Biographical Essays. Oliver Cromwell. Daniel De Foe. Sir Richard Steele. Charles Churchill. Samuel Foote. Third Edition. [Two Volumes Extra-Illustrated in Fine Bindings]

Forster, John

Published by John Murray, London, 1860

About this Item

Extra-illustrated with 100 fine engraved portrait plates in a lovely period binding signed by London bookbinder J. (Jeremiah) Larkins on the inner dentelle. Full black morocco with gilt top edge. Spines ornately gilt with "Extra Illustrated and 1860" date at foot, gilt borders, gilt inner dentelles. Extra-illustrated books, or Grangerized, are published texts that have been made into a unique copy by a former owner by the addition of prints, autographs, letters, etc. It all began in 1769 when John Granger published his Biographical History of England without illustrations. This quickly prompted a fashion for portrait-print collecting and the incorporation of prints and drawings into the printed text. However, the term "Grangerising" only came into use from the 1880s, more than a century after Granger's death. Typically, the additions are mounted on additional leaves, and the book is rebound to accommodate its increased thickness as in this example. The practice of Grangerizing, or extra-illustrating, reached its height of popularity in the first half of the nineteenth century. "It s a quaint and forgotten art, but the fact is that there s something magical about an extra-illustrated book. It s entirely unique: there s not another edition like it, anywhere in the world. It has a hand-crafted aspect to it that makes a mass-produced book more personal." Fine copies. See pictures. Seller Inventory # 46444

Bibliographic Details

Title: Biographical Essays. Oliver Cromwell. Daniel...

Publisher: John Murray, London

Publication Date: 1860

Binding: Full-Leather

Condition: Fine