$ 60.00
This remarkable book showcases a collection of decorated papers spanning from the 16th to the 20th century. These papers were created for a wide range of purposes—serving as wrappers and endpapers for books, backings for playing cards, and linings for chests and cases. Some were displayed as humble pictures in churches and homes, others were sold as souvenirs to pilgrims, and many were simply used as wrappings for foodstuffs like gingerbread and chocolate.
What unites all the papers in this collection is their rich ornamentation and the delicate, flexible nature of the original sheets. They are also linked by their provenance—gathered by Olga Hirsch (1889–1968), a trained bookbinder who amassed a collection of some 3,500 decorated papers, now housed in the British Library. Today, this remains one of the world’s largest and most diverse collections of its kind.
This anthology presents some of the most exquisite examples, offering inspiration and delight to designers, bibliophiles, and anyone with an appreciation for pattern and decoration.
