The Gift for 1840

Particular care was generally given to the binding of all gift books. This binding features ornate gold stamping on the covers and spine. The picture to the right shows the spine and front cover of The Gift for 1840. In the panel near the top of the spine, it reads “THE GIFT” and in the smaller panel near the bottom, “1840.” The decoration features an “S” pattern of vines and leaves.

The front cover features birds sweeping down from the top corners. In the center of the cover is a bust of Sir Walter Scott, with a Scottish shawl wrapped around the shoulders, above a crossed set of a trumpet and a lyre. In the lower left corner is a lioness, facing towards the middle and with her tongue sticking out, presumably as an attempt to capture a roar. The lower right corner features a stag and his doe. Each corner also features ornate floral sprays. The rear cover is identical to the front.