The Henry Davis Gift: A Collection of Bookbindings: Volume III: A catalogue of South-European bookbindings.

This much anticipated third and final volume of The Henry Davis Gift focuses on South and East European fine bindings, with additional sections on Oriental and American bindings. It includes many new identifications, and owners and binders are discussed comprehensively. Not only have the decorative features of every binding been described and illustrated, details of structure have also been described, and consequently, it is now possible to compare and contrast bookbinders' practices in the various countries, as evident from this splendid collection of fine bindings. Although this volume focuses on Southern Europe, it also includes bindings from the Middle East, Mexico, and the United States. Two bindings overlooked in Volume II are also included. Similar to Volume II, this volume has been arranged according to country, and then further organized chronologically. In the introduction, Foot explains how her views and methods have changed, and as a result, she has altered specific descriptions and structural elements. The text also contains two indices: of binders and of owners. This is an invaluable book for all academic libraries, for antiquarian booksellers, for collectors and for all interested in the history of the book.

Mirjam Foot is Professor Emeritus of Library and Archive Studies at University College, London; she was formerly Director of Collections and Preservation at the British Library. Her publications include: The Henry Davis Gift Volumes I & II (1978 & 1983), Eloquent Witness: Bookbindings and their History (Oak Knoll Press, The Bibliographical Society and The British Library 2004), and Bookbinders at Work, their Roles and Methods (Oak Knoll Press and The British Library 2006).