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Rare and Antiquarian Books

Fore-edge Painting

Fore edge paintings can be found on edges of book pages that are visible when the page edges face the reader. Fore edge painting is an art form that dates as early as 1650, and there are some books that even feature secret fore edge paintings that can only be seen when the pages are fanned in front of the reader, disappearing as the book is fully closed. Some fore edge paintings are subtle and very simple, while others are colorful and quite detailed. Some special and hard to find books even have double fore edge paintings, where the illustration changes depending on the direction of the pages being fanned. Fore edge paintings also served a utility, as the unique paintings made the book identifiable when the book pages were facing outward.

Results 1 - 15 of 31
[FORE-EDGE PAINTING]. Memoirs of Marmontel
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[FORE-EDGE PAINTING]. Memoirs of Marmontel

by MARMONTEL, Jean-Francois

  • Used
  • Fine
Condition
Used - fine
Seller
New York, New York
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A$5,412.05
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Edinburgh: Mundell, Doig and Stevenson, 1808. hardcover. fine. 4 volumes. Handsomely bound in contemporary straight grained green morocco with gilt designs on covers & spines, a.e.g. Housed in a red cloth folding box. Edinburgh: Printed for Mundell, Doig and Stevenson, 1808. A fine set.<br/> <br/> Each volume has a detailed fore-edge painting of various London city scenes.<br/> <br/>
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[DOUBLE FORE-EDGE PAINTING]. Poems
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[DOUBLE FORE-EDGE PAINTING]. Poems

by ROGERS, Samuel

  • Used
  • near fine
Condition
Used - near fine
Seller
New York, New York
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A$3,865.75
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London: Moxon, 1838. hardcover. near fine. Illustrated with numerous in-text engravings. 313 pages. 12mo, beautifully bound in contemporary gilt-decorated burgundy morocco, a.e.g. London: Edward Moxon, 1838. Near fine (both hinges repaired).<br/> <br/> With a magnificent double fore-edge painting depecting Boston & a view of the State House, and New York & a view of City Hall (4 paintings).<br/> <br/>
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A$3,865.75
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Junius. Stat Nominis Umbra.
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Junius. Stat Nominis Umbra.

by [Fore-Edge Painting] Junius [pseud.].

  • Used
  • Hardcover
Condition
Used
Binding
Hardcover
Seller
Montreux, Switzerland
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A$1,932.88
A$28.00 shipping to USA

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London:: Printed by T. Bensley, 1796-1797., 1796. Two volumes. 8vo. xl, [iv], 325; [iv], 366 pp. Engraved half-titles, 16 engraved plates, index. Twentieth century full navy blue straight-grained morocco, gilt rules, five raised bands with gilt compartments, a.e.g. for H. Sotheran & Co., London; a tad rubbed. Near fine. The TWO FORE-EDGE PAINTINGS by CLARE BOOKSBANK, signed. The scene on volume I is possibly a view of King George III and the House of Parliament; on volume II Westminster from the Thames River. The identity of Junius is open to question and debate, and may never be finally resolved unless documents are found which establish his identity. On the other hand scholars now generally support the identification with Sir Philip Francis. "The case for Philip Francis, first proposed by John Taylor in 1816, has established itself as by far the most probable, though categorical proof is still not forthcoming" (DNB). The Letters of Junius were the official letters that Junius collected, refined… Read More
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A$1,932.88
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(FORE-EDGE PAINTING). [WORKS]. P. VIRGILIUS MARO: IN USUM SCHOLARUM / AD NOVISSIMAM HEYNII...
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(FORE-EDGE PAINTING). [WORKS]. P. VIRGILIUS MARO: IN USUM SCHOLARUM / AD NOVISSIMAM HEYNII EDITIONEM EXACTUS

by VIRGIL

  • Used
  • Hardcover
Condition
Used
Binding
Hardcover
Seller
McMinnville, Oregon
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A$4,484.27
A$14.00 shipping to USA

