Memoires et réflexions sur les principaux évenemens du regne de Louis XIV, & sur le caractere de ceux qui y ont eu la principale part. Par mr. l.m.d.L.F 1749

This is a book from the early 18th century, bound in a distinctive red leather with gold tooling. The cover would have begun as an animal hide, likely sheep or calf. The skin was tanned, a labor-intensive process to preserve the material, before being stretched and prepared to cover the book’s spine and boards. The rich, reddish-brown color was achieved through dyeing. Meanwhile, the gold decoration demanded the application of leaf, pressed into the leather using heated tools and stamps. The bookbinder was a skilled artisan, working with rare and precious materials. Their labor, though less celebrated than that of the author, was essential to the book’s value as a luxury object. A book like this was more than just a vehicle for information. It was a display of wealth and taste, connecting the world of literature to the crafts of leatherworking, dyeing, and goldwork. By considering how it was made, we understand how this book participated in a network of skilled labor, and how the art of bookbinding contributed to the cultural life of its time.