2258

$911.25

3 FINE LEATHER BOUND BOOKS WITH FORE-EDGE PAINTINGS.

Late 19th century. England. 3 fine examples of 19th century fore-edge painting. The first being Cowper’s works in full green leather with fore-edge painting, a beautiful and simple view of the rambling cottage that was the authors birthplace. The second poems of Samuel Colridge 1870 in tooled red leather having a fore-edge painting of a simple village scene. The third, tooled black leather “Book of Worthies 1882″ with a view of Alexandria Egypt. All three volumes in similar quarter leather custom fitted shelf boxes with tooled leather book binding edge. NOTE: A fore-edge painting is an artwork painted on the fourth edge or the edge opposite the spine of a book. These three are of the type that need to be fanned out in order to view the artwork. In the 16th century fore-edge painting was employed in order to identify a volume that was displayed with its fourth edge visible on the shelf. at this time the Italian artist Cesare Vecellio (cousin of Titian) used the fourth edge of books as his canvas. In the 17th century the technique was advanced to include painting the exposed edge of the pages when they were fanned. The edge was gilded so that the view was revealed only by fanning the page. SIZE: with outer case 7″ H 4 1/2” W CONDITION: The first very good with a minor chafe spot on edge of cover. The second with high spot and edge wear and chafing to cover. The third with minor high spot and edge wear and chafing to cover. 9-93857 (1,500-2,500) – Lot 2258

---

Auction: Fine Art, Asian & Antiques - August 2014

---

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

---