[Fine Binding | Edinburgh Arts and Crafts Club] The Shorter Poems of Robert Bridges

Bridges, Robert. The Shorter Poems of Robert Bridges. London: George Bell & Sons, 1901. Bound in full undressed morocco by "LBF" (initials on rear board) with a modeled design to the front cover of two vertical rows of four roses to the center, with the title and date fully surrounding the design, along with a rose at each corner. Four bands to spine. White endpapers, all edges gilt. Measures approx. 4.25" x 6.75". Some rubbing to edges, along with darkening to edges and spine. Small closed cracks to rear joint, primarily at bands. Offsetting to endpapers.

Based on the style of the design, along with the stylistic choice of the vertical binder's initials to the central rear board, this volume was very likely produced by a member of the Edinburgh Arts and Crafts Club, or by the student of a member. (The latter seems likelier, given the overall technique.)

"Inspired by Medieval books, [Annie S. MacDonald] began teaching herself and others in the early 1890s (in a group that became known as the Edinburgh Arts and Crafts Club)... MacDonald used undressed goatskin, which mellows with age from white to a rich amber color, and worked it with one small tool, without cutting, raising, or padding the leather. Tidcombe gives MacDonald the credit for inspiring the bookseller Frank Karslake to establish the Guild of Women Binders and says that 'MacDonald was the prime mover in this, as she was eager to have a London outlet for bindings produced by her group... Their modeled goatskin bindings comprised 40 of the 114 bindings shown in the first Guild exhibition'" (Booktryst).