Unusual Fore-Edge Painting of Boxing Scene

Byron, Lord (1788-1824)

The Poetical Works of Lord Byron [Fore-Edge Painting]

London: Federick Warne & Co., [1870s]. Lansdowne Poets. Fore-Edge painting of boxing scene. Black and white plates inside. Full leather. Duodecimo. viii, 638 pages.

Elegantly bound edition of Byron's poetry, illustrated with several full page black and white plates depicting scenes from the works.

Far more interesting, however, is the unusual fore-edge painting depicting two shirtless boxers sparring in a ring surrounded by spectators. A fore-edge painting is unique bit of artistry whereby the fore edge of a book's textblock is painted with a scene such that it is only visible when the pages are fanned slightly. Most fore-edge paintings we have seen feature landscapes, city skylines, etc. This painting is signed "JL" at lower left corner of the image.

Dark brown calf over bevelled boards with embossed rules and corner ornaments to both boards, Spine titled in gilt, ruled across four raised bands. Marbled endpapers, all edges gilt, floral pattern stamped in gilt on turn ins. Minor rubs to extremities and along joints, tiny bookseller tag to top inner margin of rear pastedown. Near fine overall.

Item #1901

Price: $1,000