Books are magical things. A couple of minutes with your favourite author can leave you
amused, inspired, thrilled, and intellectually stimulated. It only takes a few pages for the spell to be cast, and then you’re in; fantasy kingdoms, vivid characters, pleasing outcomes. No wonder that publishers through the ages have sought new and exciting ways to impart fresh magic to books. And it doesn’t get more magical than the lost art of hidden edge paintings.
While e-books claim an ever increasing share of readers, it is worth savouring the exquisite
material artistry a book can draw upon. And hidden edge paintings (or fore-edge paintings) are an excellent example of how books can be so much more than just words on a page.
So what are they?

Hidden edge paintings are images painted on the edges of a book’s pages. These pictures are
made to appear when a book is fanned, exposing the edges of the pages. Amazingly, these images are visible when a book is open, yet disappear when closed. Magic, right?
The usage of hidden edge paintings date back as far as the 10th century, where publishers
often protrayed heraldic designs, primarily in gold. Before mass literary production, these marks frequently celebrated the family that were lucky (and invariably rich) enough to receive such a
rare edition. The earliest signed and dated hidden edge painting dates to 1653, and included a family coat of arms painted on a 1651 Bible.

In the mid 18th century, the theme of hidden edge paintings shifted to represent the subject
matter of the book itself. These ranged from scenes in the novels, to beautiful landscapes, and even portraits. Authors who frequently had their work beautified in this way include Jules Verne, Sherlock Holmes and Charles Dickens.
Today, it is rare to find modern examples of hidden edge paintings. Whether due to cost or other mass market considerations, the lost art of book painting is often viewed as a historical relic. But
while it may seem old fashioned, there is no doubting the amazing effect produced when you open up such a book for the first time. Seeing the dazzling array of colours on show is surely an experience that can stand the test of time. So will we ever see a revival of this publishing technique? Time will tell.
Curated Books offers a range of authentic hidden edge painting books as well as taking commisions, Our editions are
real leather, real gold edged and at least 100 years old. The paintings are one off, hand painted in water colour, and guaranteed to impress any reader.
Check our our range now! https://curatedbooks.co.uk/product/hidden-edge-painted-books