Rare Book Monthly

Book Catalogue Reviews - June - 2017 Issue

Fantastic Bindings from Phillip J. Pirages Fine Books and Manuscripts

Decorative bindings.

Decorative bindings.

Phillip J. Pirages Fine Books and Manuscripts has issued their Catalogue 71: Historically Significant and Decorative Bindings From the 15th Century to the Present. Words escape me. One can coldly describe the art in terms of tooling and shapes and colors, and it's about as effective as describing the Sistine Chapel by paint types and colors. Something can be red and blue and be beautiful, or it can be ugly, which tells you how useful that information is. Fortunately, the catalogue includes pictures of the bindings, so you can see what the various elements look like as put together by the bookbinder. In most cases, it's spectacular. It's amazing what a skilled artist can produce.

 

That is not to say the books are not of interest for their text. Many are, a few aren't, but at least textual content is more amenable to textual descriptions than is art.

 

One thing of note is the evolution of bookbindings. For about four plus centuries of artistic binding, they feature various classically beautiful features in terms of raised bands, colors and gilt, leather and such. In more recent years, the styles have exploded, so that today, the bindings often reflect what is inside. A book on sheep is bound in the shape of a sheep. A Poe book contains a macabre binding. Classicism has been thrown out the window. Here is one final thought before we move to specific examples. No ebook will ever be able to brag of such fantastic bindings. Now for a few samples.

 

We begin with the oldest book in the catalogue, which is a bound manuscript rather than a printed book. The title is Sententiarum Libri IV, the "Four Sentences" of Peter Lombard. Lombard was a 12th century theologian, at one time Bishop of Paris. This may be the most important theological work of that century, continuing to be widely read until the 17th century. The manuscript itself in very attractive, with careful hand illuminated initials. It contains 288 leaves and was completed in 1463. This copy features a contemporary, unrestored binding, including its original metal fittings. It contains five brass bosses on the cover and raised bands. Item 1. Priced at $85,000.

 

Item 30 is an unusual book, The Consent of Time, Deciphering the Errors of the Grecians in Their Olympiads, the Uncertaine Computation of the Romanes... published in 1590. The author was Lodowick (or Ludovic) Lloyd, who held a sergeant at arms position under Queen Elizabeth I, and later James I. In this book, he looks at what he determined to be chronological errors made, not just by the Greeks and Romans, but in Persia, Spain, France and Turkey. While Lloyd's method "would not commend itself to a modern scholar," he still felt free to point out the shortcomings of others. Lloyd believed the chronology written in the Bible was infallible, what came later was found wanting. The beautifully bound book still has its original silk ties, and is emblazoned with the royal coat of arms. This leads one to think this book may have once belonged to Queen Elizabeth considering the binding, the royal coat of arms, and the Queen's friendship with Lloyd, though this is not known for certain. $15,000.

 

The pre-eminent binder of the Arts and Crafts movement would have to be Thomas Cobden-Sanderson. Cobden-Sanderson was encouraged to go into bookbinding by the movement's leading light and printer, William Morris. A total of 167 bindings were known to have been personally produced by him from 1884-1893 when he opened the Doves Bindery. At that point, health issues prevented Cobden-Sanderson from doing the bindings personally, but he brought in some of the most skilled artisans and he continued to design the bindings and supervise their production. Item 185 is The Celebrated Romance of the Stealing of the Mare, by Wilfrid Scawen Blunt, published in 1892, bound by the Doves Bindery. This work is from an old Arabic tale, translated by Lady Anne Blunt, and put to verse by her husband. Wilfrid Blunt wrote a lot of poetry that has been described as "uneven," was ahead of his time in opposing imperialism, which he figured was conducted not to lift up the colonized people but to make the colonists rich, but is mainly known for his numerous amorous affairs. He is said to have left "behind him a trail of seduced women, outraged husbands...and numerous illegitimate offspring." Somehow, Lady Anne, a granddaughter of Byron, put up with him for 37 years before finally separating. $1,950.

 

This next book comes from the noted English bindery firm of Sangorski & Sutcliffe. It is a third edition (1892) of the two-volume The Poetical Works of Percy Bysshe Shelley. Shelley had a much better reputation as a poet than did Blunt, primarily because of this compilation put together by his widow, Mary Shelley, after he drowned at a young age. There are features to this binding too numerous to mention, but Sangorski & Sutcliffe was noted for their Cosway bindings. These feature an inlaid ivory miniature portrait, in this case within a laurel frame with six semi-precious stones. The portrait is of Shelley. It appears on the doublure of the first volume. For those unfamiliar with the term "doublure," as I used to be, it is a leather version of a pastedown. Item 206. $12,500.

