DOI Heft:
No. 33 (December, 1895)
DOI Artikel:Reviews of recent publications
DOI Seite / Zitierlink:https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.17295#0208
Reviews of Recent Publications
The " decorated book" based on the lines laid down
by Mr. Walter Crane and Mr. William Morris is
becoming more common amongst us. The edition
of Huon of Bordeaux is one of the latest examples,
and a full measure of praise may be accorded to
BANBURY CROSS SERIES (DENT AND CO.)
DESIGN BY V. AND E. HOLDEN
Mr. Steele for his careful revision of the text,
and to Mr. Fred Mason for the charming illus-
trations and border-designs with which the book
is embellished. But there are a few details con-
nected with the ensemble of the work to which
we feel constrained to take exception. We do not
like, for example, the unpleasant colouring of the
cover. The lettering of the back is not in harmony
with the design on the sides. The title-page is
lettered in a different style to that adopted else-
where in the book ; and there is a certain want of
BANBURY CROSS SERIES (DENT AND CO.)
DESIGN BY H. GRANVILLE FELL
uniformity in the appearance of the work which is
to be regretted.
If the "decorated book" is to take rank as a
finished work of art, it seems to us advisable that
it should be carried out entirely under the super-
vision of the artist. It is not sufficient that the
illustrations should be alone intrusted to him ; for
the decoration of the pages is not the only import-
ant feature. The paper, the size of the margin,
the fount and placement of the type, the material
and manner of binding, all these elements are of
primary importance. The ornamentation is but
the final note which glorifies the whole.
The construction of the Artistic Book should be
approached in the same spirit as the construction
of the Artistic House. We should not begin by
the selection of pictures and printed papers with
which to decorate the interior. Every detail of its
structure, from its foundation upwards, must have
the primary consideration of the artist and each
detail must be judged in its relation to the whole.
It may appear to some that we are hypercritical to
find fault with a volume in which there is so much
BANBURY CROSS SERIES (DENT AND CO.)
DESIGN BY H. ISABEL ADAMS
that is excellent. But we do so in no carping
spirit. On the contrary, we welcome the appear-
ance of such a work, for, if it be not perfect
according to the highest ideal, it still exhibits a
degree of perfection only rarely attained and still
more rarely exceeded in the modern book.
Banbury Cross Series.—Little Red-Riding Hood,
illustrated by H. Isabel Adams. yFsop's Fables,
illustrated by C. Robinson. The Fairy Gifts,
illustrated by H. Granville Fell. The House
that Jack Built, illustrated by Violet & Evelyn
Holden. One shilling each. (London : Dent &
Co.) We have already had occasion to speak some
words of praise of the earlier volumes of this charm-
ing set, and we are pleased to find a series so
excellently commenced is being consistently con-
tinued. It promises to become, when completed,
not only a dainty little library for a child, but also
193
The " decorated book" based on the lines laid down
by Mr. Walter Crane and Mr. William Morris is
becoming more common amongst us. The edition
of Huon of Bordeaux is one of the latest examples,
and a full measure of praise may be accorded to
BANBURY CROSS SERIES (DENT AND CO.)
DESIGN BY V. AND E. HOLDEN
Mr. Steele for his careful revision of the text,
and to Mr. Fred Mason for the charming illus-
trations and border-designs with which the book
is embellished. But there are a few details con-
nected with the ensemble of the work to which
we feel constrained to take exception. We do not
like, for example, the unpleasant colouring of the
cover. The lettering of the back is not in harmony
with the design on the sides. The title-page is
lettered in a different style to that adopted else-
where in the book ; and there is a certain want of
BANBURY CROSS SERIES (DENT AND CO.)
DESIGN BY H. GRANVILLE FELL
uniformity in the appearance of the work which is
to be regretted.
If the "decorated book" is to take rank as a
finished work of art, it seems to us advisable that
it should be carried out entirely under the super-
vision of the artist. It is not sufficient that the
illustrations should be alone intrusted to him ; for
the decoration of the pages is not the only import-
ant feature. The paper, the size of the margin,
the fount and placement of the type, the material
and manner of binding, all these elements are of
primary importance. The ornamentation is but
the final note which glorifies the whole.
The construction of the Artistic Book should be
approached in the same spirit as the construction
of the Artistic House. We should not begin by
the selection of pictures and printed papers with
which to decorate the interior. Every detail of its
structure, from its foundation upwards, must have
the primary consideration of the artist and each
detail must be judged in its relation to the whole.
It may appear to some that we are hypercritical to
find fault with a volume in which there is so much
BANBURY CROSS SERIES (DENT AND CO.)
DESIGN BY H. ISABEL ADAMS
that is excellent. But we do so in no carping
spirit. On the contrary, we welcome the appear-
ance of such a work, for, if it be not perfect
according to the highest ideal, it still exhibits a
degree of perfection only rarely attained and still
more rarely exceeded in the modern book.
Banbury Cross Series.—Little Red-Riding Hood,
illustrated by H. Isabel Adams. yFsop's Fables,
illustrated by C. Robinson. The Fairy Gifts,
illustrated by H. Granville Fell. The House
that Jack Built, illustrated by Violet & Evelyn
Holden. One shilling each. (London : Dent &
Co.) We have already had occasion to speak some
words of praise of the earlier volumes of this charm-
ing set, and we are pleased to find a series so
excellently commenced is being consistently con-
tinued. It promises to become, when completed,
not only a dainty little library for a child, but also
193