Title: The Art of Bookbinding - A practical treatise, with plates and diagrams
Author: Zaehnsdorf, Joseph W.
Language: English
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THE ART OF BOOKBINDING. A PRACTICAL TREATISE.

BY JOSEPH W. ZAEHNSDORF.



TECHNOLOGICAL HANDBOOKS.

ART OF BOOKBINDING.



TECHNOLOGICAL HANDBOOKS.


1. DYEING AND TISSUE-PRINTING. By William Crookes, F.R.S., V.P.C.S.
_5s._

2. GLASS MANUFACTURE. INTRODUCTORY ESSAY, by H. J. Powell, B.A.
(Whitefriars Glass Works); CROWN AND SHEET GLASS, by Henry Chance, M.A.
(Chance Bros., Birmingham); PLATE GLASS, by H. G. Harris, Assoc. Memb.
Inst. C.E. 3_s._ 6_d._

3. COTTON SPINNING; Its Development, Principles, and Practice. By R.
Marsden, Editor of the “Textile Mercury.” With an Appendix on Steam
Engines and Boilers. 3rd edition, revised, 6_s._ 6_d._

4. COAL-TAR COLOURS, The Chemistry of. With special reference to their
application to Dyeing, &c. By Dr. R. Benedikt. Translated from the
German by E. Knecht, Ph.D. 2nd edition, enlarged, 6_s._ 6_d._

5. WOOLLEN AND WORSTED CLOTH MANUFACTURE. By Professor Roberts
Beaumont. 2nd edition, revised. 7_s._ 6_d._

6. PRINTING. By C. T. Jacobi, Manager of the Chiswick Press. _5s._

7. BOOKBINDING. By J. W. Zaehnsdorf.

9. COTTON WEAVING. By R. Marsden. _In preparation._



[Illustration: FLORENTINE.

Small folio.]



 _TECHNOLOGICAL HANDBOOKS._


 THE ART
 OF
 BOOKBINDING.

 A PRACTICAL TREATISE.

 BY
 JOSEPH W. ZAEHNSDORF.

 WITH PLATES AND DIAGRAMS.


 _SECOND EDITION, REVISED AND ENLARGED._


 LONDON: GEORGE BELL AND SONS,
 YORK STREET, COVENT GARDEN.
 1890.



 CHISWICK PRESS:—C. WHITTINGHAM AND CO., TOOKS COURT,
 CHANCERY LANE.



 DEDICATED TO

 HUGH OWEN, ESQ., F.S.A.,

 AS A SLIGHT ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF HIS COUNSEL AND

 FRIENDSHIP, AND IN ADMIRATION OF HIS

 KNOWLEDGE OF

 BOOKBINDING.



PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION.


The first edition of this book was written for the use of amateurs, but
I found that amongst the members of the trade my little volume had a
large sale, and in a short time the edition became exhausted. Repeated
applications for the book have induced me to issue this second edition.
I have adhered to the arrangement of the first, but a great deal of
fresh matter has been added, which I trust will be found useful.
Should any of my fellow-workmen find anything new to them I shall be
satisfied, knowing that I have done my duty in spreading such knowledge
as may contribute towards the advancement of the beautiful art of
bookbinding.

I have to record my obligations to those gentlemen who have assisted me
by courteously describing the various machines of their invention with
which the book is illustrated. The object, however, of illustrating
this work with engravings of machines is simply to recognize the fact
that books are bound by machinery. To a mechanical worker must be left
the task of describing the processes used in this method.



LIST OF PLATES.


 FLORENTINE … _Frontispiece_

 GROLIER … xiv

 GASCON … xvi

 RENAISSANCE … 110

 ANTIQUE WITH GOLD LINE … 112

 DEROME … 114

 GROLIER … 132

 MAIOLI … 134



CONTENTS.

PART I.—FORWARDING.


 CHAPTER I. Folding: Refolding — Machines — Gathering … 3–8

 CHAPTER II. Beating and Rolling: Machines … 9–12

 CHAPTER III. Collating: Interleaving … 13–19

 CHAPTER IV. Marking up and Sawing in … 20–23

 CHAPTER V. Sewing: Flexible — Ordinary … 23–32

 CHAPTER VI. Forwarding: End Papers — Cobb Paper — Surface Paper —
 Marbled Paper — Printed and other Fancy Paper — Coloured Paste Paper …
 33–36

 CHAPTER VII. Pasting up … 36–37

 CHAPTER VIII. Putting on the End Papers … 38–41

 CHAPTER IX. Trimming … 41–44

 CHAPTER X. Gluing up … 45–46

 CHAPTER XI. Rounding … 46–48

 CHAPTER XII. Backing … 48–51

 CHAPTER XIII. Mill-boards … 51–57

 CHAPTER XIV. Drawing-in and Pressing … 57–59

 CHAPTER XV. Cutting … 59–66

 CHAPTER XVI. Colouring the Edges: Sprinkled Edges — Colours for
 Sprinkling — Plain Colouring — Marbled Edges — Spot Marble — Comb or
 Nonpareil Marble — Spanish Marble — Edges — Sizing … 67–77

 CHAPTER XVII. Gilt Edges: The Gold Cushion — Gold Knife — Burnishers —
 Glaire Water or Size — Scrapers — The Gold Leaf — Gilt on Red — Tooled
 Edges — Painted Edges … 78–83

 CHAPTER XVIII. Head-Banding … 83–86

 CHAPTER XIX. Preparing for Covering: lining up … 87–90

 CHAPTER XX. Covering: Russia — Calf — Vellum or Parchment — Roan —
 Cloth — Velvet — Silk and Satin — Half-bound Work … 90–97

 CHAPTER XXI. Pasting Down: Joints — Calf, Russia, etc. … 97–100

 CHAPTER XXII. Calf Colouring: Black — Brown — Yellow — Sprinkles —
 Marbles — Tree-marbles — Dabs … 100–108

 PART II. — FINISHING.

 CHAPTER XXIII. Finishing: Tools and Materials required for Finishing —
 Polishing Irons — Gold-rag — India-rubber — Gold-cushion — Gold Leaf —
 Sponges — Glaire — Cotton Wool — Varnish — Finishing — Morocco — Gold
 Work — Inlaid Work — Porous — Full Gilt Back — Run-up — Mitred Back —
 Pressing — Graining — Finishing with Dry Preparation — Velvet — Silk —
 Vellum — Blocking … 111–153

 GENERAL INFORMATION.

