What are signed bindings

leather bound books have been signed by their creators for the last 210 years. The reasons for adding your name to a leather binding was initially to identify a higher grade of binding. In the early 19th century this changed to attractive advertising style paper labels. The binders name can be stamped to the edge of the inside cover or around the edge of the fly page . The name is often very small and difficult to identify. During the 19th and early 20th century London bookbinders started to introduce styles to bindings and it is just about possible to identify them even without the binders name.

There are a number of top book binders and these include Hatchards, Relfe, Ramage, Zangorski, Rivière, Bayton, Cedric Chivers, Stoakley, Morrell , Maclehose, Crosscup, Tevor Jones, etc...

A signed binding can increase the value of a book.

Welcome to the Golden Books Group Blog

Golden Books Group was established in 1991 in Whistable, Kent. We are a husband and wife team with a wealth of experience in book, antiques, fine art, maps and prints. Our speciality is antiquarian leather bound books and six years ago we started building bespoke libraries. Following a series of International exhibitions we found ourselves with a very full client list. We are currently building collections and libraries in the U.K., L.A., Singapore, Austalia and Ireland. Unusually for a bookseller I am dyslexic and find every day a challenge. We are happy to take on new clients and encourage good communication.

Please post your questions, thoughts and complaints.

Best wishes,

Ivan Golden
Golden Books Group