Collection ID: NPKMC-224-142

Collection context

Summary

Creator:
George M. Gill, Alice Gill, and Mrs. Frances Gill
Abstract:
A fore-edge painting can refer to any decoration on the fore-edge of the leaves of a book, such as was not uncommon in the 15th and early 16th centuries, especially in Italy. The term is most commonly used, however, for an English technique that was quite widely practiced in the second half of the seventeenth century in London and Edinburgh. The collection consists of 54 volumes (44 titles) that were published between 1798 and 1909 in England, the United States, and France.
Extent:
54 Volumes and 44 Titles
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

[Description of item, date, location of item in order of series, box number, folder number ], in the The Gill Fore-Edge Painting Collection, Archives and Special Collections, James A. Cannavino Library, Marist College.

Background

Scope and Content:

The collection consists of 54 volumes (44 titles) that were published between 1798 and 1909 in England, the United States, and France. Materials can be browsed through the Marist Library's on line catalog

Biographical / Historical:

A fore-edge painting can refer to any decoration on the fore-edge of the leaves of a book, such as was not uncommon in the 15th and early 16th centuries, especially in Italy. Manuscripts were often laid flat on their sides in libraries for the simple reason that the books were usually large and heavy. The pages were often made of vellum, which did not fold with the neatness or compactness of paper, hence the large folio volumes of the Middle Ages. The practice of shelving them horizontally with the edge of the pages facing out offered the owner or librarian a convenient area to place a mark of ownership or the title of the volume. As paper of good quality became available this allowed bookmakers to create smaller volumes, which could be easily shelved vertically. The spine of the book became the logical place for the title to go and the fore-edge of the book lent itself to identify the owner of the book. Simple name writing developed into more elaborate decorations including: family mottoes, coats-of-arms, royal monograms, crests, etc. Sometimes there was painting on the edge and sometimes the decoration was stamped onto the edge with a hot tool.

The term is most commonly used, however, for an English technique that was quite widely practiced in the second half of the seventeenth century in London and Edinburgh. This technique was popularized in the eighteenth century primarily by the Edwards of Halifax, whereby the fore-edge of the book, very slightly fanned out and then held fast in a clamp or vise, was decorated with painted views or conversation pieces. The edges were then squared up and gilded in the ordinary way, so that the painting remained concealed (and protected) while the book was closed: fan out the edges and it reappears. (Carter, 104-105).

The Gill Collections represent one of the pinnacles in the history of book decoration and book binding, and are the highlight of our Rare Book Collection.

Carter, John. ABC for Book Collectors . New Castle , Del. : Oak Knoll Press, 1995.

This collection consists of 44 titles which may be searched in the following ways:

  • The Gill Fore-Edge Painting Collection may be browsed by selecting the following link: Browse Fore-Edge Painting
  • The Gill Fore-Edge Painting Collection may also be searched on the James A. Cannavino Library's on-line catalog. You may browse the collection by entering "fore-edge painting" under a subject search or you may search for a specific title or author by selecting the Advanced Search option. To use this option most effectively you should enter the "fore-edge painting" in the first search box and select "Subject" for the search type. You may enter any additional terms or keywords in the subsequent search boxes. This will allow you to search within the Gill Fore-Edge Painting Collections.

Acquisition information:
Mr. George M. Gill generously donated his collection of 36 fore-edge paintings to Marist College in 1996 in memory of his late wife Alice Gill. In 2005 Mrs. Frances Gill donated her collection of 18 fore-edge paintings in memory of her late husband George M. Gill.
Arrangement:

These materials are in the library catalog and organized by call number.

Physical location:
Please contact the Marist College Archives and Special Collections for information regarding use and access of this collection.
Rules or conventions:
DACS Describing Archives: A Content Standard. Chicago: Society of American Archivists, 2013.

Access

RESTRICTIONS:

There are no restrictions on this collection

TERMS OF ACCESS:

Individuals requesting reproductions expressly assume the responsibility for compliance with all pertinent provisions of the Copyright Act, 17 U.S.C. ss101 et seq. Patrons further agree to indemnify and hold harmless the Marist College Archives and Special Collections and its staff in connection with any disputes arising from the Copyright Act, over the reproduction of material at the request of patrons. For more information please visit the following website: http://www.loc.gov/copyright/title17/.

PREFERRED CITATION:

[Description of item, date, location of item in order of series, box number, folder number ], in the The Gill Fore-Edge Painting Collection, Archives and Special Collections, James A. Cannavino Library, Marist College.

LOCATION OF THIS COLLECTION:
3399 North Road
Poughkeepsie, NY 12601, United States
CONTACT:
845-575-3364
library.archives@marist.edu