The History of England . Vol. V. (Binding) [Lightbody, Jonathan, binder] David Hume Americana,Sets & Fine Bindings

Engraved portrait frontispiece. vii, [1], 480pp. 8vo. A very rare example of a elaborate binding by Philadelphia binder Jonathan Lightbody, one of few 18th century American binders who signed their bindings (although this example unsigned). For attribution, see the acclaimed McKean set of the first American edition of Shakespeare at the Library Company of Philadelphia, signed by Lightbody on the spine, with the same American eagle stencil on the covers. Other similarities include the same roll tool between the compartments and morocco inlaid roundels. The unusual cover effect was accomplished by placing a cut out stencil on the covers before sprinkling the leather, leaving the central masked portion lighter in tone. We know of no other American binder of the 18th century using such a method. After his death in 1798 from yellow fever Lightbody's tools were sold at auction and likely bought by the Aitken shop. Contemporary calf, attributed to Philadelphia binder Jonathan Lightbody, covers with a pictorial masked stencil of an American eagle, flat spine tooled in gilt with red morocco inlays and red and black labels, marbled endpapers Engraved portrait frontispiece. vii, [1], 480pp. 8vo