Secret Fore-Edge Paintings Revealed in Early 19th Century Books at the University of Iowa

Many people may have never heard of fore-edging, it’s the process of having a hidden image on the edge of a book. It is hidden because you cannot see it unless it is fanned out to show the image, and for this reason, many older books have fore-edging without many people knowing. I

Fore-Edge Paintings

One such example of this was when student Colleen Theisen discovered one hidden in the 1837 book Autumn by Robert Mundie. The book was part of a series that all had fore-edging on them, all name after the seasons, SpringSummer, Autumn and Winter. The books were found in the University of Iowa, and were donated by Charlotte Smith. The gifs and images perfectly show just how well hidden the images are, and just how amazing some of them look despite being on the edges of a book.

Fore-Edge Paintings

Fore-Edge Paintings

Fore-Edge Paintings

Fore-Edge Paintings

Fore-Edge Paintings

Fore-Edge Paintings

Fore-Edge Paintings