Vellucent binding by Kenneth Hobson. 1927 Golden Treasury by Francis Palgrave. Bagpipes

A playful vellucent binding, signed "Kenneth Hobson, 1931", decorates this 1927 edition of Francis Palgrave's Golden Treasury. The bagpipe playing putto's concentrated expression contrasts wonderfully with his mirthful symbolism. Also, a fitting binding decoration for Palgrave's classic Treasury of English song and poem lyrics.

The vellucent binding technique was invented by Cedric Chivers, who himself adapted it from a style invented and patented by Edwards of Halifax; in extreme short, transparent vellum is bound over artwork producing the effect exhibited here.

Kenneth Hobson was a leading bookbinder of the early 20th century; at the time of this binding (1931) he was part owner in the firm of H.T. Wood, which later in the decade merged with Sangorski and Sutcliffe.

Physical Attributes -

Measures approx. 15.5 x 10 x 3 cm.. Vellum hardcover binding with (small) Yapp edges. Vellucent front board, with a putto playing bagpipes under the vellum of the front board, lightly colored. Title in gilt on spine. Central fleuret, in gilt, on rear board. All edges gilt (AEG). 524 numbered pages.

Condition -

See pictures. A handsome little book. A little soiling to binding (light). Slightest splaying to boards. Lengthy graphite inscription regarding the binding on pastedown. Bookseller graphite marks erased from flyleaf (but remnants visible). Some foxing to blank unpaginated endpapers. Thumb mark to frontis. Red dot at fore-edge margin of pages 410-430, no text affected. Mostly a clean and attractive book.