Embroidered bindings

The Folger Shakespeare Library has many examples of embroidered bindings. For other bindings resources, see: Bibliography of materials related to the Bindings Image Collection; Cultural Histories of the Material World (workshop); List of binding terms in the Bindings Image Collection; and Bindings Image Collection.

Descriptions of specific bindings

These descriptions were originally created by needlework historian Erin Harvey Moody based on examination of Folger holdings in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

STC 22934.2: English embroidered canvas binding, ca. 1630

Sorocold, Thomas, 1561-1617. Supplications of saints. A booke of prayers and prayses. In foure parts...The sixteenth edition, corrected and enlarged... London, Printed by I. D. for Henry Ouerton, 1630. (Hamnet record) (LUNA images)

The design, the same on both covers, is a fanciful flowering tree rising from a mound worked in colored silks in tent stitch. The tree stem and branches are silver gilt worked in plaited gobelin stitch. The leaves, berries, and flowers (carnation, cornflower, pansy, and conventional 8 petal flower form) are in colored silks in tent stitch. The cornflower and pansy have centers of silver gilt threat in plaided gobelin stitch. The background is silver thread in plaited gobelin stitch. The spine is divided into 4 sections with flower and leaf forms worked in the same manner as the covers. The binding is edged with silver gimp. The remains of silk ties can be seen on both covers.

STC 2689: English embroidered white satin on linen binding, ca. 1639

Bible. O.T. Psalms. English. Paraphrases. 1639. The whole booke of Psalmes: collected into English meter by Tho. Sternhold, Jo. Hopkins, W. Wittingham, and others.. .with apt notes to sing them withall... London, Imprinted by I. L. for the Company of Stationers, 1639. (Hamnet record) (LUNA images)

The design of both covers is the same with an arabesque border of laid twisted silver cord and raised purl. Within the border is a tulip. The tulip petals are in colored silks worked in long and short stitch. The stem and leaves are in laid twisted silver cord and purl. The background is sprinkled with purl and spangles. The spine is divided into 5 sections with conventional flower forms alternating in laid silver thread and raised purl and colored silks in satin stitch.

STC 2954.2: English embroidered dos a dos white satin on linen binding, ca. 1640

Bible. N.T. English. 1638. Authorized version. The New Testament...Newly translated out of the originall Greeke: and with the former translations diligently compared and revised, by his Majesties speciall commandment. Imprinted at London by Robert Barker, and by the Assignee of John Bill, 1638. (Hamnet record) (LUNA images)

(Bound with this is: Bible. O.T. Psalms. English. Paraphrases. 1640.)

The design is the same on both covers with a pansy worked in colored silks in satin and long and short stitch surrounded by an oval frame of laid twisted silver cord and raised silver thread. In each of the 4 corners outside the frame is a tulip outlined in laid twisted silver cord and filled in with colored silks in long and short stitch. The spines are divided into 5 sections with conventional 4 petal flower forms worked in alternating colored silks in long and short and silver thread laid and raised.

The binding is in very poor condition.

STC 2932: English dos á dos white satin on linen binding, ca. 1632

Bible. N.T. English. 1628. Authorized version. The New Testament of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Newly translated out of the original greek: and with the former translations diligently compared, and revised, by his Majesties speciall command. Printed at Cambridge by the Printers to the Universitie, 1628. (Hamnet record)

(Bound with this is: Bible. O.T. Psalms. English. Paraphrases. 1632.)

The embroidered binding remains only on the front cover and spine. The front cover is ornamented with one large tulip with a heavy oval arabesque frame of raised and laid silver and silver gilt thread. The tulip petals are outlined with a silver coiled strip. The petals and leaves are worked in silver thread and colored silks in satin and satin encroaching stitch. The stem is silver thread in laid and twisted cord. The background is sprinkled with purl and spangles. The spine is divided into 5 sections with conventional flower forms in alternating colored silks in satin stitch with purl and raised and laid silver gilt thread with spangles.

STC 2593: English embroidered scarlet satin binding, ca. 1625

Bible. O.T. Psalms. English. Paraphrases. 1625.The whole booke of Dauids Psalmes. Both in prose and meetre. With apt notes to sing them withall. London, Printed for the Company of Stationers, 1625. (Hamnet record)

The binding is treated as a single unit with no separation between the covers and the spine. The design consists of 2 horizontal rows of vines in interlocking lozenge compartments. The 2 rows are separated by a strip of laid silver gilt gimp and silver gilt thread in chain stitch. The interlocking vines are worked in silver gilt braid stitch. The vine leaves are silver and silver gilt thread in chain stitch and purl. Inside each lozenge compartment is a flower (pansy, borage, or honeysuckle) or grapes worked in silver and silver gilt thread in chain, plaited braid, braid, buttonhole filling, wheel stitch, and purl. The background is sprinkled with spangles. The binding is edged at the top and bottom with a row of chain stitch in silver gilt thread. The remains of the one silk tie is visible on the front cover.

