[Patience Scott Cockerell] Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam

Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam. London: Macmillan and Co., 1899. Bound in russet brown goatskin by Patience Scott Cockerell (stamped "PSC 1901" on rear turn-in), with a circular centerpiece on the front cover, done in inlaid green leaves, gouges, and dots. Presumably produced by the binder for herself, as she has also included "19 / PSC / 01" in the center ornament. Gilt ruled turn-ins with dots. Dark green endpapers. All edges gilt. Measures approx. 4" x 6.5". Rubbing and light wear to edges, spine, and corners. Some marks and spots to covers.

"Patience Cockerell’s binding career spanned only the eight years from 1901 to 1908, during which time she produced around 100 bindings. Little is known about her life, but she seems to have undertaken life drawing classes at the Westminster School of Art and may have served an apprenticeship at Sangorski and Sutcliffe. Her surviving known bindings are typical of the style of the period, which was dominated by T.J. Cobden-Sanderson and Douglas Cockerell (apparently no relation), and the principal record of her bindings is her pattern book (now held by the British Library)." (Quaritch)

This binding is unlisted in Cockerell's pattern book, but is undoubtedly one of the first bindings Cockerell produced, as she produced less than ten volumes in 1901. Cockerell exhibited bindings in the Royal Amateur Art Society Exhibitions of 1904, 1906, 1907, and 1908. Frank Broomhead's article on Cockerell ("Patience Cockerell, Bookbinder") in The Private Library 8 (1985) will be included with the volume.