 CHAPTER XXIV. Washing and Cleaning: Requisites — Manipulation —
 Dust — Water Stains — Damp Stains — Mud — Fox-marks — Finger-marks,
 commonly called “Thumb-marks” — Blood Stains — Ink Stains (writing)
 — Ink Stains (Marking Ink, Silver) — Fat Stains — Ink — Reviving
 Old Writings — To Restore Writing effaced by Chlorine — To Restore
 MSS. faded by time — To Preserve Drawings or Manuscripts — To fix
 Drawings or Pencil Marks — To render Paper Waterproof — To render
 Paper Incombustible — Deciphering Burnt Documents — Insects — Glue —
 Rice Glue or Paste — Paste — Photographs — Albumen — To Prevent Tools,
 Machines, etc., from Rusting — To Clean Silver Mountings — To Clean
 Sponges … 157–172

 GLOSSARY … 173

 INDEX … 181



INTRODUCTION.


Bookbinding carries us back to the time when leaden tablets with
inscribed hieroglyphics were fastened together with rings, which formed
what to us would be the binding of the volumes. We might go even still
further back, when tiles of baked clay with cuneiform characters were
incased one within the other, so that if the cover of one were broken
or otherwise damaged there still remained another, and yet another
covering; by which care history has been handed down from generation
to generation. The binding in the former would consist of the rings
which bound the leaden tablets together, and in the latter, the simple
covering formed the binding which preserved the contents.

We must pass on from these, and make another pause, when vellum strips
were attached together in one continuous length with a roller at each
end. The reader unrolled the one, and rolled the other as he perused
the work. Books, prized either for their rarity, sacred character,
or costliness, would be kept in a round box or case, so that the
appearance of a library in Ancient Jerusalem would seem to us as if
it were a collection of canisters. The next step was the fastening of
separate leaves together, thus making a back, and covering the whole as
a protection in a most simple form; the only object being to keep the
several leaves in connected sequence. I believe the most ancient form
of books |xii| formed of separate leaves, will be found in the sacred
books of Ceylon which were formed of palm leaves, written on with a
metal style, and the binding was merely a silken string tied through
one end so loosely as to admit of each leaf being laid down flat when
turned over. When the mode of preserving MS. on animal membrane or
vellum in separate leaves came into use, the binding was at first only
a simple piece of leather wrapped round the book and tied with a thong.
These books were not kept on their edges, but were laid down flat on
the shelves, and had small cedar tablets hanging from them upon which
their titles were inscribed.

The ordinary books for general use were only fastened strongly at the
back, with wooden boards for the sides, and simply a piece of leather
up the back.

In the sixth century, bookbinding had already taken its place as an
“Art,” for we have the “Byzantine coatings,” as they are called. They
are of metal, gold, silver or copper gilt, and sometimes they are
enriched with precious stones. The monks, during this century, took
advantage of the immense thickness of the wooden boards and frequently
hollowed them out to secrete their relics in the cavities. Bookbinding
was then confined entirely to the monks who were the literati of the
period. Then the art was neglected for some centuries, owing to the
plunder and pillage that overran Europe, and books were destroyed to
get at the jewels that were supposed to be hidden in the different
parts of the covering, so that few now remain to show how bookbinding
was then accomplished and to what extent.

We must now pass on to the middle ages, when samples of binding were
brought from the East by the crusaders, and these may well be prized by
their owners for their delicacy of finish. The monks, who still held
the Art of Bookbinding in their hands, improved upon these Eastern
|xiii| specimens. Each one devoted himself to a different branch:
one planed the oaken boards to a proper size, another stretched and
coloured the leather; and the work was thus divided into branches, as
it is now. The task was one of great difficulty, seeing how rude were
the implements then in use.

[Illustration: Monastic.]

[Illustration: Venetian.]

The art of printing gave new life to our trade, and, during the
fifteenth century bookbinding made great progress on account of the
greater facility and cheapness with which books were produced. The
printer was then his own binder; but as books increased in number,
bookbinding became a separate art-trade of itself. This was a step
decidedly in the right direction. The art improved so much, that
in the sixteenth century some of the finest samples of bookbinding
were executed. Morocco having been introduced, and fine delicate
tools cut, the art was encouraged by great families, who, liking the
Venetian patterns, had their books bound in that style. The annexed
|xiv| woodcut will give a fair idea of a Venetian tool. During this
period the French had bookbinding almost entirely in their hands, and
Mons. Grolier, who loved the art, had his books bound under his own
supervision in the most costly manner. His designs consisted of bold
gold lines arranged geometrically with great accuracy, crossing one
another and intermixed with small leaves or sprays. These were in
outlines shaded or filled up with closely worked cross lines. Not,
however, satisfied with these simple traceries, he embellished them
still more by staining or painting them black, green, red, and even
with silver, so that they formed bands interlacing each other in a most
graceful manner. Opposite is a centre block of Grolier. It will be seen
how these lines entwine, and how the small tools are shaded with lines.
If the reader has had the good fortune to see one of these specimens,
has he not wondered at the taste displayed? To the French must
certainly be given the honour of bringing the art to such a perfection.
Francis I. and the succeeding monarchs, with the French nobility,
|xv| placed the art on such a high eminence, that even now we are
compelled to look to these great masterpieces as models of style. Not
only was the exterior elaborate in ornament, but the edges were gilded
and tooled; and even painted. We must wonder at the excellence of the
materials and the careful workmanship which has preserved the bindings,
even to the colour of the leather, in perfect condition to the present
day.

[Illustration: GROLIER.

Royal folio]

[Illustration: Grolier.]

There is little doubt that the first examples of the style now known as
“_Grolier_” were produced in Venice, under the eye of Grolier himself,
and according to his own designs; and that workmen in France, soon
rivalled and excelled the early attempts. The work of Maioli may be
distinctly traced by the bold simplicity and purity of his designs; and
more especially by the broader gold lines which margin the coloured
bands of geometric and arabesque ornamentation.

All books, it must be understood, were not bound in so costly a manner,
for we find pigskin, vellum and calf in |xvi| use. The latter was
especially preferred on account of its peculiar softness, smooth
surface, and great aptitude for receiving impressions of dumb or blind
tooling. It was only towards the latter part of the sixteenth century
that the English binders began to employ delicate or fine tooling.

