18 February 2008: Simple to Sumptuous: Bookbinding 1400-2000

Bookbinding

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Upper cover of The Book of Common Prayer

Fine binding of black goatskin with rich and elaborate gold tooling on both the cover and flat spine. The binding is attributed to Hugh Hutchinson on the later-added velvet-lined oak case, but John Houlden of Cambridge is a more likely possibility, ca.1640. This volume, formerly in the library of Lord Amherst of Hackney, was sold at the Amherst auction on 3 Dec. 1908. It was purchased by the London bookseller Bernard Quaritch for £39, and subsequently acquired by Alexander H. Turnbull. .

The book of common prayer [bound with] Holy Bible [and] Whole book of psalms ([Cambridge]: Printed by Thomas Buck and Roger Daniel, 1638). fREng BIBLE 1638.

Fore-edge with miniature set in clasp of The Book of Common Prayer

Nineteenth-century English binding of brown goatskin, edged in brass, and with gilt text edges. An inscription inside the book reads: ‘Carrie Wilkie the gift of her dear Mother on completing her 18th year.’ The woman pictured in the miniature, is possibly Carrie Wilkie’s mother. Bound in Oxford or London by Hayday.

Donated to the Alexander Turnbull Library in 1940 by Elizabeth Laing.

The Book of Common Prayer (Oxford: Printed at the University Press, sold by E. Gardner and Son, 1853). REng BIBLE 1853.

Upper cover and spine of Franciscus Haraeus, Vitae sanctorvm

Limp vellum is a thin flexible cover without boards and was the cheap binding of earlier centuries, the equivalent of today’s paperback. Sometimes it was clearly intended as a temporary covering; at other times it was used to construct a properly sewn and laced-in binding. In this example the slips from the laced-in endbands are visible at the head and tail of the spine. The raised cords onto which the gatherings of the textblock are sewn can be seen through the split on the spine. Other features are the yapp edges and the two holes near the fore-edge where ties would have been.

Deposited in the Alexander Turnbull Library in 2001 by the Society of Mary (NZ).

Franciscus Haraeus, Vitae sanctorvm (Antverpiae: Ex Officina Plantiniana, Apud Viduam & Ioannem Moretum, 1590). RSM HARA Vitae 1590.

Upper cover of Jacques L'Heremite, Iovrnael vande Naffausche vloot

Dutch gilt embossed paper. In making this paper, an engraved roller or wooden block impressed the pattern on a sheet of paper coated with size. Before it dried, gold dust was applied and colours were dabbed or stencilled on. Although called Dutch papers, they were probably made in Germany.

Purchased by Alexander H. Turnbull.

Jacques L'Hermite, Iovrnael vande Nassausche vloot (t'Amstelredam: by Hessel Gerritsz ende Iacob Pietersz Wachter, t'laer, 1626). RDut L'HE Iovr 1626.