The Fore-edge Paintings of John T. Beer by SLIS Alumni Jeff Weber

SLIS alumnus Jeff Weber's (MLS 1978) has published his first book — The Fore-edge Paintings of John T. Beer (also printed in limited quantities by Castle Press). The book is a biographical and historical essay about the famous painter. It also features a catalogue raisonné based on the sale of his library and a prologue — The ABC's of Fore-edge Painting.

In a recent email, Weber described his work on publication:

The fore-edge painting book is the result of years of study on the history of fore-edge paintings. My grandfather wrote two books on the history of fore-edge paintings (1949, 1966). I have since collected data on more than 20,000 specimens and became interested in finding provable methods of identifying and dating artists and their work. John T. Beer is now the only fore-edge painting artist from the nineteenth century that is known by name. With this book, we have both a biography of this unusual man and book collector, as well as a catalogue raisonné of all his fore-edge paintings.

Ten copies of the book were bound by hand in full Oasis Niger morocco with gilt edges. Six of hand-bound copies are ultra deluxe with a hand painted fore-edge painting inspired after the life of John T. Beer. A copy of the book has been purchased by the Lilly Library.

Since 1987, Weber has run his own antiquarian book business — Jeff Weber Rare Books, which specializing in the history of science, medicine, Californiana, and fore-edge paintings. Buying collections, he issues about 12 catalogues a year (129 to date) and maintain about 11,000 books listed online.

Jeff and his wife Linda Weber (SLIS MLS 1979) live in Los Angeles, California.

See related story — Linda Weber Alumni Profile