Oak Knoll

First edition of this manual on bookbinding, of which is the first authored by an American (Mejer 1950; Appleton p.83; Brenni no.39 - for first edition). This copy has been rebound by the world-reknowned bookbinder, Don Rash, of Plains, PA. The binding and clamshell box are in fine condition. Normal offsetting to the pages opposite the plates and marbled paper specimens. A scarce book in a lovely binding.

The binding is quarter blue goatskin over vellum-covered boards which incorporates a drawing of a binding sample, all edges sprinkled, handsewn yellow silk endbands, handmade paper endsheets with goatskin inner joints, spine title in gold. Housed in a blue clamshell box incorporating the original boards and spine.

Contains 12 plates of binding samples and 7 samples of marbled paper in addition to the illustrations in the text.

James Nicholson (1820-1901) was born in St. Louis, but lived most of his life in Philadelphia. He founded the bookbinding firm of Pawson & Nicholson, in Philadelphia, in 1848, and was well qualified to write a practical manual on bookbinding. Indeed, this was the first practical manual written in this country. The book reproduces the specimens of rolls and hand-stamps produced by the early American bookbinder tool makers, Gaskill, Cooper and Fry. The section on marbling (pages 83-130) reprints the entire text of Charles Woolnough's manual of 1853. The marbled specimens were executed by Charles Williams of Philadelphia.

Having expertise in not only artists' bindings, Don Rash is a gifted conservator and preservationist that has worked with numerous collectors, booksellers, institutions, and fine press artists. He is also a noted printer, operating four printing presses which he prints under the Boss Dog Press imprint.