Information on Edges

Up through the sixteenth century, shelving books with their edges facing out was the more common way of shelving books. Because it was the edges of books that faced potential readers, edges became sites for book owners to write important information. Most often they wrote the book’s author or title. Occasionally shelfmarks or the name or initials of a book’s owner were inscribed onto an edge.

Plutarch. Plutarchi cheronei Græcorum Romanorumque illustrium vitae. Basileae: Apud Mich. Isingrinium, 1553. 

An abbreviated title reading "Plutarchi Illustri Vitae" or "The lives of the Illustrious Plutarch" appears at the top of this book's fore-edge suggesting that it once rested vertically on a shelf with its fore-edge out.

Marci Fabii Qvintiliani oratoriarum institutionum libri duodecim diligenter emendati. [s.l.]: [s.n.], 1518.

The "T:W" inscribed on the head-edge of the top book are most likely the initials of an early owner of the book.

Allegories and visions, for the entertainment and instruction of younger minds, selected from the most eminent authors. London: printed for George Pearch..., 1769.

Bougainville, (Lewis De) and Forester, John Reinhold. Voyage Round the World Performed by Order of His Most Christian Majesty, In the Years 1766, 1767, 1768 and 1769. Dublin: J. Exshaw, H. Saunders, J. Potts et al, 1772.

An alternative to writing the author or title on one of a book's edges is to write or print the information on a folding edge label that is affixed to the front or back board. When unfolded the label covers the edge of the book, as shown in these examples. When folded the label disappears back into the book.

Mergenthaler Linotype Co. Specimen book linotype faces by Mergenthaler Linotype Company. Brooklyn, N.Y.: Mergenthaler Linotype Co, 1939-1941.

Typically found on large dictionaries, thumb indexes help readers quickly find the section of the book they need. In the case of this Linotype manual, readers can thumb to a specific typeface.