[Maucline Binding] The Birthday Scripture Text Book (1870)

The Birthday Scripture Text Book. London: Book Society [n.d., ca 1870s]

(10.5 x 7.5 cm) pp. 127, [1]. Each calendar page decorated with a border and ornate initials. Interleaved with blue and pink ruled blank pages. Mauchline ware binding, light wood with impressions of Balmoral on front cover and Braemar Castle on rear cover. Spine in leather with gilt decoration. Gauffered turn ins with some losses. Full edges gilt. Ribon bookmark and alternating colored endbands. Ownership inscription on second front fly leaf. Names written in diary portion in pen and pencil, 19th century hands. Overall VERY GOOD condition. 

Mauchline, Scotland, was where Robert Burns' most creative time was spent; the town also invented a novelty binding which is now commonly associated with the Scottish poet. Mauchline bindings, and Mauchline ware, is made by transferring an image onto a piece of wood, and then heavily varnishing it. In use since the 1830s, the technique was used for bindings, as seen in this example, as well as houseware such as cups and trinket boxes, usually for the amusement of tourists looking for Scottish-themed gifts.