Fore Edge Painting Antiquarian & Collectible Books

Fore Edge Paintings Are a Highlight for Book Collectors

A fore edge painting is a scene decorating the edges of a book. The fore edge definition includes two forms of painting; those you can see on the sides of a closed book, and those that the page edges need to be fanned to be seen. You can find books with both on eBay.

Fore edge paintings are common on many antique bibles and prayer books. They are also on the edges of novels and books from the 18th and 19th centuries. There are books from as early as the 10th century that feature symbolic decorations depicted upon the edges. eBay offers a wide range of books featuring fore edge painting. Typically, antique books are pre-owned and in various levels of age and condition. Though it is rarer to find new books with this kind of artwork, they do exist.

Artists create a fore-edge painting in one of four main styles. You can locate secondhand fore-edge painted books at a variety of price points from eBay dealers.

• Single fore-edge painting covers only one side of the page edges. Gilt or marbling was applied after the painting was complete to hide the design when the book is closed.
• Double fore-edge paintings appear on both sides of the page margin so that when the pages are fanned in one direction, a painting is seen, and when fanned the other way, a different painting is visible.
• Triple fore-edge painting has scenes on the inside edges as well as a third painting applied directly to the outer edges instead of the bookbinder adding marbling or gilt. Scenes that wrap continuously around more than one edge of the book are also known as a panoramic painting.
• Split double painting features two different paintings on either side of a book center, which is seen when a book is laid open.

Booksellers on eBay use a fore edge clamp to hold the pages in place so they can display the scene for photos. A fore-edging clamp can be adjusted so the painting can be viewed at its most advantageous angle, so buyers can better determine the condition of the book and artwork.

When you shop online for books with fore edge painting, you can find reasonable dealer prices for many books. Rare or antique books will have higher price points. Books typically feature scenes of landscapes, portraits, or symbolic designs. People who collect fore-edge painted books can peruse and purchase new selections regularly on eBay.