t h e possession of M r T h o m as B rooke at A r m itage B ri dge near H u ddersfiel d .

,
-

, ,

an d for m s a beautiful array of delicate ly painte d m iniatures m ostly t h e work of C esare ,

V ecellio a V enetian illu m inator of t h e latter part of t h e si x teent h century

, V ecellio .

was nep h ew of Titian an d in h erite d so m e of t h e taste an d skill in paintin g wh ich

,

ren de re d h is uncle worl d fa m ous H e was an auth or also h avin g written a book on
-
.
,

costu m e in wh ic h h e m entions t h e noble fa m ily of Pillone an d th eir beautiful V illa of

,

Cast e ldarn o Th e books in t h e library o f Cast e ldarn o were worth y of t h e h ouse an d

.
,

Vecellio a dorned t h e vellu m si des of twenty volu m e s with drawin gs in I n dian ink w h ile
'

upon t h e fore e dges of over one h un dre d an d forty h e painte d c h ar m in g m iniatures

-

Th e library was brou gh t fro m Venice wh ere t h e custo m of paintin g portrait fi gu res ,

up on t h e front edges of books was by no m eans unco m m on t he auth or of t h e w ork

“

o r so m e
.
person m entione d in it bein g t h e favourite subject 1
.

Germ an bin ders see m to h ave been fon d of painte d e dges an d fro m abou t 1 560 to ,

1 58 0 m any Ger m an books were th us a dorne d Several typical exa m ples are e xh ibite d .

in South Kens in gton M useu m A noth er m et h o d of m ore recent intro duction is .

, ,

m arblin g t h e e dges V arieties of th is ornam ent are occasionally m e t wit h w h ere t h e

.

m arble h as been subsequently gil de d over pro ducin g a very ric h e f fect , .

A still later develop m ent is t h e h i dden p aintin g apparently first practise d in E n glan d
late in t h e ei gh teenth century Th e leaves of t h e book after bein g cut quite s m ooth at .
,

t h e edges are double d just su f

,
ficiently to ren der a very s m all po rtion of th e si de of eac h
leaf visible in th is position th ey are sec ured between two boar ds Th e artist th en m akes .

a water colour drawin g upon th is surface T h e book is th en released fro m t h e boards

-
.
.
,

an d t h e leaves assu m e th eir nor m al position an d t h e e dges are gil de d Th e drawin g is , .

not seen till t h e leaves are again fann ed out I n th is way so m e Ch ar m in g an d u m .

ex pected effects are So m eti m es pro duced A t t h e sp e c 1al e xh ibition of bookbin din g at .

Nottin gh am 1 89 1 M r J Faz e rle y of L iverpool e xh ibite d s everal books wit h conceale d

, . .
, ,

pain tin gs on t h e fore edge

.
-
.

E M B R OI D E RED BO OK BI N D I N G S — T h ere are few m ore pleasin g ac c u p at io n s for t h e .

skilful fin gers of a lady th an th at of e m broi derin g a book cover Great la dies fro m -
.

H elen of Troy to Goo d Q ueen Bess h ave beguile d t h e te diu m o f m any a quite h our or
’

foun d solace for a trouble d m in d at th eir e m broi dery fra m e A t t h e present ti m e a taste .

for t h e o ld kin ds of e m broi dery is bein g fostered by peopl e w h o desire to see E n gland .

again fa m ous for h er nee dlework as sh e was in t h e th irteenth century wh en t h e beauty

of t h e O pus A n glicanu m receive d co m m en dation fro m Pope I nnocent I V T h e si des .

of a book cover furnish an excellent fiel d fo r t h e exercise of t h e nee dle an d it m ay not

-
,

be out of place h ere to record a few facts about t h e m aterials used an d t h e kin d of
e m broi dery foun d upon o ld bookbin din gs .

1
P ro f
’

e ss o r J . H . M iddl eto n , I llum inatio n .

”
See also Catal o g u e of th e L ibrary, 1 89 1 ,
‘
v ol .

pp . 663 t o 68 1 .
1 68 A H I S T OR Y OF TH E A R T OF B OOK B I N D I N G .

E m broi dere d
bo ok covers are u sually worked upon a foun dation of velvet satin s ilk
-

, , ,

l inen or canvas an d t h e m aterials for t h e work are col oured silks eith er floss or twist
, , ,

wool worste d th read gol d an d silver Wire seed pearls an d m e t alic span gles W ire was
, , , , ,
.

fl
at first i m porte d fro m t h e E ast wh en twiste d or coiled in a spiral m an n e fan d cut into
’
’

sh ort len gth s like beads it is calle d pu rl wh ence p n r ing fro m p ou r filer m eanin g to
, ,
’
, , ,

t h read on Purl was first im p o rt e d in t o E n glan d in t h e S i xteenth Century P late a flat

. .
,

variety of wire is stitch e d on to t h e foun dation with th reads of fine silk wh en plate is
,

coiled roun d a cord it is called liez arding: Gol d t h read is so m eti m es twisted upon a

B I N DI N G OF H O LY B I B LE, 1 6 46, E M B R OI DE R E D IN C O L OU RE D SIL KS AND G OLD T H RE A D ON W H I TE S AT I N .

(Fro m th e o rig in a l in th e B ritish M u seu m )

fl
.

silken or axe n cord but som eti m es e x tre m ely fin e wire of t h e m etal itself is used
,

with out t h e stren gth enin g cor d C h eap an d w orth l ess i m itations of all th ese W ires h ave
.

lon g been i n t h e m arket .

T h e m aterials were applie d in various ways accor din g to t h e kin d of foun dation use d ,

a n d t h e n ature of t h e desi n
g so m eti m es t h e e m broi dery was flat so m eti m es raised an d , ,

so m eti m es app liq u e E x a m ples datin g fro m t h e fourteenth century are worke d flat wh ile
.
,

most of t h ose done in t h e S ixteenth or early part of t h e seventeenth century are in

relie f Th e m ysteries of stitch ery will be best discovered by reference to actual e x a m ples
.
,

or failin g th ese to p hotograp h s of th e m 1 Bu t t h e stitch es m ay be broadly divi ded into

.

B o o k s lik e t h e “ E n cycl o p e dia o f N e e dl ew o rk ” b y Th é ré se de D illm o n t o r

1
Th e A rt Of
. ,
 E M B R OI D E RE D B OOK BI N D I N GS . 1 69

two classes raised stitc h es an d flat ones ; t h e first inclu de tent cross ch ain an d m any
, , , ,

m ore th e na m es of w h ich are best kno w n by la dies t h e secon d twist ste m satin an d all , , , ,

fl
”
stitch es used in feath er w ork
“
Th e raise d stitc h es give a broad e ffect w h en use d
.

'

ju diciously th e at one m ay be use d so as to rival t h e finest work of t h e paint brus h .

E m broi dere d book covers were by no m eans rare durin g t h e M i ddle A ges
-
in t h e
si x teen th century th ey were much a ffected for books of devotion an d for presentation ,

copies Of favourite works L ike oth er arts th at of e m broi dery h as h ad its perio ds
.
,

BOO K -
CO VE R or B LU E VE LVE T E M B R O I D E R ED W I TH SIL ER V PU R L .

(F ro m th e o rigi na l a t S o u th K en singt on M u seu m .

)

of p rosperity an d debase m ent : it attained a h i gh degree of excellence durin g t h e

si x teenth century ; un der t he Stuarts m uch goo d work was done B u t at t h e e nd of .

t h e seventeent h century it sank to m e diocrity an d in t h e ei gh teent h it reac h e d its ,

final stage of degradat ion fro m wh ic h it is now slowly e m ergin g

,
.

M ention is elsewh ere m a de (c h ap xiv ) of t h e fine bin din gs worke d by or fo r o u r

‘
. .
i

N e e dl e w o rk
, b y th e C o un te ss o f W alto n m ay b e c o n sulte d
. L e ss o n s in th e o ld k in ds o f e m b ro ide ry
,
.

m ay b e h ad at t h e R oyal S ch o o l o f Art N ee dl ew o rk So uth K e n s ingt o n Th e fo ll o w in g bo o k s c an b e

,
.

re co m m en ded : D ictio nary o f N e edl ew o rk b y Cau lfield an d S aw ard , A rt at H o m e s e ries ,

N e edl ew o rk 1 880 ; an d Art W o rk m anuals N o 4 7 1 88 2

”
vol 3 ;
.
, , .
—
, .
1 70 A H I S TOR Y OF TH E A RT OF B OOK B I N D I N G .

E nglis h queens an d princesses in th is Ch apter it is only necessary briefly to re fer to t h e -

various styles of e m broi dered bin din gs .

A n exa m ple of fine em broi dery on canvas m ay be seen at t h e Britis h M useu m upon
t h e bin din g of a L atin Psalter written in E n glan d at t h e e n d of t h e t h irteent h century
,
.

T h e e m broi dery was probably worke d by or for A nne dau gh ter of Sir Si m on F e lbrigge , ,

K G a nun of Bruisyar d in Suffolk w h o own ed t h e m anuscript in t h e latter h alf of t h e

. .
, ,

fourteenth century O n t h e upper cover t h e A nnunciation on t h e lower t h e Crucifixio n

.
, ,

are worked on fine canvas in coloure d silks Th e back groun d is wrou gh t with gol d.

th read stitch ed down in a wave like pat '

-

tern Th e fi gu res are e x quisitely worked

.

on t h e flat .

I n t h e ti m e of H enry V I I I velvet an d ‘

satin were t h e m aterials co m m only used as

foun dations by th e e m broi derers of book '

covers an d th e desi gns wh en not h eral dic

, , ,

were generally arabesque Col o ure d silk .

,

gol d and silver th rea d an d p url for m ed ,

t h e t h rea ds of t h e e m broi dery Portraits .

in nee dlework were in fash ion in t h e rei gns

of J am es I an d C h arles I Th ey were . . .

gene rally stitch e d flat like th at o f t h e

'

,
'

D uke of B uckin gh a m o n t h e green velvet

“

c Ov er of a volu m e in t h e B o dleian L ibrary ,

B acon s E ssays (A rc h Bo d D
’
th at . . .

of C h arles I on a Psal m B ook 1 64 3 at .

, ,

t h e B ritis h M useu m ; an d t h at of Queen

H enrietta M aria on a Ne w Testa m ent , , ,

1 6 56 in t h e possess io n of M onsieur L eo n
,

Gruel of Paris l '

I t is related th at Kin g C h arles I .

,

durin g t h e C ivi l W ars use d to Sen d locks ,

"
of h air to h is frie nds as m arks of favour for ,
BIN NG
DI M RO D R E
E B IW ITH S V R A N G OL D P U R L
E D IL E D
t h e la dies of t h eir fa m ilies to use in work
.

(S th K oui gt Mus u m )
en s n on e .

1 n g h is po rtrait upon book covers -

.

W h ite satin was anoth er fav o urite m aterial for t h e covers of books an d so m e fine
e ffects in coloured silks upon a wh ite groun d were ach ieved by th e ladies of th e perio d ,

especially it is sai d by th e in dustrious sisters o fL ittle Gi ddin g

, ,
.

A grotesque style of e m broi dery arose in t h e rei gn of J a m es I known as em bro idery .

,

o n th e sta mp i L ittle stu ffe d fi gures of people in t h e costu m e of t h e p erio d were stitc h e d
on to a flat surface t h e faces were often painted an d t h e h air an d wi gs done in ,

co m plicate d knottin g Th is .
“
M iss Pri deaux an auth ority on th is subject , ,

1
I llustratio n g iven in Th e B oo h bin der v o l p 54 , . . .
 E M B R OI D E RE D B O OK BI N D I N GS .
171

‘
h ad its ori gin in Ger m any an d th ou gh th orou gh ly inartistic in principle so m e fore ign ,

e x a m pl e s are attractive but th e E n glish ones are with out a re dee m in g quality 1
, .
”

A typical e x a m ple is preserve d at t h e B o dleian (D ouce B ibles N T E n

g 1 62 5 , . .
, ,

g . It m ay be describe d as a s m all bin din g in wh ite satin with fi gures in h i gh relief ,

t h e garm ents co m pos e d of loose pieces of silk tacke d upon th e

g roun dwork t h e fi gures ,

represent Kin g D avi d playin g upon a h arp an d on t h e reverse A br ah a m in t h e act , , ,

of sacrificin g h is son Th e Patriarc h is attired in a large w ig an d fallin g collar of t h e

,

perio d of Ch arles I I Th is volu m e was purch ase d fro m Th orpe t h e bookseller in wh ose
.
, ,

catalogue for 1 832 it is price d at five guineas an d described as “ sai d to be boun d in ,

a piece of a waistcoat of C h arles I .

O n e of t h e finest exa m ples of sevente ent h cent ury nee dlework m ay be seen at t h e -

B o dleian L ibrary u pon a Prayer B ook 1 6 39 ; two large panels representin g Peace a n d ,

BOO K CO V E R
-
E MB R O I D E R E D U PO N W H I T E S A TI N , W ITH A PO R T R A I T OF CH A RL E S I .

(Fro m a B ook f P salm s

o , 1 643, in th e B ritish M u s eu m .
)

Plenty ado rn th e si des an d th e panels are fra m e d in raise d Work of gol d an d s ilver
.

wire purl an d th rea d

,
.

L ord B acon it is th ou gh t deli gh te d to place so m e of h is book s in beautiful covers

, ,

o f e m broi dere d velvet Two of th ese h ave co m e down to our days ; th e first is in t h e
.

Bo dleian an d h as been m entione d already t h e secon d is now in t h e B ritis h M useu m ;

,
’
it a dorns a copy of Bacon s works publis h e d in 1 6 2 3 t h e bin din g is of purple velvet
worked wit h silver purl A lace like border surroun ds a panel with a centre orna m ent
.
-

an d co rn er pieces -
.

Th e e x a m ples given so far are E n glis h work an d t h e la dies of th is count ry h ave ,

1
Tue M ag a z in e of A r t , O cto b e r 1 89 0 , p 430 “
E m bro idere d B o o k co vers, . by (M iss ) S T
.
-
. .

Pride aux Th is is t h e b e st m o no grap h o n t h e subj e ct o f e m bro ide re d b o o k co ve rs , an d t h e e dito r

.
-

de sire s t o ac know l edg e th e g re at assistan c e it h as been t o h im .

1 72 A H I S TOR Y OF TH E A R T OF B O OK B IN D I N G .

been fa m ous in ti m es past for t h e b e au ty of th eir e m broi dered book cov ers T h e ladies
'

— .

of France Spain an d t h e Neth erlands h ave pro duced e xcellent work also Th e Dutch
, ,
.

bin ding h ere represented alth ou gh perh aps a little too ornate to be quite in goo d taste
, ,

is a m arvellous speci m en of skilfully applie d orn a m ent re m in din g us of t h e lines of o ld

.
,

J oh n T aylor t h e water poet

,
-

Fl o w e rs , P lan ts , an d Fish e s , B irds , Flye s , an d B e e s ,

H ills, D al e s , P la in e s, P asture s , S kie s , S e as , R ive rs , Tre e s ,
Th e re s no th in g n e e re at h an d o r farth e st so ugh t
’
,

Bu t ith t h e n e e dl e m ay b e sh ap d an d w ro ugh t
’
w .

N OT E For so m e account of e m broi dere d bin di ngs belon gin g to

—
E n gl is h kin gs
an d queens see c h ap x iv
,
. .

WH I TE S ATI N B O O K COVE R
-
E M BR OI DE R ED W I TH CO L O U R E D SI LK G OLD, ,
V
S I L E R, AND P
SE ED — EA R LS ,

DU TCH , SE VE N TE E N TH CE N TU R Y .

(Fro m uth K en sing to n M u seu m

'

the m zgz n al in S o )
-

.
 C H A P TE R X II I .

GOL D TO OL E D B I ND I N G SQ I TA L A N — F R E N CH — GRE A T C OL LE C TO RS T
'
'

AN D
'
-

F A M O US B O OK B I N D E RS ,

H E history of t h e art of orna m entin g leat h er with gol d is quite distinct

fro m t h e h istory of oth er kin ds of e m bellish m ent an d for th is reason ,

a separate ch apter is devote d t o E uropean gol d toolin g .

-
.

Four styles of gol d toolin g correspon di ng with as m any perio ds -

of h istory m ay be trace d fro m t h e fifteenth century to t h e present

,

ti m e .

Fro m about 1 4 70 to 1 6 0 0 t h e period of A l dus Maioli Grolier

'

1 .
, , , ,

Canevari in I taly ; of t h e royal bin din gs done for Fran cis I H enry I I an d D ianne
, .
, .
,

de P o y t ie rs in France ; of H en ry V I I I E dward V I M ary an d E li z abet h in E n gland

'
.
, .
, , .

2 . Fro m about 1 6 0 0 t o 1 7 0 0 with wh ic h period are associate d t h e n am es of so m e

,

great Frenc h an d E n glis h collectors D e T hou J a m es I an d t h e artists L e Gascon

“
—
, ,
.
,

t h e E ves Gibson an d m any m ore

, , .

'

3 . Th e ei gh teenth century t h e ti m e of B o y e t D u S euil N ic h olas an d A ntoine

, , .
,

Pade lo u p an d t h e D e ro m e s in France a n d of t h e H arleian style an d R o ger Payne

, , ,

in E n glan d .

4 Th e nineteenth century inclu din g countless i m itators of all previous styles

, ,

an d t h e latest style wh ich is t h e result of t h e teac h in g of Jo h n R uskin W illia m

, ,

M orris an d C ob den San derson

, .

A ll th ese styles with t h e e x ception perh aps of t h e latest develop m ent of t h e last
‘

, , , ,

are m ore or less tin ge d with co m m ercialis m ; t h erefore th ey cannot be co m pared with
1 73
I 74 A H I S TOR Y OF TH E A R T OF B O OK B I N D I N G .

the works of art of an earlier perio d B u t if th ey are lackin g in true art instinct th ey
.
,

so eti es tasteful an d of h i gh m erit tec h nically

m m ‘
, .

I TA LI A N F FTE E N TH
I —CE NT U R Y TO O L E D B I N DI N G .

(D iag ram fro m an exam ple in ih e B o dleian Library .

)

Th e art of applyin g gol den orna m ent to leath er is of unknown antiquity ; it was .

1
P rofe ss o r M iddl eto n s Op in io n o n th is p o int I llum inate d M an uscripts p 2 6 7 et seq
’ “
S ee , ,
. .
 G OL D TO OL E D -
B I N D I N GS .

75
'

practised in E gypt m any a ges ago an d it foun d favour with t h e art work m en of Spain ,

an d Ger m any in t h e M i ddle A ges V ery fe w if any e x a m ples of m e dim v al book .

, ,

bin din gs in gol d tooled leath er are known but in t h e se c o n d h alf of t h e fifteenth century
-

a Ger m an livin g in R o m e p ro duced bin din gs t h us orna m ented an d si m ilar work was ,
'

done at A u gsbur g about t h e sa m e ti m e : it b ad lo n g before been co m m on a m on g t h e

n ations of A sia I n t h e E ast an d probably in E urope durin g t h e early days of t h e art
.
, , ,

gol d was applie d to leat h er by m eans of col d tools an d gu m now t h e tools are h eated
before bein g use d .

Go ld toolin g as co mpare d with sta m pin g or blin d toolin g appeals m ore stron gly t o
-

,
-

t h e eye : it is m ore brilliant an d d azzlin g it can be u se d in co m bination wit h colours for

t h e pro duction of gorgeous e f fects .

COn t e m p o ran eo u sly wit h t h e sta m ped work of W estern E urope a di fferent style ,

prevailed in t h e E ast an d especially in t h e L evant it spread th rou gh Syria an d E gypt

, ,

un derwent several m o difications an d is now called Saracenic I ts distin guis h in g features

, .

are knots an d interlace m ents rese m blin g rope twists an d purely geo m etrical in c h aracter
, , ,

usually e ffected by blin d toolin g b u t o cc asio n ally gil ded an d coloure d A not h er style
-

, _
.

of orna m ent apparently derived fro m Persian an d Arab ian art very si m ple an d bein g
'

, , ,

in fact a conventional treat m ent of leaves th en beca m e co m m on ,

Th e I talian an d Frenc h gol d toolin g of t h e first h alf of t h e si xteent h century is

c h iefly a develop m ent from th e u nion of th ese two principles geo m etrical in t erlac in gs ,

an d conventional foliage f orm t h e base of all orn a m ental work on th e bin din gs of t h e
two c h ief a m ateurs M aioli an d Grolier
,
.

I n th e fourteenth century owin g to t h e inti m ate relation e x istin g between V enice

,
'

an d oth er I talian cities wi t h t h e E ast th is style of orna m entin g leath er spread into ,

I taly ; t h e M oors h ad intro duced a si m ilar art into S pain I n t h e fifteent h century .

French an d E n glish travellers in I taly brou gh t back wit h th e m a taste for books boun d
in th e Italian m anner Th us th e h istorical sequence of gol d t oole d leath er bookbin din g
.
-

can be trace d th rou gh Italy an d Spain to France an d E n glan d .

S h ortly before th is about t h e year 1 4 7 5, it is sai d t h e Saracenic rope orna m ent

, ,

upon V enetian bin din gs beg an to be sprinkled with gol d dots an innovation wh ich le d —

to t h e develop m ent of orna m ent in gol d an d finally seale d t h é fate of blin d stam pi ng 1 ,
-

A siatic bookbin ders m a de free use of bot h gol d an d colours in t h e a dorn m en t

of th eir best bin din gs Th e Persians were especially fa m ou s for t h e beauty of th eir
.

'

le ath er work an d t h e I talians by w h om painte d gesso bin din gs h ad been m a de as early

,

as t h e th irtee n th century see m to h ave approve d of t h e fine e x a m ples of bin din g brou gh t
,

to th em fro m t h e E ast an d to h ave a dopted t h e O riental m eth o d of orna m entation with

,

success .

It is sai d t h at so m e of t he I tali an bin din gs in t h e O rien tal fas h ion were t h e work
of E astern a1 t ist s w h o ca m e to E urope by t h e overlan d route in th e days wh en t h e
V enetians m onopolise d t h e tra de wit h A sia So m e of th ese bin din gs are co m pose d .

of papier m ac hé with sunken co m part m ents gilt an d stippled th e raised su i face blue , , ,

Th e B oo h bm vol ii
1 ’
a er , . .
p . 1 17 .
,
 A H I S T OR Y OF TH E A R T O F B OOI( B I N D I N G
'

1 76 .

an d
‘ H ith erto
an d wh ole covere d with scroll work in colours
the gol d respectively
-
.

Italian bookbin din g h as n ot received t h e attention it deserves and it h as been usual to

‘

praise t h e work of French artists an d to i gnore t h e superior ability of their I talian con
te m poraries .

(1 449 A l dus Pius M anutius t h e great V enetian printer was in a m easure

-

, ,

t h e refor m er of E uropean bookbin din g Born at B assanio in t h e R o m an States in .

1 449 h e stu die d for so m e years at R o m e an d beca m e t h e frien d of Prince A lberto Pio
, , ,
” ”
Pius to wh ich h e also a dded R o m anus
'

w h o allowe d h im to assu m e t h e n a m e In '

.
,

1 4 89 A l dus beg an to organise in V enice t h e m ost perfec t p rintin g o f fice t h e worl d h ad —

h ith erto seen T h e first book was iss ue d fro m h is pres s in 1 4 9 4

“

. .

I n t h e year 1 50 2 t h e A l dine press becam e so active t h at it was necessary to increase

and i m prove t h e depart m ent devote d to bin din g It was about th is ti m e th at A l dus .

establish e d h is A ca de m y of artists an d learne d m e n an d in it m any Ch ristian refu gees ,

“

C O N TE MPO R A RY ME DA L o r A LD U S .

Obv erse, A L D U S P I U S M A N U TI U S R [O M AN U S ] , .

R ev erse, EH E Y AE B P AAE Q E (H AS T E N S LO W LY ) .

fro m th e L evant foun d e m ploy m ent an d sa fety So m e E aster n bookbin ders it .

,

a ffirm ed cam e to V enice at th at per io d an d to th e skill of th ese m e n di recte d by

, ,
“

A l dus h i m self we owe t h e i m prove m ent in bin din g w h ic h t h en beca m e so m arke d

, .

To t h e A l dine A ca de m y ca m e it is sai d H ans H olbein Geoffroy Tory an d oth er

, , , ,

artists fro m W estern Europe w h o upon t h eir return fro m V enice carrie d with th e m to
"

, ,

Ger m any France an d E n gl an d th e m eth o ds t h ey h ad learne d fro m t h e L evantine

, ,

artists A l dus died in 1 5 1 5 but h is press was continued for so m e years after h is death
.
, .

H e was t h e frien d of Jea n Grolie r t h e French M inister of t h e M ilanese w h o visite d , ,

V enice in 1 5 1 2 an d of T h o m m aso M aioli tw o of t h e m ost fa m ous book lovers t h e

,
— -

worl d h as known .

A l dus appears to h ave sol d h is books in bin din gs of vellu m or leath er usuall y
'

quite plain but som etim es especially in t h e case of s m all size d volu m es an d of th ose
, ,
-

1
Surg e o n L ieutenant—Co l o n e l T . H . H en dl ey , you r n a l of I n dia n A r t an d I n du s hry ,

vol . V .
, p .
52 .
 G OL D TO OL E D
- B I N D I N GS .
1 77

V E N ET I A N G O LD —TO OL E D CO M M E R C I A L B I
ND I N G ,
E A R LY SI XTE E NTH C E NT U R Y .

le in th e B o dleia n Library )
f an exa m p
.

( D iag ram ro m

in ten de d for h is frien ds an d patrons t h e leath er or vellu m receive d an adorn m ent

,

ol d toolin g H is earliest bin din gs h d d h m

a gol toolin g upon t e
.
-

g to it is in
-
.

d ates fro m about 1 50 0 1 520 ;

Th e e x a m ple h ere given probably
12
N A I OLI B I ND I N G ,
I TA LI A N, E A R LY SI XTEE N T H C E NT U R Y .
 GOLD TO OLE D B I N DI N GS
79
-
.

s m ooth d ark green m orocco orna m ented with gol d an d blin d toolin g A s m all copy
,
-
.

of Petrarc h printe d by A l dus in 1 50 1 n ow in t h e E ditor s collection appears to

, ,
’

be in a conte m porary bin din g of wh ite vellu m gol d toole d in a beautiful arabesque ,
-

desi gn Th e e dges of t h e leaves are also bea u tifully gau ffere d an d coloure d
. So m e .

”
of t h e toolin g is azured “
lined O n earlier e x a m ples of A l dine bin din g t h e
, .

tools are soli d .

T h ese are of course publis h ers , ,

’

bin din gs an d are not so costly as t h e

,

special bin din gs m ade fo r great per

so n a es
g but th ey are n o wh it less
,

interesting on th at account ; a bin din g

bearin g t h e golden orna m ents of A l dus
carries with it associations m ore pleasin g
even th an one bearin g th e generous m otto
of M aioli or t h e equivocal e m blem s of
,

H enry I I an d D ianne de Po y t ie rs
. .

(c 1 50 0. T h o m m aso M aioli
is now known to fa m e only as a col
'

l ector of books H e ca m e of a fa m ily .

of col lectors ; h is fath er or as so m e ,

“

say his un cle, M ich ele M aioli was a

, ,

biblioph i le an d exercised great taste

,

in t h e selection of t h e desi gns for h is

bin di n gs Followin g t h e tradition of all
.

true book lo Vers M aioli o ffered t h e e n

-

j o y m e n t of h is library to h is frien ds .

T H O M AI OLI E T A M I CO RU M
”
“
. were .

t h e generous wor ds h e inscribe d upon

t h e covers of books but h e o ccasionally

m o difie d t h e enth usias m of h is frien d
sh ip by a sceptical distich I N G R ATI S ,
“

”
SE RVI R E N E P H AS T h e m otto P O RTI O .

ME A D O M I N E SI T I N T E R RA V I VE N
TI UM
”
is foun d on one of h is book
.
_
GRO LI E R B I NDI N G F R E N CH
, , E A R LY SI XT E E N T H
CE NT U R Y .

bin din gs .

M aiol i use d anoth er curious m otto I N I M I CI M EI M E A M I CH I N O N M E M I CH I , ,

.

an d so m eti m es a m ono gra m co m pose d of all t h e letters of h is n a m e with t h e addition ,

of E an d P was placed on book s wh ic h ca m e to h im rea dy boun d H is bin din gs

. .
, .

are generall y in very goo d taste t h e style of Orna m ent is borrowe d fro m t h e E ast but ,

consi derably m o dified b y I talian in fluence Th ere is generally m ore free do m in t h e .

drawin g th an is usual upon t h e bin din gs of Grolier M aioli s great Frenc h conte m porary
.

,
’
.

Broa d lines , e dge d wit h gol d r unnin g in graceful cu rves or curiousl y interlaced, for m
,
1 80 A HI S TOR Y OF TH E A R T OF B O OK B I N D I N G .

th e lea din g features of t h e orn a m ents w h ile slen der sprays of c onventi onal foliage ,

and dots of gol d add r ich ness an d e le gan c e to design s Wh ic h wit h ou t t h ese additions

m igh t appear too for m al .

M aioli often a ffecte d w h ite on a dark back groun d fo r h is bin din gs T h at is to .

say h e p l aced s crolls an d foliage in wh ite e dge d with gold upon t h e dark leath er si des
, , ,

of h is bin din gs .

( 1 4 7 9 Si m ilar in style are t h e ve ry nu m erous bin din gs fro m t h e library

of t h e kin g of French biblioph iles J ean Grolier de Servin Vico m t e d A igu ise famo u s
’ ‘
-

, , ,

th rou gh out E urope for h is love of books a n d espec ially O f b eautiful b ookbin din gs ,
' '

Th e first m e m ber of t h is farn ily w h o cam e

‘

Th e Gro lie rs were ori ginally of V erona

'

to France at t h e co m m ence m ent of th e t h irt ee n t h c en t u ry w as J erOm e Grolier, w h ose

'

, ,
.

sons E tienne an d A ntoine took part in t h e war a gainst t h e A lbi genses

1
an d finally settle d at L yons .

B orn at L y ons in 1 4 7 9 J ean Grolier h ad t h e goo d luck to s uccee d h is fath er

, ,

Step h en Grolier treasu rer to t h e D uke of M ilan H e b ecam e in ti me M inister of

, .
‘

Finance to t h e kin gs of France an d acco m panie d Francis I On h is e xpe dition into

'

'

.
,

I taly L ouis X I I sent h im to M ilan an d Fr an cis I pro m ote d h im to a rn ilit ary

‘
-
. . .
, ,

co m m an d th ere Th en ce h e was sent a m bassa dor t o R o m e I n V enice h e beca m e

.
'

.
.

acquainte d with A l dus an d w ith t h e group of sch olars an d artis ts w h o co m pose d th e

, _

V enetian A cade m y U pon h is return to France in 1 53 5 h e was ma de one of th e four

'

.
, ,

treasurers of t h e Govern m ent an o ffice wh ich h e continue d t o h ol d durin g t h e successive

,

rei gns of Francis I H enry I I Francis . an d Ch arles I X

,
H e die d in P aris on
.
, .
“ ‘

O ctober 2 2 n d 1 56 5 age d ei gh ty six years

,
2
,
H e nu m b ere d a m on g his frien ds t h e -
. .

learne d B u doeu s Rh o digin u s an d E ras m us t h e artisti c Geoffroy Tory an d E stienne

, , ,

de L aulne an d t h e acc om plis h e d Ch ristop h e D e Th ou w h o on On e oc c asi o n defen de d

, ,

h is frien d s h onour before t h e Public A sse m bly:

’ '

V ign e u il de M alville re m arke d of Gro lier s bin din gs t h at th ey wer e

’

gilt with
“
.

a delicacy unknown be fore to t h e bin ders of h is ti m e H e was so m u c h t h e a m ateur .

'

of goo d e ditions th at h e possessed all th ose of A l dus w h o was h is fri en d H e h ad

,
.

,
.
.

h is books boun d in h is own h ouse un der h is own eye an d h e dis daine d not at ti m es , ,
”
to put his own h an d to th e m 3 .

It was in Paris writes M Bouch ot, “ th at in t h e leisure of h is fin ancial functions

,
”
.

'
, ,

between two proje cts of revictuallin g t h e forts of O utre Sein e an d Y o nne Grolier
’

. .
,
'

invented co m binations sou gh t int erlac in gs an d laid ou t fo liage; T o ry h im se lf teach es

'

'

, ,

us th ese works in co mbination He invented antique letters fo r Grolier h e tel ls us in

fl
.
,

h is ‘Ch am p eu ry I t w a too th at h e interwove so finely h is co m p artm ents

’
s for h im
"
.
, ,

for bin ding an d th at h e r epro duce d th e deli gh tful orn am ents of h is Books of H ours
,

in gol den scro llsl 4 N everth eless it sh oul d be re m e m bered th at J ean Grolier was
”

“
R e c h erch e s sur J e an Gro l ie r, p ar M L e R o ux de L in cy P aris , . . 1 860 .

9
Th e B oo k bin der , v ol i , p 7 2 . . -
. .

3
V ig n eu il de M alville , M élang es de Littérature .

4
H B o uch ot , “ Th e P rinte d B o o k , p 2 6 1
. E d E C B ig m o re . . . . . .
 1 8I
GOL D TOOL E D B I N DI N GS .

not a bookbin der ; h e was an a m ateur an d bein g en dowe d w it h consu m m ate taste an d
,
,

al m ost unli m ited wealth h e ro de h is h obby well

,
.

bookbin in s belon to two distinct classes th ose w h ic h were m a de

d g
’ —

Gro lie r s g

G RO LIE R B I NDI N G, FRE NCH ,

E AR L Y SI XTE ENTH C E NT U R Y .

expressly for h im but j u dge d wort h y of

e xpressly for h im an d h
t ose not m a de ,
,
sake of convenie ce t h ey m a be arran ge d in five
h n y
a place in h is library ; for t e

sub classes
gol d
-

orn a ents in co m part m ents g

ilt wit h scrolls in full .

Geo m etric al m ,
“

1 .
 A H I S TOR Y OF TH E A R T OF B O O/( B I N D I N G .

2 . Th e
sa m e with scrolls azur é s equally gilt but h avin g parallel lin es like th e ,

azure of h eral dry .

3 Gilt co m part m ents orn am ente d in t h e style of Geoffroy Tory

. .

4 Polych ro m atic b in din gs in w h ic h by t h e aid of colour or m astic t h e altern atin g

.
,

tones are m i xe d Th ese are nearly all of I talian ori gin

. .

5 Polych ro m atic bin din gs so m eti m es calle d M osaic sai d to be co m pose d of s m all
.
, ,
1
pieces of leath er glue d to t h e cover .

W ith out doubt m any of Gro lier s books were expressly boun d for h im in V enice ’

oth ers apparently in France m a de ch iefly between 1 540 an d 1 556 rese m ble t h e
, . ,

bin din gs done for H enry I I Th ose of t h e latter kin d writes M r Q u arit ch are
”
.
“
, .
,
“

really t h e m ost beautiful speci m ens of Grolieresqu e work t h e desi gns bein g m ore free ,

fl g t h e line snot double but sin gle an d th eir graceful interlace m ents diversifie d
an d flowin , ,

b y e u ro n s an d s m all azur é orna m ents effectively intersperse d

-

H e did not h owever .

, ,

aban don th e ol der geo m etrical style with its m asses of th ick black parallel involutions ,
"

outline d in gol d ; for we fin d books of h is equally l ate in date with exa m ples of t h e ,

Fren c h kin d decorate d in t h e I talian m anner Wh eth er h e h ad th e m done in Italy

,
.
,

or at L yons or Paris we h ave no m eans of knowin g ; but t h e co m plete i dentity of

, ,

treat m ent bet w een th ose an d t h e work conte m poraneously done at V enice fo r M aioli _
,

m akes it probable t h at all t h e m ore luxuriously e m bellis h e d volu m es were still boun d
\

for h im in V enice down to th e en d ” 2 ’

A t di fferent peri ods of h is life Grolier place d different m ottoes upon h is books Th e
"

m ost usual an d best known inscription bore t h e generous wor ds

I o GRO LI E RI I ET A M I CO R U M ,
or else
M E I GRO L I E RI I L U GD U N E N S . E T A M I CO R U M ,

i m itate d perh aps fro m h is frien d M aioli So m eti m es th is m otto is foun d toole d on th e .

bin din gs ; so m eti m es written with h is own h an d on one of t h e pa ges .

I n early life (1 50 1 1 51 5) h e so m eti m es a dde d an e m ble m as on t h e co py of

—
,

L ucretius date d 1 50 1 A h an d issuin g out of a clou d graspin g an iron nail driven

.

into t h e su m m it of a h illock an d upon t h e label wh ich sur m ounts t h e e m ble m are

u
,

t h e wor ds IE Q U E D I FF I CU L T E R L ater Wh en success h ad overco m e t h e di fficultie s

“

.
,

of h is earlier life h e adopte d t h e words of t h e Psal m ist

,

P O RTI O M E A D O M I N E S I T I N TE RRA VI VE N T I U M .

O ccasionally t h e ar m s of Grolier m ay be foun d insi de t h e cover of a book azure —

th ree bezants or sur m ounte d by th ree stars of t h e sa m e Crest a gooseberry bush with
,
.
,
-

t h e m otto N ee her ba n ee a rbor

”
in allusion to h is na m e ; t h e Frenc h word for ,

O b b u h bein in pronunciation so m ewh at like h is own n a m e for t h e

g o se erry s ge ,

1
We h ave
ver s een a ne Gro l ie r M osaic binding , b u t acc ep t t h e statem ent of a w riter in Th e
B ookbin der w h o app e ars t o
,
w rit e fro m p ers o n al o bs e rvatio n
—E D . .

”
2
B Q u arit c h
. A Sh o rt ,
“
H isto ry o f B o o kb in ding .
 GOL D TOOL E D -
BI N D I N GS .
1 83

o ld h eral ds dearly
love d a pun A fter h is m arriage h e i m paled h is own ar m s with
'

th ose of h is wife A nne B ric o n n e t .

A not h er m otto use d so early as 1 49 9 upon t h e bin din g of t h e P o lip h ilo runs
‘

CU S T ODI T D O M I N U S O M N E S D I LI GE N T E S SE E T O M N E S I M PI O S D I S P E RD E T .

U pon a copy of t h e Cortegiano printed in , 1 528 occurs t h e

, m otto
T AM Q U A M V E N T U S E S T V I TA M E A .

Wh en Treasurer of O utre Seine returne d to Paris in 1 535 h e settled in a h ouse

th e ,

near t h e Porte de B ucy an d beca m e i nti m ate ; w i th Geoffroy Tory t h e m ost skilful
,
‘

desi gner of h is day at once painter en graver printer an d bookbin der an d with
, , , , ,

E stienne de L auln e t h e celebrate d gol ds m it h an d en graver w h o assiste d h im with t h e

, ,

coinage in t h e rei gn of H enry I I T h is co m bination pro duce d t h e m ost beautiful book

.

bin din gs unsurpasse d an d al m ost with out rival in t h e century to wh ich th ey belon ge d
, .

Grolier is credite d with two in novations : t h e first th at of letterin g t h e title upon ,

t h e back of h is books an d placin g t h e m upon t h e sh elves back fore m ost accor din
g to t h e ,

present fash ion instead of e dges fore m ost accor di n g to t h e o ld plan ; t h e secon d t h e
, , ,

use of m orocco leath er for bin din g H e obtaine d t h e finest m orocco fro m th e L evan t
.

or A frica th rou gh h is frien d Jeh an Colo m bel t h e rich m erc h ant of A vi gnon , .

D urin g h is lon g life Grolier collecte d a library of about ei gh t t h ousan d volu m es ,

m ostly of classical an d Italian aut h ors A large portion of t h is library lay ne glecte d at
.

t h e H Ot e l de V ic fro m t h e ti m e of Gro lier s deat h till 1 6 7 6 wh en h is descen dants sol d

’

it by auction B ooks bearin g Gro lie r s m ottoes are now h i gh ly value d an d th is h as le d

’ '

.
,

to m any for geries bein g atte m pted ; but it is not di fficult to det ect a genuine fro m a
spurious Grolier Th ere are over twenty Gro liers in t h e B ritis h M useu m several in
.
,

t h e Spencer L ibrary an d also in t h e library of D ublin U niversity

, .

I f V enice first took t h e lead of t h e I talian cities with re gar d to decorative

bookbin din g R o m e Floren ce B ologna an d Ferrara by no m eans ne glected t h e ne w
, , , ,

an d brillian t art
.
A t first t h e plain style of t h e earlier V enetian e x am ples was i m itate d
.
,

but th ese were quickly followed by bin din gs gorgeous in gol d an d gau dy in colour
.
.

So m eti m es t h e bin din gs presente d t h e appearance of m etal plates so co m pletely was ,

t h e leath er covere d with gol d Th is outburst of barbaric splen dour naturally brou gh t
.

about a reaction and a speedy decline in t h e art A m o dern auth or lays special stress .

on t h e contrast presente d by th ese glitterin g vanities an d t h e plainer exa m ples of

deco rative bookbin din g pro duce d conte m poraneously in Paris Th e le ss pretentious
'
'

Italian gol d tooled bin din g h owever was of h i gh artistic quality

-

, ,
.

It was about th is perio d (early si x teenth century ) th at t h e beautiful ca m eo bin din gs

became fas h ionable in Italy M any bin din gs appear to h ave been orna m ented in th is
.

way in V en ice between 1 540 an d 1 56 0 M ost of t h e Italian ca m eos were copies of .

antique ge m s in a sort of lacquer painted an d glue d in a recess on t h e si des of t h e ,

bin din gs wh ile t h e French i m itations are m a de by sta m pin g t h e leath er in relie f T h e
,
.

'

m ost fa m ous I talian exa m ples are t h ose associate d w it h t h e na m e of D e m etrio C anevari .
1 84 A H I S TOR Y OF TH E A R T OF B OOK B I N D I N G .

In t h e centre of t h e si des of t h ese bin din gs is an oval e m bo sse d m e dallion (of wh ich
t h ere are at least two varieties ) in gold silver, an d colours b u t oth ers are self c oloured
, ,
-

representin g Pe gasus on a rock with A pollo drivin g h is c h ariot over t h e waves

towar ds h im an d surrou n de d by t h e inscription
,

‘
O P O JZ Z K AI M E 11 0 5 1 122 .

T h ese books cannot h ave

been boun d for D e m etrio Canevari ph ysician to Pope ,

U rban V I I since h e was born in .

1 559 an d m ost of t h e bin din gs belo n

, g to
a period ten or twenty years e arlier ; but
th ey were in h is library at R o m e early in
t h e seventeent h century an d probably ,

were in h erite d by h im fro m a relative ,

th ou gh wh eth er or not th at relative w as

'

M ecen ate as h inte d by L ibri an d Q u arit c h , ,

’
we cannot say Can evari s library re m aine d .

at Genoa till 1 8 2 3 .

A not h er curious I talian m e dallion I s

th at representin g an ea gle soaring u p
wards a bove rocks an d t h e sea with fish , ,

swi m m in g in it ; t h e w h ole bein g sur

roun de d by a ribbon bearin g th e m otto
PRO CU L E ST E A t t h e top of t h e sa m e si de .

are sta m ped t h e words COS M O GRAP H I A

P T O L E M AE I (evi dently m eant fo r t h e title
of t h e book ) an d below t h e na m e A PLLO N I I ,

PH I LAR E TI (Britis h M useu m ) .

Th e illustration represents a brilliant

Fren ch ca m eo bin din g T h e h ea ds are por .

traits of M AR CU S C AT O an d M ARCU S T U L
L I U S (C icero ) Th ey are sta m pe d in gol d . .

B esi des t h ose already n a m e d t h ere ,

were m any oth er col lectors in Italy an d ,

m uc h of bin din g done in t h at country in

FR E N CH B N D N G I N G LT CA L F C RA E
I I I T W
DE HOCA M E OS
D IT

G P ‘E RA N CI S CI P ETRAR C H IE t h e early part of t h e sixteent h century h as

f
'

IN O L D,c 1 554
. U O N ,

O PE R A
”
MN A
O I (M U H R EDU CED )
. C .
m ore artistic m erit th an t h e greatly lau de d
(F m th B iti h M se m )
ro e r s u u .

French gol d toolin g B u t we m ust now -

.

leave t h e lan d of t h e nativity of R enaissance gol d toolin g an d return to France . .

0 Frenc h kin s an d nobles not backwar d in followin th e

(41 8 g w eI e g
exa m ple of th e Treasurer of O u t l e S eine Ge o ffi o y Tory w h o desi gned for G1 ol ier .
,

1
Th e ch ie f au th o rity u p On arm o rial b e arin g s an d h e ral dic devic e s up o n bo o kbinding s is M J .

Gu ig ard se e A rm o rial du B ib l io ph il e , 2 vo ls . 8v o (1 870

1 86 A H I S TO R Y OF TH E A R T OF B OOK B I N D I N G .

was h i m self a lover of beautiful books an d bookbin din gs For h is own library h e .

desi gne d so m e bin din gs in wh ic h h e in tro duce d h is well known device t h e p o t eass — “

or broken vase A fine e x am ple m ay be seen upon a volu m e of Petrarch printe d at

.
,

V enice in 1 52 5 now in t h e B ritish M useu m T h e p o t ears device was first a dopte d “

.
, ,

by Tory in 1 52 2 soon after t h e deat h of h is little dau gh ter A gnes an d sy m bolises h er

, ,

career cut sh ort but it h as a general as well as a particular si gnificance So m eti m es t h e .

wi m ble called in French to rt is a dded t h e bow for m in g with t h e s h aft a T a punnin g

, , , , ,

allusion to t h e na m e Tory A noth er exam ple in t h e collect ion of M A F D i dot h as

. . . .

upon t h e back t h e crowned F an d sala m ander of Francis I in wh ose library t h e book .

