McDonnell Joseph, Five Hundred Years of the Art of the Book in Ireland: 1500 To the Present, Merrell Publishers, London 1997, p. 175, dimensions 23.5 x 29 cm. Text in English. Numerous illustrations in the text. Canvas cover with original wrapper. Minor rubbing of the wrapper.
First edition. A companion book to an exhibition at the National Gallery of Ireland, Dublin. An exploration of the binding, illumination, calligraphy and title page designs of Irish printed books and manuscripts from the last five centuries. Starting from the tradition of Gaelic scribes that has survived since the Middle Ages, the author presents the development of book arts in Ireland, with an emphasis on the Rococo title pages of the 18th century and the magnificent bindings that Irish craftsmen have always been famous for making. Lavishly illustrated throughout, along with seventy-eight plates showing bindings, title pages and illustrations, in splendid color, with full descriptions below.
