E.C. RARE BOOKS

Booksellers of Antiquarian Books & Ephemera

SPECIALIZING IN CHILDRENS ILLUSTRATED BOOKS, FINE BINDINGS, FORE - EDGE PAINTINGS, SETS, CLASSIC LITERATURE, VOYAGES & TRAVELS.

FORE–EDGE PAINTING [EDWARDS OF HALIFAX] COWPER’S POEMS

COWPER, William (1731–1800).

London: T. Bensley for J. Johnson and Co., 1812 2 Volumes examples of Edwards of Halifax bindings with an incredible fore-edge painting relating to Cowper.

An interesting bit of bookbinding history, the tool maker Edwards used was a gentleman named John Paas from Holborn London. The centre tool on the covers of these bindings was made by Paas. On one of the many trips Paas was known for making around the UK showing his tools, designs and collecting monies for tools and engraved plates that had been purchased he was traveling from up north probably visiting Edwards on this trip in 1832 On passing down through Leicester he stopped in at a binder called James Cook... Cook believed that Paas would be traveling home with a considerable amount of money and as Paas walked in to Cook’s bindery he was hit several times with an iron laying press pin. Paas only had 50 pounds on him but once dead Cook spent the next three days trying to dispose of the body in his fireplace.

Cook was captured and ended up historically being the last person in the UK to be Gibbeted.

CONTEMPORARY FORE-EDGE PAINTINGS

Cowper’s Poems, 1812. 2 volumes, 8vo (159 x 95 mm). Etruscan Calf by Edwards of Halifax, bindings with gilt pentaglyph and metope border, stenciled frame of palmettes, central panel enclosed by a stenciled border. Enclosed is a stenciled device of a fan–like shape with tulips on a pointillé background and other geometric shapes Spine in 6 compartments with five raised bands, two red morocco lettering–pieces gilt, gilt–tooled in remainder, all edges gilt. Very Fine

Depicting Berkhamsted (Cowper’s birthplaces) and East Dereham Churchyard (Cowper’s burial place).