This month’s highlight, we’re taking a slightly different approach by focusing not on the content of the volume, but on the construction of the volume itself. This account book and rental of the Reading properties owned by John A'Larder (D/QR4/2), nearly made it into our Our Favourites exhibition in 2023 as our Senior Conservator’s top pick due to several intriguing aspects, particularly from a conservator’s perspective.
The volume spans from 1510 to 1607, but it also includes copies of deeds at the back, dated between 1475 and 1557. What immediately stands out, however, is its beautifully decorated original full leather binding. Other volumes in this collection have been rebound, making this binding rather rare and unique.
Sadly, the strap used to keep the book closed has broken off, but the original buckle is still firmly attached. Another notable feature are the laced overbands, which not only enhance the decorative appeal of the binding but also serve to protect the leather from wear. When the volume is placed down, the overbands ensure the decoration stays in good condition.
The leather cover is cut flush to the paper folio’s; it is rare for leather to be used as a board material pre-17th century as wooden boards were the standard book board material until the 16th century. This book is very unusual on several levels.
Upon closer inspection of the decoration, several motifs become apparent, including a hare, thistle, wyvern, griffen, acorn, and a monogram (interlocking h and c with a patriarchal cross). The decoration on the cover was created using a mixture of wooden handled tools of lines and stamps, which were heated and pressed into the leather to make the blind impression. It’s clear that this was done by hand, as the pattern repeats but shifts slightly in alignment.
When the cover is opened, another surprise awaits: printers waste, an illuminated manuscript surrounded by Latin commentaries lines the inside of the leather cover. One of our Archivists, proficient in Latin, examined the manuscript more closely and concluded that it appears to be a legal commentary, most likely concerning tithes. The inclusion of printers’ waste illustrates how bookbinders were using recycling and upcycling techniques long before they became recommended or trendy.
The main body text is written in iron gall ink on laid paper. Looking through the volume, we were able to find a watermark which features a glove with a star. By comparing the watermark to watermarks from Les Filigranes, Charles Briquet's reference work on European watermarks, 1907, our Senior Conservator was able to match the watermark to the one found on paper associated with King Ferdinand V in 1505. This allowed for the identification of the place of production as most likely a paper mill in Perpignan, France. Therefore, making the paper of contemporary age to the content.
Our curiosity about the motifs on this volume led us to discover the wealth of information a book cover can convey, including craftsmanship, practicality, sustainability, and the identification of papermakers.
For our Senior Conservator’s favourite pick from Our Favourites exhibition see: https://www.royalberkshirearchives.org.uk/display-case/significant
Sources: https://exhibitions.library.vanderbilt.edu/papermaking/item/watermarks/ [Accessed 25/03/2025].