Cleopatra: Being an Account of the Fall and Vengeance of Harmachis, The Royal Egyptian, As Set Forth By His Own Hand. [Fore-Edge Painting].

HAGGARD, H. Rider.

Item Number: 119035

London: Longmans, Green, and Co, 1889.

Rare first edition of this well-known classic. Octavo, bound in full morocco with morocco spine labels lettered in gilt, gilt tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, gilt ruling to the panels, marbled endpapers, all edges gilt with a fore-edge painting of Cleopatra after the frontispiece, illustrated with engravings including tissue-guarded frontispiece, with the original publisher’s cloth cover to the pastedown. In fine condition. An exceptional presentation.

The first known example of a disappearing fore-edge painting (where the painting is not visible when the book is closed) dates back to 1649. Around 1750, the subject matter of fore-edge paintings changed from simply decorative or heraldic designs to landscapes, portraits and religious scenes, usually painted in full color. The technique was popularized in the 18th century by John Brindley (1732-1756), publisher and bookbinder to the Prince of Wales and Edwards of Halifax, a distinguished family of bookbinders and booksellers. The majority of extant examples of fore-edge paintings date to the late 19th and early 20th century on reproductions of books originally published in the early 19th century, including the present volume.