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The Elsbeth and Bettina Bollmann Collection of fore-edge paintings and bindings

VIDEO Bound to please: The fore-edge paintings and bindings of the Bollmann Collection
The Elsbeth and Bettina Bollmann Collection of fore-edge paintings and bindings This collection of 52 books was donated to the Library in 2022 by Bettina Bollmann, who had joined her mother Elsbeth over several decades in assembling the collection. Most of the volumes are decorated with fore-edge paintings and many of them are in fine bindings, making this the most important collection of bindings to be acquired by the Library in over 200 years.
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The Bollmann Collection includes fore-edge paintings executed over more than 250 years, on books printed between 1639 and 1895, with a wide variety of subjects – landscapes, mansions, religious buildings, boats, coats of arms, and flowers.

The practice of painting on the flat fore-edges of books goes back many centuries but the more subtle art of creating a hidden picture which is only visible when the leaves of the book are fanned appeared in England in the middle of the 17th century. There are three 17th-century fore-edge paintings in the Bollmann Collection, one of them probably executed in 1652 and the other two dated 1685 and 1688.

The art of fore-edge painting was taken up by the firm of Edwards of Halifax in the late 18th century and is often associated with that family. Founded by William Edwards in Halifax, Yorkshire, William was joined in his business by his sons, two of whom opened their own premises in London. Apart from fore-edge paintings, the Edwards are known for their Etruscan-style bindings, described as such because motifs typical of Etruscan vases were used to decorate them, and for illustrated vellum bindings, on which a drawing on the cover is covered with a thin layer of transparent vellum to protect it. Both of these designs by the Edwards family are represented by several books in the Bollmann Collection.

Most fore-edge paintings are not dated and some of them were added to books many years after the books were published. Double fore-edge paintings and triple edge paintings, which are not commonly found, are believed to date from the early 20th century. Books with these paintings are among the highlights of this collection.