,

see m s to h ave been Geo ffroy Tory died in t h e year 1 533 .

‘
.

A t t h is ti m e between 1 52 0 an d 1 558 so m e fi ne bin din gs in t h e Grolier style —

were m ade for t h e library of t h e E m peror C h arles V T h e illustration on p 1 8 5 is t ake n

'

. .

fro m a m orocco bin din g in t h e I m perial L ibrary V ienna U pon t h e obverse t h e , .

”
e m peror s device T h e Pillars of H ercules with t h e m otto Ne plu s ultra for m part
’ “ ”
,
“
,

of t h e desi gn upon t h e reverse t h e im perial eagle appears in t h e cen t re of t h e cover '

.

At t h e be ginnin g of t h e si x teent h century so m e ro u ghly dec o rat e d Got h ic bin din gs

h ad been m a de for L ouis X I I an d h is queen A nne de B reta gne . T h e orna m ent , .

consists of t h e ar m s of France th ree fleurs de lis on a crowned Sh iel d er m ine an d

— - —
, ,
-

’
porcupines t h e latter bein g L ou is ba dge Guillau m e E ustace was bin der in ordinary
, .

to L ouis X I I but th ere are few bin din gs w h ic h can be attribute d with certainty to th is
.
,

artist . Personal observation writes M Gruel leads m e to believe th at th is bin der

“ ”
,
.
,
“
,

w h o was at t h e sa m e ti m e sworn printer to t h e U niversity intro duce d into his bin din gs ,

reli gious scenes an d orna m ents si m ilar to th ose wh ich h e use d in t h e co m position of his
Books of H ours
”
W h en a bach elor L ouis use d upon his bookbin din gs t h e motto
.
,

“
NO N U TI T U R A CU L E O R E GI NA CU I PARE M U S .

A fter h is m arria ge the initials L A . . appear , an d th e m otto

CO M I N U S ET EMINUS .

(1 51 5 I n Francis 1 Gro lie r fo u n d a disciple al m ost as enth u siastic as h im

‘

self M any o f th e earlier volu m es boun d for th is m onarch did not display m uch taste
.
,

differin g only accor din g to t h e styles of t h e countries in w h ic h th ey were boun d W ith .

t h e e x cepti on of presents an d a few favourite works all h is L atin I talian an d French , , ,

m anuscripts were boun d with dark leath er H is Greek m anuscripts were partly b oun d in .

t h e O riental style an d partly in various coloure d m oroccos with s m oot h back s an d no

, ,

ban ds T h ey are distin guis h e d by t h e ar m s of France t h e kin g s badge a sala m an der

.
,
’

attach ed to the collar of St M ic h ael.

,
an d the initial crowned sta m ped in , gol d or

silver U pon a few bin din gs dolp h ins appear am on g t h e orna m ents an d are sai d
.
,

1
to in dicate t h at th ey were boun d wh en Francis was t h e D auph in .

D urin g t h is rei gn V erard an d V ostre t h e booksellers were also bin ders but Pierre , ,

1
E ssa i H is toriqu e su r la B ibl io th eq ue du Ro i, p . 24 .
 G OLD TOOL E D B I N D I N GS . 1 87

was t h e royal bookbin der as is prove d by h is n a m e fi gurin g in accounts th at

R o ffe t ,

h ave been preserved P h ilipe L e Noir an d Guyot M erc h ant also appear to h ave been
.

G
B I N DI N OF A P
M A N U SCR I T O F
“
RE LA TI O NS DES FU N E R A I L L E S D A NNE
’
DE B R ETA GN E , W H OS E AR M S A ND

I N IT I A L S IT B E A R S , c . 1 550 .

royal work m en A t one ti m e E stienne Ro ffe t (calle d L e Fau lc h e u r) an d P h ilipe L e

.

N o ir alone bore t h e title of R elieurs ordinaires du roi .

A fter 1 540 so m e volu m es were boun d for Francis in a splen di d style ric h in gol d
,
-

,
1 88 A H I S T OR Y OF TH E A R T OF B O OK BI N D I N G .

an d colour contrastin g stron gly with t h e earlier work done for h im by E ti enne Ro ffe t l
, .

A n e x cee din gly fine arabesque bin din g belon gin g to t h is kin g appears upon a Bible
printe d by R E stienne at Paris 1 538
.
,

To t h e steady and continue d suppor t of h e r kin gs an d w ealth y m en m ay be

_

attribute d t h e h i gh position wh ic h t h e bin ders of France for a lon g perio d occupied .

.

D urin g t h e si x teenth century t h eir [superiority was so generally acknowle dge d t h at t h eir
pro ductions were e xporte d all over E urope an d a re st illip re serv ed in t h e great E nglish ,

a silent testi m ony to t h e S kill of t h e work m en

an d Continen tal libraries w h ere ] t h ey b e arg,

B I ND I N G W IT H TH E A R M S O F H E N RY 11. OF FRA N CE ; AN D T H E G
M O N O R AM OF D I A N NE D E P OYT I E R S A N D H E N R Y 1 1 .

(With th e m o n ogr a m No .

w h o m ade artists w h o desi gne d th em an d of t h e j u dgm ent of t h e collectors

th e m of , t he ,

fo r wh o m th ey were
m a de .

(1 54 7 I t was durin g t h e S h ort rei gn of H enry I I th at t h e gol den age Of

“

French bookbin din g arrive d at its zenith Jean Grolier was collectin g an d t h e kin g s
’
.
,

unknown bin der was pro ducin g so m e of t h e m ost tasteful de si gns t h e worl d h ad ever
seen ; D ianne de P o y t ie rs Queen Cath erine dei M edici an d a h ost of m inor patrons
, ,

were vying W ith each oth er in encouragin g t h e leadin g artists of t h e ti m e to invent fres h
an d graceful desi gns f o r t h eir book covers -
.

T h e influence of Geo ffroy Tory t h en m ade itself felt alth ou gh h e h i m self h ad die d ,

M B Q u arit c h , “ A Sh o rt H isto ry o f B o o kbin din g

1 ”
. . .

2
L a R el iure Fran cais e , p a r M M arius M ich e l 1 8 80 .
-
. .
 G OL D TO OLE D B I N D I N GS .
1 89

in 1 533 A ccor din g to M r Q u arit c h t h e earliest appearanc e of t h e so calle d Franco

. .
, -

’
Grolieresque on Gro lie r s books was about t h e year 1 540 wh ile t h e style was not a dopte d ,

by oth er book collectors till about 1 555; w h en we fin d it use d for so m e Of H enry I I s

-

.
’

volu m es an d it was only fro m 1 56 0 to 1 57 5 th at it passe d into general use in Paris

,
.

B ooks boun d for H enry I I a n d h is beautiful an d acco m plis h e d m istress D ianne e

d .

Po y t iers are distin guis h e d by t h e e m ble m s of t h e divine h untress bows arrows quivers
, —
, , ,

an d t h e cresc ent m oon arran e d in co m bination with

g graceful lines .

H enry I I used four m ono gra m s upon h is bookbin din gs

.
_

A large H wit h two linke d C s

’
1 . .

A large H wit h two linke d D s

’
2 . .

3 A lar ge H with a crescent piercin g t h e c e III ral bar of t h e H

'

.
.

4 A s m all H wit h two linke d crescents usually crow ne d

.
, .

Th e first m ay h ave been i nten de d for h i m self an d h is quee n Th e secon d alth ou gh .

,

sai d to h ave been used by t h e queen an d even e m broi dered on t h e royal petticoat is , ,

m ore usually associate d wit h t h e n a m e of t h e kin s m istress M M arius M ich el

’

g . .
-

-
,

an d so m e ot h er m o dern writers say t h at H enry with out scruple blen ded t h e initial , ,
’
of h is m istress na m e with t h at of h is o w n an d t h at th ere is no a m bi guity about t h e ,

1
double D I t wou ld perh aps be nearer t h e truth to say th at t h e la dy with out scruple
.

a dopte d th e initial H an d b len de d it with h e r own initial D B e th at as it m ay t h e

'

, .
,

cip h er of t h e double D an d H appears upon t h e w alls an d furniture of D ianne s castle of ’

A net as well as upori t h e beautiful bin din gs bearin g h er e m ble m s of t h e c h ase

, T he .

fourth m ono gra m is s m aller t h an t h e oth ers an d of inferior desi gn it frequently occu rs ,

upon bin din gs with t h e bows an d ot h er e m b lem s of D iana it is usually cr owned Both .

t h e queen an d th e royal m istre ss ado p t e d t h e crescent e m ble m .

(1 49 9 D ianne de P o y t ie rs create d D uc h esse de V alen t in o is was t h e

“

, ,

dau gh ter of J ean de P o y t ie rs Sei gneur de Saint V allier ; sh e w as b o rn in th e year

'

1 49 9 an d at t h e age of th irteen m arrie d L ouis de B re z e gran d S é n é c h al of N or m an dy

’

, , .

L ouis die dy o u n g an d soon afterwar ds D ianne becam e t h e m istress of t h e D u c d O rlé an s

’

, ,

better known as H enry I I of France D urin g t h e kin g s life t h is m ost acco m plish e d
“

. .
’

wo m an did all in h er power to pro m ote a taste for books an d especially for h i gh ly ,

orn a m ent ed bookbin din g A fter t h e kin g s death in 1 559 D ianne was e x pose d to.
’

, ,

th e h atre d of t h e queen an d forsaken by all t h e courtiers ex cept t h e Constable M ont

, ,

m o rency w h o like a true kni gh t befrien de d t h e l a dy in dire distress an d a dvise d h e r to

, , , ,

retire to h e r castle of A net in N or m an dy w h ere sh e resi ded until t h e ti m e of h er death , ,

an d wh ere sh e foun de d several al m sh ouses probab ly as an atone m ent for t h e frailty of ,

2
h e r you t h .

I n 1 53 1 after t h e death of h e r h usban d D ianne place d upon h er book covers h er

, ,
-

e m ble m an arrow surroun de d by laurel branch es risin g fro m a to m b an d t h e m otto

, , ,

”
N ext after sh e beca m e t h e frien d of t h e D u c d O rlé an s t h e
’
S O LA VI VI T I N 1LLO .
, ,

to m b disappeared an d t h e m otto was m o dified to S OL A VI VA T I N I LL A Two oth er

,
.
”

1
M M ari us M ich e l ,
.
-
L a R e l iure F ran cais e, p 63 . .

L e B ibl io p h il e
”
2
F ran ca is, v o l iii , p 2 9 2 . . . .
1 90 A H I S T ORY OF TH E A R T OF B O OK BI N DI N G .

m ottoes were occasionally use d by th e royal m istress in later life : D ON E C T OTU M

-

” ”
I M P L E AT O R B E M , an d CO N S E Q U I T U R Q U ODCU M Q U E PE TI T
“
.

I n a ddition to th ese m ottoes , t h e usual em ble m s of t h e go ddess D ian a, an d t he

B I ND IN G DI S P LA Y I NG T HE A RMS O F AN NE DE M O NT M O R E N CY , CO N S T A B L E OF F R A N CE , C.

equivocal m onogra m s t h e D uc h esse de V ale n t in o is so m eti m es added h e r arm s upon a

,

lozen ge sur m ounted by a coronet Th ese arm s co nsist of th ose of B r ez e an d St V illier

. .

party per pale an d m ay be describe d rou gh ly as follows

,

Azure ei gh t crosses or aroun d a do u ble t ress u re or , for B rez e

' ’

, ,
 GOL D TO OL E D B I N D I N GS
-
. 191

fl
Quarterly I st an d 4 t h azure six besants argent a c h ief or for S a in t Villie r , , .

z u d argent pow dere d with eu rs de—lys b o rde rw ise gules t h ree crescents or -

, ,

1 an d 2 .

3rd per fesse in dente d ar gent an d sable, for R afi .

T h e library of t h e royal m istress was large ; several fa m ous collections h ad been

a dde d to it by t h e kin g D ianne died in 1 566 but durin g t h e years of h er retire m en t
.
“

at t h e castle of A net S h e still in dul ge d h er taste for fine bin din gs t h ou gh not to t h e
, ,
’
sam e ex tent as wh en th e kin g s purse was at h e r disposal Till t h e year 1 7 2 3 D ianne s .
’

fa m ous library re m aine d at A net ; in t h at year it was sol d by auction by t h e h eirs of

t h e Princess de Con dé I t is believe d th a t D i anne su ggested th at a copy of every
.

book to wh ich th e royal privilege e x ten de d sh oTIld be printe d on vellu m h an dso m ely ,

boun d an d presente d to t h e royal library Th is was actually co m m an de d by an e dict

,
.

bearin g date 1 556 an d it le d to t h e great enric h m en t of t h e Frenc h national collecti on

, ,

to w h ic h library th e m aj ority of t h e books bel on gin g to H en ry an d D ianne eventually

foun d th eir way ; but so m e beautiful speci m ens are still in privat e h an ds or treasured ,
”
in great public libraries of E urope A copy of t h e C os m o graph y of Sebastian . .

M unster in t h e public library at C aen is a well known exa m ple I t contains two -
.

portraits of Hen ry I I an d four representations of H olofernes on each si de of th e

.
,

bin di n g I n t h e centre of th e si des are t h e usual e m blem s but on t h e back are fine
.
,

portraits of D iana in gilt each with in t h e ban ds Two of th em are faced by portraits
, , .

of H enry Th ere are also on t h e si des two pretty m edallions of a win ged fi gure
.

blowin g a tru m pet an d stan din g in a ch ariot drawn by four h orses Th is bin din g
, .

'

is dated 1 553 .
.

A very fin e folio bin din g in t h e Paris N ational L ibrary h as in t h e centre of eac h

si de a painted m edallion representin g t h e go ddess D ian a an d h e r h oun ds h untin g in a
,

th icket ; anoth er bin din g in wh ite calf orna m ented with black lines e dge d with silver , ,

bears all t h e e m ble m s of D iana grouped m ost gracefully aroun d th ree interlace d
cres cents T h is exa m ple is on t h e cover of a folio of V itruvius 1 54 7 in t h e B odleian
.
, , .

I n th e sa m e library upon a m issal printed in 1 54 9 is an elaborate bin din g orna m ente d

, ,

”
with gold an d colour an d bearin g t h e m otto D O N E C T OTU I M PL E AT O R BE M
, The
“
.

th ree linked crescents an d t h e royal m ono gram com pose d of H an d two crescents ,

(No . appear on both si des of t h e cover .

fl
I n t h e B ritish M useu m m ay be seen a bin din g of M M o sc h o p u li de ratione “
.

ex
”
am in an dae o rat io n is lib e llu s 1 54 5 orna m ente d with interlace d crescents e u rS de lis
, , ,
- -

an d t h e m ono gram D H an d bearin g in t h e centre of a panel for m ed by a border

. .
, ,

of cor de d pattern t h e ar m s of t h e kin g a crescent an d h is initial are enclosed by

, , , ,

bows tie d togeth er A l so upon a Bem bo H istoria V eneta 1 55 1 a bin din g h avin g in
.
, , ,

t h e centre of eac h cover on a panel of inlai d olive leath er , t h e ar m s of H enry I I

,
.

of France h is initial an d a crescent surroun de d by a bor der for m e d of bows A t

, , ,
.

t h e si des are interlace d crescents t h e crowne d H an d D ianne s m ono gra m

’

, .
,
”
I n th e sa m e collection upon a copy of Costu m es du B ailliage de Sens 1 556 is a , , ,

bin din g orn am ented with a desi gn in black e dge d w ith gol d an d relieve d wi th col o ure d ,
192 A H I S TOR Y OF TH E A R T OF B OOK BI N D I N G .

rosettes an d flourish es in t h e centre of eac h cover is a m e dallion portrait of H enry I I .

of France A si m ilar bin din g is preserved at t h e B o dleian L ibrary

. .

A not h er exa m ple a tiny duo deci m o in t h e Bo dleian is covere d in brown , ,

leath er delicately toole d an d coloure d ; in a central panel are t h e ar m s of France

above an d t h e th ree crescents below Th e probable date is about 1 555
,
. .

(1 5 1 9 Th e Queen C ath erine de i M e dici w h o w a s th e dau gh ter of ,

L orenzo D u c d U rb in o a gran dso n o f t h e great L orenzo de i M e dici in h erite d a taste

’

, ,

for fine bin din gs an d is sai d to h ave called to h e r aid Fl orentine bookbin ders w h o
, ,

pro duce d so m e gorgeous e x a m ples of decoration w ith t h e M e dici arm s an d h er own

’
linked C s an d m onogra m So m e of t h e later bin din gs of th is queen covere d in wh ite .
,

calf an d delicately tooled with gol den fl owers are excee din gly fine T h e queen s ,
.
’

library containe d m ore t h an printe d volu m es besi de m anuscripts I n 1 59 9 at .

,

D e T h ou s su ggestion t h is library was by A c t of Parlia m en t inclu de d in t h at of t h e

’

roy al library an d t h e greater part of it is now in t h e Biblioth eque Nationale

, .

Th e Ger m an Count M an sfe ldt prisoner of war in France for five years of t h is ,

perio d h ad so m e beautiful bin din gs m a de for h im in Paris in t h e l t alo Grolieresqu e

,
-

style wit h h is ar m s
,
n a m e an d m otto plac ed upon t he si des , , .

Th e Grolier style foun d i m itators in G h ent Bru ges an d A ntwerp an d a daptations , , ,

m a de t h eir appearance at t h e c o u rt of E dwar d V I in E n glan d (see C h ap X I V ) s . . .

A m on g t h e Fren ch n o b le s w h o favoure d t h e I talo Grolieresque style were t h e -

young V alois L ouis de S ainte M aure M arquis of N esle an d H enri de Guise called L e
, , , ,
“

balafr é M arc L au w rin of W atervliet near B ru ges assu m e d t h e m otto L AU RI N I E T

.
, , ,
” ”
A M I CO R U M an d so m eti m es a dde d
, V I RT U S I N A R D U O “
.

(1 559 T h e few books b oun d for Francis II are m arke d with F and I I . . .

an d t h e ar m s of France ; so m e of th e m h ave t h e a ddition of t h e initials of C h ar les I X .

,

fro m w h ic h circu m stanc e it appears likely t h e books w ere only partly finish e d at t h e -

deat h of Francis Before h e beca m e kin g h is books were sta m pe d wit h a gol den
.

dolp h in an d after h is m arriage with M ary Queen of Scots in 1 558 h e us ed a m ono gra m
,

in wh ic h h is own and th e q ueen s initials were un ite d ’

.

A bout t h is ti me t h e bin ders of L yons were doin g so m e ex cee di ngly fine work A
“

little later both at L yons an d V enice so m e large sized sta m ps were used to i m itate
, ,
-

t h e h an d work but at t h e sa m e ti m e wit h t h e obj ect of c h eapenin g t h e pro duction

-

,
.

(1 560 1 5 Th e rei gn of Ch arles I X was m arke d by t h e rise of t h e E v e fa m ily

—
. .

Th e M a ssacre of St B arth olo m ew (1 57 2 ) is popularly suppose d to account for t h e

.

su dden disappearance of H en ry I I s c h ief bookbin der w h o is sai d to h ave been a ,

.
’

L yonese H u guenot L yons bein g t h e h otbe d for arti sts bookbin ders an d h eretics ;
, , ,

Th ree oth er artists w h o a dorned t h e kin g s books also cease d work at th at ti m e ’

. .

C h arles for h is ciph er interwove two C s an d so m eti m es a dde d a K ; t h ese letters are
’

crowne d an d t h e ar m s of France are generally place d in t h e centre of t h e si des

, _
,

occasionally also two pillars jo ine d with a label on wh ich are t h e wor ds P I E TAT E E T , ,

J U STI TI A .

Nich ola s E ve s earliest work is sai d to h ave been done for D ianne de Po y t ie rs
’ ‘
 GOL D TOOL E D
-
B I N D I N GS .
193

about 1 56 5 H e or h is son C lovi sworke d for Ch arles I X in 1 56 9 A t first N ich olas

.
.
“

pro duced geo m etric al desi gns graceful but pl ain ; after a ti m e h e fi lle d th e spaces
,

B I N DI N G S A I D To V
H A E B EE N E X ECU TED BY N I C H O LA S EV E FOR ET I EN N E DE N U L LY , W H OS E
A RM S AN D M O NO GRAM IT B E A RS, e . 1 582 .

between t h e geo m etrical co m part m ents with scr olls pal m b ranc h es , ,
an d
graceful olive
branch es.

(1 574 Th e two E ves were livin g wh en H enry I I I .

, of gloo m y m em ory ,

1 3
194 A HI S TOR Y OF TH E A R T OF B OO/( BI N D I N G .

ascen de d t h e th rone H av m g lost t h e l ady of h is ch oice t h e Princess Con dé t h e you ng

.
, ,

m onarch develope d a taste for ce m eteries an d th in gs appertainin g th ereto ; tears , ,

death s h ea ds an d cross bones becam e h is favourite orna m ents an d t h ese h e h ad

’
-
-

, ,

displ a yed upon h is book covers p resu m ably by t h e E ves -

, .

Nic h olas E v e was c h ar ge d wi th t h e bin din g of t h e Statutes of t h e O r der of Saint

E sprit and in Clairam b au lt s m anuscripts we read
’

To Nich olas E v e wash er an d bin der of books an d bookseller to t h e kin g

'

, ,

4 7 % e scu s for was h in g gil din g and squarin g t h e e dges of 4 2 b o oks of Statutes an d
.
, ,

O r dinances of t h e O r der boun d an d covere d with oran ge L evant m orocco enric h e d , , ,

on on e si de with t h e arm s of t h e kin g fully gilt an d on t h e oth er of France an d , ,

Polan d with m onogra m s at t h e four corners an d t h e rest flam es with oran ge an d

, , ,

1
blue ribbons etc , .

”
T h e sy m bol 5 (an s wit h a Stroke runnin g t h rou gh it) see m s to h ave been connecte d
“

with t h e O rder of t h e Saint E sprit (s rit u s S an eta s) si nce it is m any ti m es repeated in an

'

illu m inated m anuscript relatin g to th at order an d appears upon t h e insi gnia ; it occurs ,

upon m any bin din gs orna m ented in th e E v e style an d in conjunction with t h e m ono gra m s ,

of Cath erine de i M e dici M RR an d t h e double trian gle delta an d t h e

( ) .
, ,

2
doubl e (Greek p hi) It h as also been th ou gh t to represent t h e m otto S ov erey n e
. .

T h e illustration on t h e prev i ous p age represents a beautiful bin di n g of th is perio d ,

probably e xecute d by Nic h o lé s E v e fo r a French states m an n am e d E tienne de N ully ,

fl
wh ose m ono gra m E D N interlaced is repeate d several ti m es on t h e si des an d back of
,
. . .
,

t h e volu m e I n t h e centre is h is coat o f ar m s argent a cros s e u ry vert between fou r

.
-
-
—
, ,

billets of t h e sa m e Th e book is a copy of L e s O r donnances de la V ille de Paris en

“
.

Clovis E v e t h e broth er of Nic h olas boun d books for H e nry I V an d L ouis X I I I

, , . .

Th e fanfa re style intro duce d by E v e m ay h ave been a reac t ion against t h e gloo m y
, ,

bin din gs so dear to H enry I I I T h e style itself was to a certain ex tent copie d fro m .

O riental orna m en t Th e n a m e fa nfa re is quite an arbitrary ter m bein g t h e na m e of

.
,

a book w h ich a great m o dern collector is s ai d to h ave h ad boun d in i m itation of o n e

-

of D e T h ou s bin din gs in th is style wh ich h e h ad seen an d fancie d Th e flouris h in g

’
“

na m e suite d t h e flourish in g orna m ent an d h as th us beco m e its natural app ellati on S o

I
, .

runs t h e story A fter a ti m e t h e E ves aban done d th e geo m etrical pat terns usin g only
.
,

t h e wreat h s an d pal m branc h es wh ic h on t h e earlier desi gns were entirely subor dinate .

W e m ay h ere m ention a few fam ous m e n wh ose bin din gs bearin g t h eir arm s or ,

devices h ave co m e down to u s

,
Conspicuous am on gst th ese w as t h e Constable A nne
“
.

de M ont m orency w h o a dorne d h is bin din gs with a S h iel d bearin g h is ar m s an d interlace d

,

orna m ents in gol d an d colours (see p Th en th ere was P h ilip D esportes t h e poet .
, ,

w h o use d two Q inlace d as did also Superinten dent F o u

q u e t in t h e seventeent h century
,
.

C olbert h ad a curle d snake a p u n upon h is na m e eolu ber for C olbert Th e Gon dis —
,

used two m asses of ar m s ; M a da m e de Po m pa dour h er ar m s th ree towers on a silver

“

, ,

1
M . B o uch o t, E d . B ig m o re , “
Th e P rint e d B o o k , p 2 75 . .

2
S ee a n o te b y M r H S Rich ards o n in Th e . . . B r it ish B oo h m a h er , 1 89 2 . Fo r th e l o an of bl o c k
s
u ed o n p 1 9 5 I a m in de bte d t o th e k in dne ss of Mr R ich ards o n ED
-
.
, . . .
 G OL D T O OL E D
-
B I N D IN GS . 195

shiel d an d F o u q u e t besi des th e Q used a squirrel on so m e of h is book covers Car dinal

,
-
.

M azarin h ad h is ar m s sta m pe d upon m ost of h is books .

(1 589 N o t m any bin din gs for Kin g H enry I V are now known an d t h ese .
,

few are i dentifie d by a gol den sta m p bearin g t h e ar m s o f France an d N avarre

roun ded by t h e collars of th e O rders of St M ich ael an d St E sprit I t was in th is . . .

F RE NCH G O LD -
T O O LE D B I ND I N G IN TH E E VE S TY L E . M O N O GR A M R R . . A ND 6 FE RM E .

(Fro m th e co llection o fH . S R ich ardso n E sq

. , .
)

rei gn th at it becam e t h e fash ion to adorn t h e si des of bi n din gs with p o w de rin gs of

m onogra m s an d e m ble m atic flowers .

H V
’

T h m ost fa m ous book collector of enry I S ti m e

— J ac ques
( 553
1 e ,
. .

u uste T ou was born at P aris on O ctober 8 t h C h ristop h e d e T h ou

A g de h ,
1 5 53 ,
. ,

fat h er of J ac ques A u guste was t h e first Presi dent of t h e Parlia m ent of Paris a frien d
,
,

of Grolier an d a lover of fine e ditions in h an dso m e bin din gs J ac ques travelled in h is

,
.

A bi d in by t h tra d itions of h is h ouse

youth spen din g two years in I taly ( 57
,
1 2 1 5 g — e ,
1
96 A H I S T OR Y OF TH E A R T O F B OOK BI N D I N G .

he loyally followed H enry I I I in h is exile fro m Paris was rewarde d by a seat in t h e

.
,

C oun cil of State an d receive d an i m portant m ission to raise m e n an d m oney in I taly

,
.

W h ile at V enice h earin g of t h e kin g s death h e h astene d to m eet H en ry of N avarre w h o

’

, , ,

becam e h is frien d an d m ade h im keeper of t h e royal library It is unnecessary to dwell .

”
upon h is great work H isto riae sui Te m p o ris an d h is oth er books furth er th an to
-

re cor d th at h e was an acco m plish e d auth or I n 1 58 7 D e Th ou m arried M arie de .

w . s 8
. . l t
c o .

A RMS OF P RE S I DE NT DE TH O U AN D H I S S E CO N D WI FE , GA S P A R D E DE LA CH A S TR E .

(Fro m th e bin ding f a fo lio

o , A D
. .

Barb an go n , dau gh ter of L e Sieur de Cani an d in 1 60 3 h is first wife h avin g died a few ,

years before h e took for h is secon d wife a dau gh ter of t h e h ouse of L a C h astre I n
, .

1 6 1 0 die d Kin g H enry IV an d D e T h ou lost h is best frien d

.
,
H is o w n death was .

h astene d by worry an d neglect O n t h e 7 t h of M ay 1 6 1 7 h e expire d

. Th e presi den t , , .

h ad in h erite d so m e c h oice books inclu din g so m er p re sé n t e d by Grolier fro m h is fat h er ;

, ,

h e left h is m a gnificent library an h eirloo m in h is fa m ily to h is el dest son w h o was

, , ,

beh eade d at L yons in 1 64 2 H is th ir d son n ext p ossessed t h e library an d a dde d to it

.
,

t h e collec t ion of h is fath er in law H u ges P ic arde t an d sta m pe d t h e covers of h is books

- -

,
 G OL D TOOL E D B I N D I N GS
-

.
19 7

with th e ar m s of D e T h ou an d Pic ardet until h e was m ade B aro n de M eslay I n 1 6 6 0 ,

wh en h e assu m e d a baron s Coronet an d t he m otto M A N E N O BI SC U M D O M I N E ” H e

’

B I ND I N G B Y CLO VS
I EVE FO R 1 . A . D E TH O U , W I TH - -
F
H IS C O AT O F AR M S A S U S E D B E O R E H I S FI RS T G
M A RRI A E .

died i n 1 6 7 7 I n 1 6 80 t h e library was sol d an d after passin g th rough various

.
, ,
h an ds ,
a great portion of it finally reac h e d t h e B ritis h M useu m .
198 A H I S T OR Y OF TH E A R T OF B OOK BI ND I N G .

De Th ou a dopte d a plain an d subst antial style for h is bin din gs m orocco dyed re d ,

green an d le m on , fawn coloure d calf or wh ite vellu m bein g h is favourite m aterials

—
, , .

Th e m aj ority of h is bin din gs are pl a in a dorne d only wit h a gol d arm orial sta m p in t h e
,

centre ; but for c h oice b Oo ks h e preferre d an elab orate gem e rnarnerrt iri t h e fa nfare
“ “ “ — r “ ”

‘
style of t h e E ves a style open to a dverse criticis m on t h e score of m ech anicalis m an d
—
_

laC k of free do m but to be co m men de d fo r ,

t h e wo n derful accu racy an d precisio n o f th e

toolin g an d t h e deli cacy O f t h e in divi dual ‘

tools .
3

I n h is bach elor days (1 57 2 1 587 ) D e —

T h ou place d upon h is books h is ar m s in silVe r

or gol d A rg en t a chev ro n sable t h ree g a d/fies ,
r

of th e sa m e t w o in chief o n e in p o in t ; and , ,

so m eti m es h is n a m e j ae A ug u st Th a a n u s ,
. .
,

som eti mes h is m ono gra m I A D T an d a _

. . . .

"
G reek 0 (th ) below th e ar m s .

’
D urin g h is first wife s lifeti m e and after ,

war ds (1 58 7 l 6o 3) two s h iel ds were used

‘

~ -

, ,

h is own an d t h at of h is w ife M arie de Bar ,

ban gon gu les th ree lion s cro w n ed a rg en t .

T h e initial s I A an d M for J acques A u guste

'

—
. . .

an d Mar ie in a m ono gra m were plac ed be —

low an d so m eti m es u pon t h e back h is o w n ,

initials A D T ,
. . .

Af ter t h e death o f M arie in 1 6 0 1 A u guste , ,

pai d a gr aceful tribute to h e r m e m ory by

placin g h e r initials interlace d with h is own
upo n h is books A fter h is secon d m arriage .

with Gasparde de la C h astre in 1 6 0 3 t h e , ,

ar m s an d nu m erous quarterin gs of t h e La
C h astre or D e Bour deilles fa m ily replaced
’

t h ose of t h e Barb an go n in t h e siniste r s h iel d

'
'

an d t h e lette r G (G asp arde was substitute d

L ee 3 8 )
for th e M (M arie) S O t h e m ono gra m b eca m e
.

B I N D NG FR M
I H E COLLE C
O TN O F P R E S DE N
TI OD E H OU I T T ,

W H H S CO AT O F—A R M S A s U S E D E FO R H S FI R §
IT I -

I A G T
B E I T , ,
, _

M AR R A G I E
T h e illustration on pa ge 1 9 6 of t h e
.

(F m th Sp e L ib ary )
ro e en c r r .

sta m p iused by D e Th ou in later life is taken

fro m t h e b in din g of a folio of Peter Kirsten s No t SE 1 6 1 1 in t h e E ditor s collecti o n 5 ’
, ,
’

th is sta m p is m ore e laborate th an th at used up on books of s m aller S ize D e T h ou .

m e
so ti es d h is b ooks orna m ented in t h e Grolier style
m h a
}

1
In “
La Rel iure An c ienn e e t M o dern e , p ar G Bru n et, 1 878, is
'
. an e n gr avin g of a b inding in
th is styl e , be arin g t h e arm s o f D e Th o u an d h is s e c on d w ife ;
 G OL D TO OL E D B I N D I N GS
-
. 199

I n t h e B ritis h M useu m several m agnificent S peci m ens of bin din gs bearin g t h e ,

ar m s of D e T h ou an d decoration in t h e style of t h e E ves are e xh ibite d an d at t h e , ,

B o dleian t h ere is one Th e en gravin g is fro m t h e bin din g of a Step h ens Greek ’ “
.

”
Testa m ent in t h e Spencer L ibrary
,
.

W h en D e Th ou was m aster of th e royal collection m any of t h e books were boun d ,

un der h is direction i n re d m orocco with t h e ar m s an d initials of t h e kin g O n so m e we .

”
read t h e following inscription : H enrici I I I I Patris P atri ae V irt u t u m R est it u t o ris 1
. .

(1 552 M arguerite de Valois dau gh ter of H enry I I affecte d a dainty desi gn

, .
,
'

of daisies an d oth er flowers eac h placed w it h in an oval co m part m ent surroun ded by
,

leafy bran ch es an d in t h e centre t h e V al ois sh iel d C lovis E v e is supposed to h ave

, .

been t h e bin der of th ese pretty volu m es T h ere is anoth er clai m ant for so m e of t h e .
’

books usually assi gned to th is la dy in t h e person of M arie M ar guerite de V alois de

, ,
—

S aint R e m y da ugh ter of a n atural son of H enry I I I I t is sai d t h at th ese bin din gs
-

, .

are to be disti n guish e d by a sta m p bearin g t h e V alois sh iel d t h ree fleurs—de lis on — —

”
a fess on one si de an d on t h e o th er t h e m otto E X P E CTA TA N O N E L U D E T 2
, , .

A bout 1 6 2 5 a new style of orna m ent arose i n Paris t h e style calle d p o in t ille an d
’

, ,

associate d with t h e na m es of L e Gascon an d F lo rim o n d Badie r I t consists of graceful .

curve d lines pro duced by t h e repetition of countless gol den dots or points each do t bein g ,

pro duce d by a separate application of a tool T h ese pointill é orna m ents were at first .

arran ge d in t h e co m partm ents of t h e geo m etrical desi gns as soc iate d with t h e E v e style
but gradually t h e geo m etrical desi gn was o m itte d an d t h e pointill é orna m ent alone ,

re m ained as a border roun d t h e e dge or as a centre piece t h e rest of t h e si de bein g left -

quite plain .

M r Q u arit ch supposes L e Gascon to h ave been a work m an in t h e e m ploy of t h e

.

E ves an d to h ave continue d t h e traditions of t h ese m asters after h e left th eir service
,
.

M onsieur L é on Gru el t h inks t h at Flori m on d Badie r m ay h ave been th e real n am e

‘
'

of t h e bin der so well known un der t h e sobriquet of L e Gascon an d as a proof urges t h e '
,

reat rese m blance between t h e si ne d work of B adie r an d t h e desi gns usually attribute d
g g
to L e Gascon .

Th e bin din gs in th is s t yle are generally covere d in re d m orocco an d t h e general ,

e ffect of t he inn u m erable gol d dots on t h e scarlet groun d is brilliant in t h e e xt re m e ; t

but upon close ex am in ation it appears th at t h e dots are arran ge d in é x quisitely fine
convolutions an d arabesque desi gns .

Th e pointill é decoration w as too e x pensive a n d laborious to re m ain lon g in fas h ion .

I t w as i m itate d by various m ech anical process es an d died out in France about 1 6 6 0 ,

.

L e Gas con h i m sel f disappears s oon after 1 6 50 .

L e G ascon is best known by t h e bin din g of a presentation copy of L a Guirlan de

de J ulie worke d by h im for M ade m oiselle de R a m bouillet wh ich brou gh t h im great
, ,

h on ou n
M ac e R uette ,
th e repute d inventor o f m arble d paper an d m arble d m orocco ,

1 “
H ist . sur l a B ibl ioth equ e du R o i, p 35
_
. .

2
S ee M . J o a n n e s Gu ig ard ,
“
A rm o rial du Bibl io ph il e .
‘
20 0 A H I S TOR Y OF TH E A R T OF B O O/( B I N D I N G .

flouris h ed between 1 60 6 an d 1 6 38 R uette however w as not t h e in v e n to r o f t h is kin d of .

, ,

orna m ent but h e m ay h ave intro duce d it into France M arblin g is Of Eastern ori gin
,
.
,

an d 15 kn own to h ave been practise d I n t h e latter p a rt of t h e S i xteenth century .

I t was at th is period th at I S in t h e seventeenth century th at t h e g aufreu rs of s h oe

—
,
—

leath er in Paris also orna m ented bookbin din gs Th e gallants of th ose days in stea d .
,
"

of h avin g th eir sh oes plastered Over with blacki ng destru ctive t O t h e l eath er an d
' '

abo m inably dirty e m ployed skille d Work m en to t oo l fanciful desi gns in gol d u p On t h e
,

An or dinary bin der was not h is own gil der ; h e

”
well dresse d l eath er uppers “

e m ployed t h e gaufreurs to work for h im A n e dict was passe d in 1 6 86 th at bin ders of .

books sh oul d live in t h e precincts of t h e U niversity an d e m ploy only auth ori se d work m en .

A m on g t h e artists in gol d toolin g M B ouc h ot narrates was one n a m e d -

,
.
,

P igo rre au w h o m t h e e dict foun d livin g in t h e m i dst of publis h ers an d workin g for
,

th em . H e was co m pelle d to c h oose eith er t o re m ain a b o o t m aker o r beco m e a t

.

bookseller ; h e ch ose t h e latter in spite of t h e syn dics of th e tra de in spite of every On e

, , ,

an d h e m a de h i m self ene m ies Pigo rre au was a w ag, an d h e reven ge d h i m self on h is

.

persecutors by ri diculin g th e m on a placard .

C ar di n al M azarin an d Gaston d O rlé an s e m ploye d L e Gasco n or h is i m itators .

’
,

T h e ar m s of t h e for m er generally place d in t h e centre of t h e si des are easily dis

, ,

t in gu ish e d T h ey consist O f a sh iel d bearin g a bar c h arge d with th ree m u llets over
.
-

, ,

a R o m an axe above t h e sh iel d is a cardinal s h at an d in t h e border aroun d t h e m otto ’

,

A R M A IV L I I O R NA N T F RA N C I A M Th e sam e device appears upon a beauti f

”
ul .

e m broi dered bin din g fi gured in L A lbu m de la R eliure by M G Brunet

,
’
, . . .

Flori m on d Badie r was appointe d bookseller in H is n a m e appea rs in full

at t h e botto m of an inlai d m orocco bin din g in t h e Nation al L ibrary at Paris :
Th e book a copy of D e I m it at io n e C h risti is dated
’

F lo r im o n d B adz er fee in , , .
'

, ,

Paris I In prim e rie R o y ale 1 640 Th e inlays of th is perio d di ffered entirely fro m t h e
'

, , .

”
m osaics of t h e ei gh teenth century ; th ey always fo r
‘
m e d a groun dwork an d t h e toolin
g ,

was placed upon th e m .

’

C ar dinal R ic h elieu was anoth er pat ron of su m ptuous bin din gs H is ar m s an d .

m otto H I S F U LTA M A N E B U N T occu r on m any bin din gs

“
.
,

Th e broth ers Jacques an d P ierre D upuy displaye d m uc h taste in t heir bin din gs .

So m eti m es we fin d th eir arm s sta m pe d upon t h e leath er but m ore Often a doubl e trian gl e ,

(two Greek A) for m in g a star an d two interlaced Q (t h e Greek ph i) an d t h e 5

_ , , , .

Th e collector M ornay place d t h e Greek Q between t w o C s facin g O n e a n oth er whic h ’

device h e a dopte d for h i m self an d h is wife Ch arlott e d A rb ale st e

’

,
’

(1 6 79 In t h e rei gn of L ouis X IV for t h e first ti m e in th e h istory of th e .

,

craft t h e bookb in ders were separated fro m t h e booksellers ; by t h e edict of 1 6 86 th ey

,

h ad th eir own or ganisation but re m aine d subj ect to t h e U niversity a n d were stil l
‘

, ,

surroun de d by all kin ds of precautions an d re gulations wh ich in th ese days of free do m ,

see m unnecessarily ex act .

Towards t h e year 1 6 70 accordin g to M onsieur J J Gu iffre y 1 we fin d a nu m ber

, , . .
,

1
Q uo te d b y M B o uch o t Th e P rinte d B o o k ”p 2 8 1 .
, , . .
 GOL D TOOZ E D B I N DI N GS .
20 1

Of bin ders en gaged upon work fo r th e kin g Louis X I V : Gille s D ubois w h o died , .
,

before 1 6 7 0 ; L evasseur bin der of H uet B is h op of A vranch es ; L a Tour ; M é rin s

, , ,

or M é riu s w h o die d before 1 6 76 ; R u ette t h e re pute d inventor of m arbled paper

, ,

for fly leaves of books I t was probably th ese me n w ho decorated t h e book covers
-
.

of th e broth ers D upu y Fouquet an d Colbert bin di ngs re m arkable rat h er on ac cou nt
, , ,

of th eir soli dity th an of th eir beauty A ntoine R u ette a n d Fl ori m on d B adier also _

were th e kin g s bin ders '

.

T h e two great biblio grap h ers of t h e ti m e were J erOm e Bi gnon and Gabriel
N au de ; t h e for m er librarian to t h e kin g t h e latter to Car dinal O n agariu s T h e
’

, , w

’
cardinal s library was ne x t to th e royal c ollect ion in e xtent an d m a gnificence Jacob .

says it was open every T h urs day fro m noon t ill dusk I t contained m any valuable , .

an d curious volu m es all boun d in m orocco or calf

gilt .

’
I n J acob s ti m e th ere were ab out four h u ndre d m anuscripts i n folio bou nd in , _

virgin m orocco an d covere d with bor ders of gol d T h e P resi dent L on gueil coul d .

boast of an a dm irable collection of b ooks w h ich h e was increasin g every day , .

an d t h e library of N icolas C h evalier fille d t h e base m ent an d first stories Th is “

.

” “
library, says J acob is one of t h e m ost excellent in Paris for th e B I N D I N G wh ich is
“

, ,

all in calf covere d with fleur de lis an d gilt upon t h e edges Th e re are also so m e
,
- -

,
.

m anuscripts very rare covere d with velvet H e tells us t h at in t h e library of Clau de

,
.

d Urse in t h e castle of A bbatie t h ere were m ore t h an fO II r th ousan d six h un dre d

’
, ,

vo lu m es an d a m on g th e m two h un dre d m anuscripts upon vellu m covere d with green

, ,

Velvet . I n t h e r oyal library are several works fro m th is collection bearin g th e ar m s of ,

d U rse an d sple ndi dly attire d T h e library of t h e A rsenal also containe d so m e M any
’ '

,
. .

oth er libraries e x iste d Gui P atin h ad six t h O II san d volu m es

'

T h e D upuys about
'

. .

‘
ei gh t th ousan d volu m es J acques R ibier nearly ten th ousan d C ardi nal S eve h ad h is
. .
-

S ix t h ousan d Fro m t h e ti m e of L ouis X I I I L t h e books in t h e royal library ceased

'

to be distin guish e d b y t h e di fferent rei gns an d t h e art becam e alto geth erdegenerate ,
.

I n France as we h ave s h own was th e c ase in th is country t h e early printers

, ,

ex ercised th e art of bookbin din g also Ch ev alier in h is H istory of Printin g states .

, ,

th at E ustace E v e an d P le Noir eac h styled t h e m selves bin ders to t h e universi t y or

, , .
,

t h e kin g Jean C anivet also style d h i m self in t h e year 1 56 6 R elega t o r Un iv ersi ta t i s , ,

.

Tw o Frenc h bin ders n a m ed Galliar d an d Portier were celebrated for i m provem ents
, ,

about t h e e n d of t h e si x teenth century .

W ere furth er proof of t h e talent of French bookbi nders necessary m uch m ore -

m i gh t be produ ce d ; su fficient h as been done to substantiate t h is point B u t frankly .

,

as w e a dm it t h e su pe rio rit y o f French bookbin ders o v eI all oth ers durin g th e S i x teenth
'

centu ry we h ol d th at in t h e followin g centu ry th ey began to retro gra de an d th eir

, ,

bin din gs to possess no distinctive ch aracter Th ey neglecte d t h e illustrious ex a m ple .

set before th e m by th eir predecessors wh ilst t h e bin ders of anoth er countr y profi tin g
“

, , ,

by it bestirre d th e m selves in t h e acquisition Of t h e true principles of t h e art w hich

, , ,

B ib ii 48 2
’
1
Dib din s . .
.
20 2 A H I S TOR Y OF TH E A R T OF B OOK BI N D I N G .

th ou gh pro gressin g slowly m ay eventually lea d to a h i gh degree of e x cellence in E n glis h

,

bookbin din g .