V.a. 93: Scottish embroidered velvet binding probably by Esther Inglis, ca. 1599

Bible. O.T. Psalms. French. Les C.L. Pseaumes de David escrites en diverses sortes de lettres par Esther Anglois, Françoise. A Lislebourg [Edinburgh], 1599. (Hamnet record)

Both covers are treated identically with an unidentified embroidered applique badge or crest worked on linen set within a frame of raised arabesque worked in purl and laid twisted silver gilt thread. The badge is of laid silver gilt thread, colored silks in stem and satin stitch, and seed pearls (only 1 remains). The badge is badly worn. There is an ink drawing of the badge on the verso of leaf 189. The spine is divided into 4 sections of raised arabesque with purl and laid twisted silver gilt thread. The remains of the silk ties are visible only on the back cover. The velvet is now a honey brown, but the original color was probably scarlet.

STC 23479: English embroidered crimson satin binding, ca. 1613

[Sutton, Christopher] 1565?-1629.

Disce mori. Learne to die. A religiovs discovrse moving euery Christian man to enter into a serious remembrance of his ende... London: Printed for Ambrose Garbrand, 1613. (Hamnet record)

Raised arabesque design worked in laid silver gilt thread and purl with purl and spangles sprinkled on the background. In the center of each cover is an initial, "M" on the front and "I" on the back. This binding was probably embroidered by Jane Martin whose ms. inscription on the front fly leaf reads, "Jane Martin her boocke wittnes John Martin." The spine has been repaired. Three conventional flower forms (in very poor condition) worked in laid silver gilt thread and purl have been reglued onto the repaired spine. The silk ties are missing.

STC 24991.5: English embroidered woven silver gilt wire binding, ca. 1617

[Wallis, Thomas]

The path-way to please God. Which way whomsoeuer walketh, especially in the time of anie worldly affliction, shalbe defended against all temptations ... Printed by W. laggard. [Colop.] London imprinted by W. laggard, and are to be solde by Iohn Hammon, 1617. (Hamnet record) (LUNA images)

The covers are treated identically with a border of conventional 4 petal flowers worked in colored silks in florentine stitch. The centers contain pansies and small stylized flowers, leaves, and stems worked in the same manner. The spine is decorated with a stylized vine and conventional flower and leaf forms. The remains of scarlet silk ties are visible on both covers.

214- 243q item 1 (Wing B2207): English? embroidered medallion canvas binding, ca. 1644

Bible. English. 1644. Authorized version. The Holy Bible: containing the old Testament and the New...By His Majesties speciall command. Amsterdam: Printed for C. P., 1644. (Hamnet record)

(Bound with this is: Bible. O.T. Psalms. English. Paraphrases. 1644.)

The front cover has the figure of Plenty worked in colored silks, silver, and silver gilt thread in tent, laid, and couched stitch. The background of hills, trees, buildings, and sky is worked in colored silks in tent, bullion stitch, and purl. The allegorical figure is framed with a raised oval medallion of laid and twisted silver and silver gilt thread and purl. The corners outside the medallion are filled in with flowers and leaves in colored silks in tent stitch. The background is silver thread in gobelin stitch. The back cover has the figure of Peace worked in the same manner as the front. The background for Peace includes a sun of laid silver gilt wire. At the top and bottom of the binding are 8 strands of laid twisted silver gilt thread. The spine has a fanciful vine with laid twisted silver gilt thread and purl. The leaves, flowers, and fruits are in colored silks in tent stitch. The background is silver thread in gobelin stitch.

This binding was probably originally bound on or intended for a slightly smaller book. The canvas has been mounted on linen, and an extra silver gimp border has been added to make it fit. This book is too thick to fit the spine as designed on the canvas. Several versions exist of the figures of Peace and Plenty, but the original source has not been identified.

STC 2406: English embroidered dos á dos white satin on linen binding, ca. 1612

Bible. O.T. Psalms. English. 1606. The Psalter or Psalmes of Dauid, after the translation of the great Bible...with the morning & euening praier, and certaine additions of collects ...Also a...table declaring the true use of euerie Psalme, made by...Theod. Beza... At London, Imprinted for the Company of Stationers, 1606. (Hamnet record) (LUNA images)

(Bound with this is: Bible. O.T. Psalms. English. Paraphrases. 1612.)