Church of England: The book of common prayer (Cambridge, 1762) (OLS BIND F.1)
Fore-edge painting: Landscape with ruin. Church of England: The book of common prayer (Cambridge, 1762) (OLS BIND F.1)
Church of England: The book of common prayer (London, 1807) (OLS BIND F.2)
Fore-edge painting: Milton Abbey, Dorset. Church of England: The book of common prayer (London, 1807) (OLS BIND F.2)
Church of England: The book of common prayer (Oxford, ca 1895) (OLS BIND F.3)
Fore-edge painting: Abbey with man fishing in river. Church of England: The book of common prayer (Oxford, ca 1895) (OLS BIND F.3)
Petit livre d'office contenant les principales fêtes de l'année (Paris, before 1827) (OLS BIND F.4)
Fore-edge painting: Notre Dame and the Seine, Paris. Petit livre d'office (Paris, before 1827) (OLS BIND F.4)
Marcus Tullius Cicero: De officiis (Paris, 1773) (OLS BIND F.5)
Fore-edge painting: The Pantheon, Paris. M. Tullius Cicero: De officiis (Paris, 1773) (OLS BIND F.5)
The Holy Bible and The whole Book of Psalms (London, 1684-85) (OLS BIND F.6)
Fore-edge painting: Hearts and tulips, 1688, with inscription 'a virtuous wife is a crown to her husband'. The Holy Bible and Psalms (London, 1684-85) (OLS BIND F.6)
Mark Akenside: The pleasures of imagination (Glasgow, 1775) (OLS BIND F.7)
Fore-edge painting: Lake with boats. Mark Akenside: The pleasures of imagination (Glasgow, 1775) (OLS BIND F.7)
John Milton: Paradise lost (Edinburgh, 1776) (front cover) (OLS BIND F.8)
John Milton: Paradise lost (Edinburgh, 1776) (back cover) (OLS BIND F.8)
James Montgomery: The world before the Flood, a poem (London, 1814) (OLS BIND F.9)
Fore-edge painting: Countryside. James Montgomery: The world before the Flood, a poem (London, 1814) (OLS BIND F.9)
Sacred poetry (Edinburgh, 1825) (OLS BIND F.10)
Fore-edge painting: The Last Supper, after Leonardo da Vinci. Sacred poetry (Edinburgh, 1825) (OLS BIND F.10)
Church of England: The book of common prayer (Paris & Halifax, 1791) (OLS BIND F.11)
Fore-edge painting: Eton College and the River Thames. Church of England: The book of common prayer (Paris & Halifax, 1791) (OLS BIND F.11)
Church of England: The book of common prayer (Oxford, 1783) (OLS BIND F.12)
Fore-edge painting: English country house. Church of England: The book of common prayer (Oxford, 1783) (OLS BIND F.12)
Sir Walter Scott: The Bridal of Triermain (Edinburgh, 1836) (OLS BIND F.13)
Fore-edge painting: Rural scene near Ham, south-west London. Sir Walter Scott: The Bridal of Triermain (Edinburgh, 1836) (OLS BIND F.13)
William Cowper: The task (London, 1817) (OLS BIND F.14)
Fore-edge painting: Oxford Street, London. William Cowper: The task (London, 1817) (OLS BIND F.14)
James Thomson: The seasons (London, 1780) (OLS BIND F.15)
John Gay: Fables (London, ca 1800) (OLS BIND F.16)
Fore-edge painting: Theatre Royal, Covent Garden, London. John Gay: Fables (London, ca 1800) (OLS BIND F.16)
Alfred Tennyson: Poems (London, 1856) (OLS BIND F.17)
Fore-edge painting: Street scene. Alfred Tennyson: Poems (London, 1856) (OLS BIND F.17)
Lady Mary Wortley Montagu: The works (London, 1825) (OLS BIND F.18)
Fore-edge painting: The docks at Dover. Lady Mary Wortley Montagu: The works (London, 1825) (OLS BIND F.18)
Mary Tighe: Psyche; or, The legend of love (London, 1805) (OLS BIND F.19)
Fore-edge painting: Cromer, Norfolk. Mary Tighe: Psyche; or, The legend of love (London, 1805) (OLS BIND F.19)
Church of England: La liturgie (London , i.e. Paris?, 1678) (OLS BIND F.20)
Fore-edge painting: Flowerpot with leaves, flowers and date 1685. Church of England: La liturgie (London , i.e. Paris?, 1678) (OLS BIND F.20)
Sir Walter Scott: Poetical works (London, 1866) (OLS BIND F.21)
Fore-edge painting: Sailing boat. Sir Walter Scott: Poetical works (London, 1866) (OLS BIND F.21)
Top-edge painting: Rowing boat with anchor and telescope. Sir Walter Scott: Poetical works (London, 1866) (OLS BIND F.21)
Lower-edge painting: Anchor and chain. Sir Walter Scott: Poetical works (London, 1866) (OLS BIND F.21)
William Wordsworth: The earlier poems (London, 1857) (OLS BIND F.22)
Fore-edge painting: Rydal Mount, Wordsworth's home in Cumbria, England. W. Wordsworth: The earlier poems (London, 1857) (OLS BIND F.22)
Hester Chapone: Letters on the improvement of the mind (London, 1810) (OLS BIND F.23)
First fore-edge painting: Winchester Cathedral. H. Chapone: Letters on the improvement of the mind (London, 1810) (OLS BIND F.23)
Second fore-edge painting: Avington Park, near Winchester. H. Chapone: Letters on the improvement of the mind (London, 1810) (OLS BIND F.23)
Apollonius Rhodius: The Argonautic expedition v.1 (London, 1780) (OLS BIND F.24)
Fore-edge painting: The Acropolis, Athens. Apollonius Rhodius: The Argonautic expedition v.1 (London, 1780) (OLS BIND F.24)
Apollonius Rhodius: The Argonautic expedition v.2 (London, 1780) (OLS BIND F.25)
Fore-edge painting: The Gulf of La Spezia, Italy. Apollonius Rhodius: The Argonautic expedition v.2 (London, 1780) (OLS BIND F.25)
Robert Gray: The connection between the sacred writings and the literature of Jewish and heathen authors v.1 (London, 1819) (OLS BIND F.26)
Fore-edge painting: River scene, Bray, Berkshire. R. Gray: The connection between the sacred writings ... v.1 (London, 1819) (OLS BIND F.26)
Robert Gray: The connection between the sacred writings and the literature of Jewish and heathen authors v.2 (London, 1819) (OLS BIND F.27)