E I GH T E E N T H CE N T U RY With t h e ei gh teenth century th e nu m ber of French

.
—

bookbin ders greatly increased an d t h e m ass of m aterial relatin g to th e m beco m es ,

i anti c Frenc h biblio rap h ers h a

—ve collecte d an d arran ge d t h is so well t h at t h ere
gg .
g
is little need for an E n glis h m an to un dertake t h e task anew .

Th e na m es of P ade lo u p D ero m e L e M onnier B o y e t or B oyer D u Seuil D ouceur

, , , , , ,

A u gu e rran d an d D ubuisson stan d Ou t fro m am on g t h e rank an d file o f th eir conte m

, ,

p o ra rie
. s A s wit h t h e E ves so wit h t h e two first of t h ese na m es ,
t h ey represent eac h
a dynasty I f t h e P adelo u ps were twelve th ere were fourteen D ero m es all booksellers
.
,
‘
,

an d bookbin ders Th e m ost celebrate d were N icolas an d A ntoin e M ic h el P ade lo up

.

h ie d before d J a es A nt h ony D ero e w h o die d in 1 7 6 1

( w o d an m m ,
.

Th e Bo y e t fa m ily w h o attaine d great celebrity about 1 6 7 0 survive d to 1 7 33

, , .

S Om e of t h e books belon gin g to Colbert an d to L ouis X I V (1 6 7 9 1 7 1 5) were boun d .

—

by th e B oyets one of wh o m is sai d to h ave introduce d t h e practice of linin g t h e I nner

,

side of th e cover with leath er toole d an d decorate d as elaborately as t h e e x terior ,

— ih fact to h ave popularise d t h e orna m ental do u blu re

,
. L u c A ntoine Bo y e t flouris h e d .
—

fro m about 1 6 80 till I 7 33 Fro m 1 6 9 8 till his death h e was t h e kin g s bin der ; h e
“

.
’

was also e m ploye d by th e Co m te d H o y m t h e M arq uise de Ch am illart t h e B aron de ’

, ,

L on gepierre t h e A bb é Flé c h ier Colbert an d m any oth er book collectors

, , ,
.

Th e plainer bin din gs of th is sc h ool are neat an d stron g ; t h ose m ore e x pensively
boun d generally h av e a plain fillet or lace like bor der t h e owner s ar m s or m onogra m in
’
-

t h e centre an d s m all orna m ents at t h e corners

, O f t h is latter kin d are t h e bin din gs .

belon gin g to t h e Co m te d H o y m Polish a m bassador to France in 1 7 1 4 T h e coun t

’

,
.

so m eti m es place d h is ar m orial sta m p over t h at of a for m er possessor of a volu m e so ,

th at bin din gs m a de before h is ti m e som eti m es bear h is coat o f ar m s ; h e possessed a — —

fl
fine col lection of book s in beautifu l bin din gs Th e B aron de L on gepierre in m e m ory .
,

of t h e success of h is now forgotten play Th e M edea caused a gol den e e c e to be ,

‘

stam ped at t h e four corners of h is bin din gs (a c h oice e x a m ple m ay be seen at t h e ‘ ‘

B ritis h M useu m ) Jean B aptiste Colbert (1 6 1 9

. not only arra nge d t h e national .

records of France an d t h e royal library but collected a great library of h is own ,

,

w h ich h is son t h e M arquis de Sei gne lay in h erite d an d part of wh ic h h is gran dson sol d
, , ,
’
to t h e nation Colbert s bin din gs bear h is ar m s a gol den snake D e Sei gnelay bore
.
, . ,

th e sa m e ar m s bu t a dde d a C oronet of a m arquis an d t h e Collars of two or ders of

,

kni gh th oo d Colbert e m ployed Bo y e t as h is bin der an d furn ish e d h im with the

’ ‘

.
,

m orocco for t h e bin din gs bein g able to do so on account of a c lause in h is treaty

,

with Turkey .

A ntoine P ade lo u p m o difie d B oyet s style in h is general bin din gs ; his m ore
’

a m bitious e ssays at m osaic decoration are gor geous but barbaric an d entirely , ,

defi cient in conti nuity of desi gn “

I f Pade lo u p h ad discovered th ese m e diocre .

”
co m binations writes M Bouch ot ,
“
h e cou ld n o t be proclai m e d t h e re generator of a
.
,

M H B o uch o t, Th e P rin te d B o o k p 2 86
1 ”
. . .
.
,
 GOL D T OOL E D B I N D I N GS
-
. 20 3

fallen art Th e bastar d s t yle of th ese works m ay be co m pare d to th eir m osaics

.

”
constructed o f pieces it is a little of everyth in g an d to geth er noth in g 1 .

(1 6 8 5 1 7 A ntoine M ich el P ade lo u p was m a de bin der to t h e kin g L ouis X V

—
, .

(1 7 1 5 in 1 7 33 after B oyet s death ; h e placed h is m ark on books belon gin g

,

to Queen M aria L e c z in ska th e D auph in D H o y m B onnier de la M osson an d t h e

’

, , , ,

M arquise de Po m padour Pade .

loup is noted for goo d soli d

bindin g ; t h e decorations h e used ,

t h ough poor in conception are ,

m arvels of careful execution .

He W as succee de d as bin der to

t h e kin g by L ou is D ouceur .

To th is perio d belon ge d
Pierre Paul D ubuisson book ,

bin der an d desi gner of h eraldic

an d ot h er gil din g tools ; an d
D e L or m e a conte m porary
,

of P ade lo u p c h arged by h is ,

country a with i m itatin g so m e

of t h e ba d E n glis h bin din g .

H e was bin der to t h e kin g in

'

1 7 58 ,
an d in 1 7 4 5 h e boun d
so m e books orna m ente d with
t h e ar m s of Queen M arie A n
toinette T h e well boun d books
.
—

of t h e D u c de la V alli ere wh ich ,

bear upon t h eir m orocco si des

with in an orna m ental oval t h e
words E x M U SE O G I RA RD O T
“
,
”
D E P R E F O N D S are m uc h desire d ,

by coll ectors T h e V allié re .

L ib raiy containe d over t w enty

?
th ousan d volu m es
(1 6 7 3 A u gustin
I NST U I O S OCI ETA I S J ES U Ro M 1 58 7 M O S A I C W OR K B Y P A DE LO U P
IT T T E,
D u Seuil flouris h e d about 1 7 1 0
. . .

(Fro m the F e h Nati n al L ib ary ) r nc o r .

—
1 7 40 h e was a nat i ve of
Provence wh ere h e was born in 1 6 7 3 Co m in g to Paris h e appears to h ave learned h is
'

, .
,

art un der P h ilippe P ade lo u p whose dau gh ter h e m arried in ,

L ouis X V appointe d .

D u Seuil royal bin der in 1 7 1 7 before t h e death of L ouis du Bois w h o did not die , ,

till February 1 7 2 8 w h en a record brevet was issued orderin g t h e re gular appointin g

,

M B o uch o t, Th e P rinte d B o o k , Bib D ec

’ “
1
.
“
p . 2 86 .
9
D ib din s . .
,
11 .
49 4 .

3
M arius M ich e l , -
L a R el iure Fran cais e , p 96 . .
 04 A H I S TOR Y OF TH E A R T OF B O O/(BI N D I N G .

of D u Seuil He h el d t h e pos t until h is death in 17 46 , Wh en h e was succeede d by

‘ ‘ "

Pierre A u gu erran d 1 D u Seuil s c h ief m eri t as a bin der Was th at h e repro duce d S om e’ '

of t h e m inor L e Gasc o n esq u e features in w ork of t h e Bo y e t type, th us softenin g t h e

'

severity of t h e latter an d leadin g th e w ay to Padelo u p ian licence,

?

Th ere are legen ds in th e ann als of bookbin din g as well as in th ose Of nations, an d
one of th e m ost peculiar bibliopegistic le gen ds is t h at of a m yth ical A bb é D u Su c il ,

D u sseu il or D e Seuil for no one see m s certain about th e e x act spellin g of t h e n a m e

, , ,

w ho , durin g t h e latter part of t h e seventeenth century an d t h e be ginnin g of t h e

,

ei gh teenth is supposed to h ave a m use d h i m self by producin g dainty book covers

,
—
.

H e is cre dite d with h avin g written a book copies o f wh ich h e boun d with h is own ,

h an d an d with h avin g a son to w h o m h e bequeat h e d h is own library ; but stran ge

, ,

to say t h e son sol d t h e books before his fath er s death Th ese an d oth er points relating
,
’
.

to th is personage we m ust leave to French biblio graph ers to e x plain Th e abb é seem s to .

h ave been create d like t h e fa m ous E x L i bris E sgr ,

wh ose book plates are occasion ally , .
,

a dvertised by E n glish catalogue m akers

,
— .

'
Th e gh ostly abbe is sai d to h ave boun d books in re d m o rocco with a double row ,

of rectan gular gol d lines on t h e outsi de an d t h e fi gure of a vase at t h e inner an gles ,

So m eti m es t h e bin din gs h ave a do u ble '

.

Th e first ti m e h e was h eard of was in 1 7 2 4 w h en t h e books of L Om e n ie Co m te de , ,

Brienne were taken to L on do n an d sol d by auction at J am es W oo dm an s an d D avi d

’
,

L yon s s h op in R ussell Street Covent Gar den on Tues day A pril 2 8 t h in t h at

’

, , , ,

year I n t h e catalo gue it is frequently recorded th at t h e b ooks were bo u n d by t h e

.

”
A bb é D u Seuil L ouis H enri de Brienne died in 1 6 9 8
. .

No w it is probable th at t h e count s h eir w h en sen din g t h e books to t h e aucti o neers

’
, ,

m entione d th at h is own part of th e collection was boun d b y A D u Seuil t h e great .

, .

Paris bookbin der an d th at th e auctioneers catalo guer a m plifie d A into Ab b e a n d took

,
’
.
,

t h e state m ent to refer to so m e bin din gs wh ich were really th e w ork of t h e B oyets an d ,

h ad been done for t h e count s fath er 3

’
.

A le x an der Pope i m m ortalise d th is na m e in t h e followin g lines fro m M oral “

”
E ssays wh ere h e satirised t h e fash io n supposed to h ave been adopted fro m across
,

t h e C h annel by t h e m us h roo m aristocrats w h o bou h t fine bin din s contai n i n g not

g g , ,

books but m erely blocks of woo d

,

His study I w ith w h at auth o rs is it sto re d " ,

I n b o o k s n o t auth o rs curio us is m y l o rd , ,

To all th e ir date d bac k s h e turns y o u ro u n d ,

Th e s e Al dus p rint e d th o s e D u se u il h a s b o un d
Lo "
-

.
,

so m e a re vellum an d th e rest as go o d
Fo r all h is l o rdsh ip kn o w s b u t th ey are w o o d "
, ,

Fo r L o c k e Or Milto n t is in vain t o l o o k ;
’

Th e s e sh e lve s a dm it n o t an y m o dern bo o k .
” 4

1
Auguste J al Dictio n na ire (P aris ,
“
M r B e rn ard Q u arit ch
, N o te s 2
.
,
“
.

3
S ee N o te s o n t h e H isto ry o f Artistic B o o kb in ding by B e rn ard Q u a rit c h N o ttingh am Art , ,
M useum S p e cial Exh ibitio n o fB o o kb in ding s c at alo gII e ; 1 8 9 1
.

,
.

A P op e
4
M o ral E ssays iv
.
,
“
,
”
.
20 6 A H I S TO R Y OF TH E A R T OF B OOK B I N DI N G .

To t h e se celebrate d n a m es must be a dded th at of I C H le M onnier w h o was . . .

,

warden of h is guil d in 1 744 H e was one of a fa m ily of bookb in ders H e excelled in .

inlai d m orocco rese m bling e m broi dery or desi gne d a la Ch i noise H e worke d for th e ‘

.
"

O rleans princes an d was un doubte dly a skilful artist M o n n ie r swork always ele gant
’
.
, , ,

f1 e q u e n t ly fanciful is n ow h i gh ly estee m e d by col lectors

,
A t t h e B eckfor d Sale Par t I .
, .

June 30 t h 1 88 2 t h e volu m e represented in t h e illustration was sol d for £3 50 by

, , , ,

M essrs Soth eby W ilkinson an d H o dge,

Th e volu m e is a copy of Sieur de B reuil
,
. _
“
.

” ‘
D e l I m it at io n de J é sus Ch rist T raduction nouvelle (Paris T h e bin din g is
’

, ,

in citron m orocco ornam ente d with varie gate d inlai d leath ers representin g C h inese
,
“

subjects grotesqu e but of exquisite work m ansh ip ; t he dou é le is of olive m orocco

fl
’

,
.
, ,

with covere d g ol d toolin g cz petz z‘s fem t h e y leaves are of gol d an d t h e e dges
‘ '

- —
, , ,

painte d an d gilt .

Tessier was h is successor W e h ave also t h e n a m es of N D D ero m e an d Francois

. . .

L a Fe rt é w h o decorate d t h e s m all volu m es of t h e D u e de la V alli ere as Ch am ot

, ,

covere d t h e larger ones I n 1 7 6 6 Ch a m ot was royal bin der: Pierre A u gu e rran d

.

(1 74 8 1 7 77 ) was succee de d by Biz iau x e m ployed by M ada m e de Po m p adour an d

' ' ‘
-

B e au m arc h is A P B rade ll w h o invente d te m porary bin din gs with out forwardin g

. . .
, ,

flourish ed between 1 7 7 2 an d 1 80 9 .

Th en ca m e a ti m e of t h e greatest degra dation durin g t he perio d of t h e R ep ublic ;

it l e m aine d till about t h e year 1 830 wh en a revival co m m ence d wh ich stil l continues , ,
.

Th e c h ief c h aracteristics of m o dern Frenc h work is perfect forwar din g an d fini s h in g but ,
'

poverty or slavish i m itation in desi gn .

T h e na m es of Bo z erain e sen ior a n d j u n ior o f T h o u v e n in C o u rt ev al an d S im ie r

'

, , , ,

are now al m ost forgotten ; but L esn é t h e poet bookbin der w h o invented t h e style of , ,

plain calf wi th out boar ds an d wrote a poe m in six cantos on t h e art of b ook bin din g
'

, .

wh ich h e publish ed in 1 82 0 is still re m em b ere d by a few collectors Bau z o n n e t ,

-

.
‘

P u rgo ld Cap é D uru H ar dy M eu n il B elz N ie dré e Trautz; T h ib aro n L orti e M arius

, , ,
-

,
-

, , ,

M ich el an d L é on Gruel are a m on g t h e nu m ber of distin guish e d French b ookbin ders

,

w h o h ave done t h eir best to elevate t h eir art ; an d of t h ese M Gruel an d M Marius .
,
.

M ich el h ave written valuable works upon t h e h istory of bookbin din g in Fran c c
"

AR A B E S Q U E O R NA M E N TS U S ED B Y H A NS H O L B E I N, A N D S U PPOS E D TO HA VE
B E EN B ROU G HT BY HIM FRO M VE NICE .
 C HA PT E R X IV .
1

E N GLI S H R O YA L B I N D I N GS — B I N D I N GS I N VE L VE T, G OLD S I L VE R A N D E N A M E L
, ,

_
E N GLI S H G OL D TOOL E D
-
B I N D I N GS F R OM TH E RE I GN OF H E N R Y VI I I . TO
TH A T OF Q UE E N A N N E .

N the
last c h apter t h e h istory of bookbin din g as practise d in France
was trace d fro m t h e pal m y days of t h e si xteenth century to m o dern
ti m es W e will now relate wh at was bein g done by t h e bookbi nders
.

of our own country durin g t h e sa m e perio d ; an d first we m ust , ,

consi der th ose s pecial bin din gs w h ich were m a de for E n glish kin gs
an d queens .

(1 4 6 1 1 4 8 3 E D WARD I V ) I n t h e notice—
s left of t h e ti m e of
,
.

E dwar d I V we fin d a m ple recor d of t h e use of silk also velvet an d of il din upon

.

g g , ,

t h e bin din gs of books In t h e W ar drobe A ccounts A D 1 4 80 kept by Piers Courtneys 2

.
“
,
”
. .
, ,

we h ave m any particulars of t h e cost of bin din gs m aterials used etc , ,

.

To A lice Clav e r fo r t h e m akin g of xv j l aces an d xv j t assh e ls for t h e garn y ssh in g of

‘

divers of t h e K in ges b o o k es ij 5 v iij (I , . .

A n d to R obert Bo ille t t for blac p ap ir an d n aille s for c lo sy n g an d fast e n y n g of

“

divers c o fy n s of fy rre wh erein t h e K in ge s books were conveye d a n d carie d fro m t h e

K in ge s grete W ardero b e in L on don unto E lt h a m aforesai d v d .

Piers Bau du y n st ac io ner for by n din g gil din g an d dressin g of a booke called Titus , ,

L ivius xx s ; for bin din g gil din g an d dressin g of a b ooke of t h e H oly Trinit e x v j s
.
, , .

for bin din g gil din g an d dressin g of a book e calle d Frossar d xv j s fo r bin din g gil din g
, ,
‘

.
, , ,

an d dressin
g of a booke calle d t h e B ible xv j s ; fo r bin din g gil din g an d dres sin g o f a , ,

booke calle d Le Gouverne m ent of K in ges an d Princes xv j s for bin din g an d dressin g of .

1
Th e h e a d piec e t o th is
-
ch ap ter is 0 0 p ie d fro m th e g ilt an d gauffe red edge o f a bo o k fro m
K ing H enry V I I I ’ s c o ll e ctio n
. . Th e vo lum e 18 n o w in t h e B o dl e ian L ibrary (H 2 5 Th . . . .

2 “
P rivy P urs e E xp e n s e s o f E l iz ab e th o f Y o rk W ardrobe A cc o un ts o f E dw ard I V (e ditio n
. .
”

E dited b y S ir H . N . N ic o las p p 1 2 5 1 2 6
,
.
,
.

20 7
20 8 A H I S TOR Y OF THE A R T OF B O OK BI N DI N G .

th re s m alle books o f Franch e price in grete v j s v iij d for t h e dressin g of two b oo kes . . .

wh ereof oon is called L a F orteresse de Foy an d t h e oth er called t h e B ook of Jo seph us -

,

iij s iiij d . an d for bin din g gil din g an d dressin g of a booke calle d t h e B ible H istorial
.
,

xx 5
sai de Peter B au dv in for gil din g o f an o ld pair of c lasp e s 1) s an d fo r
To the .

gil din g o fan o ld pair of c lasp e s 1) s an d for gil din g of o ld b o ly o n s v s

”
. . .

For t h e bin din g of th ese books anoth er entry is m ade of t h e m aterials use d ; fro m,

wh ich it appears th at as in t h e case of apparel etc our kin gs an d nobles procure d t h e

, ,
.
,

m aterials an d e m ploye d work m en to m ake w h atever m i gh t be require d D e ly v e re d “

.

for t h e c o v e ry n g an d garn y ssh y n g Vj of th e B o o k e s of oure sai de Souverain L or de t h e

K y n ges t h at is t o say oon of t h e H oly Trinite oon of Titus L y v iu s oon of t h e
, , , ,

Go u v ern al of K yng s e a n d Princes a B ible a B ible H ist o rialle an d t he v j th

calle d , , ,
e

Frossard V elvet v j y erde s c re m y sy fi gure d ; corse of silk ij y e rdes di an d a n aille

.
, ,
’

’
blue silk w ey in g an unce iij q di ; iiij y e rde s di di quarter blac silk w e y in g iij unces ; ’ ’ ’

laces an d tassels of silk x v j laces ; xv j tas sels w ey in g to gi der v j unces an d iij q ; , ,

.
’

b o t o n s x v j of blue silk an d gol d ; c laspes o f c o per an d gilt iij paire s m alle with roses
, ,

u p p o n t h e m ; a paire m y dde lle ij paire grete wit h t h e K y n ge s A r m es u pp o n th e m ; ,

” 1
b o lio n s coper an d gilt lxx ; n aile s gilt ccc , , .

A n d again : To A lice Claver sy lk w o m an for an unce of sowin g silk xiv d ; for “

1] yer ds di an d a n aille c o rseo f blue silk w e y in g an unce iij quarters di price th e unce
’ ‘ ’

’
ij 5 v iij d V s
. for iiij yer ds di of quarter corse of blac silk w e y in g iij un ces price t h e
. .

unce 1] s 111] d vij s for Vj un ces an d iij quarters of silk to t h e laces an d tassels for
. . . _

garn y ssh in g of diverse Books price t h e u nce x iiij d vij s x d ob for t h e m akin g of xv j _
. . . .

laces an d xv j tassels m ade of t h e sai d v j unces an d iij quarters of silke price in grete ij s .

”
v iij d an d for xv j b o t o n s of blue silk an d gol d price in grete iiij s
. .

For t h e c o p e rsm y th e for iij paire of c lasp e s of cooper an d gilt with roses u pp o n ,

th e m price of every paire iij s fo r two paire of c lasp e s of coper an d gilt with t h e Kin gs .

A r m es upon t h e m price t h e pair v s an d for lxx b o ly o n s of coper an d gilt xlv j s . .

2 ”
v iij d .

3
Th e “
velvet c e y sy n fi gured with wh ite cost t h e king v iij 5 per y ar d Th e
r m . .

bolio ns n am e d were a s m aller sort of butto n use d as fastenin gs of books etc m ade of , , .
,

copper an d gilt an d cost about e igh t e e n pe n c e each 4 O r th ey m ay be t h e bo sses place d

.
, .

at t h e four corners an d in t h e centre of t h e si des of a bindin g A t t h is ti m e t h e wages

, .

5
of various work m en were fro m fourpence to S ixpence a day .

By t h e above account it is evi dent t h at t h e books belon gin g to t h e library of Kin g _

E dwar d I V were a dorne d wit h t h e best m aterials th en procurable

. A leath er bin din g .

now in t h e library of W est m inster A bbey bears a sta m p of t h e ar m s an d supporters .

of E d ward I V (see p S ucceedin g m on arc h s of th is country were not less

. .

intereste d in t h e appearance of th eir libraries an d velvet conti nue d for som e t im e ,

W ardrob e A c co u n t s , etc .
, 1 52 .
3 “
W ardro b e A cc o unts o f Edw ard 1 1 6
.

"
2
I bid .
, 1 1 7, 1 19 .
4
Ibid , “
N o te s , b y N ic o las
. .

Ibid N ico la a s Re ark s , ii

5 ’ ”
.
, m .
 E N GLI S H R O YA L B I N DI N GS . 20 9

to be a favou rite an d t h e principal cover for a t least such works as were consi dere d
'

valuable .

( 1 4 8 5— ) 1 A 50 9 H E N RY V I I
m on g t h e books ori ginally belon gin g to H enry V I I
,
.
.

in t h e B ritis h M useu m is a very curious book of In dentures in its ori ginal bin din g
(M S
. H arl T h e in denture is date d July 1 0 t h
.
, i n t h e nineteenth year of h is ,

rei gn 1 50 0 an d was m a de between th e kin g an d t h e abbot an d convent of St Peter s

, , .
’

W est m inster for t h e celebration of certain m asses etc to be perfor m e d in H enry V I I s

, , .
, .
’

c h apel th en about to be built I t is in dee d a m ost notable an d curious book ; t h e

,
.

cover is of cri m s o n Genoese velvet edge d with cri m son silk an d gol d th rea d an d wit h , ,

tassels of t h e s am e m aterial at eac h corner T h e velve t cover is fastened by stu ds an d .

_

rivets only T h e insi de is line d with cri m son da m ask O n each si de of t h e cover are
. .

five bo sses m ade of silver wrou gh t an d gilt ; t h at in t h e m i ddle h as t h e ar m s an d

, ,

supporters of H enry V I I en grave d upon silver gilt an d ena m elle d ; upon t h e oth ers
.
, , ,

at each corner are so m any portcullises also gilt an d ena m elle d I t is fastene d by
, , .

two h asps m a de of silver an d splen di dly ena m elle d with t h e red rose of t h e h ouse of
, ,

L ancaster Th e counterpart of th ese in dentures boun d an d decorate d in all respects

.
,

like th e ori ginal is preserve d in t h e Public R ecor d O ffice I n t h e initial letter t h e

,
.

kin g is depicte d givin g t h e m anuscript to t h e clergy an d t h e bin din g itself is accurately ,

represente d in t h e m iniature 1
A ttac h e d by silken cor ds are five i m pressions of seals .
,

each contained in a silver box orn a m ente d with t h e royal b adges M any beautiful .

m anuscripts fro m t h e library of H enry V II are preserve d in t h e B ritis h M useu m but .

,

unfortunately th ese for t h e m ost part h ave been reboun d .

(1 50 9 1 54 7 H E N RY V
—
I I I ) I n t h e privy purse
,
e x penses of H enry V I I I 2
we fin d . .

t h e followin g entries fro m t h e year 1 530 to 1 532

to W estby clerk of kin g s closet for v j m asse books A n d for vellute fo

P aie d
’
.
r

to co v th e m iij 1 xj s
r
. .

’
To R as m us one of t h e A rm e rars for garn issh in g of boks an d div s n ece ssary es for
t h e sam e by t h e kin g s c o m au n dm e n t xj l v s i d
’
. . .
,
’
To Peter S cry v en er fo r b y in g vellu m an d oth er stuf for t h e kin g s books iiij 1
“ ‘

, .

To th e boke by n de r for brin gin g of boks fro h am pt o n co t e to yorke place iiij 5

-

,
’

,
.

To A s m us t h e arm e re r, for t h e garn issh in g of iiij -

xx v .
j boks as ap pe rit h by h is
.

A n d p aie d
’
bille . xxxiiij l . x 5 . for sen din g of c e rt ey n e boks to t h e kin g s boke
b y nde r, ij s .

in an inventory of t h e sa m e m onarch s Guar de robe [ Wa rdro ba French

An d
’
—

Gardero be] etc m a de by virtue of a co m m ission un der t h e Great Seal of E n glan d date d
, .
, ,

at W est m inster Septe m ber 1 4t h t h e followin g notices occur :

,
A M asse b o o k e ,

covered with black velvet a lytle booke of p arc h e m e n t with prayers covere d with ,

1
Ho m s “ I ntro ductio n i 30 5
e
’
, . .

9
P rivy P urs e E xp ense s o f H enry V I I I E dite d . b y Nic o las , 8v o , P ic k erin g .

3
M SS B ritish M us eum N o 1 4 1 9 A an d B
.
, .
, .
2 10 A H I S TOR Y OF TH E A R T OF B O OK B I N D I N G .

c ry m sen in on e de sk e xxxj b o o k e s covere d with re dde ; an d in anoth er

velvet . A lso
” 1
desk e xv j b o o ke s covere d wit h re clde
,
.

T h e privy purse e x penses of H enry s dau gh ter afterwards Q ueen M ary supply
2 ’
, ,

furth er infor m ation as to t h e m aterials used an d th e cost of bin din gs in t he sixteenth

century In January 1 54 2 43 was p aie d to t h e boke by n der for aboke ly m m e d
.
—
,
” ’ ’
th e
’
w
t
gol de t h e sa m e ge u en ,
to t h e p nce g ce for a n ew y er gifte xxix s In , .

followin g year to m y lady e H erbert a boke con e d w silv an d gylt vij s v j d ; an d

,
“ t
,
’ ’

, . .

”
in 1 537 was pai d for a c lasp e fo r a boke v j s
.

, ,
.

T h ese accounts prove th at m any costly orna m ents were place d upon th e covers of
books for with out t h e cost of wh at is properly t h e binding it is seen th at R as m us or , ,

A s m us w h o doubtless was t h e sa m e person is pai d o n one occasion for garnis h in g

'

, , ,

of divers books £ 1 1 7d ; an d on anoth er no less t h an £34 1 0 s for garnish in g

'

.
, ,

ei gh ty six books about

-
eac h for t h e m ere e m bellish m ent of th e m w h ic h we take
, ,

to m ean fi x in g th e c lasps bosses etc to t h e si des T h e splen dour of so m e of th ese

, , .
, .

bin din gs m ay be gath ere d fro m J oh n Skelton t h e poet laureate 3 of th at perio d w h o , ,

-

speakin g of a book an d enrap t ured with t h e ap pearance of it breaks out in verse

, ,

“
W ith th at bo k e lo z en de w ere th e c lasp es
of th e ,

Th e m arg in w as illum in e d al w ith g o lden rail e s ,

A n d bic e e in p ic t u re d w ith g rass Op p es an d w asp es -

W ith b ut te rfl ie s an d fre sh p ec o c k e t ail e s ,

E n gl o re d w ith fl
,

o w re s a n d slym y sn ayl e s ,
_ _

E n vy v e d p icture s w ell to uch e d an d q u ic k ely ,

I t w o ul d h ave m a de a m an h o l e th at h ad b e righ t s ic kly ,

To b e h o l d h ow it w as g arnish e d a n d bo un d ,

E n c o v erde o ve r w it h g o lde an d tissue fin e _

,

Th e c la sp e s an d b ull io ns w e re w o rth a M p o u n de
_
,

W ith b ala ssis an d carb uncl es th e b o rde r did sh in e

_

W ith d u r u m m om z cu m eve ry o th er l ine et c

'
‘
.
,

M a ny En glish wri ters en tion t h e style of bin din g in vogue in th eir ti m e

‘

o ld m .

” ’
in h is poetical prefix t o Ch au cer s A sse m bly of Fools 1 530 write s
'

R obert Copelan d , , ,

Ch auc er is de de , t h e th is p am ph l ete w rate w h ich ,

S o b e n h is h eyre s in all such b e syn e sse ,

An d go ne is als o th e fam o us cl erk e Lydg ate ,

A n d so is yo unge H aw e s Go d th eye s o ul e s a ddresse

‘

, , ,

fl
M any w e re t h e vo lum e s th at th ey m a de m o re o r Ie ss e ,
” 4
Th eyr b o k e s ye lay u p tyll th at th e l e ier m oul e s
'

O ft h e early use of leath er Montfaucon , m entions severa l speci m ens of calf skin glue d t o -

boar ds .

To return to royal bin din gs it appears fro m t h e extracts before qu ote d th at th ere ,

U nde r th e h e a d o f L e ath e r Bin ding s (pp 1 2 3 7 ) w ill b e fo un d an acc o unt o f s eve ral b e autifully
1
.
-

o r nam ent e d vo lum e s f rom t h e l ibrary o f H enry VI I I an d th e co ll ectio ns of h is so n E dw ard VI an d . .

h is daugh t e r M ary .

E dite d b y F M adden E sq F
2
8v o P ic ke ring
. , .
, .
,
.

3
S k elto n 46 , .

i Q u o t e d fro m D ib din s
“
Typ Antiq v ol ii p 2 79
’
. .
, . .
,
. .
 E N GLI S H R O YA L B I N D I N GS . 211

was th en such a servant of t h e court as t h e K I N G S BOO K BI N D E R ; th ey go far too to ’

, ,

clear t h e ei gh th H arry fro m t h e ch arge of knowin g noth in g of an d carin g less for fine
b 00 ks Th at h i s pre decessor H enry V I I collecte d m a gnificent library
. . various ,

“
130 0 11 or H OU R S or M AR Y 1 . o r EN G LA N D , B OU N D IN VE LVE T w 1 r 11 VER
SIL G
M O U NTI N S .

(P ho tog raphedfro m th e o rig in al at S to ny h u rst Co lleg e ) .

splen di d speci m ens still e xtant in t h e B ritish M useu m a ffor d full evi dence ; but th ere
can be no doubt th at th is library was Consi derably au gm ente d by H enry V I I I un der .
,

t he skilful direction of t h e great anti quary L elan d wh o m t h e kin g h ad appointe d h i s ,

 "

212 A H I S TOR Y OF TH E AR T OF B O OK B I N DI N G .

librarian L elan d in h is visits to t h e m onasteries about th e ti m e of t h e D issolution

.
, ,

selected m any rare m anuscripts an d fine books for t h e kin g s lib rary H e n t z n er
’
.
,

a Ger m an traveller w h o describin g th e royal library of t h e kin gs of E n gland ori gin ally
, , ,

in t h e o ld palace at W est m inster but now i n t h e B ritish M useu m w h ich h e saw at , ,

W h iteh all in 1 59 8 says th at it was well furnis h e d wit h Greek L atin I talian an d Frenc h
, , , ,

book s all bo u n d m v elv et of di fferent colours yet ch iefly re d with clasps of gol d an d
, , , ,

silver ; an d th at t h e covers of so m e of th e m were adorned with pearls an d precious

Perh aps t h e earliest exa m ple of an e m broi dere d bin din g with t h e ar m s of an
E n glis h soverei gn is t h at upon a m anuscript D escri ption de toute la Terre S ainete “ ”
,

now in t h e B ritish M useu m Th is book is de dicate d to H enry V I I I Th e cover is of

’

. .

cri m son velvet an d upon it is e m b1 0 1de 1 e d a bol d h eral dic desi gn consistin g of t h e royal
, ,

s h iel d crowne d an d surroun de d by t h e garter ; on eith er si de is t h e initial H an d at

, ,

t h e corners Tu dor roses place d j ust as t h e m etal corner stu ds use d to be place d ,
-
.

Queen Cath erine Pa1 r h ad a taste for e m broi dered bin dings O n e bearin g h er .

ar m s m a gnificently e m broi dere d upon th e pu rple velvet cover m ay be seen u pon .

11 P e t rarc h a etc in t h e old royal collection

”
Th e date is probably about 1 544
“
, .
, . . .

(1 54 7 1 553 E D WARD V I ) T h e bin din gs m ad e for t h e youn g kin g were mostly

—
, .

of leath er gol d toole d an d s om e account of th e m will be foun d o n p 2 2 5

-

, . .

(1 553 1 558 M ARY I ) D urin g t h e s h ort rei gn of M ary many beautiful book
I

—
.
,

bin din gs were devised t h e qu een h erself l eadin g t h e fas h ion by h aving h er o w n Boo k
,
”
of H ours beautifully boun d in rich purple velvet adorne d with clasps an d orna m ents ,

in silver A t t h e four corners are t h e l etters M A I A an d in t h e centre th e letter R

'

. .
,
. . .

crowne d readin g M aria O n e ith er si de of t h e crowned R are t h e Tu dor ba dges t h e

_ . .
,

rose an d po m egrana te T h is bin din g is now at S t o n e yh u rst College . .

I n t h e B ritis h M useu m also a m on g t h e royal m anuscri pts is an O ld Testa m ent , , , ,

Psalter H y m ns
,
B for m erly belon gin g to Q uee n M ary boun d in a tru ly
,
.
,

regal style It h as th ic k boards c overe d w ith c ri m son velvet rich ly e m broi dere d with
”

.
,

large flowers in coloure d silks an d gol d tw ist I t is furth er e mbellish ed with gilt brass
.

bosses an d clasps ; on t h e l atter are en grave d t h e ar m s of E n glan d M ary like h er .

,

broth er see m s to h ave h ad a preference fo r leath er bin din gs

, .

(1 558 1 6 0 3 E L IZ ABE TH ) Several oth er speci m ens of velvet bin din g are still
—
, .

extant in ou 1 public libraries T h is style conti n ued in use till at least t h e en d of t h e .

sixteenth century Queen E lizabet h on h er visit to Ca m bri dge i n 1 57 8 was presente d

.
, .
,

by t h vice c ancellor w ith a Newe Testa m ent in Greek o f Ro b ert u s Step h anus h is
h “ '

e -

, ,

first printin g in fo lio b o u n d in re dd v elv e tt an d ly m e d wit h goul d ; t h e ar m es of

'
’

, ,
” 2
E n glan d sett upo n ec h e si de of t h e booke v e are y faire , .

A custo m of per f u m in g books at this perio d is s h own in th e instructions relative to

presents to t h e queen sent by t h e L ord T reasurer B ur gh ley to t h e Vice ch anc ellor of
-
,
-

”
t h e U niversity on th is occasion H e says Present a bo o k w e ll boun d ; an d ch arges '

.
,

1
W arto n s ’ “
En g . P o etry, iii . 2 72 .

H artsh o rn e s Bo o k R aritie s of Ca m bridg e ,

’
2
5 .
 E N GL IS H R O YA L B I N D I N GS . 2 13

th e m to regard t h at t h e book h ad no sav o u r o f spike wh ic h co m m only bookbin ders

'

,
”
did seek to aQ
d d to m
,
ake t h eir books savour well 1
.

E veryth in g ten ds to s h ow t h at E lizabeth was profuse in t h e e m bellis h m ent of t h e

bin din gs of h e r books an d t h is doubtless influenced m any people to present to h er works
in a costu m e sh e woul d be likely to approve A m on g t h e Ne w Y ear s gifts sent h e r in
.
’

t h e twenty seventh year of h e r rei gn

-
was a B ible fro m A bsolon m aster of th e ,

B I NDI N G OF A B I B LE G I VE N TO Q U E E N E LI Z A B ETH , 1 584 .

(Copzedfro m th e o rig in a l at th e B odle

ian Library .
)

Savoy b oun d in cloth of gol d garnis h ed with silver an d gilt with two plates of t h e royal
, , ,

ar m s 2
O n N e w Y ear s D ay 1 584 a folio B ible printe d b y C B arker was p resente d to
’
.
, .
,

t h e queen it is now in t h e B odleian L ibrary ; t he bin din g is of ruby velvet em broi dere d ,

with gol d an d silver th read in a pattern of roses (D ouce B ibl E n g 1 583 b v ) . .

, , . .

Th ere is ex tant also a list of gifts given t o h e r M aj est ie at New y e re s ti de 1 58 2 -

N ic h o ls s P ro gre ss e s o f E l iz ab eth ,
2
Ib id , p refac e , xxvi
’
11 . 1 . . .
214 $4 H I S TOR Y OF TH E A R T OF B OOK B I N DI N G .

an d a m on gst oth er presents appears a little book of gol d en am u led garnis h ed an d “

, , _

furnish e d with s m ale diam o n de s an d r ubyes both c lasp es a n d all h an ging at a ch ayne ,

of gold viz vi pieces of go l d e n am u le d two of th e m garnis h ed with ragged staves

,
.
, .
,

of s m ale specks of diam o n de s an d iv of th e m in ech e 1 1 s male diam o n de s an d 2 s m ale

"

,
.
, ,

sp arc k s of ruby e s xv i lesser pieces of gol de in every of th e m a s m ale diam o n de also

,
.
, ,

xx iv pieces of gol d in every of th e m iv perles with a rin g of go lde to h an g it by all

.
, .
,

given by Th erle o fL eycester M aster of t h e h orse

”
.
,

A noth er royal favourite S ir J oh n Packin gton of W estwoo d in W orcesters h ire t h e

“

, , ,

h an dso m e j ovial generous but eccentric ge ntle m an w h o m e t Queen E lizabeth at

, , , ,

W orcester durin g one of h er progresses an d for h is brave looks was m a de a Kni gh t

, ,

of th e B ath gave h is r oyal m istress a boke of gol d en amu le d g arnis h ed with v iii
,
“
, .

”
am arest e s
”
,
as m ay be foun d duly set forth in Nic h o ls s Pro gresses ’
.

’
I n 1 57 3 an inventory was taken of t h e queen s j ewels an d plate a m on g wh ich were ,

inclu de d several precious bin din gs th us : O on e Go sPe ll booke covere d with tissue ,
“
,

an d garnis h e d on t h onsi de wit h t he crucifi x an d t h e Queenss badges of gilver gilt p o iz

’
,

with w o dde leaves an d all c xij oz

, ,
.

O o n e boo ke of t h e Go sp e lles plate d wit h silver an d guilt upo n bour des with t h e ,

i m age of t h e crucifi x th ereupon an d iiij evan gelists in iiij pl aces w ith t w o greate
'
‘

, ,

c las es of silver an d
p guilt p o iz lii oz gr and wein g with t h e bourdes leaves an d
.
,
. .
, , ,
” 1
bin din g an d t h e cov erin g o f re d v ellat c x xj x oz
,

O f t h e labour an d e x pense in c urre d in e m broi derin g book Covers we h ave an

”
illustration in t h e c opy of A rch bis h op Parker s D e A n t iq u it at e E cclesi ae Brit an n ic ae ’ “
,

in t h e royal col lecti on in t h e British M useu m presented to Que en E lizabet h by ,

t h e arc h bis h op ; I t is a s m all fo lio p rin t ed in 1 57 2 Th e cover is of green velvet

'

.
,

an d t h e front or first si de is e m br
, oi dered with colou red silks an d silver th read in deep
, ,

relief as s h own on a reduce d scal e in t h e annexe d cut I t is conj ecture d th at th e

, .

learned ch urch m an inten ded t h e desi gn as a reference to h is na m e P arker I t rep re ,

—
.

sents a park in close d by r ailin gs h avin g in t h e centre a large rose tree an d deer
.

, ,

in various positions Th e reverse of th e bin din g h as a si m ilar design but t h e interior

'

.
,

occupied by five deer one in t h e c entre reposin g t h e oth er four like th ose already
’

, , ,

describe d two snakes an d various s m all s h rubs are dispose d in t h e space between Th e .

back is divi de d into five co m part m ents by e mbroi dered lines h avin g a re d rose with , ,

bu ds an d branc h es between eac h except t h e secon d fro m t h e h ea d on wh ic h at so m e , , ,

subsequent perio d h as been placed t h e title on a piece of leath er t h us

, ,
‘

P ARK E RU S
DE A NT .

EC . BRI T .

L O ND . 1 57 2 .

The botto m co m part m ent bears o n a s m al l piece of leath er fixe d on ,

t he e m broi dery ,

8
EL . R .

A r c h aeo log z a , xiii

'

. 22 1 .
 E N GLI S H R O YA L B I N D I N GS . 215

book h as been reboun d in green m o ro c co bu t t he si des an d back as above

Th e , ,

describe d are place d over t h e m orocco in a very cre ditable m anner I t is now e xh ibite d .

’
in a glass case in th e Kin g s L ibrary I n all probability th is an d t h e bin din g of .

B arker s B ible 1 58 3 are th e work of t h e sa m e skille d e m broi derer

’

, , .

"
A noth er book of E lizabet h s also if i t h e Britis h M useu m m erits notice on account
’

, ,

of its bindin g I t is t h e H istoria E cclesia printe d at L ouvain in 1 56 9 boun d

.
“
,
”
,

in green velvet with t h e royal ar m s e m broi dered with coloure d silks an d silver an d
, ,

gol d th read on cri m son silk in t h e centre of eac h si de Th e re m ainin g spaces are .

fille d u p with roses foliage etc for m e d , , .

,

of th e sa m e m ateria ls an d so m e of t h e ,

flowers co m pose d of s m all pearls m any ,

of wh ic h are lost Th e back is si m ilar to .

t h e last describe d an d bears t h e queen s

’
,

i nitials In th e sa m e collection is anot h er

.

book cover beautifully e m broi dere d in

-

silver t h rea d on black velvet Th e book is .

O rat io n is D o m in ic ee E xp lic at io (Geneva ,

T h is cover also is sai d to h ave been

worke d by Q ueen E lizabet h .

A t t h e special e x h ibition of book

bin din gs h el d at t h e B urlin gton Fine A rt
C lub in 1 8 9 1 m any beautiful e m broi dere d
bin din gs were exh ibite d A m on g oth ers .

” ’
a copy of U dall s S er m ons (L on don
“
,

covere d in cri m son velvet upon ,

w h ic h th e royal s h iel d initials an d rose , ,

ba dge are e ffectively worke d Th e s h iel d .

is buil t up of blue an d cri m so n satin on ,

wh ich th e fleur de—lis a n d lions are e m -

broi dered th e scrolls an d flowers bein g

,

worke d with silver th read T h is book was .

lent by S S an ders E sq ,
E MB RO I D RE N NG O N A 0 G I VE N Y A R C H E D BI DI 130 11 B
,

To E ’ A ET H L Z B
V elvet w as not t h e only coverin g for
‘

(F m th g ma l m lh e B t sh M u s u m m h ro e o rt rz t e , uc
books S i lk an d da m as k were also i n general ed d) r u ce .

use for th at purpose in t h e sixt ee n t h c e n '

tury . A lexan der B arclay in h is S h ip of P ooles (1 50 0 ,

speakin g of t h e “

co m pany h as th e followin g lines relative to t h e stu dent or bookwor m wh o m h e rath er

, , ,

inconsisten tly places as th e first fool in t h e vessel

B u t ye t I h ave th e m (m y bo o k s) in g re at reverenc e ,
A n d h o no ur, saving th e m fro m fi lth an d o rdure ;
B y o ften b ru sshin g , an d m uch dil ig e nc e ,
Full g o o dly bo u nde in p le asau n t c o ve rture
 A R MS O F QU EE N E LI Z A B E T H E M B R O I D E R ED ON TH E B I ND I N G .

(LO ND O N,
’
U D AL L s S E R M ON S
 E N GL I S H R O YAL B I N D I N GS . 217

O f da m as, satt in , o r e ls o f velve t p ure

I k eep th e m sure , fe aring l e ast th ey sh o ul d b e l o st,
Fo r in th e m is t h e cun n ing w h ere in I m e bo ast ” 1 .

