It’s very possible that your battered, old copy of the book contains some fore-edge painting, which is an illustration or painting that is hidden on the edge of the pages of the book. The technique allegedly dates back to the 1650s and we have no idea why people went through the trouble of painting on their old works of literature, but they are there.
You can see the painting by bending together the pages of the book, just so you can see a small piece of each page.
Autumn by Robert Mudie / Special Collections & University Archives at the University of Iowa
Ta-da! 😀
Autumn by Robert Mudie / Special Collections & University Archives at the University of Iowa
As impressive as this is, we can’t imagine why someone would commit countless hours to making these hidden images.
Winter by Robert Mudie / Special Collections & University Archives at the University of Iowa
Although, in the 1800s, the ladies would have been mighty impressed.
Winter by Robert Mudie / Special Collections & University Archives at the University of IowaNo matter why people originally painted the edge of their books, now these tiny works of art are being sold for hundreds (and sometimes thousands) of dollars. I have a feeling me drawing on the edge of my old college textbooks with Sharpie wouldn’t have the same effect…
Time to go check every book I own. Although I doubt my Kindle has any hidden messages… 🙂 ;p 😀
Dawn to Dusk 