> Rauri McLean's Victorian Publisher's Book-Bindings in Paper gives
> early examples and Paul Barker's (I may be wrong on the author but it
> is a BL based authority) article in The Library on wrappers would
> also be helpful. It is difficult to be sure a cover on a book was
> actually there at the time of a printed date. It is always nice to
> find one with a dated inscription.
> --
> Gene
Many thanks for your reply to my Exlibris question: the group is fulfilling
its function.
McLean basically starts 30 years later than my example, and I can't get much
from him. Another Exlibris mmber referred me to Jonathan Hill's article on
boards in The Library, and this I do have on my shelves (unfortunately it
doesn't mention boards with the printing directly on the paper covering the
boards): he suggests that this might be what you mean. But have I missed an
article on wrappers?
You are right of course about the uncertainty of dating a binding. I don't
have a dtated inscription, but I do have (in this book of 1807) endpapers
watermarked 1807, and inserted adverts promising a book as due to be
published in January 1808.
Maurice Whitby
Sevin Seydi Rare Books
13 Shirlock Road
London NW3 2HR, England
tel: 011 44 20 7485 9801
fax: 011 44 20 7428 9313
e-mail: seydi@freenet.co.uk