[Fine Binding | George Fisher] The Schoolmaster

Ascham, Roger. The Schoolmaster. London: Cassell & Company, 1888. (Cassell’s National Library.) Small 12mo. Bound in in full russet brown crushed morocco, finished by George Fisher (forwarded by J. Corcoran), with covers framed by a foliate border of swirling vines and small gilt leaves with flower-head cornerpieces. Fine bands to spine with title to second compartment and remaining compartments tooled with gouges and roundels. Gilt-ruled turn-ins, pale blue paper endpapers, all edges gilt and gauffered with a small rosette pattern. Note in pen at rear: “Forwarded J. Corcoran. Finished G. Fisher 23.12.98”. Measures approx. 4" x 5.75". 

Some light rubbing to edges, spine bands, and corners; a touch of lightening to spine. Offsetting and a few spots to endpapers. 

George Fisher (1879–1970), widely regarded as one of the great twentieth century bookbinders, was a London-trained finisher who apprenticed at Riviere & Son, and later served as chief binder at the Gregynog Press from 1924 until its wartime closure in 1940. By 1902, he was employed as a finisher at the bindery run by Alice Pattinson and Else Hoffman. "Fisher attended Douglas Cockerell's evening classes at the Central School, and Cockerell introduced him to Pattinson just after he had finished his apprenticeship at Riviere's" (Tidcombe). Fisher also collaborated with the Woolrich sisters (Ellen and Sofita) for 10+ years as the finisher for their binding designs.

From 1904 to (at least) 1916, Fisher directed bookbinding classes at the Camden School of Art, with a contemporary mention in "The Studio" noting J. Corcoran as a director, as well.