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With commentary by Christian Gottlob Heyne. HANDSOME CONTEMPORARY NAVY BLUE STRAIGHT-GRAIN MOROCCO, DENSELY GILT, covers with thick and thin gilt rule border and large central laurel wreath, that on the front with the Latin motto "Honoris Causa" ("For the sake of honor"), that on the rear with the name Thomas T. Churton and the date 1817, raised bands, spine lavishly gilt in compartments filled with foliage and small tools emanating from a central fleuron, gilt titling and turn-ins, all edges gilt.
WITH A SPLENDID LATER PAINTING OF MOUNT ETNA ON THE FORE EDGE. In a recent plush-lined blue folding cloth box with gilt spine titling. With ink stamp of Bolton Public Library on verso of title and first page of text. Lowndes IV, 2777. ◆Corners slightly bumped, boards a little faded, first two gatherings mildly foxed, isolated rust spots or faint freckled foxing, but still AN ESPECIALLY DESIRABLE COPY, the handsome binding virtually unworn, the text clean and smooth, and the unusual fore-edge painting very… Read More
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A$4,484.27
A$14.00 shipping to USA
The Rule And Exercises Of Holy Dying [With Rare Historical Fore-Edge Painting Of Early View Of...

The Rule And Exercises Of Holy Dying [With Rare Historical Fore-Edge Painting Of Early View Of Washington Dc From Arlington Heights, Showing Washington Monument Under Construction]

by Taylor, Jeremy

  • Used
  • near fine
Condition
Used - Near Fine
Edition
5th or later Edition
Seller
Pasadena, California
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This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
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A$1,314.36
A$7.50 shipping to USA

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London: W. Pickering, 1850. 5th or later Edition . Red Morocco. Near Fine. Fore-Edge Painting. 262 Pp. Full Pebbled Red Morocco, All Compartments Gilt, Five Bands, Covers Elaborately Gilt With Nine Borders In Gilt, Inner Blind-Stamped Rule With Corner Embellishment, Elaborately Gilt Edges And Elaborately Gilt Turns, All Edges Of Page Block Gilt, Yellow Endpapers, With Bound In Black Silk Marker. Title Page In Red And Black. 6 5/8" Tall. Remarkably Well Preserved, Slight Rubbing, No Names Or Marks. This Example With A Well-Preserved Fore Edge Painting Of Washington D. C. From Arlington Heights With Potomac River And Several Ships In Foreground, Painting Apparently Done Apparently Circa 1850-1853 As The Washington Monument Is Depicted As About 1/3 Completed.
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A$1,314.36
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Historical Illustrations of the fourth canto of Childe Harold: containing dissertations on the...
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Historical Illustrations of the fourth canto of Childe Harold: containing dissertations on the ruins of Rome; and an essay on Italian literature. Second edition, revised and corrected.

by [Fore-edge Painting] HOBHOUSE, John.

  • Used
  • Hardcover
Condition
Used
Binding
Hardcover
Seller
Montreux, Switzerland
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
A$4,638.90
A$28.00 shipping to USA

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London:: John Murray, 1818., 1818. 8vo. viii, 576 pp. Original full double gilt-ruled vellum, gilt embellished spine, olive-brown morocco spine label, all edges gilt, red endleaves. Fine copy. With a glorious fore-edge painting on the painted edge by the Dover painter, of "King's College Chapel Cambridge" and labeled in the artist's ink hand. The artist is known to have worked in the 1920s and 1930s in London, thus it is interesting to note that there are two notations with dates: a dated inscription in the back E.H.W. 25/3/31 [March 25, 1931] $ 85. - with a cost code showing B/-/- over B/H/E. Surely an indication that this was painted by March 1931 and offered for sale by an American bookseller for $ 85. The label (shown) for the painting also has a code: 116/1/24 which looks like a code/date - if a date then the year would be 1924. This is very much within this artist's time period of activity. [JWRB]
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A$4,638.90
A$28.00 shipping to USA
[Burne-Jones, Edward- Fore-Edge Painting] Poetical Works of John Milton
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[Burne-Jones, Edward- Fore-Edge Painting] Poetical Works of John Milton

by Milton, John

  • Used
  • Hardcover
Condition
Used
Binding
Hardcover
Seller
Seattle, Washington
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Item Price
A$2,706.02
A$35.00 shipping to USA

