Browse Items (259 total)

This book has lost its binding over time, but its current state allows for a wonderful illustration of the elaborate and painstaking process that went into sewing of a text block before an external cover was applied. Interestingly, this particular…

Here we have yet another example of hand printblock paper. However, in contrast to the previous example, this is a relatively recent paper, a product of a highly mechanized process. We can see the regularity of the design and the uniformity of the…

This binding in blonde calfskin, with hand-tooled motifs generated by many decorative finishing tools, is an example of “fanfare” binding. A “frame” is generated by a series of straight lines tooled into the leather, while the covers are completely…

This is a typical example of the decoration of binding using the technique of gilding. While generally ornamental decorations were applied by means of gilding irons and rolls onto the spine, here we have a something of a portrait, a personification…

This item offers us a glance at marbled paper very typical of the 18th century, with its traditional choice of colours and a design typical of the era; many similar examples are to be found in the collection. The Encyclopedie by Diderot and…

Embossed in gold on the cover of a fine example of mottled calf, we see an as of yet unidentified, elaborate coat of arms. For those who love enigmas, do not hesitate to inform us of your findings!

This binding shows a simulated marble effect, which has been styled as “Run or Prusian marble” by 18th century printer and binder James Coghlan in his Memorandum on the bookbinding trade, dating to 1764-65. The effect is generated by black ink and…

A binding of parchment on cardboard, this binding has had its blind-stamped ornamentations coloured black. Its title has also been handwritten in ink on the spine. Note the demi-lune shape of the textblock’s fore-edge: this is a technique typical of…

The page on display, the reverse side of an engraved portrait of the author, Andrew Marvell, offers a wonderfully clear and visible example of the watermark embedded into the paper. Watermarks were designs woven into the mould used by papermakers to…

The printer’s device of Nicolo Pezzana (162?-170?) recalls that of the Giunta printers where Pezzana carried out part of his apprenticeship in Venice and which he ended in 1657. Without an inscription or personalized device, this mark depicts a…