_ various extracts alrea dy given prove th at velvet silk or da m ask were t h e

Th e , ,

principal coverin gs m ade u se of for t h e best bin din gs u p to t h e en d of t h e fifteenth

century an d th at th ey continue d to be partially use d for books belon gin g to t h e royal
,

library a century after I n addition it h as been sh own th at books were lavish ly

.

orna m ente d with all th at in genuity coul d devise No r did t h e h i gh est an d t h e fairest .

consi der it beneath th eir di gnity to exert th eir skill in th is service by a ddin g to ,

t h e covers e m broi dere d orna m ent T h i s is calle d Ta m bour bin din g ; an d a Psalter
.
.
,

boun d with a lar ge flower worked in ta mbour "u pon on e si de of it is in t h e B ritis h ,

M useu m w h ic h flower is consi dered by D r D ib din to be th e work of Queen M ary

,
2
. .

Be th is conjecture true or not it is certain t h at ladies at th i s peri od were m ore ,

conversant with th is style of book orna m ent th an a m ere inspection woul d i m ply .

L ady J ane Grey i n an e x h ortation written to h er sister t h e ni gh t before h er

,

execution th us expresses h erself : “ I h ave h ere sent you m y dear sister Kath erine
, , ,

a book wh ich alth ou gh it be not outwardly tri m m ed w ith gol d or t h e curious

, ,

e m broi dery of t h e art fu llest nee dles yet inwardly it is m ore w orth th an all t h e pr ecious ,
”3
m ines w h ich t h e vast worl d can boast o f etc A copy of th is letter in t h e B ritish ,
.

M useu m varies a little fro m t h e above :

“ “
I h aue sent yo goo d su st K a boke w h r
. .

alth ou gh it be not outwar dly rim id with gol d etc ,

.

Fro m th is an d t h e great love of books wh ich L a dy Jan e Grey is known to h ave

,

h ad it m ay be pronounce d all but certain t h at sh e was accusto m e d to e m ploy so m e

,

of t h e leisure sh e possesse d in t h e e m bro idery o f th e covers of th e m .

M ary Q ueen of Scots w h en in prison tol d a frien d of Sir W illia m Cecil t h at all, , .
“

day sh e wrou gh t with h e r n y de ll an d th at diversity of th e colours m ade t h e work see m ,

less te dious an d sh e continue d so lon g at it till very payne m a de h er to give over

,
”
.

B ook covers are sai d to h ave been a m on g t h e favourite works of h er nee dle
-
.

Queen E lizabet h e m ployed h er needle in a dornin g t h e covers of books an d wh en ,

only eleven years o ld e m broi dere d a b o o k bindin g for h er step m oth er Queen C ath erine
'

Parr o 1 544 T h is bin din g is now in t h e B o dleian (M S Ch erry

, . . O n a gro und .

work of li gh t blu e silk knitted is a brai de d cross ari d initials K P in silver th rea d
, ,
. .
, ,

an d at each corner a h earts ease For 5 0 youn g a la dy th is is a m ost creditable .

'

per for m ance Wh en in pri m e of life E lizabeth was still a bookbin der , if we m ay
. -

believe t h e evi dence of a little book also in t h e B odleian , at O xford (e M us a o ,

.

It is a m uch worn copy of St Paul s E pistles in E nglis h ; an d th e bin din g is sai d

-
.
’

to h ave been worke d by E lizabeth wh ile im prisoned at W oo dstock durin g t h e rei gn ,

of h er sister Queen M ary Th e cover is of black silk velvet curiously e m broi dered
, .
,

with m ottoes an d devices in silver R oun d t h e extre m e bor der of t h e upper si de .

-
is worke d
‘
C CELU M P AT RIZE
'

S CO P U S V I I IE X P VS CH R I STO V I V E
'

. . .

l
W a rt o n , iii 77 . .
2 “
Bib . i 99. .
a
N ic o la s
’
s
“
L a dy J a n e Grey, 4 1 .
4
H arl M S S . . 2 3 70 .
218 A H I S TOR Y OF TH E A R T OF B OOK BI N D I N G .

In the centre a h ea rt, an d about it ,

”
ELEVA C O R S U R S U M I BI U BI E . C .
1

O n the oth er si de
BE A TU S QU I D IV I TI A S S CRI P T U RIE LE GE N S V E R BA V E R TI T I N O PE RA .

An d in t he centre roun d a star , ,

V I CI T O M N I A P E R TI NAX V I RTU S E . C .

For a volu m e of prayers bou n d in cri m son velvet am on g t h e royal m anuscripts in ,

t h e B ritis h M useu m is cl ai m e d t h e sa m e distinction as for t h e prece din g work

,
O n eac h .

si de is e m broi dered with silver th rea d a m onogra m apparently co m pose d of t h e letters ,

R H K N A an d E in h i gh relief with t h e letter H above an d below an d a

. . . . . .
,
.
,

rose at t h e four corners ?

Fro m wh at h as been previously stated it is evi dent th at E lizabeth was a great ,

lover of books an d a m u n ific en t patron of all concerne d in th eir e m be llish m ent Sh e

,
.

is sai d to h ave carrie d upon h er person a m anual of prayers boun d in gol d an d attac h ed ,

by a gol d ch ain to h er gir dle T h e si des of t h e bin din g m easure 2 % x I % inch es

. Th e .

gol den fi gures of t h is jewel bin din g are in h i gh relief coloure d in ena m el in t h e style
-

4
of Cellini It was ex h ibite d at t h e Tu dor E xh ibition
. - .

Th e followin g extracte d fr o m t h e Catalogue of t h e S pecial L oan E xh ibition

, ,

South Kensin gton fully describes th is re m arkable gol den bin din g
,

No 7 7 60 Queen E lizabeth s prayer book bou nd i n gol d an d ena m elled s

.
’
ai d to , ,

be t h e work m ans h ip of Ge 0 1 ge H eriot .

Th is interesti n g speci m en of an h istorical gol ds m ith s ski ll contains a collection

“ ’

’
of prayers an d m editations co m pose d expressly for t h e queen s use by t h e L ady
E lizabeth Tirwit h er governess sh e was a Falconbri dge an d h er ar m s a lion with
‘

, , ,

two tails are printe d insi de T h e prayers were printe d in 1 574 by A B arker wh ose
, . .
,

device is seen on several leaves a m an strippin g t h e bark fro m a tree an d th e , ,

couplet ,

‘
A B ark e r if y o u w ill ,

I n nam e b u t n o t in s kill
’
.

Th is book was worn by th e queen su spen ded by a ch ain fro m h e r gir dle th rou gh
t h e two rin gs w h ic h are at t h e top .

T h e cover is of gol d ornam ente d wit h coloure d enam el fi gures in ful l relief In .

front is represente d th e raisin g of t h e serpent in t h e wil derness an e m aciated fi gure i n ,

1
E st Ch r is t a n
E l z z a bez‘
h a C ap tive ‘
E l z z a bez h ae Cap tz oa , Nic h o ls s P ro g re ss es , vo ls 823, p refac e
'
3
'
’
’
, or 3 .
, 4t o , 1 .

3
Gen t lem a n M ag az in e, n ew s erie s , i 63
’
s . .

4 ‘
E n g ravin g s o f th is bin ding m ay b e s een in t h e Gem lenz a n s M ag a z in e, an d in H o m e s
’ ’

I ntro ductio n t o B iblio g raphy, ” bo th p o o rly e xecute d Fo r th e p h o to gr aph s fro m w h ich th e illus .

t rat io n s h ere g iven are tak en I am indeb te d t o th e k in dn ess o f C

J W ert h eim er, E sq , t o w h o m I . . .

de sire t o e xp re ss m y th ank s — E D .
 E N GLI S H RO YA L B I N D I N GS . 219

t h e fore groun d, an d t h ree oth ers one in

, th e attitu de of prayer ; on a border roun d it is
written ,

M A RE
‘
1 TH E A FYR I E S E R PE N T AN S ETI I VP FO RA
' '
><

S Y GN E T H A TA s M AN Y A S AR E E Y TI E M AYE LO K E
’
VP O N I T AN LY VE .

O n the back is represent e d th e j u dgm en t of Solom on ,

u p TH E N TH E K YN G AN SVE R E D AN S A YD GYV E H ER
‘
TH E L Y VYN G CH I L D AN S LAY E TN O T SH EI S
‘
FO R
TH E M OTH E R TH E R O F .
3 K 3 . c .
’

back of t h e cover are decorat ed wi t h bl ack ena m els - .

Q U EE N E LIZ A B ETH S
’
G OL D E N M A N U A L OF P RA Y E R S . THE B I ND I N G IS OF G OL D E NA M E LLE D, A ND IS S A I D TO

BE TH E W O R K OF G EO RGE H E R I OT .

(P ho tographed fro m th e or igi n a l in th e p ossessio n o fC J . . Wertheim er ,

E sq .
)

George H eriot was t h e favourite gol ds m ith an d banker of J a m es I of E n gland an d .

,

‘
t h e foun der of th at noble institution Geor ge H eriot s H ospital
’ ’
at E dinburgh (Fro m
“

, ,
”
th e D uke of Sussex s collection ) L ent by George Fiel d E sq r
’
,
. .

O n Tues day June 1 3t h 1 89 3 t h is book was sol d b y auction with t h e rest of t h e

, , , ,

Fiel d collection by M essrs C h ristie M anson an d W oo ds Th e co m petition for t h e

,
.
, , .

treasure was very brisk t h e first b id bein g 50 0 guineas an d t h e fin al one

, guineas , ,

at wh ic h price it fell to C h arles J W erth ei m er E sq 1 .

, .

I n th e m useu m o f t h e D uke of Saxe Goth a was a cover in enam elle d gol d u pon a
'

B ook of H ours m easurin g about 3 to 3i inch es square ; upon eac h of t h e p anels a

”
-

, ,

sacred subject is represente d in gol d c h ased in re lief ; fi gures of saints occupy t h e an gles
,

1
Fo r p articulars o fthis sal e I de s ire t o th aak M e ssrs C h ristie M an so n an d W o o ds ED .
, ,
—
.
 2 20 A H I S TOR Y OF TH E A R T OF B O OK BI N D I N G .

t he wh ole is fra m ed in borders wh ich as well as th e arch es sur m ountin g t h e ch ief de , ,

si gns are co m pose d of diam on ds an d rubies M i gh t th is be one of t h e book covers wh i ch

,
.
-
'

an d offere d by t h at pontiff as a present to C h arles V ?

1
Cellini m ade by or der of Paul .

Th e gol den cover of a s m all m issal m ay be seen at South Kensin gton M useu m ;
like th ose already n otice d it is wrou gh t in relief an d enrich e d with brilliant ena m el T h e
,
.

subj ects on th e si des are t h e Creation of E v e an d apparently t h e Fountain of Y outh , , ,

t h e e dges are orna m ente d with translucent ch anzp leo e ena m el I f th is be not t h e work ’
.

of Cellini it is in h is style T h e volu m e is sai d to h ave belon ge d t o H enrietta M aria

,
.
,

queen of Ch arles I I t is of I talian work m ansh ip o f th e sixteenth century an d was

.
,

purch ased for ; 670 0 I t m easures 3% by 33} inch es (7 36 .

(1 6 0 3 1 6 2 5 J A M E S I ) E lizabeth s successor t h e first Ja m es also appears to h ave

—
,
.
, ,

been partial to a velvet e x terior Speci m ens m ay be cited am on g oth ers th e Pan c iro li .
, _ ,

N o t D ign it
.
(L u gdu n i 1 60 8 ) in li gh t blue velvet rich ly gilt an d h avin g worked gilt
.
, , ,

e dges on a re d groun d partly left blank as ornam ent B u t one of t h e m ost splen di d
,
.

speci m ens of an e m broi dered bin din g is to be foun d in t h e B ritish M useu m in t h e A cta ,

S y n o di N at io n alis D o rdrec h t i Habit as printe d at t h e sa m e place in 1 6 2 0 also once , ,

t h e property of J a m es I I t is a folio in cri m son velvet t h e ar m s of E n glan d bein g

.
,

e m broi dered on both si des with gol d th read yellow s ilk for m in g th e grou n dwork ; but ,

t h is is entirely h i dden by t he gol d wh ich is e m broi dered consi derably in relief Th e , .

initial I sur m ounted by a crown is worked abo ve an d R si m ilarly below as are t h e .

, ,

rose an d th istle in op posite corners Th e ban ds on t h e back are form e d with t h e like .

m aterial an d t h e rose an d t h istle alternately between each

,
It is lettered on leath er .
,

t h e h ea d ban ds an d gilt e dges neatly execute d an d t h e boards tie d to geth er in front

-

with scarlet riban d T h e supporters an d m antlin g are soli dly worke d in brick stitch
. .
-

of m etal gol d t h e raised parts are of gol d cord so m e of t h e leaves are worke d in satin
, ,

stitc h t h e initials are in purl an d t h e desi gn is outlined in go ld cor d A ltogeth er t h e

, , .

work m ansh ip an d m aterial are of t h e first quality an d constitute it a regal book in every ,

particular T h e bin din g is m ost probably D utch H enry Prince of Wales also h ad
. .
, ,

so m e exceedin gly fine e m broi dered bin din gs .

A curious bin din g in a degenerate style but noteworth y as a t yp ical ex am ple ,

‘

of Jacobean art is th e cover of Kin g Ja m es s copy of A M e ditation upon t h e L ord s

,
’ ’

Prayer written by t h e Kin g s M aj e st ie (L on don

,
’
Th e cover is of purple velvet , ,

fl
a dorne d with clasps centre an d corner pieces of en graved silver I n t h e centre are
,
-
.

t h e royal ar m s at t h e corners t h e royal ba d es crowne d t h e h arp eu r de lis t h istle

g
- -
, , , , ,
“

cross a lion h ol din g a sword an d sceptre a rose an d a lion on a cap of m aintenance

, , , .

U pon t h e clasps is t h e Tu dor badge t h e portculli s an d th e initials I R Th is book , , . .

for m s part of t h e o ld royal library at t h e B ritish M useu m .

We now proceed to t h e consi deratio n of th e art in t h e seventeenth century an d are ,

co m pelle d at t h e co m m en ce m en t to state th at t h e m anner of execution an d style of

finish th en began to alter for t h e worse Th e o ld folios of th is perio d po sse ss n o n e of .

t h e co m pactness an d beauty observe d in t h e bin din s of t he previous century H o w far

g .

L aba t te A rts o f t h e M iddl e A g e s p 2 57 ,

“
, . .
 E N GLI S H R O YA L B I N D I N GS . 22 1

fl
th is m ay be attribute d to t h e unsettle d state of t h e country durin g t h e civil wars of
Ch arles I t h e stern m orality of t h e Puritans an d t h e reckless p ro igac y of t h e secon d
.
, ,

C h arles s rei gn cannot for certainty be deter m ine d T h at th ese circu m stances h ad m uc h
’
, .

influence cannot be doubte d ; for bookbin ders like oth er artists w h ere t h e patronage ,

of th e wealth y is re m ove d h ave not m uc h to sti m ulate th e m to greater e xertion th an

,

t h e necessity of procurin g t h e m eans of existence m ay de m an d W ith so m e e x ceptions .

th is degenerate state of art continue d th rou gh out t h e wh ole of t h e century Th e .

pon derous volu m e sof o ld N on con for m ist

divines presen t little or no variety ,

bein g principally covere d with a unifor m

brown cal f with o ut orna m ental exterior .

Several bin din gs h owever, of th is perio d ,

are th ickly stu dde d with gilt orna m ent

o n t h e back O aken boar ds h ad e n
.

t ire ly disappeare d an d a th ick but fli m sy ,

paste board substitute d t h e ban ds w h ich , ,

were of h em pen cord bein g lace d in ,

h oles pierce d th rou gh t h e boar ds A .

gilt ornam ent is so m eti m e s seen on t h e

si des it is of a peculiar c h aracter gene ,

rally a diam on d s h ape d or elliptical -

sta m p in t h e centre orna m ente d with ,

arabesques an d som eti m e s quarters of

,

t h e sa m e sta m p were a dde d in eac h

corner . T h ese sta m pin gs are badly
execute d bein g often dull i m pressions
,

of an orna m ent displayin g n o taste an d , ,

h avin g none of t h e sh arpness of finis h

necessary to give a good e ffect M en .

of goo d fa m ily often h ad th eir ar m s or

crest sta m p ed in gol d upon th eir book N UP N s P RA Y E R
’

NG r HE oR “ O T L D
B N A ME A I DI o D IT TI O

t h ese ee ee ee s e e ps
t h e best orna m ents of t h e perio d
em ce
e
( a i M
.
. M sa ;
B in ders continue d to beat th eir books as in t h e previous century in or der to , ,

pro duce as m uc h soli dity as possible I f th e finish in g of ordinary bin din gs was .

so m ewh at sloven ly t h e j ustice of attention to t h e sewin g an d backin g m ust h owever

, ,

be given to t h e crafts m en of th is century , as m ay be seen in so m e Of t h e volu m es

in St Paul s C ath edral L ibrary L on don wh ich wh en preserved fro m dam p are as
.
’

’
, , , ,

firm in t h is particular as t h e day t h ey were execute d .

B u t in speakin g generally we m ust not detract fro m t h e m erits of a few m ore

, ,

talented artists of th is de generated perio d of our h istory th eir work confir m s t h e opinion
before e x pressed th at wh ere patrons are foun d work m en are not wantin g equal to th e
,
2 22 A H I S T OR Y OF TH E A R T OF B O OK BI N D I N G .

task of executin g bin din g in a superior m anner I t is evi dent th at in a few instances a .

consi derable degree of splen dour was bestowe d an d vast wealth e x pen de d on t h e e xterior
of th e books by so m e of t h e lovers of literature O n e of th ese B ish op Cosin not only .
, ,

lavish e d great treasure on but perfectly un derstoo d t h e variou s m anipul ations require d
,

in t h e bin di n g of a book O n O ctober 1 8t h 1 6 7 0 h e expressly e nj oins th at t h e

.
, ,
-
“

b o o k es s h oul d be all ru bbed on ce a fo rt n igh t before t h e fi re to prevent m oul din g In .

anoth er letter in t h e year 1 6 7 1 to h is secretary Stapylton h e says

, , Y o u spen d a greate , ,
“

deale of ti m e an d m any letters about H u gh H ut ch inson an d t h e a r m es h e is to set up on ,

my booh er W h ere t h e backs are a ll g ilded o v er th ere m ust bee of necessity a piece of
.
,

cr im so n lea th er set on to receive t h e sta m p an d upon all paper an d parch m ent b o o k es ,

besi des Th e like course m ust be taken with suc h bo o ke s as are ru de an d greasy an d
.
,

not apt to receive t h e sta m p Th e i m pression will be taken t h e better if H utch inson
.

sh a v es the leathe r t hin n er W ith such knowle dge of t h e practice of bookbin din g we
.
”
.

cannot be surprise d at t h e bish op s love of luxury in t h e coverin gs of t h e ch oicest works

’
,

wh ich t h e followin g docu m ent attests

T o th e R igh t R ev Fath er I n Go d, .
J oh n L d Bp . . of D ur ham .

Fo r one booke of A cts bd in White leth er. o 2 6

Fo r bin ding t h e Bible an d Com on Prayer an d double gil ding an d

oth er trouble in fitting th em

P d for ru lein g t h e C om on Prayer
.

T h e T o t all 3 1 0 6

T h is takin g into con si deration t h e value of m oney at t h e ti m e appears to h ave

, ,

been t h e h ei gh t of luxury an d e x travagance bu t is noth in g wh en co m pared with t h e ,

'

oth er orna m ent lavish e d on t h e above B ible an d Prayer :

R ec e iv d t h e 3 1 of J anuary 1 6 6 2 of t h e Ri gh t Reveren d Fath er in Go d Jo h n
, , , ,

L or d B ish op of D urh a m by t h e h an ds of M yles Stap ylton t h e su m m e of one h un dre d

, ,

poun ds bein g I n p art ofp ay m en t for t h e plate an d work m ansh ip of t h e covers of a Bible
,

an d Co m on P raie r Booke I say received by m e M S H ouser Gol ds m ith

.
, . .
, ,

T h is m u n ific e n t patron of t h e art does not appear to h ave confined h is en deavours

to t h e em bellish m ent of h is own library an d t h e books of t h e c h urch over wh ich h e
presi de d but to h ave influenced by h is e x am ple t h e patronage of oth ers In a letter
,
.

bearin g t h e date of D ecem ber 8t h 1 6 6 2 fro m M r A r den to t h e bis h op s secretary

, ,
.
’

M yles Stapylton is t h is passa ge : “ My L or d desires you to b espe ake black leath er

,

oases line d with green

,
for t h e silv er an d g ilt boo/ees for th e countess of Claren don to
, ,

carrie an d k e e p e t h e m in ” 1
W ith support such as t h is th ou gh art h ad de generated a
.
, ,

de gree of splen dour was m aintaine d by a few w h o still kept up t h e re m e m brance of ,

t h e talent of previous work m en with m any of t h eir valuable receipts an d directions

,
all
wh ich ten de d to th e pro duction of an i m proved t aste in t h e eigh teenth an d ulti m ately ,

to a revival in t h e nineteenth century To t h e consi deration of th is i m portant result

. ,

we sh all in t h e fifteenth c h ap te r dev o t e our attention

, ,
.
.

1
D ib din
’
s
“
Bib . D ec .
, 11 .
50 3 .
 E N GL I S H R O YA L B I N D I N GS . 223

E N G L IS H G O L D TO O L I N G -
.

( 1 54 7 , H E NRY V I I I ) Gol d toolin g appears to h ave been intro duce d into

5 9
0 1
— - -
. .

th is country in t h e rei gn of H enry V I I I by T h om as Berth elet, a lias Bartlet ; no

“

earlier exam ple of E n glish gol d toolin g th an h is work h as yet been foun d -

Berth elet is suppose d to h ave been by birth a Frenc h m a n but h e certainly spent ,

t h e greater part of h is life in E n glan d an d die d in L on don on J anuary 2 6 t h 1 556 , He , .

”
h ad a s h op in Fleet Street at t h e si gn of L ucretia Ro m ana In 1 52 9 h e succee de d “
.

R ic h ard P y nso n in t h e o ffice of p rin t er an d bi nder to th e kin g H e w as t h e first

'

stationer w h o receive d t h at privilege by ro y a T patent O n February 1 5th 1 530 .

, ,

H enry V I I I gra nted h im an annuity of £4 for life

. O n Septe m ber I st 1 549 h e .
, ,

fl
received fro m Claren ceu x Kin g of A rm s a grant of ar m orial bearin gs VlZ i A zure on , , ,

a ch evron flory counter o ry between two doves argent as m any trefoils vert
, , , .

B eyon d t h e facts above recor de d little is known about Be1t h ele t an d h is work but
from a m anuscript i n t h e B ritis h M useu m 1 an account for t h e years 1 54 1 1 54 3 of ,
—
,

book s etc s u pp lied by h im to Kin g H enry V I I I it appears th at h e boun d t h e kin g s

,
.
, .
,
’

”
go rgio u sly gilt e d an d boun d after th e fac io n of V enice or
“
book in covers “
,
”
go rgio u sly gilt e d on t h e leat h er with arab e ske drawin g in gol de on t h e t ran sfile
,
”
’
.

Th e black velvet bin din g of a bo ok written on vellu m by M aister Turner cost 1 s 4d , , . .

”
Two Pri m m ers covered with purple velvet an d written ab o w t e wit h gol d cost 3s .

‘
”
each . A book boun d in “
c ry m o s n
y sat y n e was c h arge d 3s 6d For a book . .

”
go rgio u sly boun de in w h ite an d gilte on t h e leat h er t h e bin der receive d 4 1 T h e bil l .

a m ounte d to t h e enorm ous su m of £ 1 1 7 o s sea representin g about at t h e present .

,

value of m oney Many of t h e ite m s in t h e bill h owever relate to A cts of P arlia m ent
.
, , ,

wh ich were th en pro m ul gated by procla m ation ; t h ese proclam ations were printed by
B erth e let I n th e R ecor d Co m m issioner s edition of t h e Statutes of t h e R eal m
.
“ ’

’
B ert h e le t s n a m e as printer occurs frequently between I 50 9 an d I
I n t h e royal collection at t h e British M useu m th ere are one or two books still in
t h eir ori ginal bin din gs toole d in a m i x ed Frenc h an d I talian style wh ich see m s to be
, ,
.

”
pecu liar t o B erth elet O n e is upon E ly o t s I ma ge of Governance printe d by him
.
’ “
,

in 1 54 1 t h e boards are covere d with wh ite leath er tooled in gol d an d on eac h si de , ,

’
are stam pe d t h e royal m otto D iea et nz on droit an d t h e kin g s initials ; on t h e e dges
, ,

o f t h e leaves are t h e wor ds R ex in a tern z nn v iv e painte d in gol d T h e ot h er is a

, ,
.

m anus cript boun d for E dwar d V I A noth er bin din g, so m ew h at si m ilar but of in ferior
.

desi gn app ear s Upon a volu m e presente d to H enry V I

,
in 1 544 — 1 54 5 by A ntonius ,

de M usica of A ntwerp .

I n t h e B o dleian th ere are a nu m ber of volu m es with go ld toolin g an d t h e ar m s of -

H enry V I I I with t h e supporters discarde d in 1 52 9

.
,
Th ese books appear to h ave been .

iv en to t h B o dleian by J a m es I an d t h ey un doubte dly cam e fro m t h e royal library

g e .
,

1
P rin te d in t h e y oa r n a l o
f t h e B r itish A r c h a o logi oa l A ssocia t ion , 1 853 , v ol . viii .

Statute s al Ap p en dix, an d ch ap v
”
of th e Re m ,
2 . . .
224 A H I S TOR Y OF TH E A R T OF B O OK B I N D I N G .

several ot h ers bearin g t h e royal ar m s h ave a geo m etrical desi gn consistin g of an oblon g
an d a dia m on d interlace d
(M S B o dl an d m ay h ave been boun d in B erth e le t s
’
. .

h ouse.

B I N DI N G OF
’
E LY OT S
u
I MA GE OF G OVE RNA NCE (LO NDO N ,
PRI NTE D BY TH O MA S B E RTHE LE T,

AND PR OB AB LY B O U ND BY H I M FO R H E N R Y VI II .
(R ED U CE D ) .

(P ho tog raphed fro m th e origi n al in th e B ritis h M u seu m .

)

In t h e sa m e library m ay be seen a rem arkable exam ple of early gol d tooled -

bookbin ding of E n glish m ake Th e bin din g is probably unique ; it m ay date fro m
.

about 1 5 1 5 it cannot be later th an 1 530 ; it covers a m an u script of L atin epi gra m s

,
 E N GL I S H R O YA L B I N D I N GS .
22 5

a ddresse d by W h ittin gton t h e fam ous O xfor d gra m m arian to C ardinal W olsey
R obert , ,

(M S Bo dl.
Th is bin din g is of li gh t brown leath er an d upon it are sta m p in gs in
.
,

go l d of an unusual size E ac h si de is divi de d into th ree rectan gular co m part m ents an d

.
,

each co m part m en t is fille d by a sta m p m easurin g 6 by inch es O nly two sta m ps are .

use d t h e one represents St George slayin g t h e dragon t h e oth er th e th ree Tu dor

,
.
,

badges t h e rose portcullis an d po m egran ate Th e desi gns are e xecuted in a bol d rou gh
, , , .
,

fas h ion an d th e broa d m asses of gol d give an appearance of great rich ness to th is m ost
,

curious speci m en of E n glish bin din g wh ich for m s a link between t h e o ld fash ione d ,
—

sta m pin g an d t h e new gol d toolin g -

.

O fquite a different c h aracter is t h e m a gni ficent bi n din g of a L atin B ible printe d on

vellu m by R Steph en (Paris 1 . probably boun d for an E n glish soverei gn an d now pre
, ,

serve d in t h e B o dleian L ibrary Th e si des m easure 1 8 by 1 1 in c h es an d t h e back is nearly .

,

6 inch es across T h e cover is of dark green m orocco elaborately orna m ente d in t h e Franco
.

Grolieresque style I n th e centre of t h e si des is t h e sh iel d of St George bearin g a re d

.
.

cross an d aroun d t h e s h iel d broad lines edge d with gol d for m an elaborate pattern t h e
,

groun d is covere d with a m ultitu de of gol d dots U p o n th e first page t h e ar m s of .

E n glan d are e m b lazone d T h e e dges of t h e leaves in a ddition to bein g finely gilt are
.
, ,

coloured an d toole d (Bib L at 1 540 b . .

, ,
.

(1 54 7 1 553 E D WARD V I ) W h en Prince of W ales E dward s bin din gs we re

’
—
, .
,

distin guis h e d by t h e initials E P th e t h ree feat h ers c 0 1 0 n e t an d m otto I C H D I E N . .

, , ,

as for exam ple upon an A lphabetical L ist of Counties an d Cities 1 546 (R oyal M S
, ,
“
,
”
.

1 5 c , . in t h e B ritish M useu m A fter h is coronation E dward place d t h e royal ar m s .

,

an d crown of E n glan d u pon t h e si des of so m e of h is books a n d so m eti m es also t h e initials ,

E R cro wne d as upon t h e fine bin di n g of Petri B e m bi C ar dinalis H istori a V eneti a

. .
, ,

(V enice A less elaborate but very effective bin din g done for th is youn g kin g
,

may be seen upon t h e M useu m copy of t h e V oyages of Josap h at B arbaro (R oyal M S “

.
,

17 c ,
. H ere a loze nge an d an oblon g interlace d are place d wit h an oblon g t h e ,

th ree geo m etrical fi gures bein g drawn in broad black l ines e dge d with gol d I n t h e .

centre is a circle containi ng t h e royal ar m s an d in t h e spaces between t h e lines delicate ,

gol d toolin g of Italian desi gn ; but in all probability t h ese bin din gs are E n glish work .

Quite differeht in style are t h e bin din gs decorate d with scrolls such as t h e fine bin din g
of E l Felicissi m o v iaie de D o n P h elippe ; but t h is 15 of Fle m ish ori gin .

E dward V I an d a few o f h is n o bles appear to h ave h ad so m e of t h eir b O

. o ks

boun d in France or t h e N eth erla n ds in th is m anner M ost of t h e kin g s book s

’
.

are now at t h e B ritish M useu m w h ere m ay also be seen exa m ples done for W illia m ,

Cecil L or d B urlei gh H enry F it z alan E arl of A run del R obert D u dley E arl of
, , , , ,

L eicester an d for T h o m as W otton L ord Bu rle igh s bin din gs so m eti m es h ave sta m p e d
’
.
,

on th eir cover W illia m M y ldre d Cic y ll ”

.

Th e E arl of A ru n de l s books are di sti n guis h e d by h is ba dge a w h ite h orse painte d

’
, ,

on a brown groun d in a m e dallion in t h e centre of t h e si des T h o m as W otton so m e .

ti m es place d h is na m e so m eti m es h is ar m s upon h is bin din gs ; but frequently th ey

, ,

h ave neith er na m e nor ar m s to distin guis h th e m t h e orna m ent h owever is so distinc t , ,

I S
2 26 A H I S TOR Y OF TH E A R T OF B OOK B I N D I N G .

in c haracter th at th ere is little di fficulty in recognisin g a W otton bin din g T he E a

. rl . .

o f L eicester w h o belo n gs m ore properly to E lizabet h s rei gn placed h is badge t h e ’

, , ,

bear an d ra gge d sta ff di fferenced with a crescent upo n t h e si des of h is books O n one
, , .

B I NDI N G or
“
P E TRI BEM BI CA R D I N A L I S
‘‘
H I S T O R I IE V E N E I U E , P RI NT E D AT V E NI C E 1 55 1 , AN D PR O B A B LY BO U ND

IN EN GL A N D BY TH O M AS B E R TH E LE T , IN 1 552 , FOR E DW AR D v 1. (R E D U CE D )
.

(P h o tog raphed fro m th e o r ig in a l in th e B ritish M u seu m .

)
late exa m ple in t h e l ibrary of Gloucester C ath edral t h e badge is painted by h an d an d ,

inlai d in t h e centre of t h e si des t h e leath er bein g cut away so as to for m four c o m

,

p art m en t s w h ic h are covere d with velvet once apparently adorne d wit h pearls
, , , , .
 E N GLI S H R O YA L B I N D I N GS . 227

Th e F r an co Grolieresque style did not beco m e fash ionable in t h is countr

-
y an d ,

w e know but one or two exa m ples of it in E n glan d t h ere is one in th e B o dleian an d .
,

anoth er on a copy Of t h e quarto Bis h op s Bibl e of 1 56 9 boun d for A rc h bis h op P ark e I ’

at a ti m e wh en t h e En glish Groli eresque sc h ool (1 54 8 1 56 0 ) was alrea dy on t h e decline —

.

E x a m ples of th is sc h ool are O ccasionall y foun d wit h t h e date 1 552 toole d in t h e c entre
of t h e si des but even th en t h e si gns of de generation h ad alrea dy appeare d
, .

(1 553 1 558 M ary I ) T h o m as B erth ele t is supposed to h ave been M ary s book
’
—
.
,

bin der an d t h e cover of an E pito m e O m niu m O p e ru m D ivi A u relii A u gustini printe d

,
“
,

at Colo gne I n 1 549 decorate d with t h e ar m s an d initials of t h e queen is e xh ibite d at t h e

, ,

B ritis h M useu m as pr obably t h e work of th at artist I t rese m bles so m e of th e bin din gs . .

done for t h e q ueen s brot h er an d like t h e V oya ges of B arbaro t h e geo m etrical pattern
’ ”
, ,

fo rm s t h e lea din g fe ature In t h e desi g n t h e ar m s also are surroun ded by a fla m e circle but ,
—
,

t h e toolin g in t h e Italia n m anner is very m uch finer

“

, ,

t h an upon Ki ng E dward s book T h ere are at least ’

.
‘

th ree books b ound fo r Queen M ary in t h e M anuscript

D epart m ent at t h e Britis h M u seu m an d several in t h e
Printe d B ook D epart m en t all deservin g notice ,
.

(1 558 1 60 3 E lizabeth ) E lizabeth we h ave

—
,
.
,

alrea dy seen h ad a likin g fo r beautiful bin di ngs espe

, ,

c ially w h en t h e m aterials were ri c h stu ffs an d e m

’
broi dery . In th is queen s rei gn s om e m a gnificent
bin din gs in t h e O rient al style foun d th eir way into -

E n glan d . Th ey were eith er i m porte d fro m I taly or

L yons or t h e work of an I talian or L yonese book i
,

bin der resi din g in E n glan d T h e queen possesse d a .

French B ible printe d at L yo ns by Sebastian H ono

,

rati 1 566 boun d in t h is m anner in 1 56 7 T h e book

, , .

is now at t h e B ritis h M useu m Th e bin din g is P OR R I O J H N ”A “ P R NTER

.
T A T F ° I

OOK B N E R B I D
covered with leath er with arabesque desi gns an d
'
“

oth er orna m ents in su nk panels bri gh tly colo ure d an d gilt ; in t h e centre is a portrait o f
t h e queen T h e cover is 1 7 i nch es lon g an d about 1 1 inch es wi de
.
'
Th e e dges are .

gilt upon re d with m in u t e t o o lin g H enry V I I I is sai d t o h ave owne d a si m ilar

'

.
, .

L yonese bin din g w h ich was for merly in t h e possession of M r H eber

, . .

Sir N ic h olas B acon an d one or two m ore E n glish nobles see m to h ave possessed
bin din gs of th is kin d orna m ente d with th eir ar m s an d devices painte d in sunk
'
‘

panels .

T h ere are two e x a m ples in t h e B ritish M useu m O ne upon a si xteent h cen tury .
,
-

m anuscript relatin g a grant of lan d m a de by t h e D uke of U rbano is an e x act copy of

, ,

O rient al work ; t h e ot h er is a V enetian bin din g upon a copy of t h e Statutes an d “

”
O r din ances of t h e Republic of V en ice an d bears traces of I talian influence ,
.

U pon a copy of N icolay s N av igat io n s (L yons 1 56 8) t h e ar m s an d initials of

’ “
,
’

1
M r B Q u arit c h A Sh ort H ist o ry o f B o o kbindin g
“
. . .
,
2 28 A H I S T OR Y OF TH E A R T OF B OOK B I N D I N G .

Queen are p ainte d upon each cover

E lizabeth bein g delicately t he surroun din g border -

tooled an d t h e corners a dorne d wit h h eavy sta m ps .

B esi des th ese special bi ndin gs of forei gn c h aracter E lizabeth possesse d m any
gol d toole d leath er bin din gs of un doubte d E n glis h m ake
— O f t h is latter kin d are t h e .

plain leath er covers bearin g t h e falcon badge of t h e B oleyn fa m ily a cognisan ce speciall y ,

dear to t h e queen because it w as h e r m ot h er s

’

(See h ea d piece c h apter xv p .

-

, .
, .

A strikin g bin din g is t h at of T h o m as M ars h s e dition of M atth ew of W est m inster

’ “
,

1 57 0 presente d to t h e queen w h os e ar m s appear in t h e centre of t h e si des surroun de d

, , ,

by a ric h bor der sta m pe d upon wh ite leath er Th e outer border also h as in lays of wh ite .

with sta m pin gs of m ilitary orna m ents an d upon a label t h e initials I D P Si m ilar , . . .

ornam ents occur o n t h e queen s copy of a book printe d by Joh n D ay in 1 57 1

’
.

U pon a nu m ber of s m all volu m es date d 1 56 9 in t h e library of L ic h fie ld Cath e dral

we fin d a si m ple Tu dor rose ensi gne d by a royal crown toole d u pon th e centre of t h e
si des (probably th ese books belon ged to E lizabeth ) ; an d upon a fragm ent of a bin din g
in t h e D ouce Collection at t h e Bo dleian t h e sa m e device is toole d with in a lozen ge
, ,
-

s h ape d border th is stam p was probably u sed by E lizabeth an d H enry V I I I .

U pon a book date d 1 59 4 in t h e library of Gloucester Cat h e dral t h e queen s arm s

’

with in an elliptical border ensi gn ed by a royal crown an d surroun de d by a garter are

,
.

toole d in a very e ffective m ang er .

T h e persecution of t h e Protestants in France c ause d nu m erous artisans to take

refu ge in E n glan d A m on g t h e refu gees were several bookbin ders O n e Geor ges de la
. .

M o t t h e a French refu gee co m pose d il lu m inate d an d probably boun d A H y m n to

, , , ,
“

Q ueen E lizabeth in 1 58 6 T h is unique book is now at t h e Bo dleian ; it is boun d in

.

brown leath er inlai d with coloure d m orocco an d toole d m ost cur iously ; I n t h e centre
, ,

is a large cr ystal coverin g an ena m el of so m e kin d popularly supposed to be c o m ,

pos ed o f h u m m in g bir ds feath ers H ie a rea n a dea

’
-

T h e bor der contains t h e m otto .

,
“

p roeu l o p r oeu l este p rofani an d on t h e reverse

”
H a t sola ev olv et m ortal i v u ln era
, ,
“
,
”
m o rtis T h e outer bor der contains t h e ar m s an d initials of E lizabeth with various
.

royal b adges sy m bolical letters an d si gns

, , .

A rc h bis h op Parker one of t h e gre atest patron s of literature in this rei gn intro duce d
.
, ,

t h e V eneto L yonese style about 1 57 0 a style wh ich flouris h e d h ere for nearly si x ty years
-

,
.

Th e books fro m Parker s private library as well as t h e copies presente d by h im to t h e queen

’
, ,
’

are all beautifully orna m ente d So m e of h is b in din gs are sai d to bear t h e ar m s of Parker
.

a c h everon c h ar ge d wit h th ree stars between t h ree g

—
, ol den keys in t h e centre sur ,
—
, _

roun de d by an elaborate bor der stam pe d corner pieces a n d graceful toolin g Th e arch
,
-

,
.

h
bis op aintained in L am beth Palace printers li m ners woo d c utters an d bookbin ders
m 1
, ,
-

, .

1 6 2 5 J a m es I
—
, ) To J a m es I m ust be accorde d t h e m erit of intro ducin g
. .

m orocco as a general cover for t h e bin din g of books in t h e E n glis h royal library Volu m es .

in velvet bin din gs belongin g to h im h ave been describe d before but h e also possesse d ,

a large nu m ber of superbly boun d books resplen dent with gol d toolin g upon leath er ;
t h e si des bein g usually orna m ente d with h is ar m s an d initials an d t h ickly stu dde d with ,

1
Gen tl em a n s M ag a z in e n ew s erie s I
’
.
, ,
 E N GL I S H R O YA L B I N D I N GS .
9

h eral dic th istles fleurs de lis etc in a m anner su ggestive of so m e of t h e best Fre nch
,
- —
, .
,

work of t h e sam e perio d:

Th e toolin g generally is not so delicate as t h at of t h e great Fren ch bin ders neith er
are t h e orn a m ents so accurately dispose d as th eirs but t h e e ffects are broader T h e , .

B o dleian L ibrary possesses so m e books boun d for t h is kin g but t h e greater part of h is ,

library is with t h e o ld royal col lection at t h e B ritish M useu m .

Th e bin din g of L es V rais P o u rt rait s e t V ies des H o m m es I llustres par ,

A n dr é T h evet lar ge folio (Paris ,

is in green m orocco t h e royal ar m s in t h e ,
’
,

centre surroun de d by scroll an d o rn am e n t al w o rk Th e desi gn an d execution of th is

,
.

bin din g are both beautiful Tra dition as cri bes t h e work to Jo h n Gibson an d we h ave .
,

never seen any French work e x actly like it nor any better T h e ar m s in t h e centre are ,
.

”
tooled upon inlai d coloure d leath er A noth er bin din g t h e Caere m o n iale E p isc o p o ru m .
, ,

folio (R o m e bears t h e s h iel d of t h e royal arm s in t h e centre and t h e re m ainin g

,
'
,

space co m pletely stu dded with t h e rose th istle etc T h e lik e o rn am en t is also foun d on , ,
.

anoth er folio bearin g t h e initials of Ch arles I

,
.

O th er n otable bin din gs belon gin g to Kin g J a m es are upon

I
. P LE A B E TWE E N TH E A D V O CA TE A N D T H E A N TAD VO CATE CON CE RN I N G T H E
”
BAT H A N D BA CH E L O R K N I G H T S by Francis T h ynne 1 60 5 (D epart m ent of M anu , ,

scripts Britis h M useu m ) is covere d in brown calf h avin g t h e kin g s ar m s in t h e centre

, , ,
’

h eavily gilt sta m ps at t h e corners an d a series of fleurs de lys ,

- -

”
z
. L A E RTI I C H E RU BI N I D E N U RS I A C I V I S R O M A N I etc (R o m e t he ,
.
,

B ritis h M useu m I n t h e centre are t h e royal ar m s h eavy stam ps are pl ace d at t h e

.
,

corners a fine bor der surroun ds t h e panel an d t h e in terven in g space is rou gh ly toole d
, ,

with a s m all orn am ent rese m blin g a tri dent Th e material is brown m orocco . .

”
3
. D E G RA TI A E T P R ES E VE RA N TI A S A N CT O R U M
“
(L on don boun d in ,

w h ite vellu m a dorne d with p o w de rin gs of stars an e ffective orn am ent fou n d upon several ,

bin din gs at th is perio d .

4
. P O N TI F I CAL E R O M A N U M etc (Ro m e
“
covere d with brown m orocco , .
,

fl
el aborately toole d I n t h e centre is t h e usual stam p of t h e royal ar m s a lace like bor der
.
,
-

surroun ds t h e panel upon wh ic h th istles an d e u rs de lys are arrayed cl ose togeth er in

,
- -

vertical lin es an d between th e m a s m all er orna m ent representin g a m arguerite T h e

,
.

back of th e book is toole d all over Th is is a th orou gh ly ch aracteristic piece of work .

.

Fro m t h ese e x a m ples it is evi dent t h at J a m es before h is acc ession to t h e E n glis h ,

th rone h ad been a patron of bo okbin ders A great lover of liter ature like m any of
, . ,

h is royal pre dec essors h e ma de t h e covers of h is books convey so m e i dea of h is

,

esti m ation of t h eir contents A docu m ent foun d by M r T h o m son of t h e Recor d O ffice . .
, ,

E dinburgh an d publish e d by t h e B annatyne Club not only gives an account of t h is

1
, ,

m on arch s books but m an y n o t ic e s of t h e su m s pai d to an d transactions with book

’ ’

sellers printers an d bin ders O u r subj ect relates to t h e latter an d fortunately m any
, , . ,

ite m s occur wh ich t h row consi derable li gh t on th e sort of bin din gs an d prices pai d in
t h e north ern capital about t h e year
1
Th e L ib rary o f M ary Q ue en o f Sc o ts an d J am e s V I
“
.
4t o ,
.
,
.
2 30 A H I S TOR Y OF TH E A R T OF B O OK B I N D I N G .

W e h ave seen th at t h ere a s th e kin g s bookbin der in th e ti m e of H enry V I I I

w
“ ’
.
,

an d h ere we h ave an appoint m ent of J o h n Gibson un der t h e privy seal dated at , ,

D alkeit h J uly 2 9 t h 1 58 1 to t h e like o ffice un der J a m es V I of S cotlan d

, , ,
.

A n e letter m ai d to Jo h ne Gib so u n b u k eb in de r m ak an d h im O u r S o v e ran e L o rdis

.
,

B u ik b in der an d ge v an d to h im t h e o ffice t h airo f for all t h e day is of h is ly fe t y m e etc etc

,
.
,
.
,
.