Fore-edge painting: Catledge Hall, Cambridgeshire. R. Gray: The connection between the sacred writings ... v.2 (London, 1819) (OLS BIND F.27)
Church of England: The book of common prayer (London, 1639) (OLS BIND F.28)
Fore-edge painting: Heart with inscription and flowers. Church of England: The book of common prayer (London, 1639) (OLS BIND F.28)
William Mason: Poems (York, 1779) (front cover) (OLS BIND F.29)
William Mason: Poems (York, 1779) (back cover) (OLS BIND F.29)
Fore-edge painting: Ruined Gothic abbey. William Mason: Poems (York, 1779) (OLS BIND F.29)
Nicholas Mitchell: Spirits of the past (London, 1833) (OLS BIND F.30)
Fore-edge painting: Children picking fruit. Nicholas Mitchell: Spirits of the past (London, 1833) (OLS BIND F.30)
Alexander Dyce, ed.: Specimens of British poetesses (London, 1827) (OLS BIND F.31)
Fore-edge painting: Landscape with fisherman. Alexander Dyce, ed.: Specimens of British poetesses (London, 1827) (OLS BIND F.31)
Letters of Lady Rachel Russell; … To which is added, The trial of Lord William Russell (London, 1793) (OLS BIND F.32)
Fore-edge painting: Woburn Abbey, Bedfordshire. Letters of Lady Rachel Russell … (London, 1793) (OLS BIND F.32)
Mary Tighe: Psyche, with other poems (London, 1812) (OLS BIND F.33)
Fore-edge painting: The goddess Psyche attended by cherubs. Mary Tighe: Psyche, with other poems (London, 1812) (OLS BIND F.33)
Samuel Rogers: Italy, a poem (London, 1830) (OLS BIND F.34)
Fore-edge painting: The Pantheon in Rome and a portrait of the author. Samuel Rogers: Italy, a poem (London, 1830) (OLS BIND F.34)
Arthur P. Stanley: Historical memorials of Canterbury (London, 1855) (OLS BIND F.35)
Fore-edge painting: Canterbury Cathedral. Arthur P. Stanley: Historical memorials of Canterbury (London, 1855) (OLS BIND F.35)
J.L. de Lolme: The constitution of England (London, 1821) (OLS BIND F.36)
Fore-edge painting: London Bridge and the River Thames. J.L. de Lolme: The constitution of England (London, 1821) (OLS BIND F.36)
George Reynolds: An historical essay upon the government of the Church of England (London, 1743) (OLS BIND F.37)
First fore-edge painting: Lincoln Cathedral. G. Reynolds: An historical essay upon the government of the Church of England (London, 1743) (OLS BIND F.37)
Second fore-edge painting: St. Mary's Church, Lincoln. G. Reynolds: An historical essay upon the government of the Church of England (London, 1743) (OLS BIND F.37)
Marie Menzikof & Fédor Dolgorouki: Histoire russe v.1 (London, 1805) (OLS BIND F.38)
Fore-edge painting: Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris. M. Menzikof & F. Dolgorouki: Histoire russe v.1 (London, 1805) (OLS BIND F.38)
Marie Menzikof & Fédor Dolgorouki: Histoire russe v.2 (London, 1805) (OLS BIND F.39)
Fore-edge painting: Château de Fontainebleau, France. M. Menzikof & F. Dolgorouki: Histoire russe v.2 (London, 1805) (OLS BIND F.39)
The Holy Bible (Oxford, 1824) (OLS BIND F.40)
Fore-edge painting: Lincoln Cathedral. The Holy Bible (Oxford, 1824) (OLS BIND F.40)
Protestant Episcopal Church in the U.S.A.: Hymnal (Buffalo, New York, 1872) (OLS BIND F.41)
Fore-edge painting: High Bridge, New York. Protestant Episcopal Church in the U.S.A.: Hymnal (Buffalo, New York, 1872) (OLS BIND F.41)
James Thomson: The seasons (London, 1793) (OLS BIND F.42)
Fore-edge painting: Wentworth Castle, Sussex. James Thomson: The seasons (London, 1793) (OLS BIND F.42)
Church of England: The book of common prayer (Oxford, 1820) (OLS BIND F.43)
Fore-edge painting: Westminster Abbey, London. Church of England: The book of common prayer (Oxford, 1820) (OLS BIND F.43)
Thomas Moore: Selections from the works (MS, dated 1820) (OLS BIND F.44)
Fore-edge painting: Landscape. Thomas Moore: Selections from the works (MS, dated 1820) (OLS BIND F.44)
The Holy Bible (London, 1819) (OLS BIND F.45)
Fore-edge painting: Tintern Abbey and the River Wye, Wales. The Holy Bible (London, 1819) (OLS BIND F.45)
Novum testamentum graecum ed. W.W. Dakins (London, 1808) (OLS BIND F.46)
Fore-edge painting: Bethlehem. Novum testamentum graecum ed. W.W. Dakins (London, 1808) (OLS BIND F.46)
William Wake: The principles of the Christian religion explained (London, 1720) (OLS BIND F.47)
First fore-edge painting: Richmond Palace, London. W. Wake: The principles of the Christian religion explained (London, 1720) (OLS BIND F.47)
Second fore-edge painting: Richmond Palace, London. W. Wake: The principles of the Christian religion explained (London, 1720) (OLS BIND F.47)
Church of England: The book of common prayer (Cambridge, 1764) (OLS BIND F.48)
Fore-edge painting: Ely Cathedral and the River Ouse, Cambridgeshire. Church of England: The book of common prayer (Cambridge, 1764) (OLS BIND F.48)
Richard Cumberland: A treatise of the laws of nature (London, 1727) (OLS BIND F.49)
Fore-edge painting: The arms of Lord Carteret, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. R. Cumberland: A treatise of the laws of nature (London, 1727) (OLS BIND F.49)
The Holy Bible v.1 (London, ca 1795) (OLS BIND F.50)
Fore-edge painting: Salisbury Cathedral, Wiltshire. The Holy Bible v.1 (London, ca 1795) (OLS BIND F.50)
The Holy Bible v.2 (London, ca 1795) (OLS BIND F.51)
Fore-edge painting: Norwich Cathedral, Norfolk. The Holy Bible v.2 (London, ca 1795) (OLS BIND F.51)
Thomas Weston: A copy-book written for the use of the young-gentlemen at the Academy in Greenwich (London, 1726) (OLS BIND F.52)
Fore-edge painting: Heraldic shield with flowers and butterflies. T. Weston: A copy-book (London, 1726) (OLS BIND F.52)