Gilded Pages of The True Story Book
Dublin Core
Title
Gilded Pages of The True Story Book
Description
The first noticeable artistic dimension is unmistaken, the gilded pages. It brings a golden aura to book itself. The term "gilding" covers countless decorative techniques. The process of applying gold leaf or powder to solid surfaces creates this appearance. It can also be referred to as “gilt.” It’s common to see edges of books, mainly antiquarian books, shining with gold. The gilt is beautiful and eye-catching but also serves a practical purpose. It helps protect the page edges from browning due to age, moisture, and dust.
Not to mention the bountiful amount of marginalia. Pencil notes, the marks of people who are not sure that they will remember that they have read this book, and wish to remind themselves so. Those who carry a flirtation within the margins and it is unsure whether it is the author or another observer. The names of those who feel themselves in danger of slipping a detail from their memory, scribbles and grease marks composed in the book-smell. An archaeology of the hair and fibers and fingerprints from former owners, earmarked pages. Urgently rubbed out pencil, words readable only by moonlight, underlinings that went a little too far, having burst out in leaf at the edge of the page, fossilized dust lying amongst the pages.
Not to mention the bountiful amount of marginalia. Pencil notes, the marks of people who are not sure that they will remember that they have read this book, and wish to remind themselves so. Those who carry a flirtation within the margins and it is unsure whether it is the author or another observer. The names of those who feel themselves in danger of slipping a detail from their memory, scribbles and grease marks composed in the book-smell. An archaeology of the hair and fibers and fingerprints from former owners, earmarked pages. Urgently rubbed out pencil, words readable only by moonlight, underlinings that went a little too far, having burst out in leaf at the edge of the page, fossilized dust lying amongst the pages.
Creator
Andrew Lang
Source
Fales Collection, Manhattan College
Publisher
London: Longmans, Green and Co and New York
Date
1893
Contributor
Illustrators: L. Bogle, Lucien Davis, H.J. Ford, C.H.M. Kerr and Lancelot Speed
Type
Artistic decorative technique
Files
Citation
Andrew Lang, “Gilded Pages of The True Story Book,” Manhattan College Omeka , accessed September 20, 2024, https://omeka-pilot.manhattan.edu/items/show/47.