[Fine Binding | Cuneo] A Story-Teller's Holiday

Moore, George. A Story-Teller's Holiday. New York: Privately Printed for Subscribers Only (by Cumann Sean-eolar nah Eireann), 1918. Limited to 1250 copies, of which this is #660. Covers and spine bound in.

Bound in three quarter light brown morocco [by the Cuneo Fine Binding Studio] for E.J. Brady (noted in gilt on the front turn-in) with square corners ruled in gilt and patterned paper boards. Spine with four bands and large lower compartment richly gilt with inlaid brown and black diamonds and gilt fleurons. Second, third, and fifth compartments with titling in gilt. Yellow watered silk endpapers, morocco joints, all edges gilt. Housed in original fleece-lined slipcase. Measures approx. 6.25" x 9". Some light rubbing to edges and spine bands, spine darkened with discoloration extending onto covers. Slipcase worn and darkened.

Though the volume is unsigned, it is unmistakably from the Cuneo Fine Binding Studio, and was most likely tooled by Leonard Mounteney, who was the finisher at Cuneo at the time this volume was bound (early 1930s). Mounteney worked as an extra finisher at Riviere & Son in London until 1924, when he joined the Extra Bindery at R. R. Donnelley in Chicago, working alongside Alfred de Sauty. He left Donnelley in 1926 to join Cuneo's hand bindery, also in Chicago.

Past examples of Mounteney & the Cuneo bindery's work in this style can be seen here and here.