Néogothique

Manuscript title: A RARE BOOKE OF SCRIPTURE PRINTS . . . IMPRINTED AT LONDON MDCLXXIII

1850 · Best.-Nr. ST20997 — Edinburgh: Inlaid and bound for Mr. Ebenezer Murray by Alexr. Stewart 1850. 225 x 175 mm. 9 x 7". Manuscript title page 61 leaves. OPULENT VICTORIAN GOTHIC REVIVAL GREEN MOROCCO GILT by Alexander Stewart stamp-signed in gilt on front pastedown dated Edinburgh 1850 covers with a wide frame diapered in blind and studded with gilt stars surrounded with a lacy gilt border cornered with impressive raised brass bosses this all surrounding a central raised oval similarly decorated raised bands spine decorated in compartments turn-ins gilt scarlet silk moiré endleaves the pastedowns with sculptural morocco inlays all edges gilt and gauffered. WITH 61 17th CENTURY ENGRAVINGS depicting Old Testament scenes mounted on heavy stock all protected by tissue guards three partially colored by a later amateurish hand. Plates trimmed a bit close at edges the plate number at lower right often cut into otherwise only the most trivial defects. The plates entirely fresh and containing bold impressions and the binding gleaming and unworn. This most unusual album of Old Testament illustrations was put together in Edinburgh in 1850 using engravings apparently taken from a 17th century English work and bound--with considerable imagination and vigor--in an appropriately gothic revival style. The elusive Alexander Stewart who bound the volume is not listed in Ramsden or in the Scottish Book Trade Index but he was perhaps associated with or successor to one of the half-dozen binders named Stewart active in Edinburgh in the first half of the 19th century. The design and execution of this binding took considerable creativity talent and access to high quality materials so it seems odd that we can find no record of the artisan in the usual reference materials or in auction records. It seems possible the Ebenezer Murray for whom it was created was the furniture dealer lister in the 1851 Edinburgh census. This intriguing object stands as a testament to the Victorian enthusiasms both for the Gothic style and for making decorative use as John Ruskin did of images cut from old books and manuscripts. Inlaid and bound for Mr. Ebenezer Murray by Alexr. Stewart unknown