A note on attribution sources

When the attribution for a binding is from something other than a visible and recognized monogram on the binding itself, I have done my best to provide a reputable source for the attribution. These include attributions to the designer from the text itself (such as in the preface, forward, or title page), but also contemporary advertisements for the book where the publisher themselves has provided the attribution for the cover design. Many of these attributions were discovered via searching the OCR'd text contents of  the InternetArchive and HathiTrusts' significant collection of digitized trade journals related to publishing, art, and bookselling.

Some bindings have been attributed via archival resources, where the cover design is noted in the papers of the designer, or there is correspondence referencing the artist's involvement in the design. ArchiveGrid has been incredibly useful in locating these types of references.

Finally, there are some bindings that have been previously attributed by other researchers. Wherever possible, I have noted these researchers as the source of said attribution, mostly in instances where there is not a visible monogram.  Some of the catalog records for these books held in libraries (and uploaded to Hathi or InternetArchive) also sometimes contain attribution information, but it is not always clear who made the determination that the cover could be attributed to that designer in those cases. There are even examples of bindings whose attribution is, or has been contested, thanks to having better access to these sorts of references and other information now than in the past.

So consider this your 'caveat emptor' - I've done my best as one researcher working on this very large project to provide accurate information, but mistakes do happen! So if you find them or if you have a quibble with the attribution of a particular design to a certain artist, please let me know via email! Discourse is the lifeblood of good research. :)

Online Resources and Digital Collections

Books and Journals

Archival Collections