During the seventeenth century the names of Du Sueil and Le Gascon
were known for the delicacy and extreme minuteness of their finishing.
Not disdaining the bindings of the Italian school, they took from them
new ideas; for whilst the Grolier bindings were bold, the Du Sueil
and Le Gascon more resembled fine lace work of intricate design, with
harmonizing flowers and other objects, from which we may obtain a great
variety of artistic character. During this period embroidered velvet
was much in use. Then a change took place and a style was adopted which
by some people would be preferred to the gorgeous bindings of the
sixteenth century. The sides were finished quite plainly with only a
line round the edge of the boards (and in some instances not even that)
with a coat of arms or some badge in the centre.

Towards the end of the seventeenth century bookbinding began to
improve, particularly with regard to forwarding. The joints were
true and square, and the back was made to open more freely. In the
eighteenth century the names of Derome, Roger Payne, and others
are prominent as masters of the craft, and the Harleian style was
introduced.

The plate facing may be fairly estimated as a good specimen of Derome.
Notice the extreme simplicity and yet the symmetry of the design;
its characteristic feature being the boldness of the corners and the
gradual diminishing of the scroll work as it nears the centre of the
panel. Morocco and calf were the leathers used for this binding.

[Illustration: GASCON.

8^{vo}

T. Way, Photo-lith.]

Hand coloured calf was at this period at its height, and |xvii| the
Cambridge calf may be named as a pattern of one of the various styles,
and one that is approved of by many at the present day—the calf was
sprinkled all over, save a square panel left uncoloured in the centre
of the boards.

[Illustration: Harleian.]

[Illustration: Roger Payne.]

The Harleian style took its name from Harley, Earl of Oxford. It was
red morocco with a broad tooled border and centre panels. We have the
names of various masters who pushed the art forward to very great
excellence during this century. Baumgarten and Benedict, two Germans of
considerable note in London; Mackinly, from whose house also fine work
was sent out, and by whom good workmen were educated whose specimens
almost equal the work of their master. There were two other Germans,
Kalthoeber and Staggemeier, each having his own peculiar style.
Kalthoeber is credited with having first introduced painting on the
edges. This I must dispute, as it was done in the sixteenth century. To
him, however, must certainly be given the credit of having discovered
the secret, if ever lost, and renewing it on his best work. We must
now |xviii| pass on to Roger Payne, that unfortunate and erring man
but clever workman, who lived during the latter part of the eighteenth
century. His taste may be seen from the woodcut. He generally used
small tools, and by combining them formed a variety of beautiful
designs. He cut most of these tools himself, either because he could
not find a tool cutter of sufficient skill, or that he found it
difficult to pay the cost. We are told by anecdote, that he drank much
and lived recklessly; but notwithstanding all his irregular habits,
his name ought to be respected for the work he executed. His backs
were firm, and his forwarding excellent; and he introduced a class of
finishing that was always in accordance with the character or subject
of the book. His only fault was the peculiar coloured paper with which
he made his end papers. |xix|

Coloured or fancy calf has now taken the place of the hand-coloured.
Coloured cloth has come so much into use, that this branch of the trade
alone monopolizes nearly three-fourths of the workmen and females
employed in bookbinding. Many other substitutes for leather have been
introduced, and a number of imitations of morocco and calf are in the
market; this, with the use of machinery, has made so great a revolution
in the trade, that it is now divided into two distinct branches—cloth
work and extra work.

I have endeavoured in the foregoing remarks to raise the emulation of
my fellow craftsmen by naming the most famous artists of past days; men
whose works are most worthy of study and imitation. I have refrained
from any notice or criticism of the work of my contemporaries; but I
may venture to assure the lover of good bookbinding that as good and
sound work, and as careful finish, may be obtained in a first-rate
house in London as in any city in the world.

In the succeeding chapters, I will endeavour in as plain and simple a
way as I can to give instructions to the unskilled workman _how to bind
a book_.



PART I.

FORWARDING.


|3|

THE ART OF BOOKBINDING.

CHAPTER I.

FOLDING.

We commence with _folding_. It is generally the first thing the binder
has to do with a book. The sheets are either supplied by the publisher
or printer (mostly the printer); should the amateur wish to have his
books in sheets, he may generally get them by asking his bookseller for
them. It is necessary that they be carefully folded, for unless they
are perfectly even, it is impossible that the margins (the blank space
round the print) can be uniform when the book is cut. Where the margin
is small, as in very small prayer books, a very great risk of cutting
into the print is incurred; besides, it is rather annoying to see a
book which has the folio or paging on one leaf nearly at the top, and
on the next, the print touching the bottom; to remedy such an evil,
the printer having done his duty by placing his margins quite true,
it remains with the binder to perfect and bring the sheet into proper
form by folding. The best bound book may be spoilt by having the sheets
badly folded, and the binder is perfectly justified in rejecting any
sheets that may be badly printed, that is, not in register. |4|

The sheets are laid upon a table with the signatures (the letters or
numbers that are at the foot of the first page of each sheet when
folded) facing downwards on the left hand side. A folding-stick is held
in the right hand, and the sheet is brought over from right to left,
the folios being carefully placed together; if the paper is held up to
the light, and is not too thick, it can be easily seen through. Holding
the two together and laying them on the table the folder is drawn
across the sheet, creasing the centre; then, holding the sheet down
with the folder on the line to be creased, the top part is brought over
and downwards till the folios or the bottom of the letterpress or print
is again even. The folder is then drawn across, and so by bringing each
folio together the sheet is completed. The process is extremely simple.
The octavo sheet is _generally_ folded into 4 folds, thus giving 8
leaves or 16 pages; a quarto, into 2, giving 4 leaves or 8 pages, and
the sheets properly folded, will have _their signatures outside_ at the
foot of the first page. If the signature is not on the outside, one may
be certain that the sheet has been wrongly folded.

I say _generally_; at one time the water or wire mark on the paper and
the number of folds gave the size of the book.

There are numerous other sizes, but it is not necessary to give them
all; the process of folding is in nearly all cases the same; here are
however, a few of the sizes given in inches.

 Foolscap 8vo.              6-5/8 ×4-1/8
 Demy 12mo.                 7-3/8 ×4-3/8
 Crown 8vo.                 7-1/2 ×5
 Post 8vo.                      8 ×5
 Demy 8vo.                      9 ×5-1/2
 Medium 8vo.                9-5/8 ×5-3/4
 Small Royal 8vo.              10 ×6-1/4
 Large Royal 8vo.          10-1/2 ×6-3/4 |5|
 Imperial 8vo.                 11 ×7-1/2
 Demy 4to.                     11 ×9
 Medium 4to.               11-3/4 ×9-5/8
 Royal 4to.                12-1/2 ×10
 Imperial 4to.                 15 ×11
 Crown Folio.                  15 ×10
 Demy Folio                    18 ×11

As a final caution, the first and last sheets must be carefully
examined; very often the sheet has to be cut up or divided, and the
leaf or leaves placed in various positions in the book.

