Aaron T. Pratt
@aarontpratt.bsky.social
Pforzheimer Curator of Early Books & Manuscripts at the Harry Ransom Center. Bibliographer, book historian, and VHS guy.
Based on the Chippendale style, the George Kenyon who had the plate made would appear to be the 1702-1780 one. The boards, though, with their "Cambridge panel" design and chunky thistle cornerpieces look before 1740 or 50.
February 5, 2026 at 9:50 PM
Based on the Chippendale style, the George Kenyon who had the plate made would appear to be the 1702-1780 one. The boards, though, with their "Cambridge panel" design and chunky thistle cornerpieces look before 1740 or 50.
Very interesting. I think I'd need to see it in person to be sure, but it looks like an oversewing method along these lines.
What's most interesting to me is that the board style & the bookplate point to a date much more toward the middle of the 18th century than the late.
What's most interesting to me is that the board style & the bookplate point to a date much more toward the middle of the 18th century than the late.
February 5, 2026 at 9:35 PM
Very interesting. I think I'd need to see it in person to be sure, but it looks like an oversewing method along these lines.
What's most interesting to me is that the board style & the bookplate point to a date much more toward the middle of the 18th century than the late.
What's most interesting to me is that the board style & the bookplate point to a date much more toward the middle of the 18th century than the late.
I’m curious when in the 18th century in particular this was done. Any chance you have a photo or two of the binding exterior?
January 28, 2026 at 3:08 PM
I’m curious when in the 18th century in particular this was done. Any chance you have a photo or two of the binding exterior?
What do the covers look like? And endleaves with watermarks that might (also) help with dating.
January 28, 2026 at 12:35 AM
What do the covers look like? And endleaves with watermarks that might (also) help with dating.
Oh wait, contemporary bindings. Not looked super carefully at more than a couple. But I recall stubs and, separately, the use of the left margin for a fold.
January 26, 2026 at 2:25 AM
Oh wait, contemporary bindings. Not looked super carefully at more than a couple. But I recall stubs and, separately, the use of the left margin for a fold.
Creating folds by gluing into stubs or using a whipstitching/oversewing technique. The latter was used by fancy 19th/early 20th-c binders for all kinds of early books, better permitting copies with damaged/rebuilt inner margins and supplied leaves.
January 26, 2026 at 2:21 AM
Creating folds by gluing into stubs or using a whipstitching/oversewing technique. The latter was used by fancy 19th/early 20th-c binders for all kinds of early books, better permitting copies with damaged/rebuilt inner margins and supplied leaves.
Very kind! Really appreciate you watching.
January 22, 2026 at 6:09 PM
Very kind! Really appreciate you watching.
Weak, contestants!
January 22, 2026 at 2:44 PM
Weak, contestants!
Thanks for the assist. Am terrible about tagging.
January 22, 2026 at 11:18 AM
Thanks for the assist. Am terrible about tagging.
Awesome—will be sure to introduce myself if/when I see you.
January 19, 2026 at 1:42 AM
Awesome—will be sure to introduce myself if/when I see you.
Will be at the Grolier Annual Meeting and all things @bibsocamer.bsky.social. Unfortunately can’t come out until Thursday AM so am missing the showcase the previous day.
January 19, 2026 at 12:30 AM
Will be at the Grolier Annual Meeting and all things @bibsocamer.bsky.social. Unfortunately can’t come out until Thursday AM so am missing the showcase the previous day.
Had no idea either. Boom.
January 15, 2026 at 11:58 PM
Had no idea either. Boom.
Haha—thanks! This one isn’t quite as evil as my DesBib one, but it has some tricks up its sleeve.
January 15, 2026 at 11:28 PM
Haha—thanks! This one isn’t quite as evil as my DesBib one, but it has some tricks up its sleeve.
(Also, I have no idea how I botched that first post so badly; gonna have to blame my phone.)
January 7, 2026 at 3:01 PM
(Also, I have no idea how I botched that first post so badly; gonna have to blame my phone.)
Because I'm a lunatic, I'll also be reprising my @calrbs.bsky.social seminar for the 3rd time in the summer, August 10–14: www.calrbs.org/descriptive-...
Descriptive Bibliography (2026) – CalRBS
Aaron T. Pratt
www.calrbs.org
January 6, 2026 at 11:20 PM
Because I'm a lunatic, I'll also be reprising my @calrbs.bsky.social seminar for the 3rd time in the summer, August 10–14: www.calrbs.org/descriptive-...
So grateful we didn’t have a damn written exam.
December 19, 2025 at 3:10 PM
So grateful we didn’t have a damn written exam.