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The binding shown above can be found online in a 2020 auction Bibliorare catalogue (see this). Who could doubt that this is yet another binding decorated by Jean-Pierre Jubert. I have included here the auction information on this item, where we see that they make a reference to a somewhat similar binding found in the BnF. this can be seen online in Gallica; Essai physico-géométrique (see this), Réserve des livres rares, RES-V-3049. I made a brief page on this in 2017 ((see this)). The BnF example was printed in 1778 however the binding might have been made 1781 considering its similarity to a signed binding by Jubert with the same armorial stamp of Marie-Antoinette and similarities in the dentelle. The bibliorare experts have thus offered an approximate date for the execution of this binding and or decoration of c.1780. The Bnf attributed this binding to Manufacture royale des Papiers rayés (see this) due to their ticket on the inside of the front cover, however this is obviously a binding decorated by Jubert. |
| In Comparative Diagram 1, I have removed the prespective distortion from the Rabelais front board and compare this with an interesting second Rabelais binding printed in the same year but by a different publisher, (see this). (Louis and Daniel Elzevier vs La Sphere) Note: the Louis et Daniel edition seems a much rarer edition, impossible to find a copy of their title page on the internet. |
| In Comparative Diagram 3 we discover something fantastic in Thoinan's illustrated facsimile. The imprint models are very accurate. It takes a special sort of intuitive artist to illustrate these imprints and reproduce them precisely. |
| In Comparative Diagram 4, more proof of the accuracy of Thoinan's Illustration, the only failing of his work is that he attributed the decoration of Planche XXIX to Derome. We can now show that Derome never decorated this particular dentelle that is composed mainly of imprints that derive from the tools of Jean-Pierre Jubert. The overlay in pink shows a jj-8 imprint taken from the BnF RES-V-3049 binding, reduced to a 50% transparency and placed over a facsimile imprint from Planche XXIX, this shows up as a nearly white imprint underneath. Not only do they match up well in shape but also in size. |
| In Comparative Diagram 6, the green arrow is pointing out a small protrusion on the left shoulder of imprint jj-8. You will notice that it is missing from Barber's type model DCT 45 shown in Comparative Diagram 7. This protrusion may be a build up of gold over time, that could possibly provide us with chronological information, to aid us in the dating of these gold tooled, late 18th century decorations. |
| In Comparative Diagram 7 we discover that Barber has catalogued this favorite signature tool of Jean-Pierre Jubert as DCT 45, and he has referenced two bondings where he has found this imprint; W.Cat.363 and W.Cat.690. This is fortunate indeed because we can now make an inventory all the other Jubert tools that he has catalogued from these bindings. On the next page we will explore the first of these bindings, W.Cat.363 that is a found by a fortunate coincidence, covering a 1781 publication. |
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click here to return to the HOME page. click here to see the INDEX of the 2017 pages. see below links to previous work |
| Even experts are sometimes wrong, before you spend thousands on a book, please do your own research! Just because I say a certain binding can be attributed to le Maitre isn't any kind of guarantee, don't take my word for it, go a step further and get your own proof. In these pages I have provided you with a way of doing just that. |
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