Bookbinding and the Conservation of Books
A Dictionary of Descriptive Terminology

Padeloup, Antoine Michel ( 1685-1758 )

A French bookbinder who was probably the outstanding craftsman of a distinguished family that was associated with the craft for more than 150 years. Padeloup was apprenticed to his father, Michel (c 1654-1725), and probably became a master bookbinder in about 1712. More commonly known as Padeloupe "le jeune," he was appointed royal binder to Louis XV in 1733, succeeding Luc Antoine Boyet. Padeloup was esteemed both for the solidity of his forwarding and the embellishment of his bindings. He had an eclectic taste and most of his bindings displayed several diverse styles of ornamentation mingled together. Padeloup often decorated his books with DENTELLE (lace-work) borders, and has even been credited by some with the introduction of this border, although there is no real proof of this. He also executed, but with less success, several bindings with onlaid work in different colored leathers. Although these mosaics were well executed, the tilelike design of many of them is considered by some authorities to be too feeble. He is also credited with the introduction of the "repetition" design. Some of Padeloup's bindings are in imitation of the work of FLORIMOND BADIER , sometimes repeating the silver-threaded headbands of that period. Padeloup was also one of the first binders to "sign" his bindings, by means of a ticket bearing his name and address. (109 , 342 , 347 )