Cosway Bindings

Ever seen a book with a Cosway binding? Here are a handful of rare and collectible books offered for sale by AbeBooks sellers featuring these stunning bindings. Cosway bindings are traditional leather bindings with miniature paintings inset into the covers. These beautiful bindings are named after Richard Cosway, the acclaimed English miniaturist portrait painter from the Regency era.

However, Cosway did not invent this style of binding. These bindings were not introduced until the early 20th century and were probably invented by the legendary bookselling firm of Henry Sotheran.

Born in Devon, Cosway was a prodigy and exhibited his first work at the age of 20 in 1762. He painted many members of the British Royal family and his subjects also included various English and French aristocrats. He married the Anglo-Italian artist Maria Hadfield and together they were the glamour couple of the Regency art world. Cosway died in 1821 but many of his miniatures can be seen in Windsor Castle.

The earliest Cosway bindings were created by Miss CB Currie who is known to have worked between 1912 and 1940 from designs by JH Stonehouse, Sotheran’s manager.

For more reading about Richard Cosway, check out Richard and Maria Cosway: A Biography by Gerald Barnett or Richard & Maria Cosway: Regency Artists of Taste and Fashion – the 143-page catalogue associated with a 1995 exhibition at the Scottish National Portrait Gallery – or even Richard Cosway RA by George C Williamson.

Examples of Cosway Bindings:

Vanity Fair

William Makepeace Thackeray

An 1848 first edition first issue bound in full red morocco of Thackeray’s satire of 19th century English society. The upper board features a central oval window housing a portrait of the author under glass with a decorative gilt frame. Silk end papers, all edges gilt.

Nelson

Carola Oman

First edition from 1947 bound in full blue crushed morocco. There are gilt titles, and a ship motif on the spine, as well as gilt rules with an anchor design on the boards. Oman's classic work sets the standard against which all biographies of Nelson can be judged.

The Complete Works of William Shakespeare

William Shakespeare

Legendary writing from The Bard. Bound in dark green Morocco with a portrait of William Shakespeare painted on an ivory oval under glass rear board with calligraphic S at center; raised bands spine gilt in compartments.

The Vicar of Wakefield

Oliver Goldsmith

This edition was printed in 1843. The Vicar of Wakefield offers a portrait of village life. This copy features 32 illustrations by William Mulready. Bound by Rivière & Son in full red crushed morocco with an original miniature portrait of the author mounted behind glass.