 

Here is one of those examples of a newer binding. It comes on the book Mr. Chesteron Comes to Tea, by Aidan Mackey, published in 1978. It is from a limited edition of 370 copies and is signed by Mackey. The book includes Mackey's essay accompanying previously unpublished drawings by G.K. Chesterton. Chesteron originally planned to be an illustrator, but later turned to writing. The binding by Angela James features a blue door with a brass knob and hinges on the cover. It can be opened to reveal Chesterton at tea. Item 230. $6,800.

 

Item 236 is Tales of Mystery and Imagination by Edgar Allan Poe, published in 1919. It is highlighted by an imaginative and macabre binding by Susan Allix. The cover features a silver dagger stabbed through the black leather. There is also an inserted round glass case containing a quail skull. The slipcase displays a mannequin's hand in a lace half-glove, the finger tips holding a rabbit's skull. This is an example of a binding that fits well with its author's work. $5,000.

Rare Book Monthly

  • Jeschke Jádi
    Rare Book Auction 155
    Saturday April 26, 2025
    Jeschke Jádi, Apr. 26: Lot 962. Baird. United States Exploring Expedition. Philadelphia 1858.
    Jeschke Jádi, Apr. 26: Lot 772. Edith Holland Norton. Brazilian Flowers. Coombe Croft 1893.
    Jeschke Jádi, Apr. 26: Lot 49. Petrarca. Das Gluecksbuch, Augsburg 1536.
    Jeschke Jádi
    Rare Book Auction 155
    Saturday April 26, 2025
    Jeschke Jádi, Apr. 26: Lot 1496. Jacob / Picasso. Chronique des Temps, 1956.
    Jeschke Jádi, Apr. 26: Lot 8. Augustinus. De moribus ecclesie. Cologne 1480.
    Jeschke Jádi, Apr. 26: Lot 17. Heures a lusaige de Noyon. Paris 1504.
    Jeschke Jádi
    Rare Book Auction 155
    Saturday April 26, 2025
    Jeschke Jádi, Apr. 26: Lot 13. Schedel. Buch der Chronicken. Nürnberg 1493.
    Jeschke Jádi, Apr. 26: Lot 957. Donovan. Insects of China. London 1798.
    Jeschke Jádi, Apr. 26: Lot 123. A holy martyr. Tuscany, Florence, mid-14th century.
    Jeschke Jádi
    Rare Book Auction 155
    Saturday April 26, 2025
    Jeschke Jádi, Apr. 26: Lot 438. Dante. La Divine Comédie. Paris 1963.
    Jeschke Jádi, Apr. 26: Lot 602. Firdausi. Histoire de Minoutchehr. Paris 1919
    Jeschke Jádi, Apr. 26: Lot 994. Westwood. Oriental Entomology. London 1848.
  • Sotheby's
    Sell Your Fine Books & Manuscripts
    Sotheby’s: The Shem Tov Bible, 1312 | A Masterpiece from the Golden Age of Spain. Sold: 6,960,000 USD
    Sotheby’s: Ten Commandments Tablet, 300-800 CE | One of humanity's earliest and most enduring moral codes. Sold: 5,040,000 USD
    Sotheby’s: William Blake | Songs of Innocence and of Experience. Sold: 4,320,000 USD
    Sotheby’s: The Declaration of Independence | The Holt printing, the only copy in private hands. Sold: 3,360,000 USD
    Sotheby's
    Sell Your Fine Books & Manuscripts
    Sotheby’s: Thomas Taylor | The original cover art for Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. Sold: 1,920,000 USD
    Sotheby’s: Machiavelli | Il Principe, a previously unrecorded copy of the book where modern political thought began. Sold: 576,000 GBP
    Sotheby’s: Leonardo da Vinci | Trattato della pittura, ca. 1639, a very fine pre-publication manuscript. Sold: 381,000 GBP
    Sotheby’s: Henri Matisse | Jazz, Paris 1947, the complete portfolio. Sold: 312,000 EUR
  • Fonsie Mealy’s
    Rare Books & Collectors’ Sale
    April 30th & May 1st
    Fonsie Mealy’s, Apr 30-May 1: Taylor (Geo.) & Skinner (A.) Maps of the Roads of Ireland, Surveyed 1777. Lond. & Dublin 1778. €500 to €750.
    Fonsie Mealy’s, Apr 30-May 1: Messingham (Thos.) Florilegium Insulae Sanctorum seu Vitae et Acta Sanctorum Hibernia, Paris 1624. €350 to €500.
    Fonsie Mealy’s, Apr 30-May 1: Heaney (Seamus). The Haw Lantern, L. (Faber & Faber) 1987, First Edn., Signed and dated. €225 to €350.
