Cambridge Bookbindings : A large central fleuron tool often used in Cambridge binding of the 1550s and 60s

Isocrates., Wolf, Hieronymus 1516-1580

Cambridge Bookbindings

<p style='text-align: justify;'><p>The large fleuron which is used twice at the centre of the covers here was used by a Cambridge bindery of the 1550s and 60s, which made many bindings to this kind of design. For smaller format books like this one, smaller tools only would be used, while folios or quartos might see the double fleuron within a roll frame. The ornamental concept is one which was widely used in Europe at this time, and there were many similar tools in circulation elsewhere.</p><p>Pasteboards, covered with dark brown calfskin, blind-tooled. Rebacked, with new spine leather and endleaves; traces of medieval manuscript fragments used as pastedowns; tanned leather sewing supports; remains of cloth ties.</p><p>Dr David Pearson</p></p>