Hi everyone, I have an antique copy of Select Fables of Esop and Other Fabulists. It is leather bound and hand tooled. Published by John Baskerville for R and J Dodsley. Interestingly the hand stamped 'ESOPS' part of the title on the spine has been double spaced to match the length of 'FABLES' underneath but an extra 'O' has been added so it now reads 'ESOOPS'.
It was left to me some years ago and while looking at it the other day I suddenly noticed that the first leaf inside the front cover has had a separate sheet of paper stuck over it and under strong light I can make out page of delicate script handwriting underneath.There is a date I can make out 1803 and I think the writing is in French
I don't want to damage the leaf by attempting to remove the obscuring sheet although the edges are loose and it is very tempting to try to lift it but I am fascinated to know what the writing says and what it is doing there.
Any ideas?? Why would someone write a page and then stick a cover sheet over it to cover it up? Anywhere I could take it for advice?
Any help greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Tim