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London: Henry Frowde, Oxford University Press, 1908. Original decorative vellum spine, cloth boards. With a superb vertical fore-edge painting by Martin Frost after Edward Burne-Jones famous painting, "The Golden Stair." Monogrammed by Frost, premier fore-edge painter, with his authenticity ticket tipped in.
Item Price
A$2,706.02
A$35.00 shipping to USA
Abraham Lincoln.
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Abraham Lincoln.

by [Fore-edge Painting. Signed] [Miss C. B. CURRIE] CHARNWOOD, Godfrey Benson, 1st Baron [Lord] (1864-1945).

  • Used
  • Hardcover
  • Signed
Condition
Used
Binding
Hardcover
Seller
Montreux, Switzerland
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A$10,437.52
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London:: Constable & Company, Ltd., 1916., 1916. Series: Makers of the nineteenth century, edited by Basil Williams. Crown 8vo. viii, 479, [1] pp. Frontispiece portrait of Abraham Lincoln (at Springfield), index, large folding map. Specially bound for Sotheran by Riviere & Son in full black gilt-stamped morocco, all edges gilt; neatly rebacked preserving the original spine. Preserved with the original chemise and cloth slipcase with gilt-stamped calf spine label: "ABRAHAM LINCOLN - LORD CHARNWOOD - 1916 - FORE-EDGE PAINTING". This is also a very rare specimen with the original chemise and box extant. Provenance: ownership names of R. Joseph Rich, Margaret Rich Carr; Joseph Sampsell Carr. Fine. WITH A FORE-EDGE PAINTING BY MS. C. B. CURRIE, showing "a view of Harper's Ferry, W. Virginia." "This is No. 145 of the Books with Fore-edge Paintings by Miss Currie. . . " Painted ca. 1928/9. See: Weber, p. 341 [#145 was previously unknown]. Currie painted a scene of Harper's Ferry on the Life of John Brown,… Read More
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A$10,437.52
A$28.00 shipping to USA
The Holy Bible, containing the Old Testament and the New: translated out of the original tongues,...
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The Holy Bible, containing the Old Testament and the New: translated out of the original tongues, and with the former translations diligently compared and revised, By His Majesty's special Command. [Five volumes].

by [Fore-edge Paintings (5); Bible 1802]

  • Used
Condition
Used
Seller
Montreux, Switzerland
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Item Price
A$8,891.22
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London:: John Reeves, 1802., 1802. 5 volumes. Small 8vo. Original full crimson straight-grained morocco, spines flat and tooled in gilt, all edges gilt; some darkening to covers, but a solid binding, even now after all these years. Bookseller's ticket of Kerby & Bowdery, 190 Oxford Street [England]. Early ownership signature of Charlotte Handbury. Very good. WITH FIVE FORE-EDGE PAINTINGS painted by the "Dover Painter" of Marks & Company, London, ca 1920s, one of the finest fore-edge artists of their day. On volume 1) Worcester Cathedral; 2) St. Paul's Cathedral; 3) York Minster; 4) Canterbury Cathedral, St. Ethelbert's Tower, & St. Augustine's Monastery; 5) Gloucester Cathedral. Each piece is labeled in ink in the artist's handwriting. PROVENANCE: [pre-fore-edge] [James] Kerby & Bowdery [booksellers, U.K.] – Charlotte Hanbury (signature); [Marks & Co., London booksellers – where this became a fore-edge painting], Edward C. Lowe, Birmingham [bookseller, U.K., sold to:] Mrs. Henry B. [Brooke]… Read More
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A$8,891.22
A$28.00 shipping to USA
Sherman; Fighting Prophet.
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Sherman; Fighting Prophet.

by [FORE-EDGE PAINTING; CIVIL WAR]. LEWIS, Lloyd.

