Francis Turner Palgrave

A finely bound copy of The Golden Treasury.

• Francis Turner Palgrave (British, 1824-1897).
• London: Macmillan & Co., 1908.
• Bound in full vellucent vellum binding, covers and spine ruled in gilt, title to spine incorporated in an interlaced art nouveau style, title also to the front cover with an image of Pan incorporated in the “G,” the balance of the title also incorporated in an interlaced floral art nouveau style, gilt dentelles, paper and vellum doublures, top edge gilt, others uncut, stamped Cedric Chivers Bath to the lower edge of the rear cover.

Around 1903, Cedric Chivers of Bath, England, developed a remarkable method of decoration for the binding of books: the transparent vellum or “Vellucent” method. The process involved an artist painting on a super-thin surface medium, and a sheet of vellum, shaved to translucent thinness, was laid over it, with the now indivisible pieces bound over boards. For the first time in the history of the bibliopegistic art, the actual work of the artist, undiluted by a translation through the hands of a binding technician, was involved in the decoration of the book. Using the “Vellucent method” it was also possible to incorporate further embellishments such as mother-of-pearl and iridescent shell, and the like, all of which may be covered and permanently protected by the vellum.

As The Graphic Arts and Crafts Year Book for 1908 wrote, “It is difficult indeed not to become enthusiastic over the idea of the gorgeous aspect of a wealthy booklover’s library of “Vellucent” bound books, which may become at the same time a cabinet of works of art, each one of his choice and rare volumes bearing an unique specimen of the book decorator’s skill, and embellished with the most varied and brilliant effects.”