    Fonsie Mealy’s, Apr 30-May 1: Valencey (Lt. Col. Chas.) Collectanea de Rebus Hibernicis, Vols. I-IV, 4 vols. Dublin 1786. €400 to €600.
    Fonsie Mealy’s, Apr 30-May 1: Powerscourt (Viscount). A Description and History of Powerscourt, Lond. 1903. €350 to €500.
    Fonsie Mealy’s, Apr 30-May 1: Moryson (Fynes). An Itinerary ... Containing His Ten Yeeres Travel Through the Twelve Dominions of Germany, Bohermerland, Sweitzerland…, Lond. (John Beale) 1617. €700 to €1,000.
    Fonsie Mealy’s, Apr 30-May 1: After Buffon, Birds of Europe, c. 1820. Approx. 120 fine hd. cold. plts., mor. backed boards. €125 to €250.
    Fonsie Mealy’s, Apr 30-May 1: Dunlevy (Andrew). An Teagasg Criosduidhe De Reir Ceasda agus Freagartha... The Catechism or Christian Doctrine by Way of Question and Answer, Paris (James Guerin) 1742. €400 to €700.
    Fonsie Mealy’s, Apr 30-May 1: The Georgian Society Records of Eighteen-Century Domestic Architecture in Dublin, 5 vols. Complete, Dublin 1909-1913. €500 to €750.
    Fonsie Mealy’s, Apr 30-May 1: Scale (Bernard). An Hibernian Atlas or General Description of the Kingdom of Ireland, L. (Robert Sayer & John Bennet) 1776. €625 to €850.
    Fonsie Mealy’s, Apr 30-May 1: [Johnson (Rev. Samuel)]. Julian the Apostate Being a Short Account of his Life, together with a Comparison of Popery and Paganism,L. (Langley Curtis) 1682. €300 to €400.
    Fonsie Mealy’s, Apr 30-May 1: Nichlson (Wm.) Illustrator. An Almanac of Twelve Sports, Lond. 1898. €300 to €400.
    Fonsie Mealy’s, Apr 30-May 1: Heaney (Seamus) trans. The Light of the Leaves, 2 vols., Mexico (Imprenta de los Tropicos/Bunholt) 1999. €1,500 to €2,000.
    Fonsie Mealy’s, Apr 30-May 1: Fleming (Ian). Moonraker, L. (Jonathan Cape) 1955. €1,500 to €2,000.
    Fonsie Mealy’s, Apr 30-May 1: Heaney (Seamus) & Egan (Felim) artist. Squarings, Twelve Poems, D. (Hieroglyph Editions Ltd.) 1991. €1,750 to €2,250.
  • Bonhams, Apr. 21-29: ANDERSEN'S EXTREMELY RARE FIRST APPEARANCE IN PRINT. "Scene af: Røverne i Vissenberg i Fyen." in Harpen, 1822.
    Bonhams, Apr. 21-29: FIRST ISSUE OF THE FIRST THREE FAIRY TALE PAMPHLETS, WITH ALL INDICES AND TITLE PAGES. Eventyr, fortalte for Børn. 1835-1837.
    Bonhams, Apr. 21-29: THE FIRST FAIRY TALES WITH A SIGNED CARTE DE VISITE OF ANDERSEN AS FRONTIS. Eventyr, fortalte for Børn. 1835-1837.
    Bonhams, Apr. 21-29: KARL LAGERFELD. Original pastel and ink drawing in gold, red and black for Andersen's The Emperor's New Clothes (1992), "La cassette de l'Empereur."
    Bonhams, Apr. 21-29: PRESENTATION COPY OF THE SIXTH PAMPHLET FOR PETER KOCH. Eventyr, Fortalte For Børn, Second Series, Third Pamphlet. 1841. Publisher's wrappers, complete with all pre- and post-matter.
    Bonhams, Apr. 21-29: HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN RARE AUTOGRAPH QUOTATION SIGNED IN ENGLISH from "The Ugly Duckling," c.1860s.
    Bonhams, Apr. 21-29: HEINRICH LEFLER, ORIGINAL WATERCOLOR FOR ANDERSEN'S SNOW QUEEN, "Die Schneekönigin," 1910.
    Bonhams, Apr. 21-29: FIRST EDITION OF ANDERSEN'S FAIRY TALES IN ENGLISH. Wonderful Stories for Children. London, 1846.
    Bonhams, Apr. 21-29: ANDERSEN ON MEETING CHARLES DICKENS. Autograph Letter Signed ("H.C. Andersen") in English to William Jerdan, July 20, 1847.
    Bonhams, Apr. 21-29: PRESENTATION COPY FOR EDGAR COLLIN. Nye Eventyr og Historier. Anden Raekke. 1861.
    Bonhams, Apr. 21-29: DOLL HOUSE FURNITURE BY HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSON, DECORATED WITH FANTASTICAL CUT-OUTS, for the children of Jonna Stampe (née Drewsen), his godchildren.
    Bonhams, Apr. 21-29: PRESENTATION COPY FOR GEORG BRANDES. Dryaden. Et Eventyr fra Udstillingstiden i Paris 1867. 1868.

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