Beautiful Bookbindings: A Thousand Years of the Bookbinder's Art by Marks, P J M - 2011

British Library, London / Oak Knoll Press, New Castle, first edition, 2011. Cloth, 4to, 29 cm,. 192 pp, ills (some colour). From the blurb: "From exquisite medieval bookbindings crafted from precious metals and jewels to the unique and highly imaginative creations of contemporary bookbinders, this book celebrates over 100 of the most beautiful bookbindings of the last 1000 years. Illustrated in colour throughout, with specially commissioned studio photography showing bindings from a variety of angles, this book provides a visual overview of the chronological development of this splendid, yet often overlooked, art form. An illustrated introduction considers the history and craft of bookbinding. Each of the featured bindings is then considered in detail, and the stories behind them reveal the myriad of influences, ranging from technical to personal tastes, behind their unique appearance. A narrative of the development of bookbinding emerges, from its earliest Islamic origins through embroidered… Read More

The British Library Publishing Division, 2011 4to (28.5 cm), 192 pp. Publisher's cloth and dust jacket (minor shelf-wear). "From exquisite medieval bookbindings made of precious metals and jewels to the unique and highly imaginative creations of contemporary bookbinders, this book celebrates over 100 of the most beautiful bookbindings of the last 1000 years. Fully illustrated in colour, with specially commissioned studio photography, this book provides a visual overview of the development of this splendid art form. The book focuses on the craft of hand-bookbinding which existed until the Victorian era when mass-produced 'trade' bindings took over. Bookbinding as a craft form never disappeared, however, and the second half of the 20th century saw a significant revival. The introduction provides an engaging overview of the history and techniques of the craft and of its most important practitioners. Visually stunning, this book will have a wide appeal to anyone with an interest in visual… Read More

London: The British Library, 2011. First edition. hardcover. very good/very good. 4to. pp.192