Browse Items (420 total)

An ex-libris embossed on a leather over was one way of indicating ownership of a book. In this example, however, we do not see a familial coat of arms, as can be seen in image no.8, but the “Quebec Library” choosing to simply spell out its name in…

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 binding is a geometric juxtaposition of blue and red morocco leathers with a centerpiece, also sporting tooled decoration in gilt, in white parchment. The binding is signed by G. Samucewicz, and although one sees mention of the binder in various…

This speckled calf binding is created using a technique of depositing fine drops of acid on the binding’s leather to achieve the visual effect. A late 19th or early 20th century rebinding, this binding is executed in the “Cambridge” style. Very…

This collection of poetry from Québec poet, musician and actor Michel Garneau, is printed on loose leaves of paper and illustrated by Maureen Maxwell. All is housed in a leather “case” of a mosaic design, executed by artist Lise Rodrigue. This is…

This exquisite binding in red morocco is a modern binding, probably dating to 350-400 years after the book was initially printed. Tooled and stamped in gilt, with elaborately gilded edges, this was a binding executed for someone with a love of luxury…

Bringing to life the adage of “waste not, want not”, this book’s binding is made of parchment that originally was someone’s correspondence. With paper and leather being expensive commodities due to the ever-increasing amount of titles being published…

Leathers and parchments could be dyed so as to add colour to their external covers; they could also be painted. This third edition of the works of Olympia Morata, humanist, poet and linguist, of Italian origin, is an example of a parchment that has…

In the 20th century, in addition to the pasted-in ex-libris bookplate, we find many different styles and formats of ex-libris indications. The stamped ex-libris turns out to be not only a less onerous form but also one that is much more practical. We…