England an historical binding, a book of Laud's, or James's, or
Garrick's, or even of Queen Elizabeth's, does not seem to derive
much added charm from its associations. But, in France, peculiar
bindings are now the objects most in demand among collectors. The
series of books thus rendered precious begins with those of Maioli
and of Grolier (1479-1565), remarkable for their mottoes and the
geometrical patterns on the covers. Then comes De Thou (who had
three sets of arms), with his blazon, the bees stamped on the
morocco. The volumes of Marguerite of Angouleme are sprinkled with
golden daisies. Diane de Poictiers had her crescents and her bow,
and the initial of her royal lover was intertwined with her own.
The three daughters of Louis XV. had each their favourite colour,
and their books wear liveries of citron, red, and olive morocco.
The Abbe Cotin, the original of Moliere's Trissotin, stamped his
books with intertwined C's. Henri III. preferred religious emblems,
and sepulchral mottoes--skulls, crossbones, tears, and the insignia
of the Passion. Mort m'est vie is a favourite device of the
effeminate and voluptuous prince. Moliere himself was a collector,
il n'es pas de bouquin qui s'echappe de ses mains,--"never an old
book escapes him," says the author of "La Guerre Comique," the last
of the pamphlets which flew from side to side in the great literary
squabble about "L'Ecole des Femmes." M. Soulie has found a rough
catalogue of Moliere's library, but the books, except a little
Elzevir, have disappeared. {7} Madame de Maintenon was fond of
bindings. Mr. Toovey possesses a copy of a devotional work in red
morocco, tooled and gilt, which she presented to a friendly abbess.
The books at Saint-Cyr were stamped with a crowned cross, besprent
with fleurs-de-lys. The books of the later collectors--Longepierre,
the translator of Bion and Moschus; D'Hoym the diplomatist;
McCarthy, and La Valliere, are all valued at a rate which seems fair