Both covers are treated identically with a floral design. The flowers (carnations and pansies), buds, and leaves are worked in colored silks in satin, long and short, and back stitch. The stems and outlines of the buds are in laid silver gilt thread. The background is sprinkled with spangles. The spines are divided into 4 sections and embroidered with conventional 4 petal flowers in satin stitch outlined in laid silver gilt thread. The binding is edged with silver guilt gimp and a twisted cord of colored silk and silver gilt thread. The remains of the silk tie is visible on the front cover. The binding is in very poor condition. Most of the satin is worn away exposing the linen backing.

STC 11317: English embroidered woven silver wire binding, ca. 1613

Francis de Sales, Saint, Bishop of Geneva, 1567-1622.

lntrodvction à la vie dévote. English. 1613. An introduction to a deuoute life...translated into Englisg [!] by I. Y. The 2. edition. By Iohn Heigham, 1613.(Hamnet record) (LUNA images)

The covers are treated identically with A rows of stylized flower and leaf forms worked in colored silks in florentine stitch. The spine which has been repaired has 5 rows of the flower and leaf forms worked in the same manner.

STC 6396.8: English? embroidered canvas binding, ca. 1607

Euery dayes sacrifice. Wherein is comprehended many comfortable prayers and meditations...for all Christians. Also many comforts for the sicke...Written by D. M. Luther...Translated by W. S. R. London, Printed for George Vincent and Henry Rocket, 1607. (Hamnet record)

This binding is treated as a single unit with no separation between the covers and spine. The binding is divided into 6 horizontal bands by silver gilt thread in plaited braid stitch. The pattern within the bands is worked in silver gilt thread in twisted chain stitch. The background is worked in crimson colored silk in fly stitch. The remains of the silk ties can be seen on both covers.

STC 21651 copy 5: English embroidered canvas binding, ca. 1611

[Du Bartas, Guillaume de Salluste, seigneur, 1544-1590.]

[Works. English. 1611.] Du Bartas, his deuine weekes and workes. Translated...by Josuah Syluester. Now thirdly corrected & augm. Printed at London by Humfrey Lownes.] [Colop.] At London, Imprinted by H. L. and are to be sould by Arthur Iohnson, 1611. (Hamnet record) (LUNA images)

The design, the same on both covers, is an overall floral scroll pattern. The stems, leaves, and flowers are of colored silks worked in tent stitch. The flowers (roses and marigolds) and buds are outlined in laid silver gilt thread. Some of the flower centers are also worked in eye stitch over the tent stitch. The background is in 2 colors of silk worked in florentine stitch. The spine is divided into 3 sections and worked in the same manner as the covers. The top and bottom sections have a rose, and the center section has a conventional 8 petal flower with 4 leaves. The front cover has the remains of a braided silk thread tie. The back cover has the remains of a plain silk tie.

STC 2956 copy 1: English embroidered dos á dos white satin on linen binding, ca. 1640

Bible. N.T.-English. 1640. Authorized version. The New Testament of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Newly translated out of the originall Greek: and with the former translations...compared and revised, by his Majesties...commandment. Imprinted at London by Robert Barker and by the assignee of John Bill, 1640. (Hamnet record) (LUNA images)

(Bound with this is: Bible. O.T. Psalms. English. Paraphrases. 1640.)

The design is the same on both covers. A tulip rises from a raised mound outlined in laid twisted cord and filled in with colored silk and wire. Smaller stylized flowers rise on either side of the tulip worked in laid twisted silver gilt, purl, and spangles. The tulip is worked in colored silk in long and short stitch. The stem and leaves are of laid twisted silver gilt and raised purl. On each side of the tulip is a scroll of laid, twisted and couched silver and silver gilt thread. At the top a raised sun shines down worked in colored silk, purl, laid twisted silver gilt thread, and couched silver strips. The background is sprinkled with spangles. The spines are divided into 3 sections with conventional flower forms. Two are worked in colored silks in satin and long and short stitch outlined in laid silver thread. The center section is worked in purl. The background of the spine is also sprinkled with spangles. The binding is in poor condition.

STC 11560: English embroidered blue satin on linen binding, ca. 1619

A Godlie garden: out of the which most cõfortable hearbs may be gathered for the health of the wounded conscience of all penitent sinners... Jmprinted [!] at London by Iohn Beale, for Thomas Pauier, 1619. (Hamnet record)

The design on both covers is the same with a walled garden in an oval frame. The garden ground is worked in laid green silk couched with silver gilt wire. The garden walls and entrance are worked in laid and couched silver and silver gilt thread. The dome over the entrance is worked in colored silk in satin stitch, raised, laid and couched. The frame is worked in colored silks in satin, laid colored silks and silver gilt thread, and raised purl. In each corner outside the frame is a flower (rose and pansy) worked in colored silks in satin and long and short stitch. The background is sprinkled with purl and spangles. The spine has 5 flowers in a very stylized form worked in colored silks in satin stitch. The remains of the silk ties are visible on both covers. The binding is in poor condition with much of the embroidery design worn away.