pastispresent.org
A blog from the American Antiquarian Society

The Acquisitions Table: The Bridal Keepsake

October 5th, 2011, by David Whitesell

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AAS member (and publisher’s cloth binding expert) Steve Beare regularly alerts us to interesting bindings he spots on eBay. Thanks to his deeply appreciated referrals, over the past two years we have added many unusual bindings to the AAS collection. Perhaps the most remarkable of Steve’s finds is this gift book binding of fine-ribbed white [...]


A Stately Pleasure Dome? Fanny Hill at AAS

March 21st, 2011, by Ashley Cataldo

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Past is Present‘s series of posts on the upcoming Adopt-a-Book event will resume tomorrow.  For today, please enjoy this story of (un)covered literary history. Ungracious then as the task may be, I shall recall to view those scandalous stages of my life… So say the marbled boards** (see further information below) covering AAS’s copy of [...]


The Acquisitions Table: Matters Bibliopegistical

February 3rd, 2010, by Tom Knoles

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We have two more items this week. Both have to do with book binding, one as a subject, one as an exemplar. Bradford, John. The poetical vagaries of a Knight of the Folding-Stick, of Paste Castle: to which is annexed, The history of the garret, &c. Gotham [i.e. Newark, NJ?]: Printed for the author, 1815. [...]