Bookbinding for Amateurs, W. J. E. Crane — 1st Edition

£70.20

Bookbinding for Amateurs, W. J. E. Crane — 1st Edition

Name: Bookbinding for Amateurs, W. J. E. Crane — 1st Edition
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 6853
Price: 70.20 GBP
Availability: InStock

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Bookbinding for Amateurs: Being Descriptions of the Various Tools and Appliances Required and Minute Instructions for their Effective Use, W. J. E. Crane — 1st Edition

Publication: London, L. Upcott Gill, 1885.

Formatting: 8vo, pp. [vi], 184.

Condition Report: Very Good. The binding remains tight and structurally sound, with the original green cloth boards showing light rubbing to the extremities and minor bumping to the spine tips and corners. The decorative blind-stamping to the rear board and the gilt lettering and book press vignette to the front board remain notably bright and well-preserved. Internally, the text block is square, though the top edge is slightly dust-darkened. The pages are generally clean, exhibiting occasional, light scattered foxing, predominantly confined to the preliminary leaves and title page. The front endpaper bears an armorial bookplate and a neat nineteenth-century ownership signature.

Catalogue Note: This is a true first edition of W. J. E. Crane’s instructional manual on the craft of bookbinding, profusely illustrated with 156 engravings demonstrating Victorian tools, presses, and techniques.

The copy holds appealing nineteenth-century provenance, featuring a prominent armorial bookplate displaying a helm, rampant lions, and a crest on the front pastedown. It is additionally inscribed on the front free endpaper by a previous owner, "J. Davies Durlton, Northallerton 1886", indicating the book was acquired shortly after its initial publication.

Original 1885 first editions in their publisher's decorative cloth binding have become increasingly uncommon on the open market, particularly in a solid, unrestored state.

A fascinating window into Victorian craftsmanship, Bookbinding for Amateurs provides an exhaustive, step-by-step guide to the art of bookbinding as practiced in the late nineteenth century. From folding and collating to the delicate application of gold leaf and blind tooling, W. J. E. Crane demystifies the trade for the home hobbyist. Lavishly illustrated with engravings of traditional tools and presses, this volume serves as both a practical manual for contemporary binders and a rich historical artefact for bibliophiles and students of the book arts.

Book Condition: Very Good

Book Authors: W. J. E. Crane

Book Publisher: L. Upcott Gill

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Non-Fiction

Genre: History

Book edition: First Edition

Signed: No

Book Pages: 184

Book Publication Year: 1885

Book Publication Date:

Book Binding: Hardcover

Illustrator: N/A

Book Series: N/A

Country/region of manufacture: London, United Kingdom

Book Dimensions:

Book Condition Guide

We stock thousands of books in a wide range of conditions. To make things clear and to help you know exactly what to expect, Please refer to these condition categories to understand the condition of the book you will receive.

Condition	Description
New	A brand-new, unread and professionally handled book. Carefully preserved from publication to purchase, these books are offered in the best attainable condition. This grade applies to recently published titles that have not entered long-term storage.
As New	The book is in pristine, original condition as if just published. No signs of use or handling. The dust jacket (if present) is equally flawless. This grade applies to any book that has remained untouched in storage for years.
Fine	The book is close to As New. It remains bright and attractive, but could show minor imperfections to the boards and/or dust jacket (if present). Its pages are typically clean and unmarked.
Near Fine	The book has a number of small flaws, i.e. slight rubbing to the edges, or tiny chips or creases to the dust jacket (if present). Its pages may have faint marks, or creases that are barely perceptible — nothing that detracts from their overall condition.
Very Good	The book maintains its structural integrity, and has no major flaws such as tears to its binding or pages. It may, however, show signs of careful use, handling, or storage — small marks and creases, light foxing. Its dust jacket (if present) remains fully intact, but small tears may be present.
Good	A book that remains intact and readable with complete text pages, but shows moderate signs of wear and use to both the book and dust jacket (if present). It may have noticeable creases, nicks, or stains, and the spine likely shows fading, bumping, and rubbing. There could be writing, underlining, and other marks on some pages, though the majority will be clean and tidy.
Fair	A book with significant wear or damage. The text pages will be complete, but there may be heavy underlining, highlighting and staining throughout, and the book’s endpapers, half-title, and copyright pages could be damaged or missing. The binding could be loose, and the dust jacket (if present) may have notable scuffs or tears. These copies are usually of interest for content, signature(s) or scarcity.
Poor	A heavily worn book whose value lies in its complete and legible text. A poor book will have substantial defects — loose joints or hinges, detached covers, loose and/or missing pages, and could be heavily soiled. A poor book is also known as a reading copy, and although compromised, can hold historical or bibliographic significance.