It is also advisable to cut the head of the sheets, using the
folding-stick, cutting just beyond the back or middle fold; this
prevents the sheet running into a side crease when pressing or rolling.
Should such a crease occur the leaf or sheet must be damped by placing
it between wet paper and subjecting it to pressure; no other method is
likely to erase the break.

_Refolding._—With regard to books that have been issued in numbers,
they must be _pulled to pieces_ or divided. The parts being arranged
in consecutive order, so that not so much difficulty will be felt in
collating the sheets, the outside wrapper is torn away, and each sheet
pulled singly from its neighbour, care being taken to see if any thread
used in sewing is in the centre of the sheet at the back; if so, it
must be cut with a knife or it will tear the paper. As the sheets are
pulled they must be laid on the left hand side, each sheet being placed
face downwards; should they be placed face upwards the first sheet will
be the last and the whole will require rearranging. All advertisements
may be placed away from the sheets into a pile; these will be found
very handy for lining boards, pasting on, or as waste. The title and
contents will generally be found in the last part; place them in their
proper places. The sheets must now be refolded, if improperly folded
in the first instance. |6| Turn the whole pile (or book now) over,
and again go through each sheet; alter by refolding any sheet that may
require it. Very often the sheets are already cut, and in this case
the section must be dissected and each leaf refolded and reinserted in
proper sequence, and placed carefully head-line to head-line. Great
care must be exercised, as the previous creasings render the paper
liable to be torn in the process.

[Illustration: Knocking-down Iron screwed into Press.]

Books that have been bound and cut would be rendered often worse by
refolding, and as a general rule they are left alone. Bound books are
pulled to pieces in the same manner, always taking care that the thread
is cut or loose before tearing the sheet away; should trouble arise
through the glue, etc., not coming away easily, the back may be damped
with a sponge lightly charged with water, or perhaps a better method is
to place the book or books in a press, screw up tightly, and soak the
backs with thin paste, leaving them soaking for an hour or two; they
will want repasting two or three times during the period; the whole of
the paper, glue, and leather can then be easily scraped away with a
blunt knife; a handful of shavings rubbed over the back will make it
quite clean, and no difficulty will be met with if the sections are
taken apart while damp. The sections must, as pulled, be placed evenly
one on |7| the other, as the paper at back retains sufficient glue
to cause them to stick together if laid across one another; the whole
must then be left to dry. When dry the groove should be knocked down
on a flat surface, and for this the knocking-down iron screwed up in
the lying press is perhaps the best thing to use. The groove is the
projecting part of the book close to the back, caused by the backing,
and is the groove for the back edge of the mill-board to work in by a
hinge; this hinge is technically called the “joint.”

[Illustration: Martini’s Folding Machine.]

_Machines._—There are many folding machines made by the various
machinists; the working of them, however, is in nearly all cases
identical. The machine is generally |8| fed by a girl, who places the
sheet to points, the arm lifting up at given periods to allow placing
the sheet. Another arm carrying a long thin blade descends, taking the
sheet through a slot in the table, where it is passed between rollers;
another set of rollers at right angles creases it again. The rollers
are arranged for two, three, or more creasings or folds. The sheets are
delivered at the side into a box, from which they are taken from time
to time. The cut is one of Martini’s, and is probably the most advanced.

_Gathering._—A _gathering machine_ has been patented which is of a
simple but ingenious contrivance for the quick gathering of sheets. The
usual way to gather, is by laying piles of sheets upon a long table,
and for the gatherer to take from each pile a sheet in succession.
By the new method a round table is made to revolve by machinery, and
upon it are placed the piles of sheets. As the table revolves the
gatherer takes a sheet from each pile as it passes him. It will at once
be seen that not only is space saved, but that a number of gatherers
may be placed at the table; and that there is no possibility of the
gatherers shirking their work, as the machine is made to register the
revolutions. By comparing the number of sheets with the revolutions of
the table, the amount of work done can be checked.

[Illustration]


|9|

CHAPTER II.

BEATING AND ROLLING.

The object of beating or rolling is to make the book as solid as
possible. For beating, a stone or iron slab, used as a bed, and a heavy
hammer, are necessary. The stone or iron must be perfectly smooth, and
should be bedded with great solidity. I have in use an iron bed about
two feet square, fitted into a strongly-made box, filled with sand,
with a wooden cover to the iron when not in use. The hammer should be
somewhat bell-shaped, and weigh about ten pounds, with a short handle,
made to _fit the hand_. The face of the hammer and stone (it is called
a beating-stone whether it be stone or iron), must be kept perfectly
clean, and it is advisable always to have a piece of paper at the top
and bottom of the sections when beating, or the repeated concussion
will glaze them.

[Illustration: Beating Hammer.]

The book should be divided into lots or sections of about half an inch
thick, that will be about fifteen to twenty sheets, according to the
thickness of paper. A section is now to be held on the stone between
the fingers and thumb of the left hand; then the hammer, grasped firmly
in the right hand, is raised, and brought down with rather more than
its own weight on the sheets, which must be continually moved round,
turned over and changed about, in order that they may be equally beaten
all over. |10| By passing the section between the finger and thumb, it
can be felt at once, if it has been beaten properly and evenly. Great
care must be taken that in each blow of the hammer it shall have the
face fairly on the body of the section, for if the hammer is so used
that the greatest portion of the weight should fall outside the edge
of the sheets the concussion will break away the paper as if cut with
a knife. It is perhaps better for a beginner to practise on some waste
paper before attempting to beat a book; and he should always rest when
the wrist becomes tired. When each section has been beaten, supposing
a book has been divided into four sections, the whole four should be
beaten again, but together.

I do not profess a preference to beating over rolling because I
have placed it first. The rolling machine is one of the greatest
improvements in the trade, but _all books should not be rolled_, and a
bookbinder, I mean a practical bookbinder, not one who has been nearly
the whole of his lifetime upon a cutting machine, or at a blocking
press, and who calls himself one, but a competent bookbinder, should
know how and when to use the beating hammer and when the rolling
machine.

