A sumptuous Glasgow Corporation presentation binding in full crushed red morocco, lavishly gilt and bearing the Scottish Royal Arms, housing the 1903 Kelvingrove Art Gallery catalogue compiled by James Paton.

Bibliographic Details

Author: James Paton (Compiler).
Title: Catalogue Descriptive and Historical of the Pictures and Sculpture in the Glasgow Art Gallery and Museum, Kelvingrove.
Place: Glasgow.
Printer: Robert Anderson.
Date: 1903.
Pagination: xi, 224 pages.
Illustrations: Monochrome frontispiece of the museum and numerous monochrome plates throughout.
Contents: 1,150 catalogue entries for pictures and 104 entries for sculpture.
Binding: Full crushed red morocco, richly gilt.
Size: Approximately 24 × 16 cm.

Condition

The binding is in Near Fine condition, remaining exceptionally fresh and handsome with only a couple of very minor blemishes. The structure is firm and solid throughout. Light offsetting to the edges of the endpapers from the facing gilt dentelles. Scattered light foxing to the title page and first few leaves (to page 2), thereafter the text is generally clean and bright with only occasional isolated foxing. Leaves lightly age-toned as expected. Overall an outstanding example of an impressive municipal fine binding.

Please ask if you require a more detailed condition report, or examine the gallery images closely.

Description

A striking example of an early twentieth-century Scottish municipal presentation binding, executed in sumptuous full crushed red morocco and lavishly decorated in gilt for the Corporation of Glasgow. The binding is considerably more remarkable than the book it contains, transforming an official museum catalogue into an impressive work of the binder's art.

The upper cover is handsomely blocked in gilt with the Scottish Royal Arms, displaying the shield supported by the traditional pair of unicorns above the celebrated royal motto "Nemo me impune lacessit" ("No one attacks me with impunity"). The boards are enclosed within elegant gilt fillet borders, while the spine features five raised bands, richly gilt compartments and the title "Art Gallery and Museum / Corporation of Glasgow", all executed to an exceptionally high standard.

The luxurious craftsmanship continues internally with all edges gilt, wide gilt dentelles framing the pastedowns, attractive marbled endpapers and a finely finished interior typical of presentation or institutional prize bindings commissioned during the late Victorian and Edwardian periods. The result is an imposing volume that would have reflected the civic pride and artistic aspirations of Glasgow at the height of its commercial and cultural influence.

The text comprises the important 1903 catalogue of the Glasgow Art Gallery and Museum at Kelvingrove, compiled by the distinguished curator James Paton. Published shortly after the opening of the museum's magnificent new building, the catalogue documents one of Britain's foremost municipal collections at a pivotal moment in its history.

The catalogue records an impressive 1,150 paintings together with 104 sculptures, accompanied by historical notes and descriptive entries that provide valuable evidence for the composition of Glasgow's civic collections at the beginning of the twentieth century. The illustrated plates, including the frontispiece depicting Kelvingrove Museum itself, further enhance its documentary importance.

The presence of the bookplate of Robert J. Hayhurst adds another layer of provenance to the volume, while the exceptional state of preservation suggests it has been carefully treasured throughout its life.

Municipal presentation bindings of this quality were produced in comparatively small numbers for official use, ceremonial presentation or important institutional libraries. Their elaborate decoration and civic heraldry make them highly desirable in their own right, irrespective of the text they contain.

Today this is an outstanding example of a Scottish armorial fine binding, combining superb craftsmanship, attractive heraldic decoration and an important catalogue of one of Scotland's greatest art museums. It will appeal equally to collectors of fine bindings, Scottish history, heraldry, Glasgow, museum history and the decorative arts.

Notes

The elaborate full crushed morocco binding, gilt Royal Arms, raised bands, gilt dentelles and all-gilt edges elevate this volume far beyond an ordinary museum catalogue, making it a highly decorative and collectible Edwardian fine binding.

A particularly handsome example of Glasgow Corporation craftsmanship, preserved in exceptional condition and retaining strong visual impact throughout.