Heythrop Library

A theology and philosophy collection

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Tag: binding

  • Image of a historic book with marbled paper on a grey cushion.

    Spotlight: 17th century book with marbled paper binding

    I was drawn in by the labyrinthine marbling of this book (volume 5) in Heythrop Library’s collection: Author Niccolò, de’ Tudeschi, 1386-1445. Title Abbatis Panormitani […] / Quamplurium iurisconsultorum, qui robè hucusque aliquid iis addidisse apparuerunt, & nuno demum Alexandri de Neuo, adnotationibus illustrata. ; Hac omnium nouissima editione accurato studio recognita, atq; ab innumeris erroribus, quibus…

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  • Cat's paw binding style, with dark patches on calfskin leather.

    Spotlight: Cat’s paw binding

    Yesterday I came across a multi-volume work with cat’s paw binding: ‘La bibliotheque des prédicateurs’, translated as ‘The Preachers’ Library’ by Rev. Father Vincent Houdry, of the Society of Jesus. Many of the pre-1801 books in Heythrop Library’s collection have beautiful and interesting bindings; cat’s paw is one of my favourites, so-called because it looks…

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  • Book with two metal clasps holding it closed.

    Spotlight: Intact metal book clasps

    Cataloguing this 18th century book of proceedings against witchcraft, sorcery and evil, was an almost spell-binding experience for me (excuse the pun!) because it has intact metal clasps. Coming across unbroken metal clasps was exciting for me because often the metal clasps on rare books are damaged, not functional, or have been lost, sometimes leaving…

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