There are some books, old ones for instance, that should on no account
be rolled. The clumsy presses used in printing at an early date gave
such an amount of pressure on the type that the paper round their
margins has sometimes two or three times the thickness of the printed
portion. At the present time each sheet after having been printed is
pressed, and thus the leaf is made flat or nearly so, and for such work
the rolling machine is certainly better than the hammer.

To roll a book, it is divided into sections as in beating, only not so
many sheets are taken—from six upwards, according to the quality of
the work to be executed. The sheets are then placed between tins, and
the whole passed |11| between the rollers, which are regulated by a
screw, according to the thickness of sections and power required. The
workman, technically called “Roller,” has to be very careful in passing
his books through, that his hand be not drawn in as well, for accidents
have from time to time occurred through the inattention of the Roller
himself, or of the individual who has the pleasure of applying his
strength to turning the handle.

[Illustration: Rolling Machine.]

I never pass or hear a rolling machine revolving very rapidly without
having vividly brought to my mind a very serious accident that happened
to my father. He was feeling for a flaw on one of the rollers, and
whilst his hands |12| were at the edge of the rollers the man turned
the handle, drawing the whole hand between the heavy cylinders. The
accident cost him many months in the hospital, and he never regained
complete use of his right hand.

Great care must be used not to pass too many sheets through the machine
at one time; the same applies to the regulating screw. The amount
of damage that can be done to the paper by too heavy a pressure is
astonishing, as the paper becomes quite brittle, and may perhaps even
be cut as with a knife.

Another caution respecting new work. Recently printed books, if
submitted to heavy pressure, either by the beating hammer or machine,
are very likely to “set off,” that is, the ink from one side of the
page will be imprinted to its opposite neighbour; indeed, under very
heavy pressure, some ink, perhaps many years old, will “set off;” this
is due in a great measure to the ink not being properly prepared.

_Machines._—Of the many rolling machines in the market the principle
is in all the same. A powerful frame, carrying two heavy rollers or
cylinders, which are set in motion, revolving in the same direction,
by means of steam or by hand. In many, extra power is supplied by the
use of extra cog-wheels; the power is, however, gained at an expense of
speed. The pressure is regulated by screws at the top.

[Illustration]


|13|

CHAPTER III.

COLLATING.

To collate, is to ensure that each sheet or leaf is in its proper
sequence. Putting the sheets together and placing plates or maps
requires great attention. The sheets must run in proper order by
the signatures: letters are mostly used, but numbers are sometimes
substituted. When letters are used, the alphabet is repeated as often
as necessary, doubling the letter as often as a new alphabet is used,
as B, C, with the first alphabet,[1] and AA, BB, CC or Aa, Bb, Cc, with
the second repetition, and three letters with the third, generally
leaving out J, V, W. Plates must be trimmed or cut to the proper size
before being placed in the book, and maps that are to be folded must be
put on guards. By mounting a map on a guard the size of the page, it
may be kept open on the table beside the book, which may be opened at
any part without concealing the map: by this method the map will remain
convenient for constant reference. This is technically called “throwing
out” a map.

      [1] The text of a book always commences with B, the title and
      preliminary matter being reckoned as A.

To collate a book, it is to be held in the right hand, at the right top
corner, then, with a turn of the wrist, the back must be brought to the
front. Fan the sections out, then with the left hand the sheets must be
brought back to an angle, which will cause them when released to spring
forward, so that the letter on the right bottom |14| corner of each
sheet is seen, and then released, and the next brought into view. When
a work is completed in more than one volume, the number of the volume
is indicated at the left hand bottom corner of each sheet. I need
hardly mention that the title should come first, then the dedication
(if one), preface, contents, then the text, and finally the index.
The number on the pages will, however, always direct the binder as to
the placing of the sheets. The book should always be beaten or rolled
before placing plates or maps, _especially coloured ones_.

[Illustration]

Presuming that we have a book with half a dozen plates, the first thing
after ascertaining that the letter-press is perfect, is to see that
all the plates are there, by looking to the “List of Plates,” printed
generally after the contents. The plates should then be squared or
cut truly, using a sharp knife and straight edge. When the plates are
printed on paper larger than the book, they must be cut down to the
proper size, leaving a somewhat less margin at the back than there will
be at the foredge when the book is cut. Some plates have to face to the
left, |15| some to the right, the frontispiece for instance; but as
a general rule, plates should be placed on the right hand, so that on
opening the book they all face upwards. When plates consist of subjects
that are at a right angle with the text, such as views and landscapes,
the inscription should always be placed to the right hand, whether
the plate face to the right or to the left page. If the plates are on
thick paper they should be _guarded_, either by adding a piece of paper
of the same thickness or by cutting a piece from the plate and then
joining the two again together with a piece of linen, so that the plate
moves on the linen hinge: the space between the guard and plate should
be more than equal to the thickness of the paper. If the plate is
almost a cardboard, it is better and stronger if linen be placed both
back and front. Should the book consist of plates only, sections may be
made by placing two plates and two guards together, and sewing through
the centre between the guards, leaving of course a space between the
two guards, which will form the back.

With regard to maps that have to be mounted, it is better to mount them
on the finest linen, as it takes up the least room in the thickness of
the book. The linen should be cut a little larger than the map itself,
with a further piece left, on which to mount the extra piece of paper,
so that the map may be thrown out as before described. The map should
first be trimmed at its back, then pasted with rather _thin paste_;
the linen should then be laid carefully on, and gently rubbed down and
turned over, so that the map comes uppermost; the pasted guard should
then be placed a little away from the map, and the whole _well rubbed
down_, and finally laid out flat to dry. To do this work, the paste
must be clean, free from all lumps, and used very evenly and not too
thickly, or when dry every mark of the brush will be visible. When the
map is dry it should be trimmed all round and folded to its proper
|16| size, viz.—a trifle smaller than the book will be when cut. If
it is left larger the folds will naturally be cut away, and the only
remedy will be a new map, which means a new copy of the work. For all
folded maps or plates a corresponding thickness must be placed in the
backs where the maps go, or the foredge will be thicker than the back.
Pieces of paper called guards, are folded from 1/4 inch to 1 inch in
width, according to the size of the book, and placed in the back,
and sewn through as a section. Great care must be taken that these
guards are not folded too large, so as to overlap the folds of the
map, if they do so, the object of their being placed there to make the
thickness of the back and foredge equal will be defeated.

