"
A fair number of the books are still in their original bindings or have
been so rebound that their original covers have been preserved. Of these
most are ornamented in "blind," i.e., impressed with tools or panel
stamps without being gilt or coloured, but a few have centre-pieces in
gold. A few examples may be noted. In the early Tudor period panel
stamps with heraldic or pictorial designs were frequently used by English
and foreign binders practising their craft in England. A number of
English binders adorned their books with a pair of large heraldic panel
stamps, the different binders making slight variations in the designs. A
fairly good example of a binding stamped with two such panels is that of
a copy of "Anticella cum quamplurimis tractatibus superadditis," (Venice,
1507) in the Library, which has had its original covers repaired and laid
down again. The lower cover shows the arms of Henry VIII. (France and
England) supported by two angels; the upper cover has a large Tudor rose
surrounded by two ribbons, supported by two angels, and bearing the
distich:
Hec rosa virtutis de celo missa sereno
Eternum Florens regia sceptra feret
which has been rendered:
Virtue's a rose, which born of heaven's clear ray
Shall ever flourish and bear kingly sway.
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