Biblia Hebraica. Prepared by E. van der Hooght

(BINDING).

Leipzig

1838

Delightful Fore-edge Painting of a gentle pastoral scene, portraying fishing alongside a pond with a windmill in the background

Darlow and Moule 5193

Hebrew Books with Painted Fore Edges are Exceptionally Uncommon. A fore-edge painting is a scene painted on the fore-edge of a book, either with the edge solid so that the resultant painting is visible with the book closed, or, in the more accepted use of the term, with the edge fanned out so that the painting is not visible with the book closed. When the painting is done with the leaves fanned out, the edge is generally also gilded or marbled in the usual manner, so that the closed book shows no trace whatsoever of the painting. The art of painting landscapes on fore-edges was pioneered by the Englishman, William Edwards of Halifax sometime around 1750. Subjects portrayed included countrysides, buildings and scenes based on the content of the book being decorated. The types of books commonly treated in this manner were Bibles and prayer books, the classics, travel books, and poetry