University Libraries hidden secret collection

It is widely known a book can offer the pleasure of a good reading together with the enjoyment of exploring its author’s deepest thoughts. But let me tell you, there is a hidden, a secret delight, not visible to the beholder, that can give pure artistic fruition. They are called fore-edge paintings. They are concealed on the edge, or edges, of books and have been available for our enjoyment the last couple of centuries. They are only visible when pages are fanned and the fortunate perceiver can discover a variety of themes, including historical landscapes, heraldry, portraits, religious scenes, private life, with the list not being limited to these subjects.

The Jackson Library holds in its special collection some of these unique books. Below we share some of their hidden charms for your own appreciation. 

     

Want to learn more and read about fore-edge painting?

- Fore-edge painting; a historical survey of a curious art in book decoration.

uncg.worldcat.org/title/fore-edge-painting-a-historical-survey-of-a-curious-art-in-book-decoration/oclc/1144365&referer=brief_results

- Hidden treasures: the history and technique of fore-edge painting

http://uncg.worldcat.org/title/hidden-treasures-the-history-and-technique-of-fore-edge-painting/oclc/794059769&referer=brief_results

Watch a video!

Fore-edge Painting 1947 - Unusual Occupations Series

https://youtu.be/_mbcT-7tMlc

Visit an English fore-edge artist!

Foredgefrost.co.uk

http://foredgefrost.co.uk/talks_foredge.htm

https://youtu.be/nRTgJFiPuKA

Are you ready for painting your own fore-edge?

https://youtu.be/_1qOCRhDX08

     

Books with painted fore-edge 

from 

Hodges Special Collection and University Archives  

UNC Greensboro

      The lighted valley; or, The closing scenes of the life of Abby Bolton

http://uncg.worldcat.org/title/lighted-valley-or-the-closing-scenes-of-the-life-of-abby-bolton/oclc/8342399&referer=brief_results

-         The dramatic and poetical works of Joanna Baillie.

http://uncg.worldcat.org/title/dramatic-and-poetical-works-of-joanna-baillie/oclc/534515&referer=brief_results

-          The poems of Winthrop Mackworth Praed

http://uncg.worldcat.org/title/poems-of-winthrop-mackworth-praed/oclc/2217747&referer=brief_results

-          The border antiquities of England and Scotland : comprising specimens of architecture and sculpture, and other vestiges of former ages, accompanied by descriptions

http://uncg.worldcat.org/title/border-antiquities-of-england-and-scotland-comprising-specimens-of-architecture-and-sculpture-and-other-vestiges-of-former-ages-accompanied-by-descriptions/oclc/1042152&referer=brief_results

-          The works of James Thomson : with his last corrections and improvements : to which is prefixed the life of the author

http://uncg.worldcat.org/title/works-of-james-thomson-with-his-last-corrections-and-improvements-to-which-is-prefixed-the-life-of-the-author/oclc/1495241&referer=brief_results

Last, but not the least, a Wikipedia resource on fore-edge painting and its history

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fore-edge_painting

No Boundaries in Preservation

We just launched the Preservation Services grant funded project No Boundaries in Preservation.

NO BOUNDARIES IN PRESERVATION

No Boundaries in Preservation

The main objective of No Boundaries in Preservation is educational and intends to exchange relevant information to the practice of basic preservation and conservation of books and documents in libraries and archives.

To ensure this knowledge can cover a greater number of communities, all files will be offered into three languages: English, Spanish and Portuguese.

Take a look on the first videos and posters for download.

We also worked together with the Council of States Archivists and translated their Pocket Response Guide into Spanish and Portuguese. The Pocket Response Plan™ (PReP™) is a concise document for recording essential information needed by staff in case of a disaster or other emergency. Every person having a response-related assignment should carry a PReP with them at all times.
All the versions are free for downloading.

The funding for No Boundaries in Preservation was provided through the generosity of the University Libraries Innovation Grant Program at The University of North Carolina at Greensboro.