1846 · Altenburg
by (BINDINGS - VELVET AND EMBOSSED PAPER). (HYMNAL)
Altenburg: In der Herzoglich Sachs. Hofbuchdruderei, 1846. 182 x 114 mm. (7 1/4 x 4 1/2"). iv, 423, [1], 56, 84 pp.
ESPECIALLY PRETTY CONTEMPORARY DARK BROWN VELVET, COVERS WITH GILT FRAME OF EMBOSSED PAPER, featuring lyre cornerpieces, upper cover with colored embossed-paper grapevine twining around a gilt post, the letters "A. S. / A. E. M." above the centerpiece, the date 1848 below it, lower cover with painted embossed-paper centerpiece of strawberries, flat spine divided into panels by gilt embossed paper band, panels with embossed gilt paper floral spray, marbled endpapers, all edges gilt and gauffered with scallops and circlets. Text with scarcely noticeable mild foxing, but A VERY FINE COPY, the text clean and fresh, and THE BINDING ASTONISHINGLY WELL PRESERVED.
This delightful volume in its delicate period binding is remarkable in its atypical design, unusual chosen material, and marvelous state of preservation. Velvet bindings such as this came into use in Germany for devotional books starting in the 1840s, featuring applied decoration of different kinds--but most often with appropriately religious imagery. So, the present example is particularly charming, featuring as it does richly colored and naturalistic grapes and strawberries instead of crucifixes. And the use of paper, rather than silver or embroidery, is uncommon, at least in examples that remain intact: while 19th century hymnals come to market with some regularity, they are almost never seen with embossed paper embellishment, especially paper that shines, nearly unworn, as it does here. The velvet, too, is scarcely rubbed and as rich a chocolate brown as it must have been when first purchased, and the fact that the elaborately embossed paper remains almost as new is next to astonishing. It is not too much to claim that the brilliant binding of this book of musical praises sings its own memorable song.. (Inventory #: ST20493)
ESPECIALLY PRETTY CONTEMPORARY DARK BROWN VELVET, COVERS WITH GILT FRAME OF EMBOSSED PAPER, featuring lyre cornerpieces, upper cover with colored embossed-paper grapevine twining around a gilt post, the letters "A. S. / A. E. M." above the centerpiece, the date 1848 below it, lower cover with painted embossed-paper centerpiece of strawberries, flat spine divided into panels by gilt embossed paper band, panels with embossed gilt paper floral spray, marbled endpapers, all edges gilt and gauffered with scallops and circlets. Text with scarcely noticeable mild foxing, but A VERY FINE COPY, the text clean and fresh, and THE BINDING ASTONISHINGLY WELL PRESERVED.
This delightful volume in its delicate period binding is remarkable in its atypical design, unusual chosen material, and marvelous state of preservation. Velvet bindings such as this came into use in Germany for devotional books starting in the 1840s, featuring applied decoration of different kinds--but most often with appropriately religious imagery. So, the present example is particularly charming, featuring as it does richly colored and naturalistic grapes and strawberries instead of crucifixes. And the use of paper, rather than silver or embroidery, is uncommon, at least in examples that remain intact: while 19th century hymnals come to market with some regularity, they are almost never seen with embossed paper embellishment, especially paper that shines, nearly unworn, as it does here. The velvet, too, is scarcely rubbed and as rich a chocolate brown as it must have been when first purchased, and the fact that the elaborately embossed paper remains almost as new is next to astonishing. It is not too much to claim that the brilliant binding of this book of musical praises sings its own memorable song.. (Inventory #: ST20493)
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