ABSTRACT
In the history of the bibliopegic art the names of book-lovers and of bookbinders are inextricably entangled. At one moment the dominant individuality is seen to be a collector like Grolier or Maioli, and at the next it is an artist-artisan like "Le Gascon" or Derome. When Grolier was in danger of his life De Thou's father saved him, and Grolier gave the elder De Thou four of the best books of his library. If a layman may hazard an opinion, it would be to the effect that although Florimond Badier might well be the true name of "Le Gascon," yet the binding in question is not equal to the best of those accredited to the supreme artist of bibliopegy, those marvels of taste and splendour wherein the utmost luxury of gilding is never allowed to become vulgar, tawdry, or even glaring.
