Antique Leather from 1775

[MPS]

I thought the leather aficionados would appreciate this picture: it's of a book I bought whilst I was in Switzerland this week. It was published in 1775 and is still in its original binding.

 

[wja]

May we be told the title and author of the book?

 

[MPS]

Hudibras by Samuel Butler.

 

[LabelKing]

Is that a quatro book?

 

[newtrane]

Very nice book indeed.

Where did you buy it in Switzerland?

Thanks.

 

[bengal-stripe]

Difficult to see where the burr walnut ends and the leather begins.

Did Olga Berluti have a go at the leather? Looks like her handiwork, just like the small leather goods they have in the shop.

 

[AlanC]

Thanks for posting that MPS. I was discussing with a forum member recently just such leather finishes and wondering what processes are used to get them, and why we don't see them on leather items (eg, shoes) today.

 

[MPS]

AlanC:

God only knows what the leather looked like originally, but the leather looks superb now.

B-S:

Maybe I should turn up to the Swann club with the book and tell Olga that I've brought her "something special to polish"? A sure-fire way to be banned.

Newtrane:

Berne.

LabelKing:

Do you mean quarto?