Bodleian Libraries, The vision

Cosway-style binding. English (London), c.1930. Rivière & Son. Blue goatskin, the front cover decorated with gilt tulips and contrasting onlay flowers, lily cornerpieces, and wreath surrounding miniature painting of the Duc d'Enghien under glass; back cover with bees semée (scattered) around miniature of Napoleon. These bindings were devised by the London bookseller Henry Sotheran, inspired by the 18thcentury miniaturist Richard Cosway (1740–1821). They became hugely popular in the first half of the 20th century, with the miniaturepainter Miss C. B. Currie responsible for almost a thousand bindings in the style.