Charles Lewis (bookbinder)

Charles Lewis (1786–1836) was a prominent English bookbinder.

Born in London, Lewis was fourth son of Johann Ludwig, a political refugee from Hanover, and brother of Frederick Christian Lewis and of George Robert Lewis. In 1800, he was apprenticed to the leading bookbinder Henry Walther. After he had spent five years in the forwarding department, Walther refused his request to enter the finishing shop, and so Lewis practised fine work on his own account, into the small hours.

On leaving Walther, Lewis worked as a journeyman in several other shops, finally setting up in business on his own account in Scotland Yard. He later moved to premises in Denmark Court, and on to Duke Street, St. James's. With C. Kalthoeber he was employed by William Beckford on the Fonthill Abbey library. Thomas Frognall Dibdin was an admirer of his work and character, and recommended him to other bibliophiles.

Lewis died of apoplexy on 8 January 1836. He was succeeded by his eldest son. Francis Bedford had lived with Lewis for some time, and carried on Lewis's style, which was in contrast to the more ornate school of Robert Rivière. According to Dibdin Lewis combined the taste of Roger Payne with "a freedom of forwarding and squareness of finish very peculiar to himself"; he was also successful in book restoration. His main colours were buff or subdued orange for Russia bindings, and French grey for Morocco.

Attribution

 This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Lee, Sidney, ed. (1893). "". Dictionary of National Biography. 33. London: Smith, Elder & Co. 

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