In Dr. Dibdin's _Bibliographical Decameron_, 1817, vol. ii. p. 503., he
thus introduces the subject:
"The commencement of the eighteenth century saw the rise and progress
of the rival libraries of Harley and Sunderland. What a field,
therefore, was here for the display of the bibliopegistic art! Harley
usually preferred red morocco, with a broad border of gold, and the
fore-edges of the leaves without colour or gilt. Generally speaking,
the Harleian volumes are most respectably bound; but they have little
variety, and the style of art which they generally exhibit rather
belongs to works of devotion."
In a note on the above passage, Dibdin adds:
"I have often consulted my bibliomaniacal friends respecting the name
of the binder or binders of the Harleian Library. Had Bagford or Wanley
the chief direction? I suspect the _latter_."
If Dr. Dibdin and his "bibliomaniacal friends" had not preferred the easy
labour of looking at printed title-pages to the rather more laborious task
of examining manuscripts, they might readily have solved the Query thus
raised by referring to Wanley's _Autograph Diary_, preserved in the
Lansdowne Collection, Nos. 771, 772, which proves that the binders employed
by Lord Oxford were Christopher Chapman of Duck Lane, and Thomas Elliot.
Very many entries occur between January 1719-20 and May 1726, relative to
the binding both of manuscripts and books in morocco and calf; and it
appears, in regard to the former material, that it was supplied by Lord
Oxford himself. Some of these entries will show the jealous care exercised
by honest Humphrey Wanley over the charge committed to him.
"25th January, 1719-20. This day having inspected Mr. Elliot's bill, I
found him exceedingly dear in all the work of Morocco, Turkey, and
Russia leather, besides that of velvet.
"28th January, ----. Mr. Elliot the bookbinder came, to whom I produced
the observations I made upon his last bill, showing him that (without
catching at every little matter) my Lord might have had the same work
done as well and cheaper, by above 31l. He said that he could have
saved above eight pounds in the fine books, and yet they should have
looked well. That he now cannot do them so cheap as he rated them at;
that no man can do so well as himself, or near the rates I set against
his. But, upon the whole, said he would write to my Lord upon the
subject.
"13th July, 1721. Mr. Elliot having clothed the CODEX AVREVS in my
Lord's Morocco leather, took the same from hence this day, in order to
work upon it with his best tools; which, he says, he can do with much
more convenience at his house than here.
"19th January, 1721-22. Mr. Chapman came, and received three books for
present binding. And upon {336} his request I delivered (by order) six
Morocco skins to be used in my Lord's service. He desires to have them
at a cheap price, and to bind as before. I say that my Lord will not
turn leather-seller, and therefore he must bring hither his proposals
for binding with my Lord's Morocco skins; otherwise his Lordship will
appoint some other binder to do so.
"17th September, 1725. Mr. Elliot brought the parcel I last delivered
unto him, but took one back to amend a blunder in the lettering. He
said that he has used my Lord's doe-skin upon six books, and that they
may serve instead of calf; only the grain is coarser, like that of
sheep, and this skin was tanned too much.
"23rd December, 1725. Mr. Chapman came, but I gave him no work; chiding
him for being so slow in my Lord's former business, which he had
frequently postponed, that he might serve the booksellers the sooner."
[mu].
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