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


be found were red-lined editions Of the
standard works bound in tree calf, .
the smooth edges of the leaves carefully
cut and Qilded and the book illustrated
with wood cuts-not wood engravings
but the old cuts made from wooden
blocks with breadth and heaviness oI
line that was funereal in its backness
and inadequate to express other than q
limited number of subjects: therefore
sparse and generally unsatisfactory.
What O contrast, then, are the num-
berless exquisitely conceived and artis-
tioally executed editions OF the present
day, when the art of binding and illus
trsting has advanced until it has
reached something so nearly perfection
that the brain of ordinary mortals eau
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 dressed in
deed, the number and variety of them
is legion, and any taste, either for add
ing to ones own library or what may bs
considered to be that OF the friend for
whom the gift is intended. can be graft
fed from the assortment to De found in
any store that pretends 60 carry tho
newest and beet grade OF books in atock.
The outside dress of vsllum, parch-
nent, ooze-lesther, cloth, silk or pom
gee, all more or less elaboratsly
decorated in gold, silver, 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 a delicate cream,
with wide margins and either rough
edges or uncut leaves, the cutting Of
which ia such g Joy to the heart of the
true book lover, and illustrated with all
the wonderful uevices of modern repro.
ductive processes, in color as well as
black and white.
Photogravure from paintings and
sketches, photu-engrsving, the photo
graph process OF reproducing the daint-
est pen and ink or pencil drawings Or
lithogrsphing in color. Many and null
tifsrious are the means whereby the
dainty, beautiful and, in most cases
mastery work OF our modern illustra-
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 q
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 ,ht
and presented to the eve by George
Wharton Edwards and I. Hopkinson
Smith in their dainty yet epirited draws
ings. Every line of importance, every
sentiment suggested, have received care
ful yet exquisite treatment from these
two clever men, and tine 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
contrasting colors, are pressed in upon
the surface. and a 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 crcum-
stsncee under which it was written is
bound with it.
Another wonderful example in which
the spirit OF the poem ie caught and re-
produced are Elihu VeGder's illustra.
tions OF the Rubaiyat by Omar Kay
yam; 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 lister, in which the
illustrations were photographed from
other cuts, and consequently were in
ferior; but this season is just published
$5 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 Irving's Sketch Book, uni
form with the Alhambra of last year
and the Conquest OF Granada Of thu
year before it Is published in two vol
umes, 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
other small leaves; there are head
pieces to the chapters in wash drawings
and both volumes are plentifully illus-
trated with photographs. and photo
gravure reproductions of drawings by F.
o. G. barley, Allan Barraud, Arthur
Rackbau, and sketches by Julian Rix
and +. S. Church.
Longfellow's King Robert of Sicily
comes from the press OF Raphael Tuck
& Sons, in a most elaborate get.up OF
light brown cloth with heraldic design
in gold on the upper cover; it is printed
on heavy glazed paper and illustrated
by reproductions of Jane Willis Grey's
sketches and drawings in color and
brown ink; the pictures are rich with
kingly attire, chorister boys and swing
ing censers and nuns and monks face
thrones end court jestor.
Another of Raphael Tuck's publica-
tions are three little volumes in case,
bound uniformly in white cloth with
light green and gold trscsry the titles
are Friendship, Love and Kissss, and
Selections from the Poets, compiled by
Volney Streamer and illustrated in color
with dainty sprays OF flowers, and bits
Of landscape by Corbyn Price and oth-
srs they are printed on one side only
Of heavy fine paper.
From the Frederick A. Stokes com.
pany como two rather strong little vol
nmes, Rings and Love Knots, by Sam.
lel Minturn Peck, and Point Lace and
Diamonds by George A. Baker, jr.. both
Uniform and elaborstely bound in Law
snder and pink brocaded moire. with
gold griffin rampant in each corner, gilt
edges, and the latter illustrated with
wash drawings by Francis Day and oth~
srs.
Oliver Wendell Holmes Dorothy @. a
Ballad OF the Boston Tea Party, and