Of the Decorative Illustration of Books Old and New: 3rd ed.Crane, Walter
History
Of the Decorative Illustration of Books Old and New: 3rd ed.
Crane, Walter
Book ornamentation -- History; Illumination of books and manuscripts; Illustrated books -- Bibliography; Illustration of books
This, however, may be as much the tendency of an age as the result of
photographic invention, although the influence of the photograph must
count as one of the most powerful factors of that tendency. Thought and
vision divide the world of art between them--our thoughts follow
our vision, our vision is influenced by our thoughts. A book may be
the home of both thought and vision. Speaking figuratively, in regard to
book decoration, some are content with a rough shanty in the woods, and
care only to get as close to nature in her more superficial aspects as
they can. Others would surround their house with a garden indeed, but
they demand something like an architectural plan. They would look at a
frontispiece like a façade; they would take hospitable encouragement from
the title-page as from a friendly inscription over the porch; they would
hang a votive wreath at the dedication, and so pass on into the hall of
welcome, take the author by the hand and be led by him and his artist
from room to room, as page after page is turned, fairly decked and
adorned with picture, and ornament, and device; and, perhaps, finding it
a dwelling after his desire, the guest is content to rest in the ingle
nook in the firelight of the spirit of the author or the play of fancy of
the artist; and, weaving dreams in the changing lights and shadows, to
forget life's rough way and the tempestuous world outside.
[Illustration]
CHAPTER IV. OF THE RECENT DEVELOPMENT OF DECORATIVE BOOK ILLUSTRATION AND
THE MODERN REVIVAL OF PRINTING AS AN ART.
Since the three Cantor Lectures, which form the substance of the
foregoing chapters, were delivered by me at the rooms of the Society of
Arts, some six or seven years have elapsed, and they have been remarkable
for a pronounced revival of activity and interest in the art of the
printer and the decorative illustrator, the paper-maker, the binder, and
all the crafts connected with the production of tasteful and ornate
books.
Publishers and printers have shown a desire to return to simpler and
earlier standards of taste, and in the choice and arrangement of the type
to take a leaf out of the book of some of the early professors of the
craft. There has been a passion for tall copies and handmade paper; for
delicate bindings, and first editions.
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