The life of Henry the Fourth of France, translated from the French of Perefix, by M. Le Moine .. 0-0

This book, *The life of Henry the Fourth of France*, was translated into English, and bound in what is now the United Kingdom. Let’s consider that binding. The deep red leather, likely calfskin, is dyed and tanned, stretched tightly over boards. The texture shows the natural grain of the animal. This surface is further articulated with stamped decoration in gold leaf. Tiny tools would have been heated and carefully impressed, building up these intricate patterns line by line, motif by motif. The central emblem represents French royalty, of course, but the borders of scrolling foliage are almost generic in their elegant appeal. Bindings like this were not just protective, but also status symbols. They speak to a culture of both conspicuous consumption, and highly skilled labor. The book represents the dissemination of knowledge, yes, but also a distinct class hierarchy. Next time you pick up a book, think about all the work that went into it, both intellectual and material. It might change the way you read.