SMITH, Philip, bookbinder. TOLKEIN, J.R.R. ~ The Lord of the Rings. I. The Fellowship of the Ring; II. The Two Towers; III. The Return of the King.
First one volume edition, second impression. Pp. 1077, [1, blank], [2,ads]. 8vo., in a contemporary binding by Philip Smith, signed and dated on the rear turn-in, in full limp pale blue/green morocco with yapp edges, with a multi-coloured design going across both sides and the spine created using Smith’s patented inlaid “maril” and feathered technique, spine lettered in gilt, edges gilt and gauffered with an elaborate design. Spine very mildly faded, otherwise a superb example.
A spectacular design by Philip Smith which he conceived as a whole, stretching across the entire binding using Smith’s patented ‘maril’ (marbled inlaid leather) technique which involved mixing scraps and fragments of leather parings and compressing them to create a block or thick tile from which parings can be taken to build up inlaid images.
Philip Smith’s typed up binding statement is with the book, declaring the binding as having been made in January 1969 shortly after publication. He describes how the thickness of the book brought a challenge so he made an experimental binding with a convex foreedge to help in opening the book. He describes how he sewed the binding with hemp after removing the original adhesive from the spine. He also created the yapp edges and gauffering to protect the convex edges and hide any marks from handling the book at a later date. He also states that this was the very first binding to use his signature ‘maril’ technique described above.
He does describe a slipcase but unfortunately this is no longer with the book.
Philip Smith (1928-2019) was a renowned and innovative British bookbinder, this is a excellent example of his work as he was well known for numerous bindings on Tolkein works, as well as this spectacular maril technique.