A Manual of the Art of Bookbinding: Containing Full Instructions in the Different Branches of Forwarding, Gilding, and Finishing. Also, The Art of Marbling Book-Edges and Paper. The Whole Designed for the Practical Workman, the Amateur, and the Book-Collector
Philadelphia: Henry Carey Baird, 1856. First edition of the first American bookbinding manual. 8vo (18.6 x 12.5 cm). 318, [1, 18 ads] pages. 12 plates, including frontispiece (some offsetting), six (of seven) original marbled paper specimens. Original black blind-blocked cloth, gilt-lettered on spine (rebacked preserving the original spine panel, restored by Laura S. Young). In a cloth folding case. Provenance: William H. Payne (signature on front free endpaper, bookplate). A very good plus copy, some scattered foxing, lacking the final specimen of marbled paper after p. 114. Item #410687
The section on marbling (pp. 82-103) reprints the entire text of Charles Woolnough's manual of 1853. The marbled specimens were executed by Charles Williams of Philadelphia.
The signature appears to be that of the American educator William H. Payne (1836-1907), known as the first university professor of pedagogy in the United States. He also translated works from French, including Rousseau's EMILE, OR ON EDUCATION. Appleton 83; Brenni no. 39; Mejer 1950.
Price: $600.00