Poems of Lord Byron [Fore-Edge Painting].

LORD BYRON. [GEORGE GORDON BYRON],.

Item Number: 119632

London: John Murray, 1813-1814.

Finely bound set of the poems of Lord Byron. Octavo, 5 volumes bound into two in full straight grain morocco with gilt titles and tooling to the spine in five compartments within raised gilt bands, quadruple gilt ruling and elaborate stamping in blind to the panels, gilt turn ins and inner dentelles, all edged gilt, with double fore-edge paintings to each volume displaying period landscapes. In very good condition.

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.