[Illustration: Shewing Book with Map thrown out.]

In a great measure, the whole beauty of the inside work rests in
properly collating the book, in guarding maps, and in placing the
plates. When pasting in any single leaves or plates, a piece of waste
paper should always be placed on the leaf or plate the required
distance from the edge to be pasted, so that the leaf is pasted
straight. It takes no longer to lay the plate down upon the edge of
a board with a paper on the plate, than it does to hold the plate in
the left hand, and apply the paste with the right hand middle finger;
by the former method a proper amount of paste is deposited evenly on
the plate and it is pasted in a straight line; by the latter method,
it is pasted in some |17| places thickly, and in some places none
at all. I have often seen books with the plates fastened to the book
nearly half way up to its foredge, and thus spoilt, only through the
slovenly way of pasting. After having placed the plates, the collater
should go through them again when dry, to see if they adhere properly,
and break or fold them over up to the pasting, with a folding stick,
so that they will lie flat when the book is open. I must again call
attention to coloured plates. They should be looked to during the whole
of binding, especially after pressing. The amount of gum that is put
on the surface, which is very easily seen by the gloss, causes them to
stick to the letter-press: should they so stick, do not try to tear
them apart, but warm a polishing iron and pass it over the plate and
letter-press, placing a piece of paper between the iron and the book to
avoid dirt. The heat and moisture will soften the gum, and the surfaces
can then be very easily separated. By rubbing a little _powdered French
chalk_ over the coloured plates _before_ sticking them in, these _ill
effects will be avoided_.

It sometimes happens that the whole of a book is composed of single
leaves, as the “Art Journal.” Such a book should be collated properly,
and the plates placed to their respective places, squared and broken
over, by placing a straight edge or runner about half an inch from
its back edge, and running a folder under the plate, thus lifting it
to the edge of the runner. The whole book should then be pressed for
a few hours, taken out, and the back glued up; the back having been
previously roughed with the side edge of the saw. To glue such a back,
the book is placed in the lying press between boards, with the back
projecting about an eighth of an inch, the saw is then drawn over it,
with its side edge, so that the paper is as it were rasped. The back is
then sawn in properly, as explained in the next chapter, and the whole
back is glued. When dry, the |18| book is separated into divisions or
sections of four, six, or eight leaves, according to the thickness of
the paper, and each section is then overcast or over sewn along its
whole length, the thread being fastened at the head and tail (or top
and bottom); thus each section is made independent of its neighbour.
The sections should then be gently struck along the back edge with a
hammer against a knocking-down iron, so as to imbed the thread into the
paper, or the back will be too thick. The thread should not be struck
so hard as to cut the paper, or break the thread, but very gently. Two
or three sections may be taken at a time.

After having placed the plates, the book should be put into the press
(standing or otherwise) for a few hours. A standing press is used in
all good bookbinding shops.

The Paris houses have a curious way of pressing their books. The books
are placed in the standing press; the top and bottom boards are very
thick, having a groove cut in them in which a strong thin rope is
placed. The press is screwed down tightly, when, after some few minutes
has elapsed, the cord or rope is drawn together and fastened. The
pressure of the screw is released, the whole taken out en bloc, and
allowed to remain for some hours, during which time a number of other
batches are passed through the same press.

When taken out of the press the book is ready for “marking up” if for
flexible sewing, or for being sawn in if for ordinary work.

_Interleaving._—It is sometimes required to place a piece of writing
paper between each leaf of letter-press, either for notes or for a
translation: in such a case, the book must be properly beaten or
rolled, and each leaf cut up with a hand-knife, both head and foredge;
the writing paper having been chosen, must be folded to the size of the
book and pressed. A single leaf of writing paper is now to be fastened
in the centre of each section, and a folded leaf |19| placed to every
folded letter-press leaf, by inserting the one within the other, a
folded writing paper being left outside every other section, and all
being put level with the head; the whole book should then be well
pressed.

If by any chance there should be one sheet in duplicate and another
missing, by returning the one to the publisher of the book the missing
sheet is generally replaced; this, of course, has reference only to
books of a recent date.

[Illustration: Boomer Press.]

There is a new press of American invention that has come under my
notice. It will be seen that it acts on an entirely new principle,
having two horizontal screws instead of one perpendicular. The power is
first applied by hand and finally by a lever and ratchet-wheel in the
centre. A pressure guage is affixed to each press, so that the actual
power exerted may be ascertained as the operation proceeds. The press
can be had from Messrs. Ladd and Co., 116, Queen Victoria Street, E.C.;
and they claim that it gives a pressure equal to the hydraulic press,
without any of the hydraulic complications.

[Illustration]


|20|

CHAPTER IV.

MARKING UP AND SAWING IN.

The books having been in the press a sufficient time, say for a night,
they are taken out, and run through again (collated) to make sure that
they are all correct. A book is then taken and knocked straight both
head and back and put in the lying press between boards, projecting
from them about 1/8 inch; some binders prefer cutting boards, I prefer
pressing boards, and I should advise the use of them, as the whole can
be knocked up together. They should be held between the fingers of each
hand, and the back and head knocked alternately on the cheek of the
press. The boards are then drawn back the required distance from the
back of the book: the book and boards must now be held tightly with the
left hand, and the whole carefully lowered into the press; the right
hand regulating the screws, which should then be screwed up tightly.
The book is now quite straight, and firmly fixed in the press, and we
have to decide if it is to be sewn flexibly or not. If for _flexible_
binding the book is _not to be sawn in_, but marked; the difference
being, that with the latter the cord is _outside the sheets_; with the
former the cord is _imbedded in the back_, in the cut or groove made
by the saw. We will take the flexible first, and suppose that the book
before us is an ordinary 8vo. volume, and that it is to be cut all
round.

The back should be divided into six equal portions, leaving the bottom,
or tail, half an inch longer than the rest, simply because of a
curious optical illusion, by which, |21| if the spaces were all equal
in width, the bottom one would appear to be the smallest, although
accurately of the same width as the rest. This curious effect may be
tested on any framed or mounted print. A square is now to be laid upon
the back exactly to the marks, and marked pretty black with a lead
pencil; the head and tail must now be sawn in to imbed the chain of the
kettle stitch, at a distance sufficient to prevent the thread being
divided by accident in cutting. In flexible work great accuracy is
absolutely necessary throughout the whole of the work, especially in
the marking up, as the form of the bands will be visible when covered.
It will be easily seen if the book has been knocked up straight by
laying the square at the head when the book is in the press, and if
it is not straight, it must be taken out and corrected. If the book
is very small, as for instance a small prayer book, it is usually
marked up for five bands, but only sewed on three; the other two being
fastened on as false bands when the book is ready for covering. There
would be no gain in strength by sewing a small book on five bands.

