Emile Souvestre translated by Elizabeth Strachey

 

@31102025 Note: All images are © British Library Board 

Emile Souvestre translated by Elizabeth Strachey

When cataloguing some of the books owned by Robin de Beaumont, in morocco bindings, a copy of Oliver Goldmsith’s The Traveller came up for cataloguing (BL C188a812). This has a fine binding. Tipped in at the rear of this book was a long entry by David Block, of the work: Translations from the French of Emile Souvestre by Elizabeth Strachey. 2 vols, Privately Printed, 1856 (BL C109bb16). The work was Collected and Edited by her husband, Sir Edward Strachey.

Clearly the two volumes of 1856 were intended as a memorial for Elizabeth Stracheey, as the verso of the title page of vol. I has: “E. S. Born, February 14, 1810. Married, August 27 1844. Died April 11, 1855.” On the page opposite, we have the dedication: “To the memory of her to whom these translations are chiefly due, while her hand, in them, as in all things else, was ever joined with that of her husband.” Emile Souvestre was a novelist, whose work was translated often in these years, and several English newspapers printed extracts. It seems most likely that the Strachey family paid for the printing and for the binding of the Translations… . The monogram “ES” was blocked on the centre of each cover, as was the lettering at the head and at the tail: “To the memory of Elizabeth Strachey” and “Coelum non animam”.

The British Library a purchased a copy of the Souvestre Translations… in 1974.  In the picture below, the upper covers are of The Traveller, left, and Translations…, vol I, right. The binding of Translations… was done by Leighton Son & Hodge, as their ticket was on the lower pastedown of vol. I. The (brass) blocks were then re-used, with the text of The Traveller bound in.

BL C188a812                                                     BL C109bb16

For C188a812, The Traveller, the monogram 'ES' on the centre and the lettering head and tail were taken out, and replaced by other small decoration, as was the spine lettering. Block stated that The Traveller was issued in 1868, which is confirmed by McLean (VBD, p. 162). McLean reproduced (in black and white) a copy of The Traveller in red cloth published by D. Bogue in 1868 (VPBB p. 59) . This was despite David Bogue having died in November 1856, and the company of William Kent had taken over the business by June 1857 (Wigan Examiner 12 June 1857, page 6, col. 5) Morris & Levin p.110, no. 247)  reproduce the upper cover of the Routledge edition of 1868, in purple cloth, with the  block of C109bb16 being re-used.  Itmprobable as it may seem, the brasses for the cover and the spine seemed have been stored for some twelve years before their re-use.  Also curious is the imprint of D. Bogue being used on the title page of  The Traveller. The binding of the de Beaumont copy is in near mint condition. The covers of the two volume set of Translations… have faded with some wear to head and tail. It is most useful to have an example of how use and light damage adversely impact upon condition.  

The decoration was probably cut into one brass block, and one has to admire the delicacy of the lattice work on the sides and corners; also the filigree work within the central rectangle. The ‘oriental’ style of ornament was derived in part from Islamic art. This was fashionable at this time, particularly with the publication of Owen Jones Grammar of Ornament, 1856.  It is likely that more examples of the re-use of blocks exist. However, the brass dies were heavy, difficult to store and, as brass was expensive, melting them down to re-use for other designs was done, before they could be re-used in the manner shown by these two examples. Thes factors limit what is available for us to view today.

Edmund M B King

St Albans

August 2025

 

Further reading:

Jamieson, Eleanore. English embossed bindings 1825-1850. Cambridge: At the University Press, 1972. 

McLean, Ruari. Victorian book design and colour printing. 2nd edition. [London] Faber & Faber [1972]

McLean, Ruari. Victorian publishers’ book-bindings in cloth and leather. London, Gordon Fraser, 1974.

Morris, Ellen K. & Levin, Edward S. The Art of Publishers’ Bookbindings 1815-1915. An Exhibition held at the Grolier Club, New York, 17 May – 19 July 2000. Los Angeles: William Daley Rare Books Ltd, 2000.