Jib Door Books

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54213233008_c3cfb46a27_h.jpg

Book spines glued to fake shelves hiding a secret door have produced some of the greatest of imaginary books. They are in almost all cases ludic, meant only to amuse the casual browser.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53881154009_1b692ef5b3_b.jpg

Tales of Knockespotch

KNOCKESPOTCH

London: Simpkin, 1878.

First mentioned in the jib door in the library at Crome in Crome Yellow, by Aldous Huxley.

"But couldn't you give us ... a concrete example?"

"Alas!... Knockespotch's great book is like the sword Excalibur. It remains struck fast in this door, awaiting the coming of a writer with genius enough to draw it forth. I am not even a writer, I am not so much as qualified to attempt the task. The extraction of Knockespotch from his wooden prison I leave, my dear Denis, to you."

"Thank you," said Denis.

The Scottish Boccaccio
D. CAMERON
Edinburgh, Bell & Bradfute, 1830.
First mention by Tom Hood for a library jib door at Chatsworth.
The Present State of Morocco
JOHN WANSBROUGH
London: Faulder & Rodwell, 1811.
First mentioned on the library jib door at Lamport Hall.
Cats’ Lives (Vol IX)
STEPHEN CATS
London: Longman, 1798.
First mentioned on Charles Dickens’ library jib door at Gad’s Hill.
On the Horse
LADY GODIVA LEOFRIC
Coventry: Jopson, 1748.
First mentioned on Charles Dickens’ library wall at Gad’s Hill

‹›