For usin g an d e xe rc in g q u h airofh is h eines gev is gran t is an d assign is to t h e sai d Joh ne

’

”
e irlie t h e so w m e of t u e n t ie p u n dis u su all m oney of t h is re alm e to be payit to h im y ierlie
y
.
,

I n t h e previous year a lon g account of th is J oh n Gibson s for work done for t h e

’

kin g presents a m on g fift y nine di fferent books t h e followin g ite m s selecte d accor din g
, ,
-

,
-

to sizes to s h ow t h e variation in price

J O HN E G I BS O N I S B U I K BI N D E R S P R E C E P T .

Z an th ig [Z an c h iu s] de tribus eloh im fol gylt pryce .

,

H ar m on ia S tan h u rsti fo in v e lle n e pryce .

,

D ic t io n ariu m in latino graec o e t gall ico ser m one 4 gylt pryce

°
,

Bu daeu s de c o n te m pt u re ru m fo rtu itaru m 4 in v ellen e °

C o m m e n t aria in Su e t o n iu m 8 gylt pryc e °

,

Th esaurus pau p eru m 8 In v elle n e °

Petronius Arbiter 8 In parch m e nt °

O ra tio n e s c laro ru m v iro ru m 1 6 gylt pryce °

,

Su m m a of th is com pt is
P Y OW N G
xv ij 11 iiij s iiij d
' '

. . .

O n the back of th is account is an or der upon th e treasurer subscribe d by , the kin g , an d

the abbots of D unfer m line an d Cam b u sk en n e t h as follows ,

RE X .

T h esau raire gre it yo w ch arge yo w th at ye Incontinent efter the

e ill IT is our w ill an d w e
’

w e w

syc h t h eiro f an su er our lou it

J o h n n e gip so u n b u ikbin dar of th e so w m e of sev in t en e p u n dis iiij s
iiij (1 w ith in m e n t io n at T o be t h an e kfu llie allo w it to yo w in your c o m p tis k ep in g this our prec ept
togeth er w ith t h e said J o h n n e his acquittance th airv p o u n for your w arrand Su bscryu it w ith our
h an d At H alyru de h o u s t he first day Of O ctober 1 5 8 0 .

J AM E S R .

R D U N FE R M LI N E A CAM BU S K E N N E T H

Here we h ave also furth er Gibson s receipt ’

I J o h nn e Gib so u n be t h e t e nn o r h eiro f grant m e to h aue ressau it fra Robert c o lu ill of

“

c leish e in nam e of m y lor d t h esau rar t h e so w m e of sev in t e n e pun de iiij s iiij d confor m e to yis

com pt an d prec ept w ith in w rit tin off ye qlk so w m e I h al d m e w eill q ten t an d payit an d disc harge
h im h ereof for en it B e th ir p n t e su b sc yu it w ith m y h an d A t E dr th e xv day of nove m ber 1 5 8 0
’
.

J o h n e gybso n e w t m y h an d .

Gylt price referrin g to a superior bin din g in leath er perh aps m orocco as it is
, , ,

seen th at about double t h e price pai d for v ellen e is c h arge d V ellu m grace d t h e general .

class of rea din g books an d parc h m ent afforde d a protection for t h e least value d A few
, .

’
of J a m es s vellu m boun d books are orna m ente d wit h gol d toolin g of an inferior kin d
- -
.
 E N GL I S H R O YA L B I N D I N GS . 2 31

J oh n W ebster in Th e D evil s L aw Case a dra m a first publis h e d in 1 6 2 3 re fers

,
“ ’

, ,

to t h e practice of applyin g gol d toolin g to vellu m bin din g -

’
T h ere s in m y closet a prayer bo ok t h at is covered wi th gilt vellu m Fetc h it 1 -

. .
”

I n th e accounts of t h e H i gh Treasurer for S cotlan d in t h e years 1 580 1 58 2 we —

M an 5801 Item be th e K ingis M aj est e is pre cept to

.
J o hn ne Gibso u n bu ikbin de r, for
c ertan e bu ik is fu rn ist to h is b ienes , conform e to h is particular co m pt as , th e sam yn w ith t h e said
precept an d h is acqu itt ance sc h ew in u po u n com pt beris , xlj lib v j 5 . .

O ctober 1 58 0 Item be t h e Kingis M aj e ste is pre cept to J o h n n e Gibso u n e b u ikbin dar , fio r

'

c ertan e bu ikis m aid be h im to h is b ienes , conform e to t h e particular co m pt gevin in t h e ru po u n , _

as th e sam in w ith th e said precept an d h is acqu ittance sc h ew in u p o u n co m pt be iris, xx li .

J au n at e 1 58 2 Ite m be h is M aj esties precept to J o h n n e Gibso u n b u ikbin dare for sin drie

.
,

volu m es bund to h is h ien es as th e precept w ith h is acquittance pro du cit u po u n com pt beris v lj
, , .

xvj s v iij d
. .

M arch e 1
58 2 . Ite m for bindi ng of th e N ew Te stam ent to h is M aj estic be J oh ne G ibso u n
bu ikb in dare , xiiij

W h eth er Gibson ca m e to with J a m es cannot be determ ine d or if any of E n glan d ,

t h e speci m ens we h ave before describe d are to be attribute d to h im m ust alike re m ain
in doubt Th e su m s pai d h im were for suc h work as was at t h e ti m e adopte d for t h e
.

general bin din gs of t h e possessors o f libraries at t h at perio d .

A n drew H art was anoth er S cotc h bookbin der in t h e ti m e of J a m es V I of w h o m .

little is known e x cept h is h avin g boun d so m e books for th at m onarch I n t h e accounts .

above referre d to is t h e followin g entry

April e 1 60 2 . Item payit to A ndro H art B u ikbin de r for certame bu ikis q u h ilkis w er gevin to ,

M r A dam New
. t o u n for t h e P rince his use as th e said M r Ada m is ressait t h airo f pro dau t testifies .

xxj . li ix
. . 5 .

J a m es on co m in g to t h e E n glis h t h rone continue d an d m ost probably exten de d

, ,

h is patronage of t h e art H e appointe d R o b e rt B ark e r an d Joh n N orton h is book

'

bin ders ; but it is doubtful if th ey th e m selves ever boun d a book for t h e kin g Th ey m ost
probably e m ployed oth ers to do t h e work Th e speci m ens describe d s h ow J a mes to .

h ave been fon d of orna m ent ; an d of h is re gard for literature an instance m ay be cite d
fro m a speech delivere d on t h e occasion of h is visit to t h e Bodleian L ibrary at O x ford ,

wh erein h e state d if h e were n ot a kin g h e woul d desire no oth er prison t h an to

,
“
, ,

”
be ch aine d to geth er with so m any goo d auth ors .

T h e various s tyles previously describe d continue d to be practise d to t h e e n d of t h e

seventeent h centu ry by a few bookbin ders ; but t h e general c h aracter of bookbin din g
1
W eb ste r s ’
D ram atic W o rk s , v ol . ii .
, p . 1 2 8, Ed Pic k e ring ,
. 1 830 .

2
Th e Library of M ary Q ue en c ts an d J am e s V I
o fS o , 4t o .

H e arn e s I ntro ductio n

’ ”
3
Re l B o dl
. . 1 70 3 . .
2 32 A H I S TOR Y OF TH E A R T OF B OOK B I N D I N G .

for som e ti m e before an d up to t h e close o f t h at period h ad m uch depreciate d as th ere ,

w ill be occasion to s h ow .

'

T h e bin ders of t h e U nive rsities of O x for d an d C a m bri dge were celebrate d for th eir
skill In t h e year I 59 8 we fin d D r J a m es t h e first appointe d librarian of t h e Bo dleian
. .
,

L ibrary at O xfor d h ad co m plaine d to h is patron of t h e L on don bin din g an d Sir

, ,

T h o m as B o dley replyin g W oul d to Go d you h ad si gnified wh erein t h e abuses of our

,
“

1 ”
L on don b in din g did consist A n d again wis h in g to know for wh at price D o m in ic/e
.
,

an d M ills two O xfor d bin ders w ou ld e xecute an ordinary volu m e in folio

,
” ” 2
He , .

afterwards appears to h ave e m ployed these or oth er a rt ists for in anoth er letter to th e ,

librarian h e says I pray you put asm any to bin din g of t h e books as you sh all th ink
, ,

convenie nt of wh ic h I woul d h ave so m e dozen of t h e better paper to be tri m m ed

, ,
“

with gn zldz ng an d strin gs ; an d sen ds at anoth er ti m e m oney for th eir bin dings
” 3
' '
“
, , ,

4 ”
c h ain in gs placin gs,
etc ,
.

'

Th e m aterials a dopte d by Sir T h o m as B o dley were p rin c ip ally le at h er an d vellu m

an d occasionally velvet as in t h e prince s (afterwards C h arles I ) books 5 w h ich h e
,
’
.
,

h ad presente d to t h e library T h e statutes w h ic h h e left an d now in t h e library s h ow

.
, ,

t h at wh ere it coul d be conveniently done h e preferre d leath er to vellu m as a cover fo r ,

h is books
S t at u im u s etia m u t lib ri in p o st e ru m de novo li gan di aut c o m p in gen di sint o m nes
,
.
,

si co m m o de fieri p o ssit cor1 ace 1 non

Th e styles an d colours h e a dopte d were various H e directs th at care be t aken in
-
.

t h e appoint m ent of t h e sc h olars to trans m it t h e books fro m t h e packa ges th at none be ,

e m bezzled by reason of th e fin e bin ding of so m e of t h e volu m es ” 7

A n d again I pray .
,
” 8
you continue yo ur purpose for colourin g such books as you fancy m ost O th ers h e .

orders to be a n d gives directions in al m ost every letter rel ative to so m e ,

depart m ent of bin din g an d orna m entin g t h e books .

T h e establis h m ent of t h e B o dleian gave a sti m ulus to everyth in g connecte d with

books in t h e U niversity but O x for d bin din g th ou gh in som e repute still m us t h ave
, , ,

been li m ite d in ex tent as at th at ti m e t h e college libraries th ere were neith er large

,

nor nu m erous A ccordin g to Sir Tho m as Bo dley C am bri dge was even worse o ff h e
.
, ,

re m arks after h is visit to th at U niversity Th e libraries are m eanly store d an d Trinity

, , ,
”
College worst of all 9 .

T h e bin din gs of C am bri dge h ow ever enj oye d an equal reputation with th ose of , ,

O xfor d . A decree of th e U niversity (A D 1 52 3) provi de d t h at every bookbin der . .

“
,

bookseller an d stationer sh oul d stan d severally boun d to t h e university in t h e su m

‘

of £40 an d th at th ey sh oul d fro m ti m e to t im e provi de su fficient store of all m anner

,

of books fit an d requisite for t h e furnish in g of stu dents ; an d th at all t h e book s sh oul d

'

1
H e arn e s ’
R el H e arn e s R el
’
. 1 59 5 217
. . .

2
I bid .
,
1 85 .
6 “
Ap p en dix St at u t o ru m , 24 .

3
I bid 7 H e arn e s R el
’
“
34
.
,
2. . 2 74 .

4
I bid , 363
. . Ibid , 2 1 8
8
. .

9
Hearne ’
s Re l B o dl , 1 9 5
. . .
 E N GLI S H R O YA L B I N D I N GS . 2 33

be w ell é ou n a an d be sol d at all ti m es upon reasonable prices

’
, T h e bin ders i n .

Ca m bri dge at t h is perio d exercise d also t h e trades of booksellers printers an d , ,

” 2
stationers B ot h U niversities m aintaine d t h eir reputation for goo d bin din gs durin g
.

t h e trouble d ti m es of t h e m i ddle of t h e seventeenth century an d h ave done so up to ,

t h e present day .

A uth ors an d learne d m en in t h e Tu dor an d Stuart ti m es were generally careful

about t h e bin din g of th eir books M yles C over dale in a letter to T h o m as L or d
. .

Cro m well relative to h is translation of t h e B ible says A D 1 538 : A s c o n c e rn y n g y

, , , . .
“ °

N ew Testa m ent in E n glish y copy w h ereof yo goo d lo rdsh ip pe re c e av e d lately a ,

° “

boke by y servant Sebastian y coke I b ese c h y L to c o n sy dre y gre n e sse t h ereof

r °
.
"

.
?
.
e

'

wh ich (for lack of ty m e ) can not as yet be so apte to be boun de as it s h oul d b e ” 3 , .

Sir Th o m as B o dley displays a perfect knowledge of everyth in g connecte d with th e

“

subj ect In h is v ario u s let te rs to D r J a m es h e is continually givin g directions relative

‘

. .

to t h e bin din gs of t h e books in vellu m an d leath er or derin g th e m to be rubbed by t h e ,

k eeper with clean cloth s as a precaution a gainst m oul d an d worm s ; an d m akin g pro ,

vision for a proper supply of bars locks h asps grates clasps wire c h ains an d gim n io s , , , , , , ,

of iron belo ngin g to t h e fastenin g an d rivettin g of t h e books

,
“ ” 4
Bo dley s great con .
’

te m porary Sir R obert Cotton was also equally well verse d in th e details of bin din g
, , .

Sir M atth ew H ale in bequeath in g a collection of m anuscripts to th e library of L incoln s

.
’
,

I nn says T h ey are fit t o be boun d in lea th er an d eng in ed and kept in arch ives

,
“
, At , , .
”

E ton Col le ge durin g th e Provostsh ip of Sir H enry S avile (1 59 6

,
both printers
an d bookbin ders were e m ploye d ; so m e excellent work done by t h e E ton bin ders still

re m ains to attest th eir skill .

H enry Prince of W ales in h erited fro m h is fat h er a love of learnin g an d of goo d

, ,

books well boun d Wh en t h e library of L or d L u m ley was purch ased by t h e prince

.
,

h e appears to h ave h ad m any of t h e books reboun d in calf with h is ar m s in t h e centre ,

of th e covers an d crowne d roses fleur de lis Prince of W ales s feath ers or h eral dic lion s ’
“

- -

, , , ,

in t h e corners L or d A run del L ady L u m ley s fath er h ad obtained a great portion of

.
,
’

A rch bish op Cramm er s library an d upon t h e deat h of L or d Lu m ley Prince H enry s

’ ’

, ,

t u tor t h ese passe d into th e prince s possession Prince H enry s books are now n early
,
’
.
’ “

all in t h e Brit ish M useu m '

0 ( 5 1 6 49 C h arles I ) C h arles I was not a great patron of bookbin ders H is

1 6 2 —
, . . .

ar m s appear upon t h e covers of a few books for e x a m ple u p o n W illiam s Th e R i gh t ’

'

Way to t h e B est R eli gion (L on don

”
in t h e British M useu m as also upon , ,
”
“
H ipp o c rat is e t Galeni O pera (Paris U pon t h e latter t h e crowne d m onogra m
'

C M for Ch arl es an d M aria is several ti m es repeated Wh en Prince of W ales Ch arles

. .
, ,
.
,

place d his arm s an d initials C P on th e si des of h is books . . .

It was in th is rei gn th at N ic h olas Ferrar a m an of culture d tastes an d deep piety , ,

retired to a pleasant m ansion h ouse at L ittle Gi ddin g in H unti ngdonsh ire wh ere h e -

, ,

dwelt for m any years presi din g over a co m m unity of relatives c h iefly wo m en w h o
, , ,

H arl M S S 70 50 3
S m ith s Facs im il e s , p late
’
1
. . . 17 .

Gen t l em a n s M ag az i ne, H e arn e s R el B o dl

’ 4 ’ “
78 1 , 40 9
2
1 . . .
 2 34 A H I S TOR Y OF TH E A R T OF B OOK BI N D I N G .

observe d h ours of prayer an d occupie d th e m selves with various useful labours a m on g

, ,

oth ers th at of bookbin din g N i ch olas Ferrar was born in 1 59 2 was e ducate d at .
,

C a m bri dge an d after spen din g so m e years abroad returne d to E n glan d in 1 6 1 9

, T ill .

1 6 2 4 h e m ana ge d t h e affai r s of t h e V irginia C o m pany an d soon afterwards bou gh t ,

t h e estate of L ittle Gi ddin g T h ere is no need to relate h ere h o w t h e fam ily com pose d
.

“
H ar m onies of t h e B iblical books ; but th is ch apter woul d be in co m plete with out a
”
h
s ort account of t h L ittle Gi dding bookbin din g
e A n in genious bookbin der was .
“

e m ploye d to teach t h e w h ole fa m ily t h e art of bookbin din g gil din g a n d letterin g: , ,

Th is book bin der was a la dy a bookbin der s dau gh ter of Ca m bri dge very expert in
,
“ ’

t h e art of gil din g an d t h e kin g w h o h ad a book boun d by h e r sai d h e h ad never seen

, ,

t h e like work m ans h ip

1
Th e la dies too are believe d to h ave ap p lie d t h e ir knowle dg e
'

.
, ,

of e m broi dery to th e sa m e useful art Bu t contrary to t h e usual i m pression n o .

e m broi dere d bin din gs worked at Gi ddin g are k nown Th e B ritish M useu m copy of t h e .

”
Gi ddin g A H istory of t h e I sraelites date d 1 6 39 perh aps one of t h e books specially
“
, ,

m a de for Ch arles I is boun d in dark green leath er elaborately tooled in gol d ; on t h e

.
,

back are t h e initials C R It was t h e custom of t h e Ferrar fam ily to cover t h eir
_
.
~

books w hen boun d in velvet outer covers rich ly gilt A copy of Ferrar s Wh ole L aw — .
’ “

”
of Go d boun d in green vel vet was given by A rch bis h op L au d to t h e library of
, ,

St Jo h n s College O x for d w h ere it re m ains to th is day E leven of t h e Gi ddin g

’

, ,
.

H ar m onies ”
h ave been trace d six of t h ese are in leath er gol d toole d four in velvet
, ,

h eavi ly gilt an d one in re d parc h m ent wit h t h e four corners an d centres of t h e si des
,

a dorne d with pierced parch m ent superi m posed an d gil ded I n 1 6 4 8 t h e sol diers of t h e ,
.

Parlia m ent attacke d an d plun dere d F errar s h ouse h e an d h is fa m ily saved t h e m se lves ’

only by fli gh t .

Sir Kenel m D i gby w h o gave one of h is collections of books to t h e B o dleian

, ,

for m ed another in France wh ere h e resi de d after t h e execution of C h arles I an d

,
.
,

e m ployed so m e of t h e m ost fa m ous bin ders of t h e ti m e to a dorn h is books wh ich are ,

now ch iefly to be foun d in th e N ational L ibrary Paris A rc h bish op L au d Sir Kenel m , .

,

”
D i gby t h e
,
“
great S h el don of B eoley an d m any E n glish noble m en an d co m m oners ,

cause d a plain s h iel d of ar m s to be sta m pe d in gol d upon t h e si des of th eir books .

.

O liver Cro m well cause d h is ar m s to be place d upon so m e of h is books but durin g ,

h is Protectorate t h e art of bookbin din g did not flouris h in E n glan d W ith t h e rest o ra .

tion E n glish bookbin din g entere d upon a new p h ase

( 1 6 6 0 1 68 5
—
C h arles I I )
,
C h arles I I appears to h ave
. acquire d a taste for soli d .

an d well orna m ente d bin din gs H is favourite ciph er two interlace d C s crowne d
’
.
, , ,

placed with in a laurel wreath appears upon t h e covers of m any E n glis h boun d volu m es
,

in t h e o ld royal collection Fro m th is ti m e to about 1 7 2 0 so m e goo d i m itations of

.

L e Gascon were m ade in L on don H u gh H utch inson (1 6 6 5 4 6 85) an d h is conte m .

—

i at O x for d d C a m bri d e pro d uce d m any oo d bin din gs an d towar ds t h e

p o r a r es a n g g ,

e n d of t h e seventeenth century t h e cottage roof style begins to appear I t is seen .

with Kin g C h arles I I s ciph er

’
n Th e B ook of Co m m on Prayer (L on don
“
,
.

S B M ay r L i f f N F rrar b h is bro th e r e d Ca m bridg e

“ 1 855 ”
J . o . e.o e y , .
, ,
.
, .
 E N GL I S H R 0 VA B I ND I N GS .
2 35

a m on g t h e orna m ents ; it appears upon t h e copy of prayers used by George I I I .

,

at h is coronation in 1 7 6 0 I t is sai d th at th is orna m ent was use d in France so early

.

as 1 6 30 but it appears to h ave quickly di ed out in th at country an d to h ave flou rish e d ,

i n E n glan d especially at O x ford an d Ca m bri dge wh ere t h e bin ders adopte d it for
, ,
’

'

t h e books printe d at local presses S a m uel M e rn e was Kin g Ch arles I I s bin der
.
.
’
.

Joh n E velyn is sai d to h ave intro duce d French m o dels into E n glan d an d work ,

w as done in i m itation of t h e square L e G asco n e s u e w h ich B o e t in Paris was be in

q y g ,

1
nin g to m ake h is own Th e fan s h ape d toolin gs also beca m e popular a m on E n lis h
.
-

g g
bin ders durin g t h e seventeenth century .

I t was about t h e e n d of t h e seventeen th cen tu ry th at bin din gs in tortoisesh ell an d

silver m ounts beca m e very fash ion able especially in t h e Neth erlan ds an d France w h ence , ,

th ey were frequently brou gh t to E n glan d an d of t h ese several beautiful speci mens m ay

be seen at South Kensin gton M useu m .

Th e backs of m any o ld book s were ren dere d m ore attractive by gilt orna m ent an d ,

w h o le libraries w ere often unifor m ly a dorned in th is way S o Sa m uel Pepys recor ds in .

h is diary : 2 8 A u g 1 6 66 Co m es t h e bookbin der to gil d t h e backs of m y books

“ —
. . .

Pepys also says th at h e possesse d a bin din g by N ott, t h e L on doner w h o boun d t h e ,

’
books for L ord Claren don s library .

(1 6 8 5 1 6 8 8 J a m es I I ) J a m es I I h as not left m an y e x am p les of bin din g bu t

—
,
. .

‘ ,

th ere is in t h e British M useu m a C a m bri dge B ible of 1 67 4 boun d in cri m son velvet , ,

h an dso m ely e m broi dere d wit h gol d an d silver th read an d coloure d silks with t h e i nitials ,

of J a m es I I surm oun te d by a crown

. .

(1 6 9 4 1 7 0 2 W illia m I I I ) W illia m I I I an d Queen A nne (1 7 0 2 1 7 1 4 ) h ad books

—
,
. .
—

boun d an d sta m ped with th eir initials but as regar ds orna m ent t h ere was little if any to ,

relieve t h eir so m bre book covers A t South Kensin gton M useu m m ay be seen a Prayer
-
.

B ook w h ic h once belon ge d to Q ueen A nne ; it is boun d in black leath er blin d toole d -

n d h as t h e queen s m ono gra m un der a crown several ti m es repeate d M ost of t h e

’

, .

eat bin ders of th is perio d copie d t h e work of Bo y e t ; but so m e e x a m ples of m osaic

work of great brilliancy s h ow a m arked in divi duality T h is kin d of work is sai d to h ave .

been done ch iefly in L on don it ceased to be pro duce d after t h e death of Queen A nne .

Tow ards th e e n d of t h e seventeenth century a sch ool of S cotch bookbin ders appears ,

an d disappears a g ain about 1 7 30 Th e c h ief c h aracteristic of t h eir work was a bri gh t

.

an d sparklin
g effect pro duce d by dots an d s m all leaves of gol d T h e leath er w as .

generally coloure d blue Th e style was continue d in a de generate for m till 1 7 50

. .

Fro m t h e rei gn o f Queen A nne to th at of W illia m I V books belon gin g to t h e

I

.
,

E n glis h soverei gns were generally boun d plainly an d a dorne d only with s m all toolin gs ,

an d t h e royal ar m s in
gol d ; but t h e soverei gns of t h e h ouse of H anover occasion ally
displaye d great taste an d m agnifi cen ce in t h eir bin din gs I t is believe d t h at H er .

M ajesty Queen V ictoria takes an especial interest in t h is branch of applie d art Th e .

late Prince Consort did m uc h to raise it fro m t h e de generate state into wh ich it h ad
fallen an d several m e m bers of t h e royal fa m ily h ave beco m e its patrons
,
.

M r B Q u a rit c h
1
A B rief H isto ry o f D e c o rative Bin ding
. .
,
“
.
2 36 A H I S T OR Y OF TH E A R T OF B OOK B I ZVD I N G .

Th e royal library at W in dsor is fa m ous for a m agnificent collection of bin din gs

‘

inclu din g speci m ens of t h e work of th e m ost fa m ous bin ders both E n glish an d forei gn , ,

as well as m an y ro yal bin din gs of great beauty I t is in a great m easure owin g to th is

'
'

.
, ,
.

patronage th at t h e art of book bin din g h as risen durin g t h e last years to t h e

position of a fine art .

O R N A M E NT FR O M A PA NE L OF A B I N DI N G M A D E F O R Q U E E N E L I Z A BE T H .
 C H A PT E R XV .
1

M OD E R N E N GLI S H B O OK B I N D I N G .

OR
so m e years after th e R evolution n o sensible progression or
i m prove m ent in bookbin din g was evi dent T h e art if not retro .
,

gra din g m ade no advance an d no na m es eit h er as patrons or

,
.
, ,

practitioners in th is country or France occur to redee m t h e e n d of

, ,

t h e seventeent h an d be ginnin g of t h e ei gh teenth century fro m bein

g
c h aracterise d as a dark portion of its h istory B u t a new an d brilliant .

era was about co m m encin g th at was to give a sti m ulus to t h e efforts

,

of t h e E n glish bin ders an d by t h e in fluence of e x am ple to consi derably increase

, , ,

t h e nu m ber of patrons of t h e art A taste for t h e collection an d establis h m ent of

.

large an d valuable libraries be gan to devel op soon after t h e co m m ence m ent of t h e

ei gh teenth century .T h is m aterially influence d t h e sal e of books an d inci dentally ,

every branch of t h e book trade Ne w works m ore frequently appeared an d fro m

.
, ,

t h e increase d de m an d in t h e course of years o ld ones , t h at h ad lain dor m ant in s m all

, ,

collectio n s or t h e seclu de d libraries of convents on t h e Continent were sub m itte d to

, ,

public c om petition A s a consequence fro m t h e greater nu m ber of books th e art of

.

bookbin din g began to revive .

Th e first an d m ost distin guis h e d of t h e collectors of t h e ei gh teenth century was

R obert H arley E arl of O xfor d w h ose fine library now in t h e B ritish M useu m attests
, , , ,

h is spirit as a collector an d h is m u n ific e n t patro nage of everyt h in g c o n n e c t e d w it h

,

literature W h en we consi der t h e nu m ber of great m e n at th at ti m e form in g collections

.
,

we nee d not feel surprise th at t h e ei gh teenth century presentin g as it did so extensive , , ,

a fiel d for t h e talent an d energy of t h e B ritis h bookbin der was pro ductive of m ost ,

s atisfactory results .

1
Th e h e a d p iec e r ep re s en ts th re e arm o rial b in din g stam p s t o t h e l e ft t h e arm s o f M irab eau in
- -

t h e c entre a b a dg e o f o n e o f t h e Tu do r s o v e re igns ; t o th e rig h t t h e B o l ey n b a dg e use d b y Q u e e n

, ,

El iz ab eth.
 A H I S T OR Y O F TH E A R T O F B O OK B I ND I N G .

boun d in re d m orocco
Th e b ooks in t h e H arleian C oll ection are principally ,

h e an d d
presentin but little variety in t h e style of finish T ey are resp ctably soun ly .

‘
D E C L AR A T I O N OF FA I TH (LON D O N ,

G W ITH R I CH G O LD TO O L I N G ( C OT T A
G E ROO F sTY LE ) .

B I ND I N in R ED M O R O CC O

(A ttr ibu tea to E llio t

’
an d Ch ap m an .
)

boun d with a broa d bor der of ol d roun d th e d s

si e , a ddition of a centre
so m e with th e
‘

g
,

an d th e m lozen ge s h ape d a pine

orna m ent T h e tools use d are s m all
.
, centre orna ent
 M OD E RN E N GLI S H B OOK B I N D I N G . 2 39

apple is one of t h e tools co m m only occurrin g Th e fore edges of t h e leaves are left .

plain an d t h e e n d papers are D utch m arble Th e artists by w h o m th ese books were

,
-

boun d are sai d t o h ave been E lliot an d C h ap m an na m es wh ic h are associate d with ,

t h e distinctive and e le gan t st y le wh ich m arke d t h e best desi gns of t h e ei h teent h century
'

g .

T h is descr iption furn ish es a fair speci m en of t h e general style of bin din g till near
t h e close of t h e e igh teent h century M aterials of course di ffered but m orocco russia
“

.
, , , , ,

an d brown calf w ere t h e principal substances use d T h e art m ay be sai d to h ave .

progressed m ore in t h e forwar din g or early stages th an in t h e finis h in g ; for it m ust be , , ,

confesse d th at t h e selecti on of tools fo r gil din g did no t Often di spl ay t h e best taste ;
,

birds trees sh ip s e t c bein g i n discri m inately app lied to t h e backs of books w h ose
, , , .
,

contents were frequently diam etrically opposite to wh at t h e orna ment selected woul d
lead any on e t o suppose an d t h e tools also w ere of t h e poorest desi gn natural with out ,

an atte m pt at conve ntion ality Bu t we m ust e x cept a fe w of t h e bi ndin gs of t h e perio d

.
,

w h ich s h ow better taste .

O n e M r T h o m as H ollis h ad h is books de c o rat e d in a sin gular m anner

. He .

e m ploye d t h e t h e n celebrate d artist Pin go to cut a n u m ber of e m ble m atical devices ,

as t h e caduceus of M ercury t h e w an d of E sc ulap iu s t h e c ap of liberty owls etc W ith

'

, , , , .

t h ese t h e backs an d so m eti m es t h e si des of h is books were orna m ente d W h en .

patriotis m ani m ate d a work h e ado rn ed it with caps of liberty an d t h e p u g io or s h ort

’
,
'

sw o rd u se d b y t h e R o m an sol diers ; w h en w is do m fille d t h e pa e t h e owl s m ajestic

’

g ,

gravity in dicate d t h e contents ; t h e c adu c eu s pointe d out eloquence ; an d t h e wan d of

'

ZEscu lap iu s was t h e si gn al fo r goo d m e dicines 1

.

T h e bi ndin gs o f O x ford an d Ca m bri dge continue d to be celebrate d for t h eir

superior Work m a nsh ip an d are h el d in h i gh e sti m ation by several m o dern collectors
-

,
.

T h e ch aracteristics of t h e bin din gs of w h ich we are now speakin g are a peculiar fir m ness
-
-

an d i m prove d taste Of finis h Th ey are in plain calf with ban ds an d m arbl e d e dges t h e
.
, ,

spaces betw een bein g fill ed up with gilt to olin g .

T h e m i ddle of t h e ei gh teenth century witnesse d th e intro duction of t h e saw n back ,

wh ereby t h e ban ds o n w h i ch th e book is sewn are let into t h e backs of t he s h eets an d ,

th us no projection appea rs as is seen in m ost bin din gs Of a previous date Wh ere it

,
.

w as first D se d is no t kn own but h is consi dere d t h e D utc h bin di ng first gave t h e i dea
,
.

A lth ou gh it was a do pte d by many of t h e E n glis h an d Fren ch bin ders w ith repu gnance ,

i t beca m e fas h io nable B an ds or raise d cor ds were soon o nly Use d for s c h ool books
.
, , ,

wh ic h species of bin di ng was th en universally known as S neep fie n ds Th e general kin d .

of bin din g fro m t h at ti m e up to t h e e n d of t h e ei gh teenth century was wh at is term e d

, ,

ca lf g ilt bein g d one al m ost all to one pattern t h e si des m arble d t h e backs bein g
,
2
, ,

brow n with coloure d letterin g pieces an d full gilt O pen backs h ad been little intro
,
-

,
.

du c e d an d t h e backs of t h e books were m a de re m arkably stiff to prevent t h e leath er

,
.

fro m wrinklin g wh en th ey were opene d .

H o m e s I ntro ductio n ii 30 6
1 ’ “ ”
.
, .

3
O n t h e in ven tio n o f th is p ro c e ss g re at cautio n w a s us e d t o k e ep it s e cre t a n d b o o k s w ere ,

o bl ige d t o b e s e n t t o th e in ve n t o r t o b e m arb l e d at a h igh p ric e M arb l e d p ap e r h o w eve r w as in u se .

, ,

in t h e s ixteenth c entury in I taly an d p erh ap s in o th er c o un trie s (see p .

2 40 A H I S TOR Y OF TH E AR T OF B OOK BI N D I N G .

The artists of t h e earlier part of t h e period of wh ich we h ave been treatin g m ust
h ave been nu m erous but few are known ,
Two Ger m an bin ders nam e d B au m garten .
,

an d B ene dict were of consi derable note an d in ex tensive e m ploy m ent in L on do n

“

, ,

durin g t h e early part of t h is century

1
W h o t h e d istin guish ed bin ders at O xfor d .

were h as not been recorde d ; b u t a m an na m e d D awson th en livin g at Ca m bri dge

.
, ,

2
h as t h e reputation of bein g a clever artist an d m ay be pronounce d as t h e bin der of
.

m any of t h e substantial volu m es still possessin g t h e distinctive bin din g we h ave before
referre d to B au m garten an d B ene dict woul d doubtless be e m ploye d in every style of
.
, ,

bin din g of t h eir day ; but t h e ch ief c h aracteristics o f t h e ir efforts are goo d substantial .

volu m es in russia with m arble d e dges I n t h e latter years of t h e e igh t een t h c en t u ry

,
.

several French political refu gees e m i grate d to L on don an d foun d e m ploy m ent as book ,

bin ders intro du cin g t h e style th ey h ad learnt as a m ateurs in France ; D u Lau t h e

, ,
.

frien d of Ch ateaubrian d t h e V icom te de B ré cy an d t h e Co m te de C au m ont belon ged

, ,

to th is fraternity .

A later artist an d one to w h o m per h aps m ay be attribute d t h e first i m pulse given

, , ,

to t h e i m prove m ents w h ich th en were intro duce d into bin din gs was Joh n M ackinlay one , ,

of t h e largest an d m ost cre ditable bin ders in L on don of t h e perio d Several speci m ens .

of h is work in public an d private libraries re m ain to justify th e ch aracter given h im ;

an d of t h e nu m erous artists t h at h is office pro duce d m any h ave in later days given goo d , , ,

proof th at t h e lessons th ey received were of a h i gh c h aracter .

(1 7 39 Towar ds t h e e n d of t h e ei gh teenth century a total ch ange in t h e aspect

of bookbin din g was effecte d by t h e taste i ngenuity an d e fforts of one R o ger Payne it , ,
“

was h e w h o first atte m pte d t o pro duce bin din gs orna m ente d i n h a r m ony with t h e
ch aracter of t h e books an d to invent an ori gin al style of decoration w h ic h if not always
, , _
,

conspicuously goo d is usually m eritorious R o ger Payne was born in W indsor Forest
, _
.

early in t h e ei gh teenth century A fter passin g h is early y ears at E ton with Pote t h e
.

bookseller h e ca m e to L on don to be apprentice d to T h o m as O sbor ne a bookseller in

, ,
”

H olborn an d was so m e ti m e about t h e years 1 7 6 6 1 7 70 fi x e d as a bi n der near L eicester

, ,
—
,

Square b y h is n a m esake Th o m as Pay n e t h e e m inent bookseller th en livin g at t h e

, , ,

M ews Gate H is great taste in t h e ch oice of or n am ents an d j u dic ious application of

.
,

th em ; soon procured h im nu m erous patrons a m on g t h e noble an d wealth y ; an d h ad h is

con duct been equal to h is ability it woul d h ave been better for h i m self a s well as ,

for t h e art h e practise d H is books are not so well forwarde d as it h as been t h e fortune
.

of th e present day to witness H is favourite colou r appears to h ave been olive wh ich
.
,

h e calle d V enetian H e also like d to work upon strai gh t graine d m orocco staine d dark
.
-

blue or bri gh t re d b u t som e of h is best efforts are foun d upon R ussian leath er (first
,

i m porte d to th is country early in t h e ei gh teenth century ) H is ornam ents were th e great .

boast of h is bin din gs Th ey were ch aste beautiful classical an d m ost correctly executed
.
, , , ,

t h e si des bein g t h e fi el d in wh ic h h e s h one m ost conspicuously T h e ornam ents of .

h is back s an d h is m o de of m an agin g ban ds were peculiarly h is own an d books execute d

, , _ ,

1
D ib din
’
s
“
B ib . D ec .
,
ii
.

H arts h o m s R aritie s a m b ridg e ”

’
Bo o o fC 18
'

e
-
; , .
 M OD E RN E N GL I S H B O O K BI N D I N G . 24 1

by h im are quickly discovered by th ese c h aracteristic m arks A Glas gow fE sch y lu s .

’

folio in t h e Spencer L ibrary wh ich contains m any speci m ens of h is bin din g is
, ,

consi dere d to be t h e c/z ef d ce n w e b f h is work m ansh ip

’
O f t h e style an d quantity
’
.

of work e m ploye d t h e followin g bill delivere d with it will s h ow an d also e x

, , h ibit a , ,

curious speci m en of h is s ty le
A eselzy lu s Glasgu ae M D CCX C V F laxm a n I llu str anit
, B oun d in t h e very b e st m anne r .
,

se w d w ith stron g S il k every Sh e e t roun d every Ban d not false B an ds ; T h e B ac k lin e d w ith
’ ‘
, ,

Russia L eath er Cu t E xceedin g large ; Finis h e d in t h e m ost m agn ifi c ent m ann e r E m b o rder d
’
-

, .

w ith E R M I N E exp ressive of T h e H igh Ran k of T h e N obl e P atroness of T h e D es ign s ; T h e

oth er Parts Finish ed in th e m ost elegant T aste w ith sm all T ool Gol d Borders Stu dded w ith Gol d
an d s m all T ool Panes o f t h e m ost exact Wor k M easure d w ith th e com passes It tak es a great
. .

deal of Tim e m ak ing out t h e different M easure m ents pre paring t h e T ools an d m ak ing out Ne w
,

Patterns Th e Bac k Finish e d in C om partm ents w ith parts of Gol d stu dded Work an d Ope n Work
.
,

to R el ieve th e R ich close studded Work All th e T ools e xc ept stu dde d points are obl ige d to b e
.
,

f plain first an d afterw ar ds th e Gol d laid on an d w or ke d o ff again

w o rk t o f — An d th is Gol d Work .

requires D ouble Gol d being on Rou gh Grain d M orocco

,
’
.

Th e I m p re ss io ns o ft h e To o ls m ust b e bitt e d a n d c o v e r d at t h e bo tto m w ith Go l d t o p reve n t fl aw s

’

a n d crac k s 12 12 0

Fin e D raw in g P ap e r fo r I n layin g T h e D e s igns 55 6d Fin e st P ic k t Law n . .

P ap e r fo r I nte rl e av in g Th e D e sig n s 1 5 6d 1 y d a n d a h alf o f s il k 6d . . . .

I nlayin g t h e D e s igns at 8d e ach 32 D e s ign s 1 1

4 .
,
I 19.
0 . . .

M r M o rto n a dding B o rde rs t o t h e D raw ing s

. 1 16 o

,g1 6 7 o

Th is talente d but tipsy bookbin der did all h is work with h is own h an ds as far as
, , ,

possible t h e fol din g beatin g sewin g cuttin g m e ndin g h ead ba ndin g an d colourin g of
, , , , ,
-

h is e n d papers as well as m akin g h is own tools an d letters both of wh ic h latter were

-

, ,

m a de of iron so m e of th e m are yet preserved as curiosities an d speci m ens of t h e skill ,

of t h e m an To t h e occupation of tool cutting h e m ay h ave been driven at ti m es by

.
-

t h e lack of m oney to p rocure tools fro m t h e m akers ; but it cannot be set down as
bein g generally so for in t h e form ation of t h e desi g ns in w h ich h e so m uch excelle d it
,
,

is but reason able to suppose arguin g fro m t h e practice of so m e bi n ders in l ater ti m es

,
,

h e foun d it rea dier an d m ore e x pe dient to m anufacture certain lines curves etc on t h e , ,
.

occasion th an to trust to inferior skill of t h e or din ary work m an B e th at as it m ay h e

,
.
,

succee de d in executin g bin din gs in a m ann er so su perior as to h ave n o rival a m on g -

h is conte m poraries an d to co m m an d t h e a dm iration of t h e m ost fasti dious book lover of

—
,

h is ti m e H e h ad full e m ploy m ent fro m t h e noble an d wealth y an d t h e esti m ation in

. ,

wh ich h is bin din gs are still h el d I S a proof of th eir e x cellence H is best work was done .

for t h e Spencer L ibrary T h e followin g bill relates to an ancient e dition of Pe t ra1 c h 1 11

.

th at collection
T h e pap er was very w e ak e sp ec ialy at y Bac k of th is B oo k I w as 6 .

obl ige d to use n ew paper in y Wash ing to keep th e Book from b e ing 6

torn or broken T o paper for Was hing

T o Washing th e ir w as a great de al of Writing In k an dt h e b ad stains
.
,

it re qu ire d several w ash ings to m ake t h e paper of t h e Boo k qu ite safe ,

2 42 A H I S T O R Y OF TH E A R T OF B OOK BI N D I N G .

for ,
oo k w ith o n e or t w o w ash ings w oul d look as w ell at p res ent
t h o th e B ,

it w ill not stan d th e test of T im e w ith out r ep eate d w ash ings Carefully .

an d q u it e H on e stly done ,

T o S is e in g very c are fu ly an d S tron g

-

T o S is e th e Boo k
l o m e n din g every L eaf I n t he B ook for every L e af w anted it th ro t h e
,
' ’
,

w h ol e B oo k e sp ec ialy I n y Bac k M argins I h ave sett do w n y nu m ber

e e
.
, .

of pie ces to each L eaf 1 ,

Cl ean ing th e w h ole B ook

Th e B oo k h ad
been very badly fol de d an d th e L eave s very m uch
“

o u t of square I w as obl ige d to Com pass every l eaf s ingle an d m ar k t h e ,

irregul ar parts an d ta k e t h e m Off w ith out parting t h e s ise of th e C opy

, ,

very carefully an d H onestly don e

T h e B oo k b eing all Single L e ave s I w as obl ige dto stich it w ith s il k
, ,

fin e an d w h ite to prepare it fo r s e w ing done in t h e Best m ann er an d

,

u nco m m on ,

Th e copy of th e B oo k w as in very bad C on dition w h en I rece ived it .

T h e m ost Antiq E dition I th in k I h ave ever seen I h ave done t h e

'

.
. . .

very be st I spare d no tim e to m ak e as good an d fair a Copy as is in m y

po w er to do fo r any B ook th at E VE R D I D o r E VE R W I LL or E VE R CA N be
, , ,

done by anoth er w ork m an; t h ink ing it a very fin e un ique edition B ound .

in th e very b e st m ann e r in V enetian Coloure d m orocco l e ath er sew e d ,

w ith s il k t h e B ac k l in e d w ith a R uss ia L eath er

, Finish e d in th e A ntiq . .

T aste ve ry Corre ctly l e ttere d an d very fi ne s m all T ool Work neat

, , ,

M orocco j oints Fine D raw ing P aper ins ide to suite t h e colour of t h e
,

O riginal pap e r of th e B oo k Th e O uts ide Finish ed in a T rue S cientific

.

ornam ental T aste m agn ifi c ent T h e B ook fin ish e d in th e Antiq T aste .

-

.
,

v ery correctly le t ter d in Work T h e Wh ole fi nish ed in th e very B e st

’
.

m anner for pr e s ervation an d el egant T ast e , 4 7

H ere we h ave t h e wh ole inutia of t h e m o de of procee din g an d th is appears to

m ,

h ave been a peculiarity 1 n all h is bills eac h book of h is bin din g bein g acco m panie d by_ ,

a written description of t h e orna m ents in a like precise an d curious style Here is . .

anoth er rel ative to a book boun d for D r M oseley w h ic h also exh ibits a little jealousy .
,

of h is breth ren of t h e craft or a du e appreciation of h is own talent by t h e conte mptuous

, ,

m anner h e refers to t h e m

Versa lz z H u m an i Corpo r is fa l r ica T h e title Was h ed, Cleane d an d Very neatly M e n de d, T h e

.

oppos ite L e af D itto T h e P or t ra z‘.e M argins C l ean ed an d th e oppos ite Le af D itto Fine .

D raw in g P ap er ins ide, exc ee din gly n e at an d strong m orocco j oints Fine purple paper ins ide .

very neat T h e O uts ides Finish e d w ith D ouble P an e s an d Com er T ools agreaé le to th e Book
. .

T h e Back fin is h e d in a very el e gant m ann er w ith s m all T ools t h e Boards requ ire d P enn ing w ith ,

Stron g Boards an d strong Glue to pre vent future D am age to t h e Corners o f t h e B ook 2 Cutts .

n ew Guarded Th e for m er B oo k bin der h ad m ended it very badly as u sial

. I h ave done t h e
-
.

very B est Work in m y Pow er according to Orders took up a great deal o fTim e 0l 1 5s 0 d ,
. . . .

1
A t fo o t o ft h e bill is an e nu m eration o fth e p ie c e s .
 M OD E RN E N GLI S H B O OK B I N D I N G
.

I n anoth er bill he says

’

T h e Back
covered w ith Russia Leath er before t h e outside cover w as put on N B Th e
, . . .

C om m on practice of B ook binders is to l ine th eir B oo k s w ith Bro w n or Cartrid e Pap er t h e

-

g ,

paper L ining spl its an d parts from t h e Bac ks an d w ill n o t last for Tim e an d m uch reading .

