Heart shaped backless binding
Title and publication information from laid in typescript on James & Stuart Brockman letterhead, dated 20th October 2004. Issued in clamshell case.
"The backless binding was invented by Richard Balley and at least seven are known to have survived on books dated 1688-1701. John Bagford writing in the early eighteenth century said of Richard Balley 'he hath contrived to bind a book that at sight you could not know the fore-edge from the back, both being cut and gilded alike.' The structure seemed particularly suitable for a heart shaped book as there is no straight edge to accomodate the spine. We have improved Richard Balley's structure by allowing the covers to hinge right back and by using a flexible paper to give the best possible opening of the book." -- from typescript on James & Stuart Brockman letterhead, dated 20th October 2004.
Blue velvet binding with strips of gilt tooled leather distributed in parallel lines, gilt gauffered edges, marbled endpapers.
"The backless binding was invented by Richard Balley and at least seven are known to have survived on books dated 1688-1701. John Bagford writing in the early eighteenth century said of Richard Balley 'he hath contrived to bind a book that at sight you could not know the fore-edge from the back, both being cut and gilded alike.' The structure seemed particularly suitable for a heart shaped book as there is no straight edge to accomodate the spine. We have improved Richard Balley's structure by allowing the covers to hinge right back and by using a flexible paper to give the best possible opening of the book." -- from typescript on James & Stuart Brockman letterhead, dated 20th October 2004.
Blue velvet binding with strips of gilt tooled leather distributed in parallel lines, gilt gauffered edges, marbled endpapers.
Artwork Details
- Title: Heart shaped backless binding
- Binder: J. & S. Brockman
- Geography: Oxford, England
- Dimensions: 1 volume (unpaged); Height: 8 11/16 in. (22 cm)
- Credit Line: Bequest of Mrs. Charles Wrightsman, 2019
- Object Number: Z276 .B76 2004
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