De imitatione Christi libri quatuor.
Thomas,à Kempis,1380-1471.
Pearson, Kathleen R.,former owner.StEdNL
T. B. Millsbookseller.
Mechliniae [Mechelen] : H. Dessain, Summi Pontificis, S. Congreg. de Propag. Fide et Archiep. Mechlin,
1885.
Includes index.
With a half title page.
Two manuscript quotations concerning the text taken from Matthew Arnold and George Eliot are written on the verso of the front flyleaf. There are also pencil annotations in the text at the start of the book. Booksellers ticket on the back pastedown "T. B. Mills, bookseller, 2 Palace Street, Buckingham Gate, [London], S.W.".
Modelled goatskin binding done in the style of Annie MacDonald, the Scottish bookbinder. Annie MacDonald invented the technique for modelling leather for bookbindings used for this binding, and other bindings produced by her and her pupils. The modelling was done after the book was covered in goatskin and involved neither cutting nor raising the leather to relief. The design was traced onto the dampened leather and worked with a small tool called a 'Dresden', which was used to carefully press the background and mould the relief design. Using glue rather than paste to cover the books, the leather was a pale ivory when completed which developed into a richer brown once aged. Silk endpapers were used because the goatskin tended to stain both paper and vellum. This binding was done by a pupil of Annie MacDonald; an inscription on the second front flyleaf: "Kathleen from M.D.M." shows that it as by Mrs. Douglas Maclagan, one of the Edinburgh women binders; 'Kathleen' appears to be one Kathleen R. Pearson who has also inscribed the endpapers with: "Bound Dec. / 1896 K. R. Pearson - 4th Novr. 1907". The work of MacDonald and the other Edinburgh-based women inspired London bookseller Frank Karslake to found of the Guild of Women Binders in the late 1890s as an outlet for the sale of work by women binders who lived outside London. This binding has an additional significance as a photographic illustration of it was used in a promotional leaflet printed in 1898 for Karslake, which described the work of the Guild of Women Binders. The binding was chosen as an example of the new "Edinburgh binding"; a revival of the monastic bindings of the Middle Ages & (specially suited for early printed books and Church Services)'. The design for the front board is taken from a painting of 1878 by Sir Edward Burne-Jones of an angel playing a flageolet, now held in Sudley House, Liverpool. The date of the binding, 1896, has been included in the design. On the back board there is a crucifix with hearts. The endpapers are green and gilt patterned silk.
Jesus Christ
Christian life
Belgium Mechelen.