Musterbuch von Marmor Schnitten für Geschäfts-Bücher

"Germany or Austria (?) no publisher ca 1870. With 192 (recte 187) original marbled paper samples in various techniques pasted onto the recto of 96 unnumbered white cardboard mounts with lithographed black headings and framework, each mount accompanied by a tissue-guard. Size of samples: 265 x 75 mm mounted two to a page within thick black double rules. 4 spaces blank with no samples mounted. Publisher's blindembossed green calf with an all over geometrical pattern, flat spine with embossed and inlaid marbled (!) title to front cover, within gilt rule. Paste-downs and fly-leaves lined with white glazed moirée paper. Oblong folio (390 x 325 mm). Extremeties rubbed, covers soiled. A remarkable trade catalogue by a German bookbinding firm offering a wide range of designs for edges of account books. A sumptuous volume, splendidly produced with large patterns in various marbling techniques. Book block broken, mounts finger-soiled and a bit dusty in front margin. One sample torn-out with only a small piece remnant. Tissue-guards creased and a few foxed. There is no clue to the name of the bookbinding firm to be found anywhere in the volume. Probably an in-house catalogue lavishly produced to be shown to prospective buyers listing and depicting available designs" -- Antiquariat Banzhaf.