Bookbinding in Early America: three essays

French, Hannah D., Joseph W. Rogers, and Helmutt Lehmann-Haupt

Published by The Southworth-Anthoensen Press, 1941

About this Item

Uber-scarce in the trade, there being no copies available on-line currently of this First Edition and that is SIGNED by by the first of its three authors, Hannah D. French, possibly at the Grolier Club during her visit there in 1965 (Ziemba). A fine-looking, structurally sound exemplar of an important collection of three essays by the historian of American bookbinding, Hannah D. French, she then of Wellesley College Library for a long time. Overall Very Good condition copy, bound in Imperial octavo hardcover format, publisher's original blue paper over boards, black leather-backed spine with gilt titles, black leather tips. Lightly soiled and worn. First Edition, and SIGNED by Hannah D. French on title page of her essay and also including hand-written and signed letter (by her) dated 26 January 1966 on Wellesley College Library stationery probably to her photographer but definitely regarding photos from her lecture at the Grolier Club in March of 1965 (see below). Contains: "Early American Bookbinding" (Hannah Dustin French), "The Rise of American Edition Binding" (Joseph W. Rogers), "On The Rebinding of Old Books" (Helmutt Lehmann-Haupt). French mentions American?s first bookbinder: "Bookbinding was one of the very early crafts to be practiced in this country, but where the first book was bound and what it was like we do not know. A bookbinder, John Sanders by name, took the freeman?s oath in Boston in 1636 and purchased a shop for himself there in 1637. An observer of her address noted, "Miss French succeeded in presenting a coherent and vivid picture of early American bookbinding. She has described the workshop, the tools and materials of the old master binders and has been able to ascribe surviving examples to definite ateliers, establishing valuable criteria for the dating and identifying of historical American bindings. She has discovered certain workshops established by craftsmen immigrated from Europe and has taught us how to distinguish their work from the older native schools" ("Hunting the Elusive Bookbinder," from bookbinders museum dot org). All in, an important, elusive collection of essays, and with extraordinary association value. The letter to her photographer is written thus: "Dear Mr. Jensen: I don't suppose there's a chance that you still have the negatives of those wonderful shots you took of me 'performing at the Grolier's Club' last March. Today I tried to show them to some friends of mine and I could not find them. I distinctly remember putting them away very carefully but where I cannot discover. I really valued them greatly and would like to take the negatives of your hands if you still have them. The new edition of my study goes very slowly but I hope to live to present a copy fo the man who paid over fifty dollars for the first one!!! Sincerely Hannah D. French" ("where" and "if" are emphasized). [1-3] 4-293 pp.Member, I.O.B.A., C.B.A., and adherent to the highest ethical standards. Additional postage may be required for oversize or especially heavy volumes, and for sets.

Seller Inventory # 357731

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Bookbinding in Early America: three essays
• Publisher: The Southworth-Anthoensen Press
• Publication Date: 1941
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition: First Edition.
• Condition: Very Good
• Signed: Signed by Author
• Seller catalogs:
  • Books and Bookbinding