The Bookbinder's Manual: Containing A Full Description of Leather and Vellum Binding; Also, Directions for Gilding of Paper and Book-Edges; and Numerous Valuable Recipes for Sprinkling, Colouring, and Marbling…,

contemporary ownership inscription to pastedown, light toning, contemporary half blue calf over marbled boards, spine gilt and blind tooled, boards rubbed, 12mo, London, Cowie and Strange, 1829.

This is the second edition of the fifth bookbinding manual to be published in Britain, the first (undated) edition having been issued in 1828. Although always referred to as ‘Cowie’s’, the actual authorship is unknown, but it is clear it was written by a practising craftsman. All the known editions were printed from the same stereotype plates, except for the list of binders, etc. at the end. In addition to the list of binders, there are lists of others connected with the craft, such as tool-makers, clasp-makers, edge-gilders, and manufacturers and dealers in milled boards. George Cowie, who also printed and published in partnership with William Strange, Cowie’s printers’ pocket book and manual, worked as a printer from 1822 at various addresses. He and William Strange were in partnership from 1822 as printers, booksellers and from 1828, as publishers.

[Middleton,14; Pollard and Potter, 98]