  • Used
  • Hardcover
  • first
Condition
Used
Binding
Hardcover
Seller
Montreux, Switzerland
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Item Price
A$11,597.25
A$28.00 shipping to USA

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New York:: Harcourt, Brace, 1932., 1932. 8vo. xii, 690 pp. Frontis. (portrait of Sherman), plates, index. Deluxe binding in contemporary navy blue crushed levant gilt, purple watered-silk moire endleaves, gilt dentelles, all edges gilt, upper cover with COSWAY-STYLE inset center medallion with glass plate protecting an original watercolor portrait of General Sherman. Protected in the original open-end box bound in half crushed morocco, raised bands, gilt stamps in each compartment, bale blue cloth sides, felt inner lining, cloth ribbon-pull. Beautifully preserved. Ownership inscription. Fine. First edition. Concealed under the gold edge a FORE-EDGE PAINTING of William Tecumseh Sherman (1820-1891), leading his troops to battle in the Civil War. In the scene, it appears that Atlanta (or Savanah?), all ablaze, is in the background (left) and a pasture of cows (right of center), a small rural bridge is in the path ahead leading to the next town. PROVENANCE: Inscribed (half-title) "For my friend Fred… Read More
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A$11,597.25
A$28.00 shipping to USA
THE FORSYTE SAGA
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THE FORSYTE SAGA: Fore-Edge Painting,

by Galsworthy John

  • Used
  • Hardcover
  • first
Condition
Used
Edition
First Facsimile Edition
Binding
Hardcover
Seller
Vancouver, British Columbia
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Item Price
A$1,855.56
A$45.00 shipping to USA

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London: William Heinemann Ltd / Windmill Press, 1951. first Facimilie. full Morocco. THE FORSYTE SAGAJohn GalsworthyFORE-EDGE PAINTINGPublished by William Heinemann Ltd / Windmill Press 1951This is the 1951 reprint from 1922 including folding family tree chart as frontice.1042pp not illustrated as per the original 1922 edition. Bound in full red straight grain Morocco for Henry Sotherans, Ltd. With tipped in signature of John Galsworthy dated March 11 1916.Fore-Edge painting is the view of Richmond Bridge, London. Beautifully painted showing the bridge and its quaint surroundings.The Forsyte Saga was first published in its entirety in 1922; the illustrated single volume edition with Anthony Gross's highly acclaimed drawings was first published in 1950. The Forsyte Saga earned Galsworthy the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1932, and his tales of the vicissitudes of a large upper-middle-class English family have been adapted under various guises for film and television, including the 1949 Hollywood film… Read More
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A$1,855.56
A$45.00 shipping to USA
[E chi non vede senza meraviglia l’opera di Francesco Marcolini da Forlì? (G. Vasari, Vite...
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["E chi non vede senza meraviglia l’opera di Francesco Marcolini da Forlì?" (G. Vasari, Vite de’ Pittori)]

by Marcolini Francesco

  • Used
Condition
Used - Very Good+
Seller
Milan, Italy
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A$58,747.50
A$25.00 shipping to USA

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2° (mm 313x211); cc. 104 [recte]. Pergamena coeva con, ai tagli, decorazioni a secco a forma di carte da gioco. Bellissimo esemplare.
A splendid, unsophisticated copy in its original vellum binding. On the three edges of the book, blind-tooled decorations in the shape of playing cards.
Seconda e definitiva edizione (la princeps è del 1540).
Second edition, definitively enlarged and corrected by the Author.
The books provides answers to fifty questions, thirteen of which are to be asked by men, thirteen of which are to be asked by women, and the remainder of which may be asked by both men and women. The allegory of the human quality or defect corresponding to the question must then be sought and a pair of cards drawn. After further steps involving the drawing of further cards (five in total), one reaches an answer taken from one of the great philosophers. The answers of the philosophers were put into terzine by Lodovico Dolce.
The title woodcut, after a design by the Mannerist painter Francesco… Read More
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A$58,747.50
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Historical Illustrations of the Fourth Canto of Childe Harold: containing dissertations on the...
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Historical Illustrations of the Fourth Canto of Childe Harold: containing dissertations on the ruins of Rome; and an essay on Italian Literature. Second edition, revised and corrected.

by [Fore-edge painting] HOBHOUSE, John (1786-1869).

