The second division are bound in red or dark morocco, the boards being
decorated with what is known as the "Cottage" design, usually having the
crowned monogram in the centre, the remaining spaces being more or less
filled with masses of small stamped work. The fillets and many of the
flowers and ornaments are often picked out with black stain.
The third division are bound in red or black morocco, ornamented with
mosaic work of coloured leathers--red, yellow, green, and white. Many of
these books are so intricate in their design that they deserve special
mention; but it may be said, generally, that the leading motive upon them
is a modification or elaboration of the cottage design, so called because
its leading motive is in the shape of the gable of a cottage roof.
One of the earliest bindings done for Charles is a copy of the Bible and
Prayer Book, printed at Cambridge, 1660. It is a large book covered in red
morocco, and has a rectangular panel and border, with the royal
coat-of-arms in the centre, all richly decorated with small gold
stamp-work. The binding is not very characteristic of Mearne, although it
is often considered to be his work, and bears some of his stamps. Neither
the crowned monogram which is used upon it, nor the crowned dove bearing
an olive branch, is found on any other bindings by Mearne. The stamp of
the dove with the olive branch is of course symbolical of Charles's return
to the throne of his ancestors. The book may have been bound for special
presentation to Charles on his accession to the throne.
In the royal library at Windsor are several specimens of Charles II.
bindings. Among them are three copies of Charles I.'s _Eikon Basilike_.
One of them is bound in dark blue morocco, with large royal coat-of-arms
and supporters, crest and crown. Another in olive morocco is delicately
stamped with arabesques, and the crowned initials C. R.; it has two silver
clasps, with medallion portraits of Charles I. Another is bound in calf,
having in the centre of each board a decorative portrait medallion of
Charles I. in silver, within an ornamental border of figures and
arabesques, having also engraved silver corner-pieces on the two front
corners.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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