[Illustration: A. Saw marks for catch-up stitch.]

When the book is to be “sawn in,” it is marked up as for flexible
work, but the back is sawn, both for the bands and kettle stitch, with
a tennon saw. In choosing the saw, it should be one with the teeth
not spread out too much; and it is advisable to have two of different
widths. Care must be taken that the saw does not enter too deeply, and
one |22| must, in all cases, _be guided in the depth by the thickness
of the cord to be used_. The size of the book should determine the
thickness of the cord, as the larger the book, the stronger and
thicker must be the cord. Suitable cord is to be purchased at all the
bookbinder’s material shops, and it is known by the size of the book,
such as 12mo., 8vo., 4to. cord.

[Illustration: Sawing-in Machine.]

I think nothing looks worse than a book with great holes in the back,
sometimes to be seen when the book is opened, which are due to the
inattention of the workmen. Besides, it causes great inconvenience to
the forwarder if the cords are loose, and the only thing he can do in
such a case is to cram a lot of glue into the grooves to keep the cord
in its place. If, on the other hand, the saw cuts are |23| not deep
enough, the cord will stand out from the back, and be distinctly seen
when the book is finished, if not remedied by extra strips of leather
or paper between the bands when lining up. It is better to use double
thin cord instead of one thick one for large books, because the two
cords will lie and imbed themselves in the back, whereas one large one
will not, unless very deep and wide saw cuts be made. Large folios
should be sawn on six or seven bands, but five for an 8vo. is the right
number, from which all other sizes can be regulated.

Saw benches have been introduced by various firms. They can be driven
either by steam or foot. It will be seen that the saws are circular,
and can be shifted on the spindle to suit the various sized books.
As the books themselves are slid along the table on the saws, the
advantage is very great in a large shop where much work of one size is
done at a time.


CHAPTER V.

SEWING.

_Flexible Work._—The “sewing press” consists of a _bed_, _two screws_,
and a _beam_ or _cross bar_, round which are fastened five or more
cords, called _lay cords_. Five pieces of cord cut from the ball, in
length, about four times the thickness of the book, are fastened to the
lay cords by slip knots; the other ends being fastened to small pieces
of metal called keys, by twisting the ends round twice and then a half
hitch. The keys are then passed through the slot in the bed of the
“press,” and the beam screwed up rather tightly; but loose enough to
allow the lay cords to move freely |24| backwards or forwards. Having
the book on the bed of the press with the back towards the sewer, a few
sheets (better than only one) are laid against the cords, and they are
arranged exactly to the marks made on the back of the sections. When
quite true and perpendicular, they should be made tight by screwing the
beam up. It will be better if the cords are a little to the right of
the press, so that the sewer may get her or his left arm to rest better
on the press.

[Illustration: Sewing Press.]

If when the press is tightened one of the cords is loose, as will
sometimes happen, a pencil, folding-stick or other object slipped under
the lay cord on the top of the beam will tighten the band sufficiently.
The foreign sewing presses have screws with a hook at the end to hold
the bands, the screws running in a slot in the beam: in practice they
are very convenient.

[Illustration:

Ordinary sewing. 2 sheets on 2 bands.

Ordinary sewing. 2 sheets on 3 bands.

Ordinary sewing. 2 sheets on 5 bands.

The thick lines shewing the direction of the thread.]

The first and last sections are overcast usually with cotton or very
fine thread. The first sheet is now to be laid against the bands, and
the needle introduced through the kettle stitch hole on the right of
the book, which is the |25| head. The left hand being within the
centre of the sheet, the needle is taken with it, and thrust out _on
the left_ of the mark made for the first band; the needle being taken
with the right hand, is again introduced on _the right_ of the same
band, thus making a _complete circle_ round it. This is repeated with
each band in succession, and the needle brought out of the kettle
stitch hole on the left or tail of the sheet. A new sheet is now placed
on the top, and treated in a similar way, by introducing the needle
at the left end or tail; and when taken out at the right end or top,
the thread must be fastened by a knot to the end, hanging from the
first sheet, which is left long enough for the purpose. A third sheet
having been sewn in like manner,[2] the needle must be brought out
at the kettle stitch, thrust between the two sheets first sewn, and
drawn round the thread, thus fastening each sheet to its neighbour by
a kind of chain stitch. I believe the term “kettle stitch” is only a
corruption of “catch-up stitch,” as it catches each section as sewn in
succession. This class of work must be done very neatly and evenly,
but it is easily done with a little practice and patience. This is the
strongest sewing executed at the present day, but it is very seldom
done, as it takes three or four times as long as the ordinary sewing.
The thread must be drawn tightly each time it is passed round the
band, and at the end properly fastened off at the kettle stitch, or
the sections will work loose in course of time. Old books were always
sewn in this manner, and when two or double bands were used, the thread
was twisted twice round one on sewing one section, and twice round the
other on sewing the next, or once round each cord. In some cases even
the “head-band” was worked at |27| the same time, by fastening other
pieces of leather for the head and tail, and making it the catch-up
stitch as well. When the head-band was worked in sewing, the book was,
of course, not afterwards cut at the edges. When this was done, wooden
boards were used instead of mill boards, and twisted leather instead
of cord, and when the book was covered, a groove was made between each
double band. This way is still imitated by sticking a second band or
cord alongside the one made in sewing, before the book is covered. The
cord for flexible work is called a “flexible cord,” and is twisted
tighter and is stronger than any other. In all kinds of sewing I advise
the use of Hayes’ Royal Irish thread, not because there is no other of
good manufacture, but because I have tried several kinds, and Hayes’
has proved to be the best. The thickness of the cord must always be in
proportion to the size and thickness of the book, and the thickness of
the thread must depend on the sheets, whether they be half sheets or
whole sheets. If too thick a thread is used, the swelling (the rising
caused in the back by the thread) will be too much, and it will be
impossible to make a proper rounding or get a right size “groove” in
backing. If the sections are thick or few, a thick thread must be used
to give the thickness necessary to produce a good groove.

      [2] As each thread is terminated, another must be joined thereto,
      so that one length of thread is, as it were, used for a book. The
      knots must be made very neatly, and the ends cut off, or they
      will be visible in the sheet by their bulk.

