A very good impression

A fascinating collection of tools for bookbinding and leather gilding will be an unusual finale in Lawrences’ book sale in Crewkerne next month. Manufactured for the firm of J C Player and Co, Soho, London, there will be 60 lots on offer with estimates from just £50.
 
Players was the pre-eminent name in this precise and prestigious field from 1860’s onwards. Three generations of the family ran the business until the 1970’s and then the firm was re-located to the West Country until the 1990’s.
 
The company serviced the top leather goods suppliers in the country and was proud to count Aspreys, Dunhill, Fortnum & Mason, Harrods, Purdey & Sons, Smythson and Swaine Adeney Brigg amongst its clients. In addition, there were distinguished Royal and aristocratic commissions: Players decorated the seat backs in the Houses of Parliament, the case for the Ascot Gold Cup and the famous red cases used by every Chancellor of the Exchequer and Cabinet minister since the Victorian era.
 
The lots on offer comprise metal headed stamps, lettering of all sizes and fonts, stamps for minute punctuation right down to a humble comma, metal number stamps, stamps for the Armed Forces, British and foreign coronets, cyphers for HM The Queen and HRH The Prince of Wales, stamps for impressing small marks of animals and birds and much more besides.
 
There are also technical machines such as presses, a paring machine, a finishing stove, a sewing frame and a plan chest. Sample books and booklets of gold and silver leaf complete the selection. It’s all on view with books, maps and manuscripts from January 30th.