  • Used
  • Hardcover
Condition
Used
Binding
Hardcover
Seller
Montreux, Switzerland
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
A$1,237.04
A$28.00 shipping to USA

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London:: John Murray, 1818., 1818. 8vo. viii, 576 pp. "3 plates" Original green straight grain morocco, gilt rules, gilt-stamped raised bands, rouge endleaves. Bookplates of John Bolton and Marjorie & Martin Mitau. Very good. With a fore-edge painting under the gold entitled: "Fore Edge, Castle & Bridge of St. Angelo, Tomb of Hadrian." The old Castle at St. Angelo is referenced on p.300: "This imitation of Egyptian deformity must not be supposed to apply to the mausoleum of Hadrian, but to the monstrous divinities, and the fabrics of the Tiburtine villa. The Mole was constructed, it is thought, on the plan, nearly, of the Mausoleum of Augustus or Cecilia Metella." [Aikin]. A classic scene often depicted on fore-edge paintings. Provenance: Martin Mitau (1900–1973) and Marjorie (nee Fleishhacker) Mitau (1906–1983) were both San Franciscans and lived in the Bay Area all their lives. He was a member of Roxburghe Club of San Francisco and the Book Club of California, and their collection was strong… Read More
Item Price
A$1,237.04
A$28.00 shipping to USA
[Hidden Double Fore-Edge Paintings] In Memoriam. 17th Edition
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[Hidden Double Fore-Edge Paintings] In Memoriam. 17th Edition

by {Tennyson, Alfred}

  • Used
  • near fine
  • Hardcover
Condition
Used - Near Fine
Edition
Seventeenth Edition
Binding
Hardcover
Seller
Bloomington, Indiana
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This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
A$1,546.30
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London: Edward Moxon & Co., 1865. Decorated with hidden double fore-edge paintings displaying the harbors of Boston and Philadelphia, the paintings are unsigned but done with a lovely touch. Finely bound in red straight-grain morocco with green morocco inlays, with gilt titles and elaborate gilt tooling to the spine and panels, all edges gilt, gilt dentelles, the stamp of S. Hogg, Binder front paste down. Near Fine, slight wear at joints. . Seventeenth Edition . Straight - Grain Morocco. Near Fine/No Jacket, As Issued. 16mo - over 5¾" - 6¾" tall.
Item Price
A$1,546.30
FREE shipping to USA
Robinson Crusoe. Volumes I. & II.
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Robinson Crusoe. Volumes I. & II.

by Daniel Defoe

  • Used
  • Fine
  • Hardcover
Condition
Used - Fine
Binding
Hardcover
Seller
Scarborough , North Yorkshire
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This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
A$34,217.75
A$8.95 shipping to USA

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THIS BOOK IS UNIQUE. Hidden scene on the fore page edges (under the gilding) on both volumes.
Tan calf bindings. Gilt embossed edges and centre panel on all sides. Black title plates and gilt banding and titles on the spine. Gilt on all page edges. Dimensions are for one volume. Supplied in a newly made protective box.
Magnificent Fore Edge Edition
Fore-edge painting: With a double concealed fore-edge painting revealing two scenes. In very good condition. The first known example of a disappearing fore-edge painting (where the painting is not visible when the book is closed) datesto 1649. Around 1750, the subject matter of fore-edge paintings changed from simply decorative or heraldic designs to landscapes, portraits and religious scenes, usually painted in full colour. The technique was popularised in the 18th century by John Brindley (1732-1756), publisher and bookbinder to the Prince of Wales and Edwards of Halifax, a distinguished family of bookbinders and booksellers. The majority of extant… Read More
Item Price
A$34,217.75
A$8.95 shipping to USA