Th ese are only a few of t h e curious an d c h aracteristic speci m ens of t h e bills of our
artist but th ey are su fficient to attest t h e superiori ty of h is work m ans h ip
, Payne s .
’

reputation as an artist of th e greatest m erit was obscure d an d eventually nearly lost , ,

PO RTRA I T OF R O G E R PA Y N E .

(Cop ied fro m a co n te m p o ra ry etch ing do n e fo r To m P ay n e th e bo o kseller .

)
by h is intem perate h abits H e loved drink better th an m eat
. . O f th is propensity an
anec dote is relate d of a m e m oran du m of m oney spent by h i m self ,
w h ich runs t h us

Fo r Bacon , I h alf penny,

-

F o r Liquor, sh ill ing

'

1 .

No won der th en that with h abits like t h ese t h e efforts o fh is patron in establis h in g h im
, , , ,

were ren dere d of no avail I nstead of risin g to t h at station h is great talent woul d h ave
.

le d to h e fell by h is dissolute con duct to t h e lowest depth of m isery an d wretc h e d

,

ness O f h is squali d appearan ce an i dea m ay be form e d by t h e en gravin g I t is

.
.

taken fro m a print wh ich T h o m as Payne cause d to be execute d after t h e death of th is

,

erratic genius an d e xh ibits t h e m an in h is wretch e d workin g roo m as in life h e daily

,
-

appeare d H ere h owever were execute d t h e splen di d speci m ens of bin din g we h ave
.
, ,
 TH E A R T OF B O OK BI N D I N G
A H I S TOR Y OF
.

2 44

before referre d to ; an d h ere o n t h e sa m e s h elf were m i x e d to gether o ld s h oes p recious ,

leaves an d brea d an d ch eese w ith t h e m ost valuable a n d costly

‘
m anuscr ipts , or early
,
,

pr inte d books
H
.

T h at h e was eccentric m ay be ju dged by w at h h a s d

been relate of h im e .

OF E ACH
G GE R PA YN E G O LD AN D L I N D TO O LE D A
’

CA M E O I N S E R TE D I N THE C E NT R E
BY RO B ,
M O R O CCO B I N D I N ,

COV E R U P ON (V E N I C E
“ ”
V I R GI LI U S ,
,

th e Cra ch ero de Co llectio n at th e B ritish M u seu m )

“

(Fro m
.

propensity as the h is
appears also to h ave been a poet on t h e subj ect of unfortunate ,

followin extract fro m a copy of verses sent with a bill to M r E vans for bin din g
-
.
,
g ,

B arry on t h e W ines of t h e Ancients

”
“
proves ,
 M OD E RN E N G LI S H B O O/( BI N D I N G . 245

H o m e r t h e h a rd, sun g in h ig h e st strain s

w ho
Th e fe stive g ift a g o bl et fo r h is p a in s ;
, ,

Fal e rnia n g ave H o rac e V irg il fire , ,

A n d B arl ey W in e m y B ritish M u s e in s p ire .

B arl ey W in e fi rst fro m E gyp t s l e arn e d s h o re ;

’
,

A n d th is t h e g ift t o m e o f Ca l v er t s st o re ’
.
”

At one ti m e Payne entered into partnersh ip with R ic h ar d W eir ; but h e did not
agree with h im so a separation spee dily took place H e afterwards worke d un der t h e
, .

roof of J M ackinlay but h is lat e r e ffo rt s ;sh o w e d t h at h e h ad lost m uch of th at ability

’

,
.

wit h w h ic h h e h ad been so largely en dowe d Pressed down with poverty an d disease .

h e breath e d h is l ast in D uke s Court St M art in s L ane on N ove m ber 2 0 t h 1 7 9 7

’ ’
, .
, , .

H is re m ains were interre d in t h e buryin g gro u rid of St M artin s in t h e Fiel ds at t h e -

.
’
- - -

ex pense of T h o mas Payne t h e bookseller w h o as before state d h ad been h is early

, , , ,

frien d an d w h o for t h e last ei gh t years of h is life h ad ren dere d h im a regular pecuniary

, , ,

assistance bot h for t h e support of h is body an d t h e perfor m ance of h is work 1 .

O f t h e m erits an d defects of h is bin din gs one well qualifie d to j u dge an d to , ,

wh ose research es we are in debte d for gre ater part of th is m e m oir h as th us recor ded ,

h is O pinion with w h ic h we s h all close our account

,

T h e great m erit of R o ger Payne lay in h is taste in h is c h oice of ornam ents —

,

an d especially in th e workin g of t h e m I n h is linin g j oints an d insi de ornam ents .

, ,

our h ero generally an d so m eti m e s m elanch olily faile d H e w as fon d of w h at h e called

, .

purple paper t h e colour of w h ich was as violent as its texture was coars e I t was
, . .

liable also to c h a n ge an d beco m e spotty ; an d as a h ar m onisin g colour with olive

it w as o diously discor dant
_
Th e j oints of h is books were generally ai r
.
/ hin ted uneve n , ,

carelessly toole d an d h avin g a very unfinis h e d appearance H is backs are boaste d of

, . .

‘
for th eir fir m ness H is work e x cellently forwar ded every s h eet fairly an d hon a fiae
.
—
’

stitc h e d into t h e b ack w h ich was afterwar ds usually coate d in russia but h is m inor
,

volu m es did not open well in consequence H e was too fon d of th in boards ; w hi c h .

in folios pro duces an unco m fortable effect fro m fear of th eir bein g ina dequate to ,

” 2
sustain th e wei gh t of t h e envelope
Th e exa m ple of R o ger Payne 5 bin din g h ere given s h ows t h e distin guis h in g features
’

of h is work h e obtaine d broad effects by m assin g m inute toolin g in well define d fiel ds ,

an d leavin g t h e re m ain der Of t h e surfa ce plain Th e toolin g is exact an d t h e for m s .

,

of t h e tools ele m entary .

Wh en Payne e x cels h is desi gns are m ost si m ple ori ginal an d ele gant Fortunately , ,
.

h is b ad h abits did not entirely quench h is artistic instincts .

R ic h ar d W eir R o ger Payne s partner was not a w h it le s s dissolute t h an P ayne

’
.
, ,

1 7 74 h e an d h is wife were e m ploye d at Toulouse 1 n bin din g an d repairin g t h e books ,

in Count M ac art h y s library wh ere th ey were succee de d by D erom e T h e connection

’
,
.

between W eir an d R o ger Payne as m i gh t be e x pecte d fro m t h e h abits of both was

, ,

of s h ort duration Th e partners were generally quarrellin g an d W eir bein g a m an

. , ,

of stron g m uscular buil d, used so m eti m es to procee d to th rash in g h is less powerful

“

N ic h o ls Lite rary A n e c do te s D ib din s B ib D e c ii 50 8 ’

iii 736
'
1 “ . . . .
. . ,
,
2 46 A HI S TOR Y OF TH E A R T OF B O OK B I N D I N G .

coadj utor Payne is sai d to h ave co m posed a sort of M e m oir of t h e Civil W ar between
.

t h e m A fter th eir separation W eir went abroad an d bein g taken prisoner by a privateer
.
, , ,

h e is sai d to h ave t h reatene d to de m olish h alf t h e crew if t h ey did not liberate h im .

H e worke d t h e latt e r part of h is life wit h M ackinlay 1

M rs W eir if not actu a lly a . .
,

bookbin der was a m ost skilful book restorer

,
H e r skill in m en din g defecti ve leaves -
.

was such th at unl ess h el d up to t h e li gh t t h e renovation was i m perceptible O n

, ,
.

h er return fro m France sh e went to E dinbur gh to repair t h e books in t h e R ecor d ,

”
O ffice in t h at city A p ortrait of h e r is given in D ib din s D eca m eron
’
. .

T h ou gh Roger Payne s career h ad not been successful so far as h e was personally

’

concerne d it h ad t h e effect of benefitin g t h e wh ol e race of E n glish bookbin ders A

,
. .

sti m ulus h ad been given to t h e tra de an d a new an d c h astene d style intro duce d ,

a m ong t h e m ore talente d artists of th e m etropoli s Th e debased tools before allu de d ,

,

to were discarde d an d a series of h i gh ly finis h ed desi gns geo m etrical or pseu do classical
, , ,
-

were a dopte d an d th e urns an d rosettes of t h e A da m s style foun d a reflex On t h e

,
’

covers of books . .

Th e conte m poraries an d followers of R o ger Payne t h e five Ger m ans B au m garten , , ,

B ene dict W alth er S t agge m e ier an d K alt h oeb er were workin g in L on don about t h e
, , , ,

co m m ence m ent of t h e ei gh teenth century an d pro ducin g m uc h soli d work in gil ded ,

calf an d m orocco .

K alt h oe b e r s work is t h e m ost fa m ous ; t h e orna m ents are generally of lar ge pro
’
-

portion but h is brilliant gol d an d rose coloured m orocco are still appreciate d H e
,
-
.

rediscovere d or revived t h e an cient m eth o d of painti ng t h e e dges of books an d in ,

t h is m anner d ecorated so m e of h is best work In conj unction with C h arles L ewis h e .

,

boun d m ost of t h e books in t h e B eckford L ibrary at Fonth ill H erin g Falkner Ch arles .
, ,
.

L ewis C larke M ackenzie Fairbairn an d S m it h were t h e m ost distin guish e d nam es

, , , ,

a m on g t h e L on don bin ders of t h at ti m e

.
.

Joh n son an d Gos den were excellent work m en t h e latter b e in g fa m ous for h is ,

e m ble m atical toolin g for books on an glin g .

Th e Royal Institution possesses t h e b est sp e c im en of S t agge m e ier s skill in t h e

’
,

D i dot H orace of I 7 9 9 presente d by T h o m as H ope ; it is in blue

”
bin din g of t h e , ,
-

m orocco an d e m bellish e d wit h orna m ents cut after antique m o dels

,
.

H enry Falkner c elebrate d as an h onest in dustrious an d excellent bookbin der

, , , ,

w h o in h is m o de of rebin din
, g ancient books was n ot only scrupulously particular in t h e ,
'

preservation of th at i m portant part of a volu m e th e m argin but h is t o o lin g was at once ,

tasteful an d exact 2
Falkner after th us givin g satisfac tion to h is patrons an d bi ddin g
.
, ,

fair to be t h e first bin der of h is day die d of consu m ption in 1 8 1 2 leavin g a large fa m ily , , ,

wh ich it is but justice to state were m ateri ally assiste d by th ose w h o h ad e m ploye d
, ,

an d respecte d t h eir fath er .

C h arles H erin g A fter t h e death of R o ger Payne H erin g for about twelve years
.
, ,
,

was consi dered t h e h ea d of t h e craft H e was an extrem ely skilful bin der an d a . ,

re m arkably in dustrious m an H is bin din gs e xh ibit a stren gth an d squareness with

. ,

1
D ib din s D ib din s B ibl io m ania 2 64
’ ’ “
Bib D e c ii “2
. .
, .
, , .
 M OD E RN E N GLI S H B O OK B I N D I N G . 2 47

a goo d style of finish wh ich ren ders h is work of m uch value an d establish es t h e
, ,

reputation accorde d to h im H is faults were a too great fon dness for double h ea d ban ds
. -

an d t h e use of brown paper lin in gs with a little inclination to th e Germ an taste , .

A fter Ch arles H erin g s death h is business was con ducte d by h is broth er with success
’

J oh n W h itaker was celebrated as t h e restorer of deficient portions of works printe d

by Ca x ton etc by t h e use of brass type an d as t h e inventor of gol d printin g now
, , , ,

beco m e nearly general H e intro du ce d a new style of bin din g to w h ich t h e na m e of

.
,

E t ru sca n h as been given T h is s tyle h e e m ployed for t h e bin din g of m any of t h e

.

copies of t h e M agn a C h arta printe d by h i m self in gol d T h e bin din g of t h e copy

, .

of M a gna Ch arta belon gin g to Kin g George I V is m agnificent T h e covers are nearly . .

a m ass of gol d orna m ent ; it is line d with cri m son silk rich ly gilt , .

Ch arles L e w is one of t h e m ost e m inent bin ders t h e B ritis h capital h as pro duce d
, ,

was born in L on don in th e year 1 7 86 an d at t h e age of fourteen beca m e appre ntice to

W alth er A fter servin g t h e full perio d of h is apprentices h ip an d workin g as a
.
,

j ourney m an in sev eral sh ops in t h e m etropolis h e co m m ence d business on h is own

’
,

account in Scotlan d Y ar d A t t h at place an d subsequently in D en m ark C ourt Stran d

.
, , ,

an d D uke Street Picca dilly h e displaye d as m uc h persever

, , ance an d attention in t h e
m an a ge m ent of h is business as skill an d ener gy in pursuit of h is art , L ewis was .

at t h e h ea d of h is profession between 1 80 2 an d 1 84 0 ; elegant an d classical in all h e

did h is style is too sober for m o dern taste H e was a pu pil of Payne s sch ool but
’

, .
,

excelled h is m aster in t h e free dom of h is forwar din g an d t h e e le gance of h is fi nis h .

’
L ewis s bin din gs are to be foun d in nearly all t h e libraries of fifty years stan din g for
’
,

so m e of wh ich h e worke d very e x tensively an d to t h e satisfaction of h is e m ployers O n ,

.

t h e c h aracter of h is bin din g D r D ibdin h as t h u s enlarg e d Th e particular talent of “

.
,

L ewis consists In unitin g t h e tast e of R o ger Payne wit h a free do m of forwar din g an d
squareness of finish in g peculiarly h is own H is books appear to m ove on s ilken h in ges . .

H is j oints are beautifully square d an d wrou gh t upon with stu dde d gol d ; an d in ,

insi de decoration s h e stan ds with out a co m peer Neith er loaf su gar paper nor b 1 own -

, ,

n or pink nor poppy C

,
oloure d paper are th erein disc o v e 1 e d ; bu t a sub due d oran ge or
-

bu ff h ar m onisin g with russia a sl ate 0 1 F1 e n ch grey h ar m onisin g with m o 1 o c c o ; or an

, ,
_

antique o r deep cri m son tint h ar m onisin g with spri gh tly calf : th ese are t h e surfaces
, ,

or groun d colours to accor d picturesquely with wh ich Ch arles L ewis brin gs h is leath er
"
,

an d toolin
g into play To particularise w oul d be en dless ; but I cannot h elp just .

noticin g t h at in h is o rang e an d Ven et ia n m oroccos fro m th e stur dy folio to t h e pliant

, ,

duo deci m o to say not h in g of h is m anage m ent of wh at h e is please d facetiously to call

—

bin din g a la m ode fra n ga ise h e h as struck out a line or fas h ion or style not only
—
'

, , ,

exclusively h is own as an E n glish artist but m o delled upon t h e orna m ents O f t h e

, , ,
-

Grolier an d D e Th ou volu m es infinitely beyon d w h at h as yet been ach ieved in t h e

,
’
sa m e bibliopegist depart m ent I t is du e to state th at L ewis s book restorations equal
.
,

even t h e union of skill in Ro ger Pa yne an d M rs W eir W e m ay say . .

A n d w h at w a s R og er o n c e is L ew is n o w
’
1
.
,

1
Bib D e c
’
D ib din s . .
,
 HI S TOR Y o F THE
’

24 1; A A R T OF B o oRB I N D IN G .

I n quite anoth er style are t h e nu m erous to m es in velvet wh ich repose securely upon
t h e s h elves of t h e libraries of t h e c h apter h ouses at Y ork an d R ipon L ewis h ad two — .

youn ger broth ers Geor ge an d Fre derick also bookbin ders Th e D uk e of D evonsh i re
, ,
.
,

E arl Grenville an d L ords Spencer an d L ans downe were h is patron s

,
.

A fter a very s uccessful career a n d in t h e enj oy m ent of an e x ten de d business L ewis , ,

was seized with apople xy in t h e m onth of D ece m ber 1 8 3 5 fro m w h ich h e never , ,

recovere d expirin g on t h e ei gh th day of January 1 8 36 H is el dest son carrie d on t h e

, ,
.

business .

S m ith an d Clarke t h e i m itators of L ewis both pro duce d ele gant bi n din gs in th eir
, ,

m aster s m anner
’
Joh n Clarke str uck out a new style in later years wh en h e i m itate d
.

Grolieresque patterns .

L ewis assi ste d C larke in bin din g t h e books in t h e library of t h e R e v Th eo dore .

W illia m s For th is work C larke deserves to be m entione d w ith co m m en dation

. .

A lth ou gh t h ese bin din gs as a rule were of plain m orocco e x ternally th ey were fi nish e d
, , ,

with leath er joints insi de an d sewn with silk upon ban ds No bin der can s urpass t h e ,
.
.

forwardin g an d finis h in g of th ese books C larke is also fa m ou s for his tree m arble d
“

-
.

1
cal f work: I n com bin ati on wit h B e dford h e pro duced m any fine l ibrary bin din gs
-

,
“

for M r H uth an d oth er collectors

. .

Francis B e dford was born i n L on don in t h e year 1 8 0 0 ; h e was sen t to sch ool in
Y orks h ire an d w h e n quite youn g article d to H ai gh th e bookbin der of P olan d Street
, , , , ,

L on don but h e co m plete d h is ti m e with Finlay

, A fterwar ds h e foun d a situation i n t h e .

s h op of th e th en leadin g bin der of t h e day C h arles L ewis with wh o m h e worked till , ,

death re m ove d h is m aster ; h e t h en carried on t h e business for M rs L ewis I t was . .

about th at ti m e th at th e D uke of Po rtlan d beca m e t h e frien d an d patron of t h e talente d

youth For a ti m e Bedford h avin g left h is o ld e m ployer entere d into p artners h ip with
.
-

, ,

Joh n C larke but after a few years h e dissolved t h e partnersh ip an d establis h e d h i m self ,

at 9 1 Y ork Street W est m inster H ere h e pro duce d h is best work an d spee dily attaine d
, , .
,

a worl d wi de repu tation as t h e leadin g bookbin der of t h e day H e die d at t h e ripe o ld

-

age of ei gh ty t h ree in th e y e ar
‘
-

A lth ou gh B edford was t h e greatest bin der of h is ti m e h e possesse d little ori ginality ,

as a desi gn er H e attai ne d so m e goo d res ults by i m itatin g early V enetian work

.
-

with twiste d or Saracenic orna m ent as well as t h e later V eneto L yonese style as ,
-

exh ibited in t h e E n glish bin din g of Queen E lizabeth s ti m e ; bu t h is copies of m o dern ’

French toolin g are less successful 3 Be dfo rd s bin din gs are soli d substantial an d sober .
’

, ,

t h ey h ave little artistic m erit Riv ie1 e work ed o n si m ilar lines but displayed consi derable .
,

free do m In h is desi gns an d won derful skill In fini sh in g h is work , .

M r Z ae h n sdo rf IS th e c h ief L on don bin der of t h e present ti m e ; h e 13 t h e h ead of a

.

great establis h m ent an d h is n a m e is su fficient to gu arantee excellence of work m ans h ip

, .

1
Mr J os eph C u ndall Th e B ook bin der v o l iii p 2 1
.
, , . .
, . .

1
A n exc e ll e n t m e m o ir o f Fran c is B e dfo rd m ay b e fo un d in Th e B o ok bin der , v ol . i
.
, p 55. .

3
M r B e rn ard Q u a rit c h
. A S h o rt H isto ry o fB o o kbin din g “
.
 M ODE RN E N GL I S H B O OK B I N D I N G .
249

W h en l eft to in dul ge h is own taste h e frequently ac h ieves reat results h e is a wort y

g ,
h
successor to B e dford an d Riviere .

A m on g t h e provincial bookbin ders M r Ce dric C h ivers of B at h stan ds first for true

. .
, ,

artist ic instinct H is latest ach ieve m ents in h an d wrou gh t a n d gol d tool e d leath er place
.
,
-
-

h im on a level wit h t h e b est bin ders of t h e si xteent h century T h ere is ali gh tness an d .

B I NDI N G IN E M B O SS E D A ND G OLD -
TO O LE D L E ATH E R . BY MR . CE D R I c CH I VE R S or B ATH .

(Redu ced fro m o rigi n a l by 10

bri gh tness about h is work wh ic h w h en co m bine d with ori ginality of desi gn an d con
, , ,

sistency of treat m e n t pro duce a result bot h h arm oniou s an d ch aste

,
.

A n e xam p le 1 i n tree m arble d calf wit h a sunk panel of h an d wrou gh t calf of t h e

—
,
-

natural colour orna m ente d wit h a raise d desi gnof conventional folia ge an d relieved by a
, ,

back groun d gol d tooled in pointill é will co m pare favourably with t h e best work of any
-

ancie nt Or m o dern bin der .

1
U pon Th e A rt Ra m bl e r, 1 89 0 . A New Y e ar
’
s g ift fro m my m o th er .
—
ED .
2 50 A H I S T OR Y OF TH E A R T OF B OOK B IN DI N G .

S O M E M OD E R N S TY LE S OF BO O K BI N D I NG W e m u st n o w a gain retrace our

'

.
— .

steps a little in order to review t h e different styles of bin di ng in various m aterials wh ich ,

ca m e into fas h ion i n t h e early years of th e century A bout 1 8 30 a taste arose for .

bin din gs in m at e rials use d in t h e fifteenth an d sixteenth centuries V elvet an d sil k .

were reintro duce d for drawin g roo m table book s t he fo rm er o w in g to t h e di fficulty in

-

, _ _

letterin g upon it was not so general as t h e latter w h ich was very e x tensively a dopte d
, ,

for a certain class of books M o dern velvet bin din gs h owever were intro duce d into
.
, ,

m any libraries a m on g w h ic h m ay be na m e d t h e collection of Kin g Geor ge

,
th e
libraries of Y ork M inster R ipon Cath e dral an d E arl Spencer , , .

A style calle d t h e E truscan it h as been sai d was invente d an d successfully practise d

, ,

by J oh n W h itaker T h is consisted of th e execution of desi gns in tints instead of a

.

series of gol d orna m ent C astles ch urch es tented fiel ds E truscan vases goth ic an d
.
, , , ,

arabesque co m partm ents were e xecute d in th eir proper colours an d a very curious , .

effect pro duced Th e library o f E arl S pen cer contains a copy of W y n ky n de W orde s
.
’

A rt an d C raft of L ivin g an d D yin g W ell

”
“
folio boun d in th is style T h e ,
.

Russian leath er si des are e m bosse d wit h t h e device of t h e printer an d t h e leath er linin g ,

is a dorned with a dia m on d pattern gilt T h e M arquis of B ath probably posses ses t h e .

best speci m en of W h itaker s talents as a b in der ’

It consists of a copy of Caxt o n s .
’

fl
R e c u y e ll of t h e H ist o ry es of Troye boun d in russia
”
T h e back represents a tower in , .
,

i mitation of stone O n t h e bat tle m ents is a ag upon t h e fol ds of wh ic h th e letterin g

.
,

is intro duce d in a ch aracter si m ilar to t h at of t h e te x t

, O n a proj ection of t h e tower t h e .

na m e of t h e printer is i m presse d O n t h e outsi des o f th e cover classic ar m our in relief

.
,
'

an d r oun d it is a raise d i m pression of t h e ree de d axe Th e e dges of t h e leaves of t h is .

curious volu m e are gilt an d upon t h e m are painte d various Grecian devices O n t h e
, .

insi des of t h e covers (wh ic h are likewise russia) are drawin gs in I n dia ink of A n dro m ach e ,

i m plorin g H ector not to go out to fi gh t on t h e verso ; an d o n t h e recto t h e death of

H ector 1 .

M essrs E dwar ds booksellers of H alifax in Y orksh ire successfully pursued t h is

.
, , ,

style of bin din g an d so m e of th eir books e xh ibit bor ders Of Greek an d E truscan vases
, ,

e xecute d in a su perior m anner

'

J H erin g revived sta m pe d calf bin din g ; but th ou gh practised for so m e ti m e for t h e
.
,

want of a pow er of co m pression h is work did not e xh ibit t h e s h arpness wh ich we see on
,

t h e i m presse d bin din gs of for m er ti m es : t h e desi g ns c h osen were with out m erit an d t h e ,

dies ba dly cut To our nei gh bours t h e Frenc h m ust be accorded t h e h onour of t h e
.
, ,

invention of th e m o dern arabesque sta m pe d bin din g an d for its spee dy intro duction ,

into an d successful operation in th is country to M essrs Re m n ant

,
E dm un ds of
, ,
.
,
”
L ovel s C ourt Pat ernoster R o w T h is firm boun d so m e of th e A nnuals in
“
’

, L on don , .

st am pe d leath er b in din gs Prayer books too were at th at ti m e often covere d in

.
—
, ,

leath er sta m pe d with a traceried win dow in b astar d Goth ic styl e

, .

Few patents h ave been taken out for bookbin din g an d m ost of t h e i m prove m ents ,

h ave reference to purely m ec h anical processes scarcely worth y of serious attention .

1 ’
D ib din s Bib D ec . .
, ii
.
, 526 .
 M OD E RN E N GLI S H B OOK B I N D I N G .

Th e practice of sewin g books wit h wire cannot be re garded in t h e li gh t of an i m prove

‘

m ent ; neith er can H ancock s patent for in diaru bb e r bin din g

’
Benj am in Cook of .
,

B ir m in gh a m w h o pat ente d a j apanne d iron bin din g early in t h e nineteenth century is

'

, ,

no w for gotten like h is fire proof covers ; but Ja m es E dwar ds patent (N o 1 4 6 2 A D

,
-
’
.
,
. .

an i m prove m ent in t h e m o de of orna m entin g t h e si des of parc h m ent boun d books -

is Worth a passin g notice A piece of very transparent vellu m was taken an d upon t h e .
,

back of it was painte d or printe d a desi gn in suc h a m anner as to sh ow t h rou gh th e

vellu m T h is was th en paste d upon t h e si de of a book cover (a piece of wh ite pa pe r
.
-

h avin g been place d un derneat h previously) so th at t h e desi gn s h ows t h rou gh t h e ,

-

p arc h m ent o r vellu m T h is process h as a distinct a dvanta ge over th at at present

.

pursue d by several ladies w h ose painte d vellu m book covers are too delicate to adm it
’

, .

of h an dlin g M r J T o o v e y h as seven or ei gh t exam ples of E dwar ds work in h is

. . .
’

collection ; an d in each case t h e drawin g or paintin g is on t h e inner si de of t h e vellu m

O n a B askerville Prayer B o ok once belon gin g to Queen C h arlotte an d now in t h e , ,

B ritis h Museu m t h e vellu m co v er is orn am ente d in t h is m anner it h as also a drawin g

,

on t h e fore e dge Th e inventor J a m es E dwards was a well known publish er an d

_
.
, ,
-

bo okseller an d t h e so n of E dwards of H alifax th e intro ducer of painte d book e dges

,
1
, ,
.

T h e French also invente d a species of illu m inate d b in din g i n i m itatio n of so m e of t h e ,

interior e m bellish m ents of ancien t m issals T h is m eth o d w as for so m e ti m e kept secret .

but one of our enterprisin g country m en M r E vans of Ber wick Street Soh o L on don
'

,
.
, , , ,

after m uch expense intro duce d it into t h is country I t is a bin din g of so m e m agn ifi
,
.

cence unitin g t h e varie d beauties of t h e arabesque an d gilt or na m ent with t h e illu m inated
,

decorations o f m anuscripts before t h e invention of printin g but quite unsuite d for t h e ,

a dorn m en t of book covers -

.

L an dsc ap es h av e also been painte d on t h e si des as well as t h e e dges of books ;

en grave d portraits an d oth er desi gns h ave been transferre d to t he s ides In deed
“

.
,

noth in g th at coul d ten d to t h e e m bellish m ent of m o dern bookbin din g appears to h ave
been neglecte d .

A peculiarity in so m e bin din gs m ust n Ot be overlooke d T h is is in t h e coinci dence .

W h itaker boun d a copy of Tuberville on

’

Of t h e cover an d t h e n ature of t h e bo ok “
.

H untin g ” in deer skin on t h e cover of w h ich was place d a stag in silver

-

,
Jeffery t h e .
,

’ ’
bookseller boun d Foxe s h istorical work in fox s skin
, .

I n t h e first e dition of D ibdin s “ L ibrary Co m panion occurs a story of a stran ge ’

bin din g
‘
A curious anec dote not alto geth er u n b iblio graph ic al belon gs to A nson s V oyage
’
.

, ,

roun d t h e W orl d M or da u nt Crac h e ro de t h e fath er of t h e R ev C M Crach ero de

.
’
,
. . .
,

of celebrate d book fa m e went out to m ake h is fortune as a co m m an der of t h e M arines , , ,

in A nson s sh ip H e returne d in consequen ce of h is sh are of prize m oney a wealth y

’
.
,
-

‘
m an : h ence t h e property of h is son an d h ence t h e B ibliot h e ca Crac h e ro dian a i n t h e
’

, ,

B ritis h M useu m A droll story is tol d of th e fat h er of w h ic h t h e repetition is pardon

.
,

B o o kbin din g
'

1
Th e L ibr a ry , v ol iv 2 2 8,
“
Th e B ib l io g raph y of an d Binding
. .
p .

P atents ,
”
by R . B . P .
2 52 A H I S TOR Y OF TH E A R T OF B O O/( BI ND I N G .

able I t is sai d th at h e returne d fro m t h is A n so n ian circu m n avi gation in t h e i dentical

.

buck skins wh ich h e wore on leavin g E n glan d t h ey h avin g been objects of h is ex clu
-
“
—
"

siV e attac h m ent durin g t h e w h ole voya ge Far h owever be it fro m m e to give , ,

cre dence to t h e repor t th at th ere is on e pa rticular volu m e in t h e Crach e ro de Collection

"
, ,

1
w h ic h is bo u n d in a piece of th ese i dentical buck skin s -

T h ere is in t h e B ritis h M useu m a volu m e of I celan dic poetry (Bristol 1 7 9 7) [I e 6 1 _ ,

. .
,

b . boun d in a piece of t h e cas t off rai m ent of a gentle la dy wh ose h ab its of th rift -

cause d h er th us to perpetuate so m e of t h e volu m es of h er h usban d s li brary M rs ’

. .

W ordswort h s bookbin din g propensities are m entione d in South ey s L ife T h is book

’ ’
.
”

is boun d in cotton with a s m all wh ite spri g upon a green groun d .

H U M A N L E A T H E R Th e stran gest of all m aterials u se d in m o dern ti m es for —

“

coverin g books is h u m an leat h er ; it is relate d th at D r A skew h ad a book boun d in .

2
h u m an skin for h pay ent of w h ic h h s bin der prosecute d him
t m i
‘

e , .

M C am ille Fla m m arion t h e Frenc h astrono m er is sai d to be t h e possessor of a very

.
, ,
’

interestin g speci m en of eelin re h a m a z n e So m e years ago t h e savant turn in g h is eyes .

,

for a m o m ent fro m t h e conte m plation of celestial to terrestrial obj ects was struck w ith
’

adm irati on for th e w h ite an d glea m in g sh oul ders of a countess wh o m h e m e t Casuall y .

A lon g perio d elapse d an d h e h ad quite for gotten t h is little inci dent wh en h e receive d
_
, ,

on e day a par cel acco m panie d by a note ex plainin g its contents T h e lovely countess
'

, .

was dea d an d h ad bequeath e d to h im t h e skin th at once covere d he1 beautiful sh oul ders
, ,

desirin g h im to bin d th erein t h e work i n w h ic h h e speaks so eloquently of t h e gli m m erin g

world of stars M Fla m m arion did not h esitate to carry out t h e last wis h es of h is
. .

departe d frien d an d t h e inte gu m ent of t h e countess n o w cloth es a copy of h is well known

,
-

volu m e C iel e t Terre

,
“ ”
.

I n t h e library of t h e Prince of W ales at M arlborou gh H ouse fide P all M all Gaz ette —

t h ere are sai d to be two volu m es boun d in leat h er w h ich was prepared fro m t h e skin ,

of M ary Pat m an a Y orksh ire witch h an ge d for mur der early in t h e century I t is
, ,
.

ru m oure d t h at a L on don bookseller h avin g on or der a fantastic bin din g in th is s t yle , ,

for H olbein s D ance of D eath despatch e d a co m m issioner to Paris w ith a Vie w

’ “
,

of securin g t h e skin of one of t h e citizens s h ot durin g th e bloo dy week of t h e Co m m une .

Th e agent h i m self on ly escape d by t h e skin of h is own teeth fro m s h arin g t h e fate of t h e

object o f h is search
'

A n dr é L eroy was t h e proprie tor of a volu m e w h ic h w as boun d up closely in dee d

with t h e m e m ory of D elille th e poet seein g th at its cover was co m pose d of h is epi derm is , , .

H avin g gaine d a dm ission t h rou gh Tissot into t h e ch a m ber wh ere t h e e m bal m in g , ,

process was goin g on L eroy contrive d to ann ex two fra gm ents of h is frien dfs inte gu m ent
, ,
”
an d h ad t h e m let into t h e L es Gé o rgiq u e s ; t h e volu m e bein g
gor geous bin din g of
“

still in t h e possession of M E dm un d L eroy a law yer at V a lenciennes .

,
.

A lfre d de M usset t h e poet sensitive t h ou gh h e was in m any respects fe lt no

, , ,
”
co m punction in bein g t h e owner of a h u m an docu m ent boun d by D e ro sn e in 1 79 6 “
, .

1
Th e R e v . T . F . D ib din , “
Th e L ibrary Co m p anio n , ” e di tio n 1 82 4 , p . 1 93 .

D ibdin s
’
3 “
B ib . ii 45 1
. .
 M OD E R N E N GL I S H B O O/( B I N DIIVG .
2 53

co py of S u ard s L es O puscules P h ilosoph iques boun d i n h u m an leath er an d

’
A
“
, ,

form erly t h e property of a B el gian states m an was price d in a bookseller s catalo gue ’

"
,

at 20 0 fran cs Surely a h i gh price for a bin di ng so objectionabl e

.

Th e m ost fa m ous Frenc h speci m en of reliu re h a n z a in e is t h at of Th e C onstitution “

of w h ich was sai d to be encase d in leat h er p repared i n a tannery for h u m an skin ,

establis h e d un der t h e R ei gn of Terror at M eu don A Frenc h journalist w h o h as .

investi gate d t h e m atter says th ere is no truth in t h e le gen d an d we are quite of h is ,

opinion H owever t h e tra dition was obstinate an d M Galetti e ditor of t h e j ou rn al

.
, , .
,

des L o is w h o was one of its m ost active supporters inserte d t h e followin g a dvertise m e n t
, ,

in h is paper
O n e of our subscribers h as forwar de d to us as a wort h y m e m orial of t h e tyranny ,

‘
of t h e D ece m v i rs a copy of T h e C onstitution of , printe d by Causse at D ij on ,

an d boun d i n h u m an skin rese m blin g tawny calf W e s h all be please d to s h ow it to any .

”
w h o are curious to see it .

T h is celebrate d relic passed th rou gh m any h an ds a m on g ot h ers th ose of T argo t ,

an d V illeneuve an d was acquire d in 1 889 for t h e Carn av ale t L ibrary I t is a 1 2 m o '

-

, .

Volu m e, very prettily boun d with tooled cros s lines on t h e boards an d a lace pattern , ,

on t he inner e dge Th e edges are gilt an d t h e linin gs are of m ediu m paper A note
.
, .

in V illeneuve s writin g in dicates t h e Special interest attach in g to it Th e leath er

’
.

rese m bles s h eep sk in only t h e grain is very firm close an d polish ed an d re m arkably
-

, , , ,

soft to t h e touc h .

T h ese an d oth er particulars h ave been collected by t h e aut h or of an article in t h e

Pari s Temfs w h o h as en deavoure d to m ake h is list co m plete ; but si n ce h e appears
,
-

not to h ave applie d t h e test of m icroscopic exa minati on to t h e leath er we accept t h e ,

evi den ce of tra dition cu m g ran o salis Th e fa m ous doors of W orcester C ath edral .
,

w h ereon accor din g to tra dition t h e skin of a sacri legious D an e was naile d h ave
, , ,

successfully passe d t h e or deal of t h e m icroscope W e h ave ourselves h an dled a fragm ent .

of t h e o ld h u m an cuticle wh ich to a casual observer, appears like ordinary leath er M

, ,
.
. .

Fl a m m arion is s ai d to be in constant fear lest so m e expert h an dlin g t h e skin of his

"
,

beautiful countess m ay re m ark Wh y t h is is calf , , ,

S OM E M O D E RN C O L LE CT O RS — I n E n glan d
art of bookbin din g can boast a t he
lon g list of patrons in t h e D ukes of D evons h ire Suth erlan d M arlborou gh an d
_
, , ,

B uccleuc h t h e M arquises of L ans downe an d B at h E arls Spencer C aw dor Clare an d

, , , , ,

B url in gton L or ds V ernon an d A c h eson t h e H o nourable T h o m as Grenville Sir F

, , ,
.

Freelin g Sir R Colt H oare S ir M ark Sykes B aron B ollan d M r H eber D r D ib din
, .
, , ,
.
, .
,

M r H ibbert M r D ent M r B ernal M r D rury M r Petit M r H uth an d a h ost of

.
, .
, .
, .
,
.
,
.
,

oth ers Wh o h ave con tribute d m uch to t h e successful pro gress of t h e art .

T h e increase d e m ploy m ent is s h own by t h e nu m ber of m aster bin ders in L on do n -

A D 1812
. A t a general m eetin g in D ece m ber of t h at year no less t h an one h un dre d
.

an d fi fty nine subscribe d t h eir na m es to t h e re gulations of prices etc adopte d O f th ese

“

— . .
, ,

m any were first rate artists Th e lea din g L on don b oo kbin ders fifty years ago w er e
-

.
2 54 . A H I S TO RY OF TH E A R T OF B O OK B I N D I N G .

A dlar d, B ir d, B urn , Clarke Fairbairn , ,

H erin g, H eydey, L ei gh tons , L idde n , M acfarlane ,

M ackenzie S m it h , ,
W ri gh t
W estley W ickwar , ,
an d .

T h e successful operation Of so m e of t h e processes we h ave before referre d to m ay .

be attributable to t he great i m prove m ents in m ach inery T h e h y draulic p re ss t h e

’

.
,

rollin g m ach ine an d t h e ar m in g or e m bossin g press an d various applian ces h eate d by

, ,

gas an d propelle d by stea m h ave done m uc h for t h e rapi d pro gress of work an d its
, ,

m ore perfect e xecution Th e stu dy of t h e antique in t h e o rn am e n t s u se d for finis h i ng

.
,

an d t h e superior e n gray in g of t h e tools beca m e general A n d with t h e ab ility to ,

.

e xecute on t h e part of t h e work m an a taste for t h e e x terior decoration of books

, ,

rapi dly sprea d t h rou gh ou t t h e country ; but unfortunately t h e desi gns were in m ost
-

cases eith er slavish copies of ol der work or wretch ed atte m pts to invent a new style , .

T h is is a pro duct of t h e nineteenth century I t is sai d to h ave been

CL O T H B I N D I N G — , .

in trOdu c e d by A rch ibal d Lei gh ton in t h e year 1 8 2 2

'

Th e first books boun d in t h e new .

m at e 1 ial w ere t h e fir st Volu m es of Pickerin g 3 M in iat u 1 e A ldin eClassics (D ante) publis h ed

-

’
,

in 1 8 2 2 ; and t h e secon d book so issue d 1 n t h e sa m e year was T h o m as M oule s B iblioth eca

’

H e 1 a1d1c a
”
Th ese fi1 st clO t h bin din gs h ad a s m ooth wash ed surface I t was not till
” “
.

t h e yea r 1 8 3 1 01 1 832 t h at em b o sse d cloth as now use d was intro duce d L ei gh ton , , .

su ggeste d to D e la R u e th at w it h t h e appliances h e possessed fo 1 e m bossin g paper a

'
,

better result m igh t be o btain ed 1n cloth Th e su ggestion was acte d upon an d a watere d .
,

silk p attern w as ap pliedto t he c lOth bin din g of L ord Byron s L ife an d W orks (1 7 vols
' ’
.

t he firSt V ol um e O f w h ic h w as publ ish e d 1 n J an u a1 y 1 8 32 T h e first volu m e appeare d I n

gre en C lo ty with a g re
h en [ ca
p er la bel on t h e back wit h t h e title an d coronet printe d upon ,

it in gol d Th e s econ d Vol um e publish e d in February 1 8 32 h as t h e title an d coronet

.
“

, ,

sta m pe d 1 n gold afon t h e c lOt h t h e paper label bein g dispense d wit h Th is is a m ost,
.

i nte restin g point, and m ar ks t h e e xact date wh en sta m pin g on cloth with gol d was fi rst
practise d in a L on don bin din g sh op
.
.

I n t hose days it was c u st o m a1 y to en g1 ave cyli n ders with special patterns upon
t h emfor pa. rt ic u lai books T h is was done for Th e Penny Cyclop ae dia an d Kni gh t s
.
“ ’

Pic torial E n gland both issue d I n large nu m bers

, .

A rc h ibal d L ei gh ton t h e el der ca m e to L on don fro m A berdeen in 1 76 4 an d c o m

, , ,

m e n c e d business in C ol d B ath Square C lerkenwell H e was blessed with a fa m ily of ,

.

twenty th ree ch il dren of w h o m A rc h ibal d L ei gh ton j unior t he inventor of cloth bin din g
-

, , , ,

was t h e el dest son by h is secon d wife A fter h is fath er s death youn g A rch ibal d carried ’
‘

on business in E x m out h Street: H e die d pre m aturely in 1 84 1 leavin g h is son R obert a , ,

youth of nineteen with t h e business of L ei gh ton

,
Son on h is h an ds A fter several .

re m oves t h e business was finally establish ed in 1 87 0 in N e w Street S q uare .

Forty to fifty years ago t h e sta m pin g presses in use to pro duce t h e ornam ental
covers of t h e dainty A nnuals were h eate d wit h re d h o t irons cons tantly ch an ge d fro m
“ ”
-

a fi re n ear at h an d for
_ gas was unknown in t h e works h ops of t h ose days an d t h e
, ,

finish er h eate d h is tools at a c h arcoal brazier T h ere was no cuttin g m ach ine but t h e .

1
Th e B o olebin der , v ol . i .
, p 99 . .
 M OD E RN E N GLI S H B OOK B I J VD I N G . 2 55 .

plou gh knife ,
an d each m
or wo m an h ad h is own special dip can dle in a tin can dle
an
“ ”

1
d d h
stick w h ich was loa e wit san d to keep it stea dy
, .

R obert L ei gh ton was t h e pioneer in t h e use of stea m m ac h inery in bookbin din

g .

H e was t h e first to a dopt nearly all t h e m ach inery wh ich h as since beco m e in dispensable
to a wh olesale bin der Several m ac h ines such as t h e backin g an d tri m m in g m ach ines
.
, ,

were h is own invention H e was t h e first to use stea m power for blockin g in gol d an d
.

was also t h e first to use alu m iniu m an d black an d coloure d inks for cloth cases ex a m ples ,

of wh ic h were exh ibite d by h im at t h e E xh ibition of 1 8 51 Joh n L ei gh ton t h e artist .

, ,

assisted h is cousin R obert in desi gnin g t h e elaborate covers for m any of t h e drawin g
roo m table books of wh ich t h e firm h ad al m ost a m onopol y 2
, .

O f late years m any i m prove m ents in print

'

in g an d blockin g u p o n c lo t h h ave been invente d .

So m e of t h e m ost artistic speci m ens of cloth

bin di n g are now desi gne d by first class artists —
.

M r W alter Crane is especially successful in t h is

.

branch of decoration t h e delicate bin din g of ,

Son gs of H ellas issue d at Ch rist m as 1 8 9 2

”

bein g one of t h e best ex a m ples of h is skill .

T h er e is no reason w h y clot h bin din gs sh oul d

not be th in gs of beauty th ey are m ade in en d
'

less variety an d in vast nu m bers th ey are

durable li gh t an d convenient but too often
, , ,

th ey are decorated in an e xcee din gly poor

m an n er fl .

B OO K B I N DI N G T E C H N I CAL IN TH E

S CH O OLS W ith in t h e last ten years certain

.
—

p h ilanth ropists h ave establis h e d in country vil

lages an d in t h e slu m s of our towns class es
for tech nical instru ction in various branch es of
B OO K V R CH P CA R V N G CO E I I
leath er w oo d an d m etal work
-

U n der t h e
'
’
.
, ,

auspices of t h e H o m e A rts an d I n dustries A ssociation in L on don t h e Kyrle Society in ,

B ir m in gh am an d si m ilar asso ciations in ot h er parts of t h e country nu m bers of boys an d

,

gi rls are bein g traine d to work in various branc h es of applie d art orna m entin g l eat h e rfor , ,

book covers in a bol d an d effective way by h an d pressure V arious m eth o ds such as

- -
.
,

w h eelin g cuttin g e m b o ssm g an d punch in g are tau gh t an d alth ou gh t h e desi gns are not
, , , ,

always well ch osen or t h e work perfectly execute d goo d results are often ach ieved by
, .
,

t h e m ore apt pupils Th e m et h o ds appear to h ave h ad a Ger m an ori gin an d to be in

.
,

so m e m eas u re a revival of t h e art practise d at N ure m berg an d oth er Ger m an cities in t h e

fourteenth an d fi fteenth centuries C h ip carvin g m ay not be an i deal orna m ent for a .

book cover but it h as th e m erit of bein g a si m ple an d effective decoration

-

,
.

