Proverbial Philosophy: A Book of Thoughts and Arguments, Originally Treated. [Fore-edge Painting].

TUPPER, Martin Farquhar.

Proverbial Philosophy: A Book of Thoughts and Arguments, Originally Treated. [Fore-edge Painting].

London: Thomas Hatchard , 1850.

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Martin Farquhar Tupper's Proverbial Philosophy; finely bound in full morocco with a disappearing fore-edge painting

Finely bound example of Tupper's Proverbial Philosophy, elegantly adorned with a disapperaing fore-edge painting. Octavo, bound in full morocco with gilt titles to the spine, inner dentelles, frontispiece portrait of Tupper, all edges gilt with a disappearing fore-edge painting. In very good condition.

The first known example of a disappearing fore-edge painting (where the painting is not visible when the book is closed) dates back to 1649. In the mid 18th century, the subject matter of fore-edge paintings evolved from simply decorative or heraldic designs to landscapes, portraits and religious scenes, usually painted in full color. The technique was popularized by John Brindley (1732-1756), publisher and bookbinder to the Prince of Wales and Edwards of Halifax, a distinguished family of bookbinders and booksellers. The majority of extant examples of fore-edge paintings date to the late 19th and early 20th century on reproductions of books originally published in the early 19th century, including the present volume.