In May 2015, Britannic Auctions sold a 1630 Book of Psalms, bound in a dos-à-dos style with the New Testament, for $1,979. This bookbinding technique, named for the French phrase meaning "back-to-back," joins two books with their spines aligned and a shared back cover. These bindings blend practicality with historical craftsmanship, making them appealing to collectors.
The Embroidered Dos-à-dos Binding: A Closer Look
The 1630 example sold by Britannic Auctions features intricate embroidery with floral patterns in gold, silver, and colored thread. The intricate designs feature a central flower surrounded by smaller buds and scrolling details, creating an ornate and detailed appearance. The book’s fore edges are gilt and gauffered, adding to its luxurious presentation.
The binding includes two works:
- The New Testament of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ (1630): Printed in London by Robert Barker, the King’s Printer.
- The Whole Book of Psalms Collected into English Meeter (1632): Complete with music and attributed to T. Sternhold, J. Hopkins, W. Whittingham, and others. This book was allowed for singing in all churches of the time.
Each of the two spines is embroidered with small floral designs, ensuring that no detail was overlooked in the book’s creation.
What Is a Dos-à-dos Binding?
A dos-à-dos binding joins two separate books so that one book’s spine is adjacent to the other’s fore edge. This structure allows the two books to share a single back cover while remaining separate volumes. This type of binding was commonly used for religious texts, such as prayer books or psalms, during the 16th and 17th centuries. The unique design made it practical for readers who needed quick access to related texts.
Values of Antique Books in Dos-à-dos Binding
The value of dos-à-dos books can vary significantly based on their condition, craftsmanship, and content. Some examples have sold for over £22,000 (approximately $30,000) at auction.
Below are a few notable sales:
- Christie’s (2020): Sold for $6,000. Miniature Book – The New Testament of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (London: Robert Barker, 1633) [Bound with:] The Whole Booke of Psalmes (London: Company of Stationers, 1635). Miniature embroidered binding, housed in a Fortuny silk pouch.
- Bonhams (2012): Sold for £1,875 (approximately $2,900). This included three works bound dos-à-dos in black morocco gilt: The New Testament (1637), The Booke of Common Prayer (1632), and The Whole Booke of Psalmes (1637). Notable for its intricate tooling, gilt decoration, and provenance with inscriptions by Joseph Winstanley.
- eBay (2019): Sold for $2,500. Geneva Bible, 1595 – Famous misprint edition with title page reading 1495 instead of 1595. Bound dos-à-dos in full brown leather with complete New Testament, concordance, and tables. Imprinted by Christopher Barker in London, this example measures 6.5” x 8.75”.
Embroidered examples like the one sold for $1,979 in 2015 are rare and tend to fetch higher prices. Less ornate dos-à-dos bindings or those with significant wear typically sell for less but still attract interest from collectors who appreciate their uniqueness.
Bid or Consign Historical Books Today
The dos-à-dos binding highlights the skill and creativity of bookbinders. If you’re interested in bidding on rare books like this or consigning your own, Britannic Auctions provides free valuations and a reliable consignment service for collectors. Sign up for our mailing list to stay informed about upcoming auctions and opportunities.
