Marbled Monday
This week's example of marbling is used in the binding of Poems by Goldsmith and Parnell printed by W. Bulmer of the Shakespeare Printing Office in 1795. English printer and typographer William Bulmer (1757-1830) established the Shakespeare Press in 1790 and published over 600 volumes during its operation.
Irish poet, novelist, and playwright Oliver Goldsmith (1728-1774) was a poor student but a good writer, especially noted for his pastoral style. English-Irish poet and clergyman Thomas Parnell (1679-1718) is considered one of the "Graveyard Poets," whose work often contained ruminations on mortality and were considered precursors to the Romantic and Gothic movements. Goldsmith wrote a biography of Parnell that was often published with collections of the latter's works.
The binding of this book shows great attention to detail. The marbled paper is, I believe, a Stormont Pattern in red, ten, green, and black. The corners and spine are covered with dark green goatskin featuring gold tooling and the title stamped on the spine. The corners and the edges of the goatskin leather covering the spine have a blind-tooled design on them. It's a very good example of a well-considered and designed binding.
View a post on the wood engravings in this book.
View more Marbled Monday posts.
-- Alice, Special Collections Department Manager
