The Land of the Pharaohs. Egypt and Sinai: Illustrated by Pen and Pencil. [Fore-edge Painting]

MANNING, Samuel.

The Land of the Pharaohs. Egypt and Sinai: Illustrated by Pen and Pencil. [Fore-edge Painting]

Samuel Manning's The Land of the Pharaohs; embellished with 3 double fore-edge paintings

London: The Religious Tract Society, n.d..

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Rare 19th century printing of Manning’s elaborately illustrated volume on the landscapes and monuments of Egypt. Quarto, bound in full morocco richly decorated in gilt with gilt turn-ins and inner dentelles, illustrated with numerous engravings. Embellished with 3 double-sided fore-edge paintings displaying Egyptian scenes. In very good condition. Rare.

The first known example of a disappearing fore-edge painting (where the painting is not visible when the book is closed) dates back to 1649. In the mid 18th century, the subject matter of fore-edge paintings evolved from simply decorative or heraldic designs to landscapes, portraits and religious scenes, usually painted in full color. The technique was popularized by John Brindley (1732-1756), publisher and bookbinder to the Prince of Wales and Edwards of Halifax, a distinguished family of bookbinders and booksellers. The majority of extant examples of fore-edge paintings date to the late 19th and early 20th century on reproductions of books originally published in the early 19th century, including the present volume.