Paintings & Prints - Fore Edge Paintings

1746 - Bible, Split Fore-Edge: The Creation of Adam and The Nativity

1746 Bible, Split Fore-Edge: The Creation of Adam and The Nativity
Book: The Holy Bible, King James Version
Publisher/Place: Thomas Baskett, Printer to the University; Oxford
Year: 1746/45 (NT)
Fore-Edge Artist: Unknown
Painting Date: Unknown

This beautiful fore-edge Bible not only has a split fore-edge painting adorning its page edges, but they are also gauffered as well. This means that there is an engraved pattern on the gilded page edges, giving the book a very finished look. When opened, the page edges display a color rendition of the Creation of Adam on the first half, and another color rendition on the second half of the Nativity, thus bringing to life two crucial scenes of the Bible.

1804 - Bible, Split Fore-Edge: Noah's Ark and Suffer Little Children

1804 Bible, Split Fore-Edge: Noah's Ark and Suffer Little Children

Book: The Holy Bible, King James Version
Year: 1804
Originally Sold By: W. Dawson, Oxford Bible Warehouse, London
Fore-Edge Artist: Unknown
Painting Date: Unknown

Gilded page edges form two color paintings when the book is opened to the center and the pages are spread. The first half of the book forms an amazing color painting including such details as tigers' stripes, lions' manes, and birds' wings. The second half of the book forms a bright color portrayal of Christ blessing a little child with other children and adults gathered around.

1843 - Book of Common Prayer, Split Fore-Edge: Nativity and The Devil Defeated

1843 Book of Common Prayer, Split Fore-Edge: Nativity and The Devil Defeated

Book: The Book of Common Prayer...of the United Church of England and Ireland
Publisher/Place: University Press, Oxford
Year: 1843
Originally Sold By: E. Gardner and Son at the Oxford Bible Warehouse in London
Fore-Edge Artist: Unknown
Painting Date: Unknown

Two beautiful paintings can be seen on the pages of this volume. When the book is opened to the center and the pages are spread, the first half shows a detailed color depiction of the Nativity of Christ, and the second half reveals Michael the Archangel and his death blow to Satan.

19th Century - Bible, Single Fore-Edge: Canterbury Landscape

19th Century Bible, Single Fore-Edge: Canterbury Landscape
Book: The Holy Bible, Small King James Version
Publisher/Place: University Press, Oxford
Year: 19th century
Fore-Edge Artist: Unknown
Painting Date: Unknown

This small Pearl 16mo Bible includes a single fore-edge painting below its shiny metal clasp. The color illustration depicts a landscape scene, showing a large mansion surrounded by trees and smaller buildings, noted as Canterbury. Though no date is given for either the Bible or the artwork, a name label of an owner of the Bible, attached to the inside front cover, appears to be dated 1884. The title page also notes Henry Frowde of London, Oxford University Press Warehouse, Amen Corner; and 42 Bleeker Street in New York.

c. 19th - century Bagster's Miniature Quarto Bible, Split Fore-Edge: The Garden of Eden and the Mount of Transfiguration

c. 19th century Bagster's Miniature Quarto Bible, Split Fore-Edge:
The Garden of Eden and the Mount of Transfiguration
Year: c. 19th century
Originally Sold By: Probably Bagster and Sons, At the Warehouse for Bibles, New Testaments, Prayer Books, Lexicons, Grammars, Concordances, and Psalters, in ancient and modern languages
Fore-Edge Artist: Unknown
Painting Date: Unknown

On the first half of this fore-edge painting is a color rendition of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, and the second half of the pages stands Jesus surrounded by disciples on the Mount of Transfiguration. In this way, the paintings show two highlights of the respective Testaments. Though the Bible name contains the word miniature, this refers to being a miniature quarto, and not a miniature Bible.