Offered here is an exceptionally rare and highly unusual rough dummy (binding prototype) produced by the renowned English fine bookbinder and publisher David Paradine during the preparation of his celebrated limited edition facsimile of John Bunyan's The Pilgrim's Progress (1679).
Unlike the published edition, this is a genuine workshop dummy—a hand-made prototype created to determine the final design, proportions and decoration of the finished binding before production commenced. Such working models were never intended for public sale and very seldom survive.
The volume is beautifully hand bound in full black goatskin leather, elegantly finished with raised bands, gilt lettering, decorative gilt tools to the spine, double gilt borders to the boards, gilt turn-ins, marbled endpapers and bright gilt page edges.
It is housed in its original matching leather-backed slipcase, decorated with matching marbled paper sides, forming an exceptionally attractive presentation.
The front free endpaper bears an inscription reading: 'Pilgrim's Progress 1679 – Rough Dummy, David Paradine, Audley House, North Audley St., London W.1.'
This contemporary inscription identifies the volume as a genuine workshop rough dummy associated with David Paradine's London bindery. The inscription provides excellent provenance and firmly identifies the purpose and origin of the volume.
The book contains an early facsimile frontispiece and title page reproducing the famous 1679 Third Edition, followed by blank leaves, exactly as one would expect in a binding prototype where the emphasis was on the physical construction rather than the completed text.
David Paradine's completed facsimile edition, produced to commemorate the 300th anniversary of the first publication of The Pilgrim's Progress, was limited to only 150 copies and is regarded as one of the finest twentieth-century reproductions of Bunyan's masterpiece. This prototype represents a fascinating glimpse into the design process behind that acclaimed publication.
An excellent example.
Please examine all photographs carefully as they form an important part of the description.
Binder's rough dummies and design prototypes rarely reach the market. Unlike the finished limited editions, they provide direct evidence of the creative and practical process undertaken by the binder before publication. For collectors of fine bindings, bookbinding history, private presses, and John Bunyan, this represents a unique and highly desirable survival.
A rare opportunity
To the best of my knowledge, this is the first David Paradine rough dummy for this edition to have appeared on the open market.