[Fine Binding | J.G. Commin | Extra Illustrated] The Book-Lover's Enchiridion

Ireland, Alexander. The Book-Lover's Enchiridion: Thoughts on the Solace and Companionship of Books, and Topics Incidental thereto; Garnered from Writers of Every Age for the Help and Betterment of All Readers [two volumes]. London: Simpkin, Marshall, & Co. , 1883. Third edition, enlarged. Originally issued as a single volume, it has been expanded to two volumes through the addition of 115 (mostly engraved) plates, corresponding to the subjects of the volume.

Bound in full navy blue morocco by J.G. Commin of Exeter with gilt borders to covers, five bands to spine with gilt titling to second and fourth compartments, floral tooling in gilt to remaining. Wide, richly gilt turn-ins with blue and gold marbled endpapers. Top edge gilt. Bookplate to each pastedown of George G. Stevenson. Volumes measure approx. 5.75" x 8". Light rubbing to corners, edges, and spine bands. Some offsetting from inserted portraits.

The volume presents "in chronological order, the summed-up testimonies of the most notable Book-Lovers on the subject of books, and the Habit and Love of Reading." (Preface) The writers quoted include Plato, Socrates, Bacon, Milton, Swift, Chaucer, Byron, Pope, Rousseau, Hugo, Whitman, Trollope, Machiavelli, Carlyle, etc.

Commin was a lesser known English bookbinder around the turn of the century, but was mentioned as exhibiting work alongside Zaehnsdorf and Fazakerley in at least one period publication.