1
Th e B oo k bin der , v ol . i, p
. . 1 00 .
1
Th e B oo h sel l er , 1 889 .
2 56 A H I S TOR Y OF TH E A R T OF B OOK B I N D I N G .

H e r R oyal H i gh ness Princess of W ales w h o takes t h e greatest in terest

t he ,

in any m ove m ent l ikely to benefit t h e people h as establis h e d classes at San drin gh a m , ,

w h ere t h e art of orna m entin g leath er is re gularly tau gh t M oreover we believe t h e .

.
,

Princess h as h erself e xec u ted so m e work in presse d leath er m ost beauti fully H e r
“

R oyal H i gh ness t h e Pr incess Ch r istian h as taken un der h e r special pr otection t h e art '

of e m broi dery an d m any beautiful

“

book covers h ave been worke d for h e r -

by t h e la dies of th e R oy al S ch ool of
“

A rt Nee dlework Sout h K ensin gton .

, .

In Conclusion a few words about

a m ateur professors m ay not be out of
cc .

nu m ber of n oble an d distin The

gu ish e d persons w h o h ave occupie d

th eir leisure in t h e pursuit o f t h e art
of bookbin din g i s c onsi derable ; but
t h e recor d of t h eir acts an d t h e proof
of th eir work m ans h ip h ave alike b een
lost or overlooked W e h ave referre d .

t o so m e w h o possesse d consi derable

knowle dge of t h e various processes
necessary in bin din g a book ; Th e
account of th e Ferra r fa m ily (see
p t h e H o n R o ger N orth and . .
,

t h e celebrate d W illia m H utton fur

nish es us with m ore i m portant details .

Th e H o n R o ger N orth T h is dis .

—

t in gu ish e d m an of h is ti m e was in ,

h is youn ger days passionately fon d ,

of th e art b iblio p e gist ic an d pursue d ,

it with cre ditable success H is rel a i .

tive in h is bio grap h y t h us speaks of , ,

th is peculiarity of h is c h aracter
Th e youn g gentle m an took a “

fancy to t h e bin din g of books an d ,

SP A P U N CH E D I N I NG DO N
ECIM N o E r N WH A A H R
D
h av in g procure d a stitc h in g boar d
E EL E D LE T E B D E
-
-

BY A P PI L O
U M IS S L
F M F ST R W H AC H U R O E OF E ST K S T,
. .

press an d cutter fell to work an d

,

A BI NG R RK NG
, , ,
E ,
DO I .

boun d up books of accou nt for h 1 m

” 1
self an d divers for h is frien ds in a very decent m anner
, _ ,
.

W illia m H utton of B ir m in gh a m w h o fro m bein g a stockin g w e av e r in t h e most

‘
-

, , ,

abject state of poverty raised h i m self to a ffluence an d t h e respect an d regar d of t h e

,
-

North s Life o f Sir D u dl ey N o rth

1 ’
,
 I N D E X

AC CA DI A NS , 8 B adier, F -

.
, 1 99 , 20 1 B oo ks , an tiq uity o f , 6
Act , inwhat s o rt Ital ian m erchan ts B ag -
covers , 10 5 rants fo r b in ding 88
g ,

m ay se ll m e rch an dis e e t c Bau du y n , P iers, 1 26 , 20

gre at siz e o f 56 9 3 9 4
I st 7
“

.
, , , ,

Rich ard I II 1 483 2 67 , , Barclay, A lexander, 215 h el d in gre at h o n o ur 1 1 6 ,

Act co n ce rn in g P rinte rs an d Bin d Barker, Ro b ert, 231 l eft by will 9 6 ,

e rs o f Bo o k s 2 t h H e n ry VII I B arksdale , Cl e m e n t, m ade fro m ve ge tab l e su b

5 , .
, I 1 5
533, 2 6 8. 2 69
1 Bate m an , J o h n see Jam e s I , .
stance s o rigin ally 32 ,

A H , 1 47
. . Abraham see J am e s I , . m at erial o f at an cie n t Ro m e , ,

Al dus P ius M an ut ius, 1 7 6 , 1 7 9 Baum garten 2 39 2 46 , ,

Alph ab et, o rigin o f o u r, 2 7 B aye ux E dm o n d 1 34 , , sup ply o f at Ro m e 49 , ,

Alyat, Al e xan dre, 1 34 Be dfo rd Fran cis 2 48 , ,

p rice o f 88 ,

A m e rb ach , 1 28 Be dfo rd M iss al 9 2 B o o kb in de r Nich o las th e 1 2 5 1 2 6

’

;
, , , ,

bo o k co ve rs 55
An cie n t , B e n e dictine bo o kbin ders 64 , , 86, Dio n isia th e 1 2 6 2 66 , ,

An i man uscript 2 2 ,
87 W illiam th e o fL o n do n 1 2 6 , ,

An n a wife o f t h e E m p ero r Fe rdi

, l ibrarie s 86 8 7 , , J o h n th e 1 2 6 ,

nand 9 7 , B e n e dict S t rule o f 64 , .

, , B o o kb in de rs o f P aris in th irteenth
An na D uch e ss o f Buckin gh am 9 7
, , cen tury 1 0 4 ,

Ann e de Bretagne 1 86 , Be rth e l et alias Bartl et, Th o m as, Ro m an , 4 9

A Q B o o kbin de rs Guil ds,
’
nne , u ee n , 2 3 5 1 24, 1 2 5
'

A R
. .
, 1 52 bin din g o f 2 33 , nam e s o n b in din gs 1 2 8 ,

Aristo tl e s Co n stitutio n th en s J ero m e 20 1 to o ls 1 2 2 1 2 3

’
o fA ,
B ign o n , , , ,

29 B ilfrid o f Durh am all e arly bo o k B o o kbin din g as n o w pract is e d ,

Aru n de l, E arl Of, b in de r 89 intro duced 53

'

225 , ,

in té ch n ical sch o o ls 2 55
‘
E l e an o r, C o un te ss of, 96 B K
. .
,
1 31 ,

As m us t h e Arm e re r, 20 9, 2 10 B l o c , Ludo v icus , 1 31 so m e m o dern sty l es o f 2 50 ,

Assyria n l ibraries , 12 B o dl ey, S ir T .

, 2 32 , 2 33 B o ul e An dre 1 34
, ,

literature 1 5 ,
B o ille t t , R .
, 20 7 Bo z e rain e , 2 0 6
re co rds 7 1 6 ,
-
B o k e byn dere , J o hn ,
1 26 Bo z m an n i, C ardin al, 1 16

papyrus ro lls 1 1 ,
Jo hn 1 31
B o llc ae re t , , Brade ll, A P . .
,
20 6

m ate rials o f 1 2 ,
B o n e ll i Cardin al 1 1 8
, , Bran de n burg, Al b ert o f, 1 18

ro ck h ewn 1 2
At h o s M o unt 6 1
, ,
Au gu erran d P ierre 2 0 2 2 0 4
-
,
B o o k de riv atio n o f t h e wo rd 33
, , Bré cy , Vic o m te de , 2 40
Bo o k o f th e D e ad 2 2 , B rez e, Lo uis de , 1 89
, , , ,
20 6 B o o k co vers e arly fo rm o f 4 5
-

, , Burgun dy, P h il ip , Duke of, 11 7

Az ure d t o o ling 1 7 9 ,
B o o k satch els 7 5 77
-

,
-
Burie d M S , 2 3 .

B o o k shrin e s 7 8 8 2
-

,
-
Burl e igh , L o rd, 225

BA B Y LO NI A N re co rds 7 ,
-
16 B o o k trade at Ro m e an d Athe n s
-

, Byz antin e b indings , 57, 58 , 59 , 60 ,

m ate rials o f ,
12 30 61
2 74 INDE X .

Byz antin e deve l o pm e nt , 57 Co o k , B e nj am in , 2 51 D pin , J e h an , 1 34

u
sch o o l rise o f 56 , ,
C o p e lan d, Ro b e rt , 2 1 0 u uy
D p , th e br t rs 2 0 0
o he ,

C o ro n atio n o ath b o o k, 9 0 D u rh am b in din g (early ) 1 0 8 , , 1 12

C o rpus C h rist i C o ll e ge , Oxfo rd, d U rse Cl aude 2 0 1

’

CA I L LA RD , J , 1 55 . , ,

Cam b ridge , 2 32 , 2 35, 2 39 , 2 52 b o o k satch e l at , 7 6

-
D u S e uil 2 0 2 ,

stam p e d b in din gs 1 57 Co rv in u s, M athias, 1 1 6 Ie ge n d of

“
th e Ab b e,
'

20 4
, , 1 58
Cam e o b in din gs 1 83 1 84 ,
Co s in , Bish o p , 2 2 2
,

Can evari D e m e trio 1 8 3 C o ttage ro o f styl e , 2 34 writings 5

E AR LIE S T ,
, ,

C an iv e t J e an 2 0 1 ,
Co tto n , S ir Ro b e rt, 2 33 E arly E ngl is h b o o kb in din g 10 7
, ,

Caps a 38 Co vers o fro ugh l e ath e r, 9 2 1 13

,

Carpé , 20 6 Crach e ro de , M o rdaun t, 2 5 1 Edge s , o rn am en tal , 1 66 , 1 67

Caslay , D av id, 1 56 Crane , M r . Walter ,
2 55 E dw ard IV , 1 1 7 , 1 2 6, 1 6 1 , 2 0 7 .

Cath e rin e de i M e dici, 1 88 , 1 9 2 Cran m e r, Arch bish o p , 23 3 arm s o f , 1 39

P arr, 2 1 2 C u irb o u illi, c ase s o f, 77, 9 9 VI ,

2 1 2, 2 25 2 27 -

Caum o nt, C o m te de , 240 C u m dach , 7 8 arm s o f 1 39 ,

C axt o n s b in din g, 1 35, 1 36

’
Cune ifo rm w rl tl n g, 8 Edwards o f Hal ifax 2 50 ,

Caxto n , W ill iam 1 26 o rigin o f, 1 4 E G . . 1 43, 1 4 8

, ,

intro duce s printin g in t o Cuthbe rt, S t .

go sp e l , 84, 8 5
, E gge stey n , 1 28

E n glan d, 1 35 .
Cylin de rs, fo undatio n , 1 0 , 1 1, 12, E gm o n dt , Fre deric, 1 38, 1 40 , 1 4 1

b in din gstam ps 1 36 ,
13 E gypt, e arly histo ry , 1 7
Ce cil W ill iam L o rd Burl e igh
, , ,
225 E gyptian lib rarie s , 24

Ce l tic bo o kbin ding 74 8 5 ,

-
DA GIEU S , an e arly bo o kb in der , 83 l ite rature , 24
C h ain e d bo o ks 1 62 1 66 ,
-
Dawso n , 2 40 MS .
, p re servation o f 2 1 ,

C h am illart M arquis e de 2 0 2 , , D ead, bo o k o f 2 2 , re c o r 1 7 2 5 d, -

C h am o t, 20 6 D e l ill e bin din g m ade

, o f h is skin w r itin g th re e varie tie s o f 1 8 , ,
,

C h ao s , Ac cadian de script io n o f, 1 6 2 52 E l iz ab eth 2 1 2 2 14 2 1 5 2 1 6

, , , , ,

Ch arle m agn e , 6 5 D e m o ticwritin g 1 8 , 2 1 7 , 2 1 8, 2 1 9 , 2 2 0 , 2 2 7 , 2 2 8

Ch arle s I .
,
2 33, 2 34 D e rivatio n o f wo rds re latin g to E ll io t an d Ch ap m an , 2 38

H, . 2 34 b o o ks 33 , E lse n u s, P e te r , 1 31

IX .
,
192 D e ro m e 2 0 2 2 0 6 , , Em b ro idere d b o o kb in din gs, 1 67
Ch astre , Gasparde de la, 196 D e structio n o fbo o k s 9 4 9 5 , ,
1 72

C h e m is e covers, 1 0 6 D evo tio nal tabl e ts 55 , En m a e ls ,

69
C hine s e Japan e se bin din gs d H o y m , C o m te , s in
'
an d , 20 2 b in ding , 7 1 , 72, 73
27 1 D ian n e de P o yt ie rs, 1 8 8 1 9 2 -
Ch am pl evé , 70
Ch iv e rs , M r C e dric , . 2 49 D ie s us e d b y b o o kb in de rs, 1 2 3 Clo iso n n e, 70
C l arke , 2 46 , 2 48 D igby, S ir K e n el m , 2 34 translucid, 70
Clasp s, 9 2 , 1 1 8 D im m a s b o o k, 80 E n g i h b o o kb i din g, m o de
ls n rn
’

,
2 37 ,

C l assic writin gs re covere d 2 8 , _ s a le Bo keby n dere 1 2 5 2 66

Dio n i i , ,
2
92
C l av er Alice 2 0 7
, ,
Dip tyc h s 46 , go ld
to o l in g 2 2 3 2 62 -

,
-

Clay tab l ets 7 1 6 2 4 ,

-

, c o n sular 47 ,
royal b indin gs 2 0 7 2 36 ,
-

m ann e r o f m ak ing 8 ,
deriv atio n o ft h e wo rd 47 ,
E n grave d t o o ls 1 2 3 ,

in cas e d I o ,
e ccl e siastic al
54 ,
E stie n n e R 1 8 8 ,
.
,

Cl o th b in ding 2 54 , D o m e s day B o o k b in din g o f 1 2 6 , ,

E truscan b in dings 2 50 ,

Clo v io Giul io 1 1 8
, , Do n at u se s, 1 I4 E um e n e s kin g o fP e rgam us 36 , , , 44
C o bde n S an de rs o n M r T J 2 59
-
, . . .
, Douceur 2 0 2 , E ustace Guillaum e 1 86 , ,

2 60 , 2 6 1 2 6 2 -
Drum m o n d M issal 84 , E v e N ich o las 1 9 2 1 9 4
, , ,

Co de x, 34 Dubo is Gille s 2 0 1
, ,
Eve s t h e I 9 3 I 9 4 I 9 9
, , » ,

E bn e rian u s, b in din g o f, 57 Dubuiss o n 2 0 2 ,

Eve rard C o un t 58 , ,

C o lb e rt, J e an B aptiste , 2 0 2 Dudl ey Ro b ert E arl o fLe ice ste r

, , will 66 67 , ,
,

Co lle cto rs , so m e m o dern , 2 53 225

C o m m e rcial b in din gs , p rice o f, 1 6 1
'

D u L au , 2 40 FA I R B AI R N , 246
C o n radu s de Argentina, 1 2 8 D u n se , Ro ge r, 1 26 Fal kn er, 246
 INDE X .

Fan fare styl e , 1 94 Gruel , L é o n , 1 86 , 2 0 6 I n dian bo o kbin ding 2 70 ,

Fasto lfe , S ir J .
, 92 G u igard, J .
,
1 99 I n dul ge n ce first prin te d I 1 4 ,

Ferrar, Nich o las , 2 331 2 34 Guil ds , C o n tine n tal, 1 24 I n itials o f bo o kb in ders H . N .

,

Fitz alan , He nry, E arl -

oi Arun de l , E n gl ish , 1 2 4 , 1 2 5, I 2 O
_
H A, E G, H I , I N, I R
. . . . . . . . . .
,

225 o rdinan ce o f th e b o o kbin ders G R , G G , R L , A H , e tc

. . . . . . . . .
,

Fo gel, J o h n , 1 2 8 O fL o n do n , A D . . 1 40 3; 265 I 43

Fo lde d b o o ks , ant iquity o f, 47 , 4 8 Gu ileb ert , J o hn 1 3 1 ,

In k use d by E gyptian s, 24

F o re ign statio n e rs , in flux o f, 1 38, Guis e H e n ri de 1 9 2

, ,
I n scriptio n s , Greek , 28

I 39 Gu sc h e t J o h n 1 55 , ,
I P
. .
, 1 54

Fo rwardin g, 53, 1 60 Guten b urg J o h n 1 1 4 , ,

Italian fifte en t h -
ce ntury to o ling ,

Fran cis I , 1 86 . G . W .
,
1 74

painte d b indin gs ,
_

II .
, 192 10 2,

Fre e z , Fre de ric k, 1 55 H A , 1 49 , 1 50

. .

Gerard, 1 55 H ale , S ir M atth ew, 2 33 s ixte enth century -

b in dings ,
Fre n ch bindin g, thirte e nth t o fif H arl ey, Ro b ert, E arl o f O xfo rd, I 77 1 I 78

t e e n th ce nturie s , 1 0 3 1 0 6 -

2 37 Ivo ry, b in din g o n r am en te d with ,

b o o kb in de rs in Lo n do n , 2 40 Hart, An dre w, 2 3 1 90
stam p e d b indin gs, 1 33 H e n ry I , b o o k b o un d fo r, 9 0
.
bo o k -
cove rs ,
60
_

II .
, 1 88

GA LLI A RD , 2 0 1 I II .
, 1 93 J A C OB illum in ato r I 3 1
, ,

Gave re fam ily, 1 3 1 , 1 37 IV .

( o fF ran ce ) , 19 5 J aco bus filiu s Vince n tii 1 31 -

J o ris de , 1 3 1 VI .
, 1 17 J am e s I 2 2 8 2 33 N o te
.
,
-
. .

Ge o rge III .
,
2 35 V II .
,
-
1 39 , 1 40 , 1 4 8 , 2 0 9 Jam e s I s E n gl ish b in de rs
—
.
’

Gerard, R , 1 34 VI II .
, 2 10 ,
2 2 3, 2 24, were J o hn an d Abrah am Bate
Germ an bin din g fo urtee nth S ee M r Fl etch e r s dis
’

,
an d 225 m an . .

fifte e n th ce n tu rie s 9 9 , Ac t O f, 1 38 co v e ry Th e P ortfo lio April , , ,

G G
.
,
1 43 He n ry, P rin ce o fW al e s , 2 33 1 89 3
Gh au n t, N ico laus , 1 28 H eral dic stam p s , 1 4 2 , 1 4 3 1 44 , 1 L. 2 35

Gh e n t b o o kb in din gs , I 30 ,
He rcu l ane um , 4 1 Jo hnso n ,
2 46

Gib s o n, J o h n , 2 30 , 2 3 1 H e re fo rd, ch ain e d l ibrary at , 1 6 5

G im pus , Gu y , 1 58 H e rin g, J , 2 46, 2 50 . KA TH CE B E R , 2 46

Glo uce ste r, H um frey, Duke o f, 1 1 7 He rio t, Ge o rge , 2 1 9 K e lle r, 1 2 8

Go dfrey, Garrat, 1 58 He n tz n e r, 2 1 2 K e rv e r, Th ie lm a n , I 33

Go e s, H ugo , 1 55 Hieratic writin g, 1 8 K o b u rge r, An to n y , 128

G o l de n bin din g, Q ue e n E l iz ab eth s H ie ro glyp hics , I 7 , 1 8

’

,
.

2 1 8, 2 1 9 Hill , W illiam , 1 52 LA TO U R , 20

B o o k , Th e , 1 16 Hinc m ar, Archbish o p , 67 Lair, Jo h n ,

de S ib erch , 1 58
Go l d -
to o led bin dings fo re ign , ,
1 73 Ho lb e in , Han s , 1 70 L au w rin , M are , 1 92

20 6 r am ents use d by 2 0 6
o n ,
Le ade n b o o ks , 4 3
Engl ish , 2 2 3 262 -
H o ll is T ho m as 239, ,
L e at h e r b in din g, ancie n t Germ a n ,
Go l d -
to o ling , E ngl ish , 2 2 3 26 2 -
H o m er bo o ks o f 2 8 29, , , 99 .

GOSden , 2 46 Hue t Bish o p 20 1

, ,
bo o kbin din g ,
1 20

G P , 1 54
. . Hum an l eath e r 2 52 ,
L e co m pte N 1 40 ,
.
,

G R , 1 43, 1 46 ,
. . 1 47 Hungary l ibrary o fKin g Co rv inu s
, , L e Fau lch e u r (Estie n n e Ro ffe t) ,
Grate n , Gerard v an , 1 58 o f, 1 1 6 1 87

Gre e k al p hab et, o rigin o f, 27 Hun te , Th o m as , 1 56 L e Fert é , F .

,
20 6

bo o ks, 2 6 32 -
Hutchin s o n , Hugh , 2 34 L e Fev r e , Guillaum e , I 34

literature , 2 8 Hutto n , W ill iam , 2 56 H e rm o n , 1 34

o rigin o f,
26 Huv in, J ean , 1 34 L e Gasco n , 1 9 9
writing o rigin o f 2 7 , ,
L e ice ste r, E arl o f, 2 1 4, 2 2 5

Grey Lady J ane 2 1 7

, ,
I G,
. . 1 37 L e igh to n , Arch ibal d, 2 54

Gro lier J ean 1 7 6 1 80 1 8 1

, , , , ,
1 82 I N,
. . 1 33 J o hu , 2 55
2 76 INDE X .

L e igh to n Ro be rt , 225 M e diaeval bo o kb in de rs , 1 1 5 P an e l stam p s origin o f 1 30

-

, ,

L e l an d, 212 M e dici, t h e , patro n s o f l ite rature , P ap e r p apyrus ,21 ,

L e M o n n ie r, Pierr e , P apyrus k n o wn t o th e Baby

’

20 2 1 17

E H M elisse n da s P salter, 60 l o n ian s 1 1

’

J . . .
, 20 6 ,

L e No i r , Ph il ip e , 1 87 M e rch ant, Guyo t, 1 8 7 n am e o f in Bab y l o n ia 1 1 , ,

L e sn é , 20 6 M e rin s, 2 0 1 E gyptian 1 9 20 , ,

L etto n , Jo hn , 1 37 M e rn e o r M e arn e , S am ue l , 2 35 p ap e r kin ds o f 37 , ,

L e v e sse u r , 20 1 M iracle s co n n e cte d w ith b o o ks , ro lls Gre e k 30 3 1 , , ,

L ewis , C h arl e s , 89 Gre at Harris 2 4

’
2 4 6 , 2 47 ,

Ge o rge , 2 4 8 M o laises go sp e ls , 7 8, 7 9 P arch m e nt 3 5

’

Fre de rick, 2 4 8 M o nastic bin din gs , 86 9 2 -

inve n t io n o f 36 ,

L eyde n l ibrary , 1 19 b o o kb in de rs , 63 P arke r Arch b ish o p 2 1 4 2 2 8

, , ,

L ib e llu s, 35 M o nasticism , 6 3, 64 P atin G 2 0 1 , .

,

L ib er S apie n tiae , bin din g o f , 113 M o n tm o ren cy, t h e Co n stab l e ,

1 89 P atrick S t 7 5 7 6 , .
, ,

Lib rarie s, e arly , 1 2, 1 3, 1 4 , 2 4 , 49 , Mo n z a, t re asure s at, 82 F ax, t h e , 56

86, 87 M o t th e , Geo rge s , 2 2 8 P ayn e , Th o m as , 245

in Egy m. 24 M o ulin , J e h an , 1 34 Ro ger, 2 40 2 4 5 -

Lib i Lin rte i 34 , b in din g b y , 1 53, 1 54 bills 2 4 1 2 42 , ,

Lin dau G o sp e ls o f 6 7 68 8 2 83
, , , , ,
Mun ich l ib rary, 1 1 9 p o rt rait o f 2 4 3 ,

Lite rature Assyrian 1 5 , , Muss e t, Al fre d de , 2 53 b in din g b y , .

E gyptian 2 4 ,
Myth s , Gree k , 2 6 2 7 , P e rsian b o o kb in ding, 2 7 2
Lo b l ey M ichae l 1 52 P hillatiu s inve n ts bin de r s paste , 38
’

, ,

L o n do n b in din g (e arly) 1 1 0 , NA M E S stam p e d in b in dings , 1 2 8, P icto rial stam p s , 1 50 , 1 54

Guil d o f B o o kb in ders 2 6 5 , 1 31 Pilgro m e , Ge rard, o f O xfo rd, 1 39
guil ds 1 2 5 1 2 6 , , Natio n alis e d statio n e rs H e n ry P in go, 2 39

L o n ge pierre Baro n de 2 0 2 , , H arm an so n , J am e s v an Gav e re , P lan tin M us e um , 1 23

L o n gueil P reside n t 2 0 1 P l o ugh ,

”
, , J o h n Ho lib u sc h e , J o h n Gach e t, 1 60

L o rtie 2 0 6 , H e n ry B rik m an , S im o n M ar wo rk 1 9 9
P o in till e ,

L o uis S t bo o k bo un d fo r 1 0 4
, .
, , t in sso n e , G e rard P ilgro m e , 1 39 P o m pado ur M adam e , de , 20 6

de Bruge s 1 1 7 , Naude , Gab rie l , 20 1 P o m p e ii, 29

X II .
, 1 86 Ne sl e , M arquis, 1 92 P o rt ie r, 20 1

X IV , . 20 0 N eth erlan dish stam p e d bin din gs P o te ofE o t n ,

2 40
,

L o uvain stam pe d bin din g 1 54 , I 3O 1 33

- P P . .
, 1 54
L . W . 1 50 N ich o las le B o k b in de re , 125 P rice o f bo o ks in ancient Ro m e ,
J e h an 33
No ri n s, , . 3I
M A CE, R , 1 34 . North Ro ge r 2 56
, ,
b o o kbin din gs , 1 6 1
M ach lin ia, W ill iam de , 1 37 No rto n J o h n 2 3 1
, ,
r t ve
P im i i carvings, 4 , 5, 6
M ack e n z ie , 2 46 No tary J ul ian 1 44 P rin ting in v e ntio n o f 1 1 4 , ,
, ,

Mack in l ay J o hn, 2 40 , 2 4 5 , No tt a L o n do n b o o kbin de r

, 2 35 in tro duce d into E n glan d ,
1 35
,

M aio li, T h o m m aso , 1 76 , 1 7 9 N owe l t h e b o o kb in de r 1 37 P ubl ic l ibrarie s first at Ro m e , , , 49

, ,

P uds ey B is h o p 1 1 2
"

M an , age an d o rigin o f, 4 , ,

M an sfel dt , Co un t , 1 9 2 O L D Esr papyrus M S , . 23 P u gillaria, 43

M an ufacture o f M S in classic . Orie ntal bo o kb in din g, 2 70 P u rgo ld, 2 0 6
s 31
t im e , O sn ey Abbey, 64 P y n so n , R .
, 1 38 , 1 4 1

M artial de scrib e s a b o o k 39 Pyx, th e, 56

-

, Oxfo rd 2 32 , 2 35, 2 39 ,
2 40

M ary Q ue e n o f S co ts 1 9 2 2 1 7 , , stam p ed bin din gs , 1 56

I ; 2 1 0 , 2 1 1 , 2 1 2 , 22 7
.
Q U AR ITCH, Mr . B e rnard, 1 82 , 2 0 4
M ass o f St Gre go ry, 1 52 . P A CK I NGI ‘O N , Sir ’
Jo h n , 214
M axim iu s, 66 P ade lo u p , 20 2 RAS M U S (As m us) th e A rm e re r,
M az arin e , Cardinal , 1 1 8, 20 0 P ain te d b in din gs, 1 0 2
B ib l e , b in din g of, 1
28 P al aeo l ith ic m an , 3, 4 , 5 ke pt in b o o k covers 9 3
Re l ics -

M D . .
, 1 49 . 1 50 . 1 54 P al im p s est, 2 9 , 63 Rem n an t an d E dm un ds 2 50 ,
 M OD E RN E N GL I S H B O OK B I N D I N G .
2 57

learne d an d
wealth y was ori ginally an a m ateur bookbin der To th is circu m stance t h e
-

, .

success of h is career m ay be principally attribute d I t is curious to trace h is progress -

.
,

as h e h as quaintly recounte d it in h is life H e was fon d of books an d of m usic an d .

, ,

in 1 746 h e says :,
“
A n inclination for books be gan to e x pan d ; but h ere as in m usic ,

an d dress m oney was wantin g,

T h e first articles of p u 1 c h ase were t h re e volu m es .

of t h e Gen tlem an : M ag az z n e 1 74 2 3 4 A s I coul d not a ffor d to pay for bin din

'
’
a —

g
.
, _

I fastene d th em to geth er in a m ost cobblin g style T h ese a fforde d m e a treat .

.

I coul d only raise books of s m all value an d th ese in worn out bin din gs I learnt ,
-

to patc h procurin g paste varnis h etc an d brou gh t th e m into tolerable order erecte d
, , , .
, ,

s h elves an d arran ge d th e m in t h e best m anner I was able

, .

I f I purch ased s h abby books it is n o won der t h at I dealt with a s h abby bookseller ,

w h o kept h is workin g apparatus in h is s h op I t 1s no won der too i f by repeate d visits .

, ,

I be c a m e acquainte d with th is s h abby bookseller an d often saw h im at work ; but it is ,

a won der an d a fact t h at I never saw h im perform one act but I coul d p erf0 1 m it
, ,

m ysel f so stron g was t h e desire to attain t h e art

, .

“
I m a de no secret of m y p 1 o gress an d t h e bookseller rath er encouraged m e an d ,
,

th at for two reasons : I bou gh t such rubbis h as n ob ody else woul d ; an d h e h ad often
an opportunity of sell i n g m e a cast o ff tool fo 1 a sh illi ng n ot worth a penny A s I was , .
.

below every de gree of opposition a rivals h ip was out of t h e question , .

Th e first book I boun d w as a very s m all one S h akespeare 5 ‘V en us an d A donis

“ ’ ’
—
.
.

I s h owe d it to t h e bookseller H e see m e d su rprise d I coul d see jealousy i n h is eye . .

.

H owever h e recov ered in a m o m ent an d observe d t h at th ou gh h e h ad sol d m e t h e

, , ,

book s an d to o ls rem afkaoly c/z eap h e coul d not th ink of givin g so m uch for th e m a gain , .

'

H e h ad no doubt b u t I s h oul d break .

H e offered m e a worn dow n press for two s h illin gs wh ich no m an cou ld u se an d —

, ,

w h ich was l ai d by for t h e fire I consi dered t h e nature of its construction bou ght it .
, ,

an d pai d t h e two s h illin gs I t h en aske d h im to favour m e with a h a m m er an d a pin

.
,

w h ich h e brou gh t with h alf a conquerin g s m ile an d h alf a sneer I drove out t h e garter .

pin w h ich bein g galled prevente d t h e pres s fro m workin g an d turne d anoth er sq u a1 e
, , , , ,
‘
wh ich perfectly cured t h e press He sai d in an ger I f I h ad known you s h oul d not .
, ,

h ave h ad it T h is prove d for forty two years m y best bin di ng press till burnt at th e
‘
-

riots in 1 79 1 .

Fro m an a m ateur Hutton soon beca m e a professe d bookbin der ; for we fin d hi m

, ,

in 1 748 th u s expressin g h i m self

,
E very soul w h o knew m e sco ffe d at t h e i deaof my .
“

turnin g bookbin der e x cept m y sister w h o encoura ged an d ai ded rn e oth erwise I must
, , ,

h ave sunk un der it I h ate d stockin g m akin g but not bookbin din g I still pursued t h e
.
, .

two trades H urt t o see m y th ree volu m es of m agazines in so degra de d a state I took
.
_
.

,
”
th e m to pieces an d cloth e d th e m in a superior dress
,
A n d again in 1 7 49 : A .
“

bookbin der fostered by th e stockin g fra m e was suc h a novelty th at m any people gave
, , ,

m e a book to bin d H ith erto I h ad on ly used t h e wretched tools an d t h e m aterials fo r

. ,

bin din g wh ich m y bookseller c h ose to sell m e b u t I foun d th ere were m any th in gs
Hutto n s “ L ife 1 30 32
1 ’ -
.
,
 AR T OF B OOK BI N DI N G
‘
2 58 A H I S TOR Y OF .
TH E .

wantin g wh ic h were only to be h ad in L on don ; besi des I wish ed to fix a 00 1 re

, ,

sp o n de nc e for w h at I wanted with out purch asin g at seco nd h an d T h ere Was a n e cessity
, .

to take th is journey but an o bstacle a ro se —I h ad no m oney , .

”

Th is journey took h im nine days walkin g to L on don an d back a gain and o f h is

‘

, ,

extraordinary econo m y h is expens es durin g th at ti m e ai e a proof h avin g expen ded no ,

m ore t h an ei gh t sh illin gs an d fourpence He says I onl ywanted th ree alph abets a . .

“
,

set of fi gures an d so m e orna m ental tools for gil din g bo 0ks ; wit h l eath er an d boar ds
'

, _

fo r bin din g H e fixed at South well in N ottin gh a m s h ire took a sh op at t h e rate of

” “
.
,

twenty sh illings a year sent a few boards for sh elves a fe w tools an d about m o cw t of
, , , .

” 1
tras h an d becam e t h e m ost e m inent bookseller in th e place
,
I n t he ori ginal
o r D am a
'

m an u sc 1 ip t of Clai m s f ge s sustaine d in t h e B ir m in gh a m R iots in 1 7 9 1 now ,

in t h e posse ssion of M r S am Ti m m in s F S A w h o h as kin dly placed it at t h e E ditor s

_

’
. .
, . . .
,

dispo sal is an inventory of th e contents of H utton 3 h ouse in H i gh S treet B i rm in gh a m

’
.
, ,

In t h e work roo m th ere were a press rul in g pens tyin g cuttin g a

’’
, nd pressin g , , ,

boards alp h abets of letters for letterin g books plou gh k nives e t c n total clai m £8 63
'

, , , , , .

I t is p1 o b able that Willia m H utton bo un d som e of t h e books p 1 in t e d by h is friend

J oh n B askei v ille ; but after t he riots he ap pears to h ave a ban done d b ookbi ndi n g an d ,
'

h is son em ploye d a c e i t am Th o m as W o od to bi nd t h e volu m es 1 n t h e library o f W ard

E n d H all I n a Bir m in gha m D irectory fo r 1 8 16 only two bookbi nders n am es are
’
.

recorde d E dw ard Todd an d Th o m as Woo d both of New M eetin g Street Sixty six
—
, .

years later m a D ir ectory (1 8 82 ) fo r t h e sa m e city th e na m es of t h irty five m aster book

bin ders appear ; th is m ay be taken as a fair exa m ple of t h e increase of t h e tr ade
in th e pro v 1n ce s .

Th e next na m e in our bio graph ical no t ices is one celebrated as th at Of t h e m ost

distinguish e d c h e m ist of h is da y viz M ic h ael Fara day Th is e m inen t person was t h e
, .
, .

son of a h u m ble black sm ith w h o apprenti ced h im t o a s m all bookbin der 1 n B l an dfor d
_
,

Street wh en only nine y ears of age an d in w h ich occupation h e continue d till h e w as ,

twenty two Th e circu m stances th at occasioned h is exc h an gin g t h e work roo m of t h e

-
.

bin derfor t h e laboratory of t h e ch e m ist h avebeen th us forcibly related : Ne d Ma grat h ,

afterwar ds s ecretary to t h e A t h en a u m , h appenin g fiv e an d twenty years ago t o enter - -

.

t h e s h op 0f Rib e au obse rve d one of t h e bucks of t h e p a

, per bonnet zealously stu dyin g
a book h e ou gh t to h ave been bin din g H e approach ed it was a volume of t he o ld .
—

B rz z an m ca open a
‘
H e e ntered into talk wit h t h e greasy journey man
'

t E LE CTRI CI TY
,
.
,

an d was as tonis h e d to find in h im a self taugh t c he m ist of no slen der p 1 e t en sio n s He -

presented h im with a se t of tickets for D avy s le ct u 1 e s at t h e R oyal I nstitution ; an d ’

daily t h ereafte r m i gh t t h e non descript be seen perc h e d pen in h an d an d h is eyes , ,

startin g out Of h is h ead just over t h e c 10c k opposite t h e ch air A t last t h e course
, .

’
term inate d ; but Faraday s spirit h ad receive d a new i m pu lse w h ich noth in g but dire ,

necessity coul d h ave restrained ; an d fro m that h e was saved by t h e pro m ptitu de w ith '

w h i ch on h is forwardin g a m o dest outline of h is hist o ry with th e notes h e h ad m a de of

, ,

th es e lectures , to D avy th at great an d goo d m an rush e d to t h e rescue of kin dre d genius

, .

Hutto n s Life 1 37 1 38 1 4 5
’
I
, , ,
.
 M OD E RN E N GLI S H B O OKB I N DI N G . 2 59

Sir H u m ph rey i m me diately appoin t e d h im an assistant in th e laboratory ; an d after

'

years h ad passe d h e foun d Faraday qualifie d to act as his secretary ”

, .

M r T J Cob de n S an derson T h e reproac h t h at ih E n glan d t h ou gh th ere is

‘
‘
-
-
.
. . .
,

1n fin it u de of in dustry an d of skill t h ere is no sc h ool of bin din g at t h e pr esent m o m e nt

, ,

B AC K O F B INDI NG B Y M R . T .

COB D E N S A N DE RS O N .
G
-

C O B D E N—S A N D E RS O N.
‘
B I NDI N BY MR r J
"
. . .

(Redu ced fro m o rig in al 8%

by in .
) (Redu ced frc m an gin a 62 by 4 5 i n. )

h as we venture to a ffir m been

,
by ,
re m oved the work of M r T J C ob den San derson . . .
-
.

bin in s are as istinctive d ori inal as t h ose of t h E ves an d h is m eth o ds

H is d g d an g e ,

equal ly scientific U p to t h e presen t ti m e M r Cob den S an derson h as devoted h i m self

.
-
.
-

solely to one kin d of bin din g leat h er tooled in gol d with respect to wh ich h e h as
— —

M ag xiii
'
1
F r a z er s ,
. 2 2 4.
2 60 A I I I S TOR Y OF TH E A R T OF B OOK B I N D IN G .

on several occasions publicly enunciate d t h e principles upon wh ich he works ; an d as

,

th ese principles are goo d an d in t h e m ain true we propose to give t h e gist of th e m ,

to our rea ders an d in doin g so h ope th at we h ave ri gh tly interpreted t h e Writer s

,
’

1
m eanin g .

Th e labour of bin din g a book is usually divi de d an d distribute d a m o ng five or six

classes of persons e m ploye d by a m aster b in der to Wh o m alo ne t h ey are responsibl e
,
-

, .

B I ND I N G IN G R E EN M O R OCC O GO LD -
T O OLE D , BY MR . r .
J . COB D E N S A ND E R S O N
-
.

(Redu ced fro m fi é by 6} in )

’ '

o n g z n al 7 .

Th e m aster in turn is subject to t h e orders of t h e public Th e m ajority of m e n .

an d wo m en w h o labour at t h e tra de bein

g un known beyon d t h eir o w n i m m e diate circle
, ,

h ave no incentive to take an interest in w h at t h e y do bla m e or praise is given to th e

m aste r not to t h e m
, h e is t h e t h inkin g m ac h in e t h ey are m erely t h e irresponsible tools , .

1
See Bo o kbin din g , ” ‘
by T .
J .
Co b den San ders o n, T/i e E n g l z r/z I l l u ri m tea’ M ag az in e,
-
J anuary
1 89 1 , v ol . viii .
, p .
3 23 .
 M OD E RN E N GLI S H B O OK B I N D I N G . 26 1

O n t he oth er h an d a m an m ay well be set to work by anoth er an d m any m en an d

, ,

wo m en m ay well c o operate to t h e pro duction of a sin gle work ; but th ere sh oul d be
-

a co m m on an d well un derstoo d notion Of wh at t h e work is or ou gh t to be an d a co m m on

-

a n d ener getic desire to contribute to t h e co m pletion of t h at work eac h in du e de gree , ,

’
an d for t h e work s sake an d for t h e work m ans h ip or even t h e sh op s sake
’
, , .

U n der t h e present con ditions it is i m possible for bin ders eith er to devel op t h eir
h i gh est qualities or to e x ercise th e m i n full view of th eir vocation both as m en an d ,

crafts m en It 15 th e division an d distribution of l abou 1 an d t h e un 1 e m ittin g pursuit of

.

one object 1 11 a blin d an d e

unint lli gent m anner wh ich ca u se m ere finis h or cleverness of
“ ”

exec u tion to superse de artistic faculty .

In bookbin din g th en as in oth er c raft sfiM r Cob den San derson reco m m en ds for
, , .
—

’ ’
t h e work s s ake an d for m an s sake t h e union of t h e m in d an d of t h e h an d an d t h e
, ,
.

, .

concentration in one crafts m an of all or of as m any as possible of t h e labours wh ic h go

_ , ,

to t h e bin din g an d to t h e decoration of a book -

O n th ese points t h ere m ay be differences of opinion T h e question belon gs rath er .

to t h e province of t h e p o lit ic al e c o n o m ist t h an to th at of t h e art critic but t h e latter m ay

be al lowed to m aintain th at work pro duce d un der t h e syste m a dvocated by M r Cob den
San derson 1s infinitely su p e1 io r to work pro duce d un de 1 t h e less favourable con diti o ns of
an ordin ary bookbin din g m anufactory : t h e one bears t h e i m press of m in d t h e oth er of ,

m ec h anis m .
5

Wh en M r Cob den San derson ex h ibite d so m e of h is bin din gs at t h e A rts an d

.
-

Crafts E xh ibition in 1 889 h e caused it to be state d in th e catalo gue th at th e bin din gs

, .

in m orocco were all desi gned boun d an d tooled by h an d by h i m self ; sewn by M rs , ,

.

'

Cob den S an derson ; edges gilt by J Gwynn tools cut by Kni gh t an d Cottrell fro m
-
.
“

drawin gs by T J C S an d letter s cut b y t h e sa m e fi rm fro m drawin gs by M iss M ary

“

. . . .

M orris T h us eac h p erson en gage d in t h e labour receive d du e credit for h is or h e r

'

work .

As to t h e bin din gs th e m selves th os e of a per m anent kin d sh oul d h ave everyth in g

,

done to make th e m play t h e part a ssi gned t o the m well an d always Th e i deal type of .

a quite per m anently boun d book is one with an in divi duality of its own not too precise
“

, ,

but pleasant to use to h an dle an d t o see To in c 1 e ase th e pleasure of h an dlin g t h e

, , .

Cob den S an derson bin din gs are generally furnis h ed wit h a h ollow back a peculiarity “
,

wh ich does not add to t h e si gh tliness of t h e back or of t h e fore edge

‘

A s to t h e m o des of decoration M r C ob den S an derson disregar ds th e o ld e stablis h e d

,
.

rules fo r t h e gui dance of th e demgn e r Wh ile adm itt in g t h at now an d a gain t h e

_

”
.

subje ct of a book m ay su ggest t h e m otive an d sc h e m e of decoration h e denies th at ,

dec oration s h ou ld aim or even m ay aim at illustrati o n

,
Beauty i s t h e aim o fdec 0 1 at 1o n ,
. _

”
A gain h e re gards as profoun dly vicious
“
an d not illustration of t h e e x pression of i deas .
,

t h e rule th at t h e natural as well as th e co nventional for m of orna m ent s h oul d be use d in _

t h e decoration of a book cover -

.

To use an d develop h is brain power is in t h e front rank of t h e duties of m an ; an d

a m an can use an d develop h is brain power in t h e m atter of desi gn an d ach ieve success ,
2 62 A H I S TOR Y OF TH E AR T OF B OOK B I N D I N G .

in it only by transcen din g wh at is calle d t h e natural H e m ust re cast not carelessly “

'

-
.
, ,

but m ost carefully an d re dist rib u t e t h e naturalis m of nature so th at it s h all be an

,
-

,
‘

organis m wh ose parts h ave sy m m etrical relationsh ip one to anoth er upon a plan of his
own devisin g .

Finally M r C ob den San derson u rges all stu dents an d all a m ateurs o f desi gn to
, .
-
-

” ”
esch ew t h e rules of conte m porary styles of literal appropriateness an d illustration
“
, ,

an d of naturalis m an d furth er to esc h ew t h e h abit worse t h an a rule of atte m ptin g , ,

to h ash up o ld desi gns into new desi gns an d of atte m ptin g to perfect o ld desi gns by ,

stricter delineation of curve an d line an d tool .

T h e desi gner m ust be constructive an d t h e one rule to w h ich h e n ee ds to h ave ,

regard is a s h ort one an d it is co m plete : t h e desi gner in desi gnin g m ust desi gn
, , ,
—
.

Th ese are M r Cobden San derson s principles an d any one w h o reads th e m

.
’

care fully will be better able to appreciate th e beauty of h is desi gns A s a wo rk of art .

t h e bin din g of A talanta 1 n C alydon

“
takes a h i gh rank Th e delicat e colour o f t h e .

green m orocco is in h ar m ony with t h e gol den orn am ent an d t h e gol den o rna m ent is a ,

h ar m ony in itself T h e tools use d are all ele m ental M

. a separate tool for every , .
,

separate flower stalk b u d leaf t h orn do t star an d so on ; an d th e desi gns are built
, , , , , , ,

up piece by piece th e tools th e m selves bein g use d blackene d in t h e fla m e of a la m p or

, ,

can dle an d i m presse d on a piec e of paper t h e size and s h ape of th e part of t h e book
,

to be decorated W e are tol d th at t h e m otive and t h e s ch e m e of distribution were

.

su ggeste d by t h e wh ole subject m atter of t h e poe m but especially by th e drea m of -

Alt h x a t h e m othe r of M eleager

, .

I dream e d th at o u t o f th is m y wo mb h ad sprun g
F ire a n d a fire bran d , -

A n d I w ith g ath ere d ra im ent fro m t h e b e d

S p ran g an d dre w fo rth th e b ran d, an d cast o n it
W ate r, a n d tro d th e fla m e bare fo o t, an d crush ed -

W ith nak ed h and sp ark beaten o u t o f spark ,

A n d bl ew aga inst an d qu ench e d it ;
again
I dre a m t an d saw t h e b lac k bran d burst
, on fire
A s a b ranch b urst in flo w e r .
”

Th es e lines h aunte d th e desi gner wh en h e th ou gh t of th e pattern for t he cover an d ,

ca m e out as m ay be seen in th e decoration

, , .

