The sixty-two representations of book-covers given in this volume have been chosen, with the kind permission of the Trustees, from the rich collection at the British Museum for two separate reasons: first, to show fine examples of the art of bookbinding during more than three centuries; and secondly, to reproduce, as nearly as possible, books of historic interest–especially the embroidered bindings that once belonged to the Kings and Queens of England, and the charming designs which were so carefully elaborated for noted collectors by the craftsmen of Italy and France.

Several bindings belonging to the Museum which are of great interest have been unwillingly omitted from this volume because age and continual use have destroyed their beauty beyond the reach of the most careful expert at reproduction; and it must be remembered that the books themselves have not always been under the tender care of the authorities at the British Museum.

The title-page of this book bears my name, and I am responsible for the letter-press, but the inception of the book is due to Mr. Joseph Cundall, who arranged its plan and worked out its details. It seems to me singularly appropriate that he who was among the earliest to direct public attention to this beautiful branch of art, by his paper delivered before the Society of Arts in November, 1847, should be the actual producer of this the latest-born of a long series of handsome works on Bookbinding.