The herald., 1894-12-16
NOVELTIES IN BOOK BINDING,
Holiday Editions That That Crafty
the C0nn0isseur.
Illustrations by Edwards, Kemble,
and Hopkinson Smith.
A Contrast Drawn Between tho Old
Tree Caif Rsd-Ltne Edittons and
Late Triumphs of A rtistic
Excellsncc.


Time was whom the only gift books &c
be found we're red-lined editions Of the
standard works bound in "tree calf, y
the smooth edges of the leaves carefully
cut and Rilded and the book illustrated
with wood cuts-not wood engravings
but the old cuts made from wooden
blocks with breadth and heaviness ol
line that was funereal in its blackness
and inadequate to expresa other than a
limited number Of subjects: therefore
sparse and generally unsatisfactory.
What . contrast, then. are the nuns
berless exquisitely conceived and srtis-
tioally executed editions OF the present
day, when the art of binding and illus
trating has advanced until it has
reached something 80 nearly perfection
that the brain of ordinary mortals can
conceive nothing finer nor better. And
it is not to recently written books that
this refinement OF get-up is confined,
but new editions OF older books are as
elaborateiy and beautifully dreseed in
is legion. and any taste. either for add
considered to be that of the friend for
fed from the assortment to De found in
any store that pretends to carry tho
newest and beet grade OF books in atock
The outside dress of vellum, parch.
nent, ooze-leathsr, cloth, silk or pom.
1nc Il Il
decorated in gold, ailver, or
contrasting color, with numberless
design, artistic and appropriate to the
subject matter dealt with in the letter
press; printed on heavy, handsome pa
per. either white or q delicate cream,
with wide margins and either rough
edges or uncut leaves, the cutting OF
which is such g Joy to the heart OF the
true book lover, and illustrated with all
the wonderful devices of modern repro.
ductive processes, in color as we'll as
black and white.
Photogravure from paintings and
sketches, photo-engraving, the photo
graph process Of reproducing the dainsi-
est pen and ink or pencil drawings Or
lithographing in color. Many and null
tfarlous are the means whereby the
dainty, beautiful and. in most cases
work OF our modern ilustra-
tions is reproduced. and since the best
artists in all countries are now giving
part OF their time and thought to illus
trating, it naturally follows that the
pictures in book are by no means the
least attractive part OF it.
Oliver Wendell Holmes Last Leaf is a
fine example OF what ia being done in
the line of illustrating. whereby the
subtle essence and spirit OF the authors
thought and conception have beeu eau sht
and presented to the eve by George
Wharton Edwards and T. Hopkineon
Smith in their dainty yet spirited draws
ings. Every line of Importance. every
sentiment suggested, have received care
ful yet exquisite treatment from these
two clever men, and the little hook as
whole is admirably dressed. The bind
ing is of Quaker gray cloth with white
back: branch OF bay leaves across the
upper corner and an hour glass, ali in
colors, are pressed in upon
The surface, and single leaf and sickle
IN gold complete the design. It is
printed only on one side of heavy cream
paper. and an authors note explaining
The history of the poem and the circum-
stRnces under which it was written is
bound with it.
Another wonderful example in which
The spirit of the poem is caught and re-
produced are Elihu Vedder's illustra.
tions Of the Rubaiyat by Omar Kay
yam;a very expensive edition of this
work WAS published some years ago with
an Edition de Luxe, and is we'll known
by all cultivated people; a cheaper edi-
tion was gotten out lstsr, in which the
were photographed from
other cuts. and consequently were in
ferior; but this season is just publis he'd
a SIS edition, in which the reproductions
are taken from the original drawings,
and they are superb. and yet financially
the book within the reach of many peo-
pie.
Putnam Sons have issued this fall,
Washington Irvina's Sketch Book, uni
form with the Alhambra of last year
and the Conquest OF Granada of tbs
year before; it Is published in two vol
nmes, bound In white glazed cloth with
dull blue Rrabesques on the cover OUT
lined in gold; printed on heavy white
paper with uncut leaves; each page has
border decorations in color, of leaves of
holly with the red berries, or ivy and
)ther small leaves; there are head
pieces to the chapters in wash drawings
md both volumes are plentifully illus-
rated with photographs. and photo
.ravure reproductions of drawings by F.
}. G. Darlsy. Allan Barraud. Arthur
and sketches BY Julian Rix
md F. s. Church.
Longfellow's King Robert of Sicily
omes from the press OF Raphael Tuck
Sons, in a most elaborate get-up OF
light brown cloth with heraldic design
n gold on the upper cover; it is printed
IN heavy glazed paper and illustrated
" reproductions OF Jane Willis Grey's
ketches and drawings in color and
'rown ink; the pictures are rich with
,ingly attire, chorister boys and swing
ng censers; and nuns and monks face
hrones and court jestor.
Another of Raphael Tuck's publica-
ions are three little volumes in a case,
'ound uniformly in white cloth with
ight green and gold tracsry the titles
re Friendship, Love and Kisses, and
selections from the Poets, compiled by
Tolney Streamer and illustrated in color
With dainty sprays OF flowers, and bits
4 landscape by Corbyn Price and oth-
RS; they are printed on one side only
I heavy fine paper.
From the Frederick A. Stokes com.
ANY como two rather strong little vol
mes, Rings and Love Knots, by Sam.
sl Minturn Peck, and Point Lace and
diamonds by George A. Baker. jr., both
inform and elaborstely bound in Law
nder and pink brocaded moire, with o