For t he fla m e I u sed a seed p o d wh ich I h ad re ady t o h an d an d for t h e leaves

'

“
-

, ,

a quiverin g h eart ; an d I blent th e m togeth er in t h e form of a bran d th at burst on fire

as a branch burst in flower an d I set th e m torc h wise aroun d th e m argins of t h e green
,
’
-

”1
cover green fo r t h e youn g li fe burnin g away
,

1
Tae E n g l z s/z I ll u str a ted M a az in e v o l viii p 330
'

g , . .
, . .
 A P PE N D I X ’ A .

I O RD I NA N CE
. O F T H E B OO K BI N D E RS G U ILD , L OND ON . AD
. . 1 40 3 .

II . D I SP U TE A RI S I N G F RO M THE CAPTU R E OF C E RTAI N W E LCH M E N M E M BE RS ,

O F TH E H O U S E H O LD OF KING E D WARD II .
, WH O HA D R O B B E D D I O N I S I A ,
LE BO K E BY N D E RE OF L O ND O N . AD . . 1 31 1 .

I I I A N A CT
. OF RI CH ARD 1 4 83 .

A LI E N S M AY BR I N G IN BOO K S T o BE S OLD .

A P P E N DI X B .

A N A CT C O N CE R N I N G P R I N TE RS AN D B I N D E RS O F B OO K S . A D . . 1 533
.

A PPE NDI X C .

S O M E O R I E N TAL FO R MS OF BOO K B I N D I N G .
 A P P

I .

OR D I N A N CE

fl
OF B O OK B I N D E R S G UI L D L ON D ON

fl
, A D
. . 1 40 3 .

Drhinant z of t he 111 m m of i eet dz t t er, iLim n others w ho hinu ann

‘

n ers, an

EB“ IBIJ DIIS in t he 411t 05 1 0 11 11 011 3 4 H en ry I V A D 1 40 3 L et ter B oole 1

. . . .
-

A rofiz v es of t/z e City

'

fo l r an) f L o n do n Or zgz n al in L at in N orm a n

'

. . o . an d

E it re m e m bered th at on th e r e th day of J uly in t h e 4 th year etc t h e reputable m en of

, , ,
.
,

t h e craft of w riters of te xt letter th ose co m m only calle d Lim ners

’
p ain ters an d
-

decor ators of m an u scr ip ts) an d oth er goo d fol ks c itiz ens of L on don w h o w ere w ont to bind an d
, ,

to sell book s presented h ere unto J oh n Walco te M ayor an d th e Al derm en of Lon don a certain
, , , ,

petition in th ese w ords ,

“ ‘
U nto t h e h onourable L ords an d w ise th e M ayor an d Al derm en of th e c ity of L on don
, , ,

pray very h um bly all th e good fol ks free men of th e said city of th e trades of w riters of text l e tte r
, ,
-

ly m en ou rs an d oth er fol ks of L o n don w h o are w ont to b in d an d to sell boo ks th at it m ay please

,
-

your great sagenesses to grant unto th e m that th ey m ay elect yearly t w o reputabl e m e n th e one
, ,

a ly m enou r th e oth er a text w riter to be Wardens of th e said trades ; an d th at th e nam e s of th e

,
-

Wardens so elected m ay be presented each year before th e M ayor for th e tim e be ing an d th ey , ,

be th ere s w orn well an d diligently to oversee that good rule and governance is h ad an d exercise d '

by all fol ks of th e sam e trades in all w orks unto th e said trades pertaining to th e praise an d goo d
'

fam e of t h e loyal good m en of th e said trades an d to th e sh am e an d blam e of th e bad an d

'

disloyal m en o f t h e sam e_
A n d th at th e sam e Wardens m ay call togeth er all t h e m en of th e
.

said trades h onourably an d peaceably w h en need sh all be as w ell for t h e good rule an d governance
, ,

of th e said city as of th e trades aforesaid ; an d th at th e sam e Wardens in perform ing th e ir du e

, ,

office m ay present from tim e to tim e all th e defaults of th e said bad an d disloyal m en to t he
, _

Cham berlain at th e G uil dh all for th e tim e be ing to t h e en d th at th e sam e m ay th ere according
, , ,

to th e w ise an d pru dent discretion of th e governors of t he said city be corrected punish ed an d , ,

H T Riley Me m o rial o f Lo n do
. .
p 557 ,
“
s n, . .

2 65
2 66 A HI S TOR Y OF THE A R T OF B O OK BI N D I N G .

d uly redressed An d th at all w h o are rebell ious against th e said Wardens, as to th e survey an d
.

good rule of the sam e trades m ay be pun ish e d according to t h e general O rdinance m ade as to
, '
,

rebell ious persons in trades of t h e said c ity as set forth in Book G fol cxxxv An d th at i t m ay
‘

,
.
, . . .

please you to com m an d th at th is petition by your sagenesses granted m ay be entered of record , ,

for tim e to com e ; for th e love of Go d an d as a w ork of ch arity ,

.
’

Wh ich petition h aving been read before th e said M ayor an d Al derm en an d fu lly understood
“
, ,

for th e reason especially th at it concerned th e com m on weal an d profit th at transgressors of th e _

O rdinance aforesaid sh oul d be severely pun ish e d as before state d it w as unanim ously granted , ,

by t h em th at th e O rdinance sh oul d th ereafter be faith fully observed an d th at transgressors sh ould ,

be punishe d in m anner as above state d .

I] .

D I ON I SI A , LE BOK E B YN D E R E OF L ON D ON .

dt apt u t t of "
t errain w t lt bm t n in j flet est t et t , ann Dispu te arising therefrom .

II L et ter B oole D fol (L a tin )

'

4 E dw ard AD 1 31 1 exlz i R iley , p 89

-
. . . . . . g
,
. . .

rem e m bere d th at on We dnesday th e Feast of S t Th om as t h e M artyr (7 J uly) in th e

E it ,
.
,

4 th year of King E dw ard son of King E dw ard th ere w ere congregate d at th e Guil dh all
, , ,

J oh n de Gyso rz M ayor of th e said city— J oh n de Wen grav e R ich ard de Glo u cestre an d other
—
, ,

Alderm en 81 Rich ard de Wellford Sh eriff an d m any oth er goo d m en of th e com m onal ity t h ither
, , , ,

su m m oned to m ake ordinance on th e follow ing m atter th at is to say , ,

O n e T yder T h o yd a Welch m an E dm un d t h e Welc h m an M er ic de Berdec ke M ere du z

, , , ,

de B eau v eu r an d H ersal de Th e de t w ere attach ed at th e suit of D I ON I S I A LE BOK E BY N D E R E w h o

, , ,

found sureties to prosecute th em for felony as being guilty of burglary in h er h ouse in Flete stre te , ,

in t h e suburbs of London an d after th ey h ad been sent to t h e prison of New gat e th ere cam e a ,

person Peter de B ern ardesto n e by nam e M arsh al of t h e h ouseh ol d of our Lord th e King
, , ,

an d on t h e Kin g s beh alf dem an de d th at t h e bo dies of th e said Wel c h m en sh oul d be del ivere d up
’

to h im see ing th at th ey w ere of th e King s establ ish m ent an d h ouseh old ;

,
that if any one ’

sh oul d w ish to prosecute th em h e m ust sue before th e S e nech al an d M arsh al if h e sh oul d

, ,

th in k proper .

An d conference an d discussion being h el d upon th is w ith th e good m en of th e com m onality ,

answ er w as given to th e said M arsh al that according to th e custom an d franch ise of th e City , , ,

persons attach ed w ithin th e l ib erties th ereof for such felonies and trespasses as this ough t not to ,

be del ivered else w h ere th an w ith in th e sam e city, before th e J usticiars of our Lord th e King or
“

t h e officials of th e city An d th is answ er h a ving been given th e said M arsh al enj oined th e M ayor
.
, ,

Sh e riffs an d Al derm e n on beh alf of our Lord th e King th a t th ey sh oul d be at Westm inster before , ,

th e C ounc il of our Lord t h é King to m ake answ er as to t h e prem ises etc , .

Afte rw ards on th e Tuesday follo w in g th e said M ayor an d Al derm en an d Sh erif

, fs appeared , , , ,

before Sir E dm und de M aule Senechal of our Lord th e King and before h is C ouncil th en at th e
, , ,

Friars Preach ers (B lack Friars) s itting An d th ey w ere tol d th ey m ust deliver up th e bodie s of
'

th e prisoners as th ey w ere before enj oined etc

,
An d t h e M ayor an d Al derm en gave th e sam e , .

”
answ er as before etc , .

Th e sequel of th is dispute is not stated .

 A P P E N DI X A .
2 67

A N N O P RI M O RI CARD I I I I .

"
I A N A CT, E TC . IN WH A T S OR T I TA L I A N M E R CH A N TS M A Y SE L L
M E R CH A N D I S E , E TC .

[N o t e first p art o f th is A c t relate s o nly to m erch an ts generally ; it fo rb ids th e m t o im p o rt

— Th e

c e rtain go o ds into Englan d an d c ontains n o referenc e t o statio ners o r b o o kb in ders Th e last claus e
, .
,

h o w ever m ak e s a sp e c ial p rovisio n fo r statio n e rs as fo ll o w s ]

,

Tl XI I . al w ays that th is Act or any part th ereof or any oth er Act m ade or to
RO VI DE D , ,

be m ade in th is said Parl iam ent sh oul d not exten d to be in P rej udice disturbance
, , ,

dam age or im pe dim ent to any artific er or m erch ant stranger of w hat nat ion or country h e be o r
shall be of for bringing into th is Real m or sell ing by reta il or oth erw ise any B ooks w ritten or
, ,

printe d o r for inh abiting w ith in th is said Real m for th e sam e intent or any Scrivener Allu m inor
, , , ,

R eader or P r
,
inter of such Books w h ich h e h ath or sh all have to sell by w ay of m erchandise or ,

for th eir dwelling w ithin this said Real m for th e exercise of th e said occupations this Act or any ,
”
part th ereo fnotw it h stan ding .

T h is provis ion w as repeale d by 2 5 H enry V I I I c 1 5 see also 1 Henry VI I c 1 0 .

, . .
,
.

3 Henry V I I c 8 ; 2 1 H enry V I I I 0 1 6 ; 2 2 H enry V I I I 0 1 3 etc

.
, . .
, . .
, .
, .

CE NTR E O R NA M E NT , N E T H E R LA N DI S H , LA TE SI XTE ENTH CE NT U R Y

 AP P E N D IX B .

A N N o X XV . H E N RI CI O CTAVI (1 533
fin fit t concerning p rinters anti E mbers of B ooks}
H E RB ASby th e provision of a statute m ade in th e first year of th e reign of King -

R ich ard it w as provide d in t h e sam e act th at all strangers repairing into this
real m m igh t law fully bring into th e said real m printed an d w ritten books to sell at th eir l iberty ,

an d pleasure B y force of w hich provis ion th ere h ath co m en into th is real m s ith en t h e m ak in g
.
,

of th e sam e a m arvelous nu m ber of printed book s an d daily doth ; an d th e cause of m aking of

, ,

t h e sam e provision see m eth to be for th at th ere w ere but fe w books an d few printers w ith in th is
, ,

real m at th at tim e w h ich coul d w ell exercise an d occupy th e said science an d craft of printing
, .

fi
l Neverth eless sith en t h e m aking of th e said provis ion m any of th islrealm being th e king s
“ ’
, , ,

natural subj ects h ave given th e m so dil igently to learn an d exercise th e said craft of printing
,

th at at th is day th ere be w ith in th is real m a great n u m ber cunning an d expert in th e said science
or craft of printing : as able to exerc ise th e said craft in all points as any stranger in any oth er ,

real m or country An d furth erm ore w h ere th ere be a great nu m ber of th e king s subj ects w ith in
.
,
’

th is real m w h ich l ive by th e craft an d m ystery of binding of boo ks an d th at th ere be a great

‘

, ,

m ultitu de w ell expert in t h e sam e ye t all th is notw ith stan ding th ere are divers persons th at bring
,

from beyond th e sea great plenty of printe d books not only in th e Latin tongue but also in our , _ ,

m aternal E ngl ish tongue so m e boun d in boards som e in leath er an d som e in parch m ent an d
, , , ,

th em sell by retail w h ereby m any of th e king s subj ects be ing binders of books an d h aving none
,
’
,

oth er faculty w h erew ith to ge t th eir living be destitute of w ork an d l ike to be undone except
, , ,

som e reform ation be h ere in h ad B e it th erefore enacted by th e king our so v ere ign e lord th e
.
,

lords Spiritual an d tem poral an d th e com m ons in th is present parl iam ent assem bled an d by
, : ,

auth ority of th e sam e th at th e said proviso m ade in th e first year of th e said King R ich ard th e
, ,

T h ird from t h e feast of th e nativity of our L ord Go d ne xt co m ing sh all be vo id an d of none

, ,

effect
"
.

I An d furth er be it enacted by th e auth ority aforesai d th at no persons res iant or inh abitant
, , , , ,

w ith in th is real m after th e said feast of Ch ristm as next com ing sh all buy to sell again any
, , ,

Th is c py is t ak fro m t h e ditio
o pri t e d at Lo do
en i 1 550
e n n n n n .

2 68
 A P P E N DI X B . 269

’
printed book s brou gh t fro m any parts out of th e k ing s o b eysan ce ready bound in boards leath er
,
, ,

or parch m ent upon pain to lose an d forfeit for every book bound out of th e said k ing s o b eysan c e
,
’
,

an d
brou gh t into th is re al m an d brou gh t by any person or persons w ith in th e sam e to sell again
,

fl
contrary to th is act six sh ill in gs an d eigh t pence ,
.

l A n d be it furth e r enacte d b y th e auth ority aforesaid th at no pe rson or persons inh abitant

, , ,

or resiant w ith in th is real m after th e said feast of C hristm as sh all buy w ith in th is real m of any
, , , ,

stranger bourn out of th e k ing s o b eysan c e oth er th en of den iz ens any m anner of pr inted books ’
, , ,

brou gh t from any t h e parts b eyond th e sea except only by engross an d not by retail upon pain , , ,

of forfeiture of v i S viii d for every book so bough t by retail contrary to th e form an d effect o f
. . . .
,

th is e statu t e T h e said forfeit u res to be al w ays levied of th e buyers of any such book s contrary to
.

th is act th e one h alf of th e said forfeitures to be to t h e use of our sovere ign lord th e k ing an d
,
-

_
,

t h e oth er m oiety to be to t h e party th at w ill seiz e or su e fo r t h e sam e in any of t h e k ing s courts

’
, ,

to be b y bill plaint or inform ation w h erein th e defen dant sh all not be adm itted to w age h is law
, , , ,

nor no protection n e essoin sh all be unto h im all ow ed

,
.

1TProvide d al w ays an d be it enacted by t h e auth ority aforesaid th at ifany of t h e said printers

, , ,

or sellers of printed books inh ab ite d w ith in th is real m at any tim e h ereafter h appen in such w ise
, , ,

to enh ance or encrease t h e prices of any such printed boo ks in sale o r binding at too h igh an d
,
_ ,

unreas onable prices in su ch w ise as com plaint be m ade th ereof unto t h e king s h igh ness or unto
,
' ’
,

th e chief j ustices of th e one bench or t h e oth er

th e lor d ch ancellor lord treasurer or any of , , ,

that th en th e sam e lord ch ancellor lord treasurer an d t w o chief j ustices or tw o of any of th em , , , ,

sh all h ave pow er an d auth ority to enqu ire th ereof as w ell by th e oath s of tw elve h onest an d ,

discreet persons as oth erw ise by du e exam ination by th eir discressio n

,
An d after th e sam e .

encreas n of sa pr ices of t h e said book s an d bin ding sh all be so foun d by

‘

h c in an d i g t h e id
en a u n g ,

x m ination of th e said ch ancellor lord treasurer an d

t h e said tw elve m en or oth erw ise by e a , , ,

j ustices or t w o of th em th at th en th e sam e lord ch ancellor lord treasurer an d j ustices or t w o of

, , , , ,

th em at th e least from tim e to tim e sh all h ave pow er an d auth ority to reform an d redre ss such
, ,

m tim e to tim e by th eir disc ressio ns an d to l im it

en h au n c in g of th e prices of pr inte d boo k s fro ,

prices as w ell of th e books as for th e b inding of th e m An d over th at th e offender o r offen ders

, ,
. .
,

th ereof being convict by exam ination of t h e sam e ch ancellor lord treasurer or tw o j ustices or , , ,

t h e price
t w o of th e m or oth erw ise sh all lose an d forfe it for every book by th em sol d w h reof
e ,
, ,

sh all be enh anced for th e book or bin ding th ereof iii 5 iv d th e one h alf th ereof sh all be to th e , , . . . .
,

king s h igh ness an d th e oth er h alf to th e parties grieved th at w ill com plain upon th e sam e in
’
, , ,

”
m anner an d form before reh earse d .
 G RA VED G U A RD PA LM LE AF P
'

To A
'

EN 1 v o R1r -
M A N U S CR I T .

(P ho togr aph ed fro m th e o rigin a l in th e B o dleian Library .

A P P E N D IX C .

S OM E ORI E N TA L F ORM S OF B O OK BI N DI N G .

bindings diffe r tOtally in appearan c e fro m th ose described in th e main portion

'

RI E NT AL
'

of th is book ; th ey coul d not h ave been inclu ded in any of theprece ding ch apters w ith out
I nconven i ence an d on this account it h as seem
,
ed w ell to place th em in t h e appendix E astern .
1

bindings m ay b e classed under five m ain h eads In dian Ch inese J apanese Turkish an d Pers ian; —
, , , ,

but th ere are m any sub divisions .

I NDI AN Am ong t h e variousform s of book s anciently i n use in Centra

.
— .
l an d Southern A sia ,

w e m ay place fi rst th ose w ritten on th e leaves of plants or trees generally th e p almy r a p alm , ,

on th e surface of w h ich l etters w ere engraved w ith a stylus Th e British Museu m t h e l ibraries .
,

at Oxford an d Cam bridge an d t h e Sloane Library contain m any e xam ple s of th ese m anuscripts
.
, _

w ritten on leaves in t h e Sanscr it B urm an P eguan C eylonese an d oth er languages 1 ‘

, The , , , .

Ce ylonese appear to pr efer th e l eaf of th e tal ipo t tree on account of its Superior breadth an d
thickness From th ese leaves th ey cut out sl ips from a foot to a foot an d a h alf long an d about
.
,

t w o inch es broad Th ese sl ips being sm ooth ed an d all excrescences pare d o f f w ith th e k nife
’ ‘

,
. .
,

th ey are ready for use w ith out any oth er preparation After th e ch aracters h ave been form ed on .

fl
1

th e leaf th ey rub th em over w ith a preparation of o il an d c h arcoal w h ic h not only renders th em

, , _

m ore distinct but so perm anent th at th ey cannot be ef

, faced Wh en one sl ip is in su i c ien t to .

contain th e w h ole of a subj ect t he Ceylonese string several togeth er by pass ing a piece of t w ine
,
.

th rough th em an d attach th em to a board , ,

sim ilar to our m anner of fil ing new spapers 1 .

Bu t a greater regard fo r th e ir preservat ion is

“

sh ow n for th eir m ore exte nded perform ances or ,

for such works as are hel d in estim ation by th em ,

as 15 displayed in th e annexed sketch o f a

C E YL ON E SE BO OK T h e leaves are laid one over th e oth er
. Th ey are not sew n as in E ur opean .
,

bindings but kept togeth er by tw o strings as before referred to T h ese are laced th rou gh tw o
, ,
.

h oles m ade in each of t h e leaves w hic h are fastened to th e upper cover ing of t h e boo k by tw o
,

knobs form ed of som e expensive m aterial som etim es of crystal T h e boards w h ic h confine th e
, , _
.

leaves togeth er are m ade of h ard w ood generally t he j ack tree an d are often beautifully orna , ,

m e n t e d painte d an d lacquere d
, ,
.

Th e Burm ans an d H in doos form an d co m pose th e ir books in th e sam e m anner an d of l ik e ,

1
Ays o gh s Cat al o gu e 904 90 6
“
Pe rc iv al s C y lo “
’ ’
c u , ,20 5 . e n, .
 AP P E N D I X C . 271

”9
m ater ial riter in th e As iatic
.
1 A w says the Burm ans in th e ir m ore el egant books
“
Researc hes , ,

sh ee ts o f ivory or on very fine w h ite pal m yra leaves : th e ivory is sta ine d blac k a
r ite on
’

n d th e
“

w , ,

m argin s are orna m ented w ith gil ding w h ile th e c h aracters are enamell ed o r gilt O n t h e pal m yra
'
‘

.
,

fl
leaves th e ch aracters are in general of black enam el an d t h e leaves an d m argin pa inted w ith ,
"

ow ers in various brigh t colours Th ey are boun d as before described In th e finer b inding t h e . .

boards are lacquered th e edges of th e l eaves cut s m ooth an d gilt an d th e title w ritten on th e
, ,

upper board T h e m ore elegant books are in general w rapped up in s ilk cloth an d bou nd round
.
,

by a garter in w h ic h th e natives ingeniously contrive to weave th e title of t h e book

,
.
.

Th e o ld E ast India C om pan y s l ibrary contained a very elegant B u rm an m anuscr ipt in th e

’

Pal i or sacre d c haracter presented by Colonel Cl ifford It is covere d w ith coloured paper w ith
, ,
— .
,

grotesque coloured figures A noth er spec im en h as th e edges partly gilt T h is l ibrary also
. .

containe d a very cur ious spec im en of Batta w riting th e pro duction of an d presented by a , , ,

cann ibal ch ief M unto Panei It is boun d w ith plain w ood covers Th ere is also another
,
. .

covere d w ith leath er dressed w ith th e h a ir on , .

J A PAN E SE Th e Ch inese first m ade use of bam boo cut very th in for
C H IN E SE AN D —
, ,

th e form ation of th eir books afterw ards s ilk or c o t to n fi From th ese th ey s ubsequently ,

m an ufactured paper w h ic h is still generally m ade from cotto n From th e fineness of its
'

.
,

te xture only one s ide can be w ritten or printed Th is

circu m stance causes a distinct characteristic in th e binding of
t h e C h inese Two pages are printed upon one leaf usually
.
,
‘

fro m th e top to t h e bo t to m as seen in th e engraving Th e , .

paper is th en fol ded an d sew n up in th e open part w h ile th e , ,

close s ide com poses t h e outer m argin T h e blan k h alf of th e .

leaf be ing th us j oine d th e printed part only is vis ible w hich , , ,

from the thinness of t h e paper appears as if on oppos ite sides ,

of a s ingle leaf T h e cover is not glued to th e l e aves ; it is

.

a case wrapped roun d th em in so m e parts double an d , ,

secured by a fasten ing of silk an d bone Wh en th is is l oosened an d th e boards unfol ded th ere .
, ,

appear w ith in from four to six or seven slightly stitch ed liv r aison s about th e siz e of one of ,

our m agaz ines w hich can be taken out an d replace d at pleasure 4 T h e cover or case of th e
, .

C h inese b indings h ere represente d is form e d of a brow n pasteboard m ade of a spec ies of s m ooth ’
,

an d stron g paper Fo r th e ir com m on boo k s an addition of a cover of fancy paper is adopted ;

.

but for th ose in greater repute th ey em ploy s il k or a spec ies of taffeta w ith flow ers w h ich th ey
“

, ,

use al m ost solely for th is purpose Som e of th eir books are covered with red brocade orna
’
.
,

m en te d w ith fl ow ers of gol d an d s ilver T h e title w ritten or pr inte d on a sl ip of paperh is .

, ‘

generally pasted upon a co m er of a cover B oth th e C h inese an d J apanese anc iently used rcgls .
,

especially for th eir allegorical pictures t he ends of th e rolls being fastened to ro ds in m uch th e ,

s am e m anner as were th e o ld Ro m an m anuscripts .

T U RK I SH early sovereigns of T urkey establ ish e d K itab K /z an es or publ ic l ibraries in

.
— Th e , ,

th e great cities of th eir em pire In Constantinople alone th ere are n o w th irty fiv e containing from
'

.
,

one to five th ousand m anuscripts each T h e follo w ers of M ah om et h ave a pecul iar m ode of binding .

th e ir boo k s It resem bles th at of E urope in th e m anner of sew ing an d h e adban din g but th e bac k is
.
,

left flat instead of be ing rounded as w e are accusto m ed to form it T h e book s are usually Cov ered
, ,
.

w ith re d
gr een or blac k m orocc o one of t h e si des being length ene d out so as to fol d over th e fore
, , , ,

E m bassy t o Av a M rri n Mis lla y 33 34

1 ' “ ” 3 ”
S ym es
’ “
ii 4 0 9 s , . . o so s ce n , , .

C ll c t io
”
V l i A tl 1 62
’
16
“
30 6 o . v . i
.
3 s e s o e n, v .
, .
 I

A H I S TOR Y OF TH E A R T OF B O OK B I N D I N G .

e dge an d fasten on th e oth er s ide l ike th e flap of a portfol io of w h ich th e tailpiece w ill give
, ,

a j ust idea .

S om etim es th is proj ection is lodged betw een t h e board an d leaves Th e covers are enr ich e d
.

w ith ornam ents in gol d an d s ilver or are beaut ifully tooled

, T h e title of t h e book is m ark e d upon
.

t h e e dges of t h e l e aves an d also on th e e dge of th e outer covering

, Th is covering is a case of
.

sim ilar m aterial to th e binding in w h ich th e latter is placed to protect it from dust an d 1 nj u ry
,
'
, .

Th e boo ks in th e T ur k ish l ibraries are placed ih cases With glass or w ire w ork fronts an d rest
,
—
,

on th eir sides one above anoth er

,
.

T h e P ersians excel in painted bin dings w h ich are often of great beauty In South
“

, .

K e ns ington M useu m m ay be seen a fine collection of P ers ian boo k covers ch iefly from th e -

S h ah s l ibrary I n th e sam e m useu mth ere is a case c o n tal n i n g an 1n terestin g collection of P er5 1an
’ “

bookbinding tools .
 I ND E X .

Ve lde n e r, 1 28
Reyn e s , J o h n , 1 4 5, 1 47 , 1 57 S ilver b o o kbin din gs , 1 1 8, 1 1 9

S k elto n , J o h n , 2 1 0 Ve llum ,
Rich ard I I I , I 38 .

S m ith , 2 46 (pain e d t b in din gs) , 2 51

Act of 2 67
Ve lv et, 9 7
,

Th eo do re , 134 S p ery n g, N ich o las, 1 52 , 1 54, 1 57 ,

b in din gs , 9 6
-
.

1 58
J 1 34
Ve n etian bin dings , 227
Rich e l ie u , Cardin al , 2 0 0 S t agge m e ie r, 2 46 .

S t am p s o rn am e n tal 1 2 2 Victo ria, Q ue en 2 35

Rich e n b ach , J o h n, 1 2 8
,
, ,

Stam pin gs arran ge m en t o f on Vie n n a I m p erial Lib rary o f ,

Ritte r, Gasp ar,
,
1 19 , ,

‘
bo o kb in din gs 1 2 1 Vo lum en 34
Rivie re , 2 48
, ,

S to we M issal 7 8 8 1 Vu lc an iu s M artin 1 3 1 , ,
R L. .
, 1 47 , ,

R O 1 49 S um ptuo us b in din gs 58 59 60 , , ,
. .
,

D e nis , S y m b o l o n b in din gs 1 9 4 W A LTHE R 2 46

c 1 34 ,
e, ,

Ro ck—h ewn re co rds 1 2 , W an sfo st Gerard 1 55 , ,

Ro ffe t, E stie n ne 1 8 7 , TA B LET S . 4 31 44 1 4 5 W e esalia J o h n de 1 3 1 , ,

W e ir Rich ard 2 4 5
_

Ro lls l en gth o f 49
, , T e ch n ical sch o o ls , b o o kbin din g in , , ,

o f drago n s gu t 4 8 M rs 2 46
’

, 2 55 .
,

m an n e r o f ado rn m e n t o f , Te l -
el -
Am a n r a tabl e ts ,
24 W h it aker 2 47 ,

o rnam en tal 1 2 2 , Te ssie r 2 0 6 .

W h ittin gto n Ro b ert , ,
22 5

Ro m an b o o ks 2 6 , T e xtus derivatio n o f 56
, , W ill iam 2 35

1 26
b o o kb inde rs 37 , T h o u J acq ue s Au guste
,
de , 19 5 , th e bo o kb in de r ,

lite rature o r1g1 n o f 32 , , I99 W illiam s Th e o do re 2 48, ,

M S illum in ate d 37 .
, , Ch risto p h e , 1 80 W ills b o o ks l e ft b y 9 7
, ,

Ro o d T h e o do re 1 56
, , Titulus , 38 W in ch e ste r bin din g (e arly) ,
10 9
Ro s e tta S to n e 1 8 1 9 , , To rto is e sh e ll b in din gs , 2 3 5 W in dso r l ibrary at 2 36 , ,

Ro ssl yn M issal 84 , T 0 17 1 Ge Offro y i 1 7 6. 1 84, 1 86 W o ls ey C ardin al 2 2 5

, , _

Rue tte A 2 0 1 ,
.
, Toye J o h n I S2
, ,
W o rce ster b in din gs 8 8 ,

M ace 1 9 9 , T R" I 54 W o tto n Th o m as 2 2 5

, ,

Trade bin din gs , 1 23 W o u dix J de 1 3 1 ,

. ,

S A I NT E M A U R E , L o uis de , 1 9 2 Traut 20 6 z .
W ritin g cun e ifo rm 1 8
,
,

S av ile , S ir H e n ry, 2 33 Trith e im iu s , 64 , 8 9 de m o tic , 18

S awn b acks , 2 39 Tudo r, M argue rite , b in din g o wn e d h ieratic, 1 8

S carcity o f b o o ks in t h e M iddle by , 9 7 h ie ro glyph ic , 1 8

Age s , 63 Turkish b o o kb in din g, 271 m a ter ials o f t h e E gyptians,

S co tch b o o kbin de rs , 2 35 24

S er1b e s , C e ltic , 7 5 W g
ro u h t l e ath e r a ntiquity o f 9 7 ,
,

U M B I LI CU S 38
Wyb aru n T h o m as 1 56
fgzs
o ’ 37 , ,

Sem i 10 11 i an s 8 Wy y
n k n d e W o r de 1 36 1 37 1

Z
c ,

VA LE N TI N O I S , D u ch e ss e de ,
S e ptuagin t, rigln o f, 35, 36
P o y tie rs) , 1 88
(D ian n e de
-
192
S ibylline b o o ks, 32 Z AE HNS D O R F , Mr , 2 48
Val o is M argue rite de
.

1 99
S ien e s e b in din gs , 1 0 1 , ,

Z ein e r, 1 28
Van t S te ph e n 1 2 6
S ignature s, 1 59 , 1 60 , ,

Ve cellio C e sare 1 67
S o n b o o kb indin gs , 1 9 4 , ,

L o n do n
E llio t S to ck, P atern o ster Row
.
,
 "
Tastefu lly p r in ted o n fin e pap er, la rge 8110 , h a n dso m ely bo u n d in 0 10 172, price 2 1 8 “
.

F fly cop ies o n ly h a v e been p r in ted o n la rge pap er fo r c o llecto rs, p r ice £3 33 n o” . .

7 79 6 B o o k H u n t er in P a r is -
.

B e in g S t u die s am o ng the Bo o kstalls o ft h e Q u ay s .

B y O CTAVE U Z ANNE .

W ith an In tr o du c t io n by A U GU S TIN E BI RRE LL, Q . C .

, MP . .
,

Au t h o r r Di ract rist i Ill r s

” “ ”
of O b it e c t a, Re s J dic at ae , e t c , an d 1 44 Ch a
u . e c u st a t io n
tr
in e sp e se d in t h e e xt r t .

S OM E O P I N I ON S O F TH E P RE S S .

“
E v e ry o ne .
’
l
k n o w s M U z ann e s p e asan t , gar m lo u s s t y e h o w h e t ak e s h is reade rs in t o h is c o n fide n ce h o w h e lH
é
_ _

sp in s p h rases l o v mgly , an d al w ay s k e e s y o u 1 n g o o d s p i ri t s
'
”
e w as j u s t t h e m a n t o w r it e su c h a b o o k —
o o km a n
p .

l l l
. .
“
M r B 1 rre ll s in t ro du ct io n is a l e asan t an d u se fu e xp an at io n o f th e v o u m e, w h ich
'
A ve in t e re st in g b o o k
ll l
. .
.
”
i s p r e sen t e m a fo rm fu y de serv in o fit s it er ary m e ri t s z m es . .

“
M Uz an n e disc o u r se s as o n e e ar n e d in th e Way s o f t hat c u r io u s w o r d, an d h an d e s h is su bj e c t as o n e w h o l l
l l l l
.
,

o v e s it .Ligh t y do e s h e c arry h is e arn in g, an d b righ t y do e s h e sk e t ch t h e b o o k m en an d t h eir r iv e rs ide m ark e t

l
.

O fp re se n t in t e re st t o all b o o k o v e rs are h is piq u an t co n t rast s o f t h e o ld o r de r an d t h e n e w

- —
S a l u rday Rev iew
l l
. .

“
T h is ext re m e y c u rio u s it e rary w o rk co m p re h e n ds t e n c h ap t e rs, in w h ich e v e ry b o o kis h p h ase o f t h e u ais
l l
is de a t w it h in a m ast e rfu an d e n t ir e y sy m p at h e t ic m an n e r l
I n de e d, it m ay be re garde d as q u it e th e fin a oo k . l
o n t h e s u bj e c t fo r w e c an n o t se e h o w ev e n t h e v e r sat il it y o ft h e Fr e n ch b o o k m an can disc o v e r an y n e w p o in t t o -

w rit e ab o u t l
En t ire y in ke e pin w ith th e s p irit o f M U z an n e s w rit in gs are t h e n u m e ro u s i u st rat io n s o fE m i e '
ll l
l l
. .

Mas, all o f w h ic h are t h o ro u g y ty ica , an d h av e b ee n draw n fro m n at u re , an d w h ic h , co n se q u e n t y , giv e t h e

w o rk a v iv idn e ss w h ic h n o t e v e n t e f ac i e p e n o f t h e au t h o
"
co u d im p art — D a il y Ch ro n icle l r l .

In Fo o l sc ap sv c , t ast e fu ll p rin t e d o n an t iq u e p a er, an d l

b o u n d in o iv e c o t h , g i t le t t ere d , p ic e l l r
h an d m ade p ap e
-
r o xb u rgh e b in din g, 7 3 6 . n et t . l arge p ap e r, R o xb u gh e b in din g, z l s n e tt r . .

Th e B oo k L ov er ’
s L iana/ry .

S O N G, BO O K -

A A th o l o gy o f P o m s o fB o o ks a d B o km n fr m M d rn A t h o rs
n n e n o e o o e u .

Edit e d b y GLE ES ON W HITE Edito r f Ball ads a Garde J oye u se

”
n d R o n de a s e tc e tc
,
o u , ,
.
, .

H E B o k C ll cto r t h e B kw rm a d t h B k Lo r h a ever b ee am o n g t h e m o st ard

T d o t i l brati g t h e pr is s o f th eir p e c li r c lt a d th e pl a res o f t h ir p r its i
ev ee s
o

n
o

ce e
e ,

n
oo

a
ot
e
, n e oo

u a
ve

u , n
ve

e
n

su e u su ,
en

ve rse ; a d m any a d aried h a e b

n th p tic c n trib t io n s t o lit e rat u r
v b o t h in a c ie t a d
v een e oe on u e, n n n

m o d r t im s in p raise f b o ks
e n e ,
o o .

Th p r s n t o l m e e t itl d B O K S O N G is t h m o der p a t ft h e a th o l gy S u c h a c o ll t io
e e e v u , n e O -

, e n r o n o . ec n,

draw in g so large ly po m o d r w o rks h a o ly b e p o ssib l by t h e

u n rt sy fth vario s h o lde rs o f
e n ,
s n e n e co u e o e u

th py righ t w h h av ki dly all

e co ,
d s m o h al ab l m at t e r t
e b f lly q o t e d
n Th o l u m e h as
ow e o uc v u e o e u u . e v

b m p il d by Mr Gl e s
e e n co e W h it w h o s ide k owl e dg a d c t h l ic t ast h av b ro u g h t t g th e r
. e on e, e w n e n a o e e o e

ma y n ry be au tif l a d acc p t abl e p i c es Th e se are arra g d al ph abet ically w ith t h e a th o r s n am e

ve u n e e . n e , u
’

t o e ach e xtract a d an i de x is gi ,o ftit l s

n n v en e .

TH E P RE CE D I N G VOL UM E S IN TH E B O OK L O VE R S LIB RAR Y A RE

'

B OO K S I N C HA I NS , AN D O T H E R B IB L I O G RA P H I C AL P A P E RS . BY t h e lat e WI L L I A M BLA D ES .

L ITE RARY Ch ap t e r in t h e H ist o y o f Hu m an E o r B Y H E NR Y

B L U N D E RS ; a r rr . B W HE ATLE Y F S A
.
,
. . .

B OO K S CO N D E M N E D T O B E B U RN T B Y J A M E S A NS O N FA R RE R . .

T HE S T O RY O F T H E I M IT AT IO C H R I S T I . B Y LE O NA R D WH EATLE Y .

S TU D I E S I N J O CU L AR L IT E RAT U R E BY C H A Z LI I T . W . .
’ ‘
.

N E W S P A P E R RE P O RT I N G I N O L D E N T I M E AN D T O D AY -
. BY J OHN PE NDL E T O N .

HO W T O C ATA L O GU E A L IB RA RY . B Y H E NR Y B . W H E ATLEY, ES A . . .

F O R E I G N V I S IT O R S I N E N GL AN D , AN D W HAT T HE Y T H O U G HT O F U S . BY E D WARD S M I TH .

T HE B O OK O F N OD D L E S : S t o ie s r o f S im p e t o n s : o r, l F oo l s an d t h e ir F o l ie s l . BY W . A . CLO UST O N .

T HE E N E M I E S O F B OO K S . BY WI LLI A M -
BL AD E S .

T H E S T O RY O F S O M E F A M O U S B OO K S . B Y F S AU N D ER S , A u t h o r
. of S alad fo r th e S o cial an d S o it ar y l .

T HE D E D ICATI O N O F B O O K S T O P AT RO N A N D F RI E N D . BY H E N RY B . WH EATLEY , E S A
. . .

HO W T O F O R M A L IB RARY . B Y H E NR Y B W HE ATL E Y , P S A
. . . .

O LD C O O K E RY B O O K S AN D A N CIE N T CU IS I N E BY W I LLI A M . CA R E W H AZ LITT .

T H E L ITE RA T U RE O F L OCA L I N S TI T U T I O N S . B Y G L A U R E NCE G O M M E, F S A

. . . .

M O D E RN M E T HO D S O F IL L U S T RA T I N G B O O K S .

G LE A N I N GS I N O L D GARD E N L I T E RA TU R E . BY W . CARE W H AZ L ITT .

E LL I O T S TOC K , 62 , PATE RNO S T E R RO W, L ONDO N .

 ELLIOT STOCK S NEW ANNOUNCEMENTS
’
.

I n de m y ‘8 v o , r
st o n g ly b o u n d in b u c k ram , an d p rin t e d o n go o d p ap e r, w i th bro ad m a g in r
o r n o tes an d addit io n s , p rice £1 7 5 6 d n e t t . . .

THE NEW (7T H) VOL U M E O F

B o o k P ric es Cu r r en t .

r r
B e in g a e co d o f t h e P ic e s at w h ich b o o s h av e be e n ro d a t A u c t io n , w ith t h e t it k sl ls a d
e n
r ll l
de sc ip t io n s in fu , t h e C at a o gu e Nu m b e s, an d t h e Nam e s o f t h e P u c h a e s, f o m D e ce m b e r r sr r r 1 89 2
, ,
t o No v e m b e , 1 89 3 r .

l l ll ll
Va u ab e t o b o o k se e rs , an d st i m o re so t o b o o k bu y e rs — A lh en w u m
l l ll
. .

“
Th e p rac t ica u t i it y o f s u c h a re c o rd w i b e be st a p re c iat e d by t h o se w h o h av e b e e n accu st o m e d t o c o n su l t
s u ch g u ide s as Lo w n de s an d B ru n e t w it h a f ee in g t h at t e ir in fo rm at io n , t h o u gh in g re a t l
p ar t o b so e t e , is h l at l e ast
m u ch b e t ter t h an n o in fo rm at io n at al y N ew s
— Dazl
'

A few cop i es onl y of Vo ls . H t o VI are l eft . .

Vo l I is q u it e. . ou t of p rin t an d i s fet ch in g
r
. .

nearl y t h ree t i m es i t s p i ce .

U NI FORM W ITH “
O B I TE R D I CTA .

No w R e ady , in Fcap 8v o , . o li l
v e c o th , p ric e

E ssay s a é ont M
‘

en , W o m en ,
an d B o oks .

By AU GU S TINE B IRRELL, Q . C .
, MP . .
,

Au th o r r
“ ”
of O b it e D ic t a, “
Re s J u dicat ae .

l
I n t ast efu D e m y 8v o , p rin te d on fine p ape r
-

an d ap p o p riat e r ly b o u n d, pric e 7 5 6d . .

Ten ny son an d bis P r e I llu st r a t o rs

‘

, -
.

A Boo k ab o u t a Bo o k With —
S ev e ral Ill r
u st at io n s .

B y GE O RGE S O ME S LAY ARD,

Au t h o r of
2Life
‘ an d Le t t e rs o f Ch arl s K e e en , of P u n ch , e t c,

With l if l
'

Lo rd R o seb ery , I t h in k t h e t h e sis— t h at '

b d d t
e c an e re u ce o a B ue Bo o k, an d a B isc u it — is on e w h ich
do e s n o t st an d t h e t e st o ft i m e an d e xp e rie n c e .

T ast e f
u lly p rin te d o n fin e p ap e r an d h an dso m e y b o u n d l . P u b ish e d at l 7s . 601 .

A few c op ies h av e b een issu ed in Roxb urgh e b in din g w i t h gil t t op , p rice 1 0s 6 d . . n et t .

Tb e P P r a ise
“
’
. o el s .

t
Edi e d by E S TE LLE D AV E NP O RT ADAM S .

N t h is w o k th e co m pi e h as o u gh t t o b in g t oget h e , in o n e h an d v o u m e, t h e p a age in
r lr s r r y l ss s
I w h ich E n g ish P o e t s h av e sp o ke n in p aise , e it h e
l o f e ac h o t h e , o r o f t h e P o e t r
of o he n at io n s r r s t r .

s r s
Fo r t h i p u po e sh e h as e xam in e d an e w t h e w h o e co rp u s po etaram , f o m C h au c e t o t h e p e en t day , l r r rs
l
se e c t in g a ll u c h s co m m e n dat o y n o t ic e
”
r
as e e m e d w o t h y o f p e m an e n t e c o d s
S h e h as go n e, in s r r r r .

r r
e v e y c ase , t o t h e e dit io n s w h ic h app e a e d t o h av e m o t au t h o ity , an d, in t h e c a e o f e c e n t an d co n s r s r
rr r r
t e m p o a y au t h o s, h as se c u e d th e n ece ssa y p e m i sio n t o e p in t co py igh t p ie ce s r r s r r r .

h o p e is th at h e r w o k w i se rv e a t o n c e as a t e a u y o f c h a m in g t h in g , an d as
l rs r ll r s r r s
’
Th e c o m pi e
a bo o k o f ef r r l l
e e n ce , e asi y u t i ise d, t o a de igh t fu p h ase o fp o e t ic t h o u g h t an d exp e io n lIt h o u d l r ss . s l
app e a a ike t o t h e
l l ov e l r
o f p o e t y an d a so t o t h e m o e c it ic a rs t u de n t o fit , as e l
as t o all t h o e r r l w ll s
u b ic p e ake s an d w
l s r rt r v s
i e s w h o h a e o c c a io n t o e fe , w ith t o n gu e o r p e n , to t h e p o e t s o f t h e p a t r r s
p
an d p e se n tr .

P rin te d o n t o n e d an t iq u e p ap e r w ith gh e dg e s t o im it at e t h at o f t h e o ri gin al , an d bo u n d in p arc h m en t o f

ro u
.

an c ie n t a p e aran ce an d p at t e rn , p ric e
p 18 6d ll
A few c o p ie s w i b e issu e d in an t iq u e c a fat £2 as n e tt , an d 50 c o p ie s l .

ll l l
. . .

W i b e p ri n t e d fo r sa e i n E ng an d o n A RGE P AP E R , an d b o u n d in p arc h m en t , price e ac h , ,5 3 33 n e t t . .

‘
0

Tbe [ in fl a t ion o
f Clor isl -

By THO MA S A K E M PIS ,
B e in g a Fac sim i e Re p l r o du c t io n o ft h e Fi rst Editio n, r
p in te d b y Gu n t h e r Z ai n e r, at Au g b u g, s r 1 4 70 -

71 .

W it h an In t ro d u c t io n by CANO N W J . . K NO X LITTLE , M A . .

E LLI O T S TOCK . 6 2 , P ATE RNO S TE R RO W , L O NDON .