Five Hundred Years of the Art of the Book in Ireland: 1500 To the Present

First edition. A book to accompany an exhibition at the National Gallery of Ireland, Dublin. An exploration of bindings, illuminations, calligraphy and title-page design of Irish printed books and manuscripts from the last five centuries. Beginning with reference to the Gaelic scribal tradition which had survived from the Middle Ages, the author charts the development of the book arts in Ireland, with emphasis on the Rococo title-pages of the eighteenth century, and the exquisite bindings for which Irish artisans have alway been famous. Lavishly illustrated throughout the text, along with seventy-eight plates, showing bindings, title-pages, and illustrations, in gorgeous color, with full descriptions following. 175+ 1 pages. cloth, dust jacket.. 4to..