Persian MS 13 (The John Rylands Research Institute and Library, The University of Manchester)

Binding

Probably in London, possibly for former owner William Platel. Resewn on 5 raised cords, laced into the pasteboard. Edges trimmed and fully gilt, with European decorative front-bead endbands sewn in light blue and bright green silk threads at head and tail. Covered full crimson Levant-grained morocco goatskin leather, tight-backed.

Fully gilt, 'run-up' spine with thick-and-thin diagonals on the raised bands and headcaps, with triple line fillet with a diagonal dots with solid lines on either side framing the panels. Central oval radiating sunburt rosettes set above a two fronds and surmounted by laurels, with octafoil floral motifs on either side and fleurons in the corners. Titled ‘THE GARDEN OF PRAISE’ on a maroon skiver leather label. Boards tooled with the same triple solid-dotted fillet around the perimetres, with a complex meander and small foliate decorative rolls, with quatrefoil motifs on the corners, all in gold. Board edges tooled bear the same thick-and thin diagonal roll as on the spine, with interior dentelles tooled with a decorative roll featuring a 'rose-thistle-shamrock' design, all in gold. Made endpapers of dark blue coated paper with European laid handmade papers measuring ~1mm between laid lines and 24 between chain lines. These evidently replaced the blue silk flyleaves described when Joseph Butterworth Bulmer Clarke, (ca. 1797–1854) sold his father's collection. 231 × 137 × 20 mm.

In good condition, with some slight abrasion to the spine, headcaps, with the upper corners bumped. Areas of the gilt edge appear blocked in the gutters.