Fore-edge of the Binding

A color photograph shows the fore-edge of a closed historical book. The binding consists of light-colored parchment or vellum, which displays signs of age and wear at the corners. The edges of the pages are dark brown and slightly uneven. The book is set against a dark background. Below the photograph, a black metadata bar with white text identifies the digital source. The image is part of the Early European Books collection, copyrighted in 2011 by ProQuest LLC. The original volume is held by the Royal Library original: "Koninklijke Bibliotheek" in The Hague. The library shelfmark is 393 H 27.

Technical Terms

• Fore-edge: The edge of the book opposite the spine, where the pages are opened.
• Parchment binding: A cover made from animal skin, such as sheep or goat, which has been treated for durability and writing.
• Shelfmark: A unique combination of letters and numbers assigned to a book to indicate its specific location within a library collection.
• Koninklijke Bibliotheek: The National Library of the Netherlands, located in The Hague.