Binding:
Charles Septier
French, active 1933-58
Dark yellow morocco with inlays of red and green leather, gold-tooling, gold-stamped lettering, raised spine bands; gilt edges. Date: c. 1950

Book:
Pierre VidalFrench, 1849-1929
Les aventures du roi Pausole (The Adventures of King Pausole)
A. Blaizit, Paris, 1906
Hand-colored lithographs; letterpress
Text by Pierre Louÿs
Gift of Ruth and Bruce Dayton B.91.5.77

Cover Story: Master Bookbindings from the Collection

Saturday, May 29, 2010—Sunday, October 31, 2010
Gallery 369
Free Exhibition

The art and craft of fine bookbinding is the focus of this exhibition of decorative bindings by noted French, Belgian, English, and American artists and designers. Selected from the MIA's permanent collection, the display includes exquisite handcrafted bindings by such luminaries as Henri Noulac, Charles de Samblanx, Henri Blanchetiere, George Crette, Jacques Anthoine-Legrain, Henri Creuzevault, Pierre-Lucien Martin, Charles Septier, Henri Mercher, Georges Leroux, and the London firm of Sangorski & Sutcliffe. Prized for their exceptional artistry and masterful technique, most of the featured bindings were produced on commission between 1920 and 1960, the often-cited "golden age" of fine bookbinding when patronage and collecting were at a peak. Also on view is a selection of highly original bindings and book enclosures by contemporary artists and designers, including works by Jim Dine, Ruth Lingen, Timothy C. Ely, David Rathman, Sara Dochow, and Anselm Kiefer. Rounding out the display are several important examples of chemises, doublures, and ornamental brocade paper.