What is a Fore-Edge Painting
A fore-edge painting is where the page block of a book is fanned and an image is applied to the stepped surface of the page edges. If the page edges are themselves gilded this then results in the image disappearing when the book is closed again. When refanned, the painting magically re-appears.
In addition to the standard single style fore-edge painting, there are also split, panoramic and double variations. A Split painting is where each half of the page block (left-hand and right-hand sides) bears a different painting. In Panorama types the illustration covers not only the fore-edge but the top and bottom edges of the book as well, giving a near-panoramic view. The double style is amongst the rarest and most collectable. It shows an illustration when the page block is fanned out the usual way, and a completely different painting when the pages are fanned out in the opposite direction.
How to View a Fore-Edge Book
Generally, fore-edge paintings both recent and past are applied to rare or antiquarian books. Due to the age of these types of books, the page blocks must be fanned with great care!
- hold book on your lap with the fore-edge facing away from you,
- take hold of page block leaving end-papers and board loose - always ensure that the board is supported, if they are allowed to hyper-extend backwards the hinge may break,
- gently curl the page block down with your thumbs uppermost and fingers underneath.
- Using thumbs and forefingers, alternately curl corners, left then right, to gradually fan out the fore-edge.
Brief History of Fore-Edge Painting
The origination of fore-edge painting is unknown. There are a few theories concerning the development of fore-edge painting. In the early days of bookbinding manuscripts often had the title painted on the fore-edge so that they could be easily identified when stacked.
In the early 17th century, English bookbinders began a form of edge decoration where fore-edges were painted with highly decorative motifs, including flowers, butterflies, family mottoes, coats-of-arms, or religious images. These decorations were applied to the finest bindings only and were generally painted directly onto the fore-edge rather than the ‘fanned' edge. 'Concealed' pictures start to appear later, in the mid 17th century , on bibles and common prayer books. By the latter part of the 17th century, very fine works were being produced.
The concealment of paintings on the fore-edge may have been a natural progression of the trend for bookbinders to decorate the whole book. Another theory suggests that fore-edge painting developed from the need for the concealment of secret messages, mementoes between lovers and erotic art for gentlemen.
This art reached it's pinnacle in the late 18th century with the popularisation of fore-edge decoration by the bookbinders and booksellers the Edwards of Halifax. The Edwards bindings were elegant, unique and achieved great success resulting in the opening of a book store in Pall Mall, London. The practice of fore-edge painting became widespread, and continued through the 19th and into the 20th century when it declined and dwindled.
The art of fore-edge painting continues to this day and is being revived by a few select artists.