[Illustration: Flexible sewing.]

If the book is of moderate thickness, the sections may be knocked down
by occasionally tapping them with a piece |28| of wood loaded at one
end with lead, or a thick folding-stick may be used as a substitute. I
must again call particular attention to the kettle stitch. The thread
must not be drawn _too tight_ in making the chain, or the thread
_will break in backing_; but still a proper tension must be kept or
the sheets will wear loose. The last sheet should be fastened with a
double knot round the kettle stitch two or three sections down, and
that section must be sewn all along. The next style of sewing, and most
generally used throughout the trade, is the ordinary method.

_Ordinary Sewing_ is somewhat different, inasmuch as _the thread is
not_ twisted round the cord, as in flexible work, when the cord is
outside the section. In this method the cord fits into the saw cuts.
The thread is simply passed over the cord, not round it, otherwise
the principle of sewing is the same, that is, the thread is passed
right along the section, out of the holes made, and into them again;
the kettle stitch being made in the same way. This style of work has
one advantage over flexible work, because the back of the book can be
better gilt. In flexible work, the leather is attached with paste to
the back, and is flexed, and bent, each time the book is opened, and
there is great risk of the gold splitting away or being detached from
the leather in wear. Books sewn in the ordinary method are made with a
hollow or loose back, and when the book is opened, the crease in the
back is independent of the leather covering; the lining of the back
only is creased, and the leather keeps its perfect form, by reason of
the lining giving it a spring outwards. Morocco is generally used for
flexible work; calf, being without a grain, is not suitable, as it
would show all the creases in the back made by the opening. This class
of sewing is excellent for books that do not require so much strength,
such as library bindings,[3] but for a dictionary or the like, where
constant |29| reference or daily use is required, I should sew a book
flexibly. Some binders sew their books in the ordinary way, and paste
the leather directly to the back, and thus pass it for flexible work;
but I do not think any respectable house would do so. _A book that has
been sewed flexibly will not have any saw cut in the back_, so that on
examination, by opening it wide, it will at once be seen if it is a
_real flexible binding or not_.

      [3] This is not to be confounded with public library bindings.

Intelligence must, however, be used; a book that has already been cased
(or bound and sewn on cords) must of necessity have the saw cuts or
holes, and such a book would show the cuts.

There is another mode called “_flexible not to show_.” The book is
marked up in the usual way as for flexible, and is also slightly
scratched on the band marks with the saw; but not deep enough to go
through the sections. A thin cord is then taken doubled for each band,
and the book is sewn the ordinary flexible way; the cord is knocked
into the back in forwarding, and the leather may be stuck on a hollow
back with bands, or it may be fastened to the back itself without
bands.[4]

      [4] See chapter on Lining up.

However simple it may appear in description to sew a book, it requires
great judgment to keep down the swelling of the book to the proper
amount necessary to form a good backing groove and no more. In order to
do this, the sheets must from time to time be gently tapped down with a
piece of wood or a heavy folding-stick, and great care must be observed
to avoid drawing the fastening of the kettle stitch too tight, or the
head and tail of the book will be thinner than the middle; this fault
once committed has no remedy.

If the sections are very thin, or in half sheets, they may, if the book
is very thick, be sewn “_two sheets on_.” The needle is passed from
the kettle stitch to the first band of |30| the first sheet and out,
then another sheet is placed on the top, and the needle inserted at the
first band and brought out at band No. 2, the needle is again inserted
in the first sheet and in at the second band and out at No. 3, thus
treating the two sections as one; in this way it is obvious that only
half as much thread will be in the back. With regard to books that have
had the heads cut, it will be necessary to open each sheet carefully up
to the back before it is placed on the press, otherwise the centre may
not be caught, and two or more leaves will be detached after the book
is bound.

The first and last sections of every book should be overcast for
strength. With regard to books that are composed of single leaves,
they are treated of in Chapter III. They are to be overcast, and each
section treated as a section of an ordinary book, the only difference
being, that a strong lining of paper should be given to the back before
covering, so that it cannot “throw up.”

When a book is sewn, it is taken from the sewing press by slackening
the screws which tighten the beam, so that the cord may be easily
detached from the keys and lay cords. The cord may be left at its full
length until the end papers are about to be put on, when it must be
reduced to about three inches.

Brehmer’s patent wire book and pamphlet sewing machine is an
introduction well adapted to the use of the stationer, where thick and
hand-made paper will bear such a method. It will not, in my opinion,
ever be found eligible for library or standard books. Its high price
will debar it from the trade generally; but it is to be feared that a
sufficient number of really good books may be sewn with it to cause
embarrassment to the first-rate binder, who will be baffled in making
good work of books which may have been damaged by the invention of
sewing books with wire. |31|

[Illustration: Smythe’s Sewing Machine.]

The novelty of this machine is, that the book is sewn with wire instead
of thread. The machine is fed with wire from spools by small steel
rollers, which at each revolution supply exactly the length of wire
required to form little staples with two legs. Of these staples, the
machine makes at every revolution as many as are required |32| for
each sheet of the book that is being sewn—generally two or three, or
more, as necessary. These wires or staples are forced through the
sections from the inside of the folds; and as the tapes are stretched,
and held by clasps exactly opposite to each staple-forming and
inserting apparatus, the legs of each staple penetrate the tapes, and
project through them to a sufficient distance to allow of their being
bent inwards towards each other, and pressed firmly against the tapes.
With pamphlets, copy-books, catalogues, &c., no tape is used, the
staples themselves being sufficient. About two thousand pamphlets or
sheets can be sewn in one hour.

Another machine, and I believe the latest, is the “Smythe.” The sewer
sits in front of the machine and places the sheets, one at a time, on
radial arms which project from a vertical rod. These arms rotate, rise,
and adjust the sheets, so as to bring them in their proper position
under the curved needles. As each arm rises, small holes are pierced,
by means of punches in the sheets, from the inside, to facilitate the
entrance and egress of the needles. The loopers then receive a lateral
movement to tighten the stitch, and this movement is made adjustable,
in order that books may be sewn tight or loose, as required. About
20,000 sheets can be sewn in a day, and no previous sawing is required.
Thread is used with this machine.

[Illustration]


|33|

CHAPTER VI.

FORWARDING.

_End Papers._—The end papers should always be _made_, that is, the
coloured paper pasted to a white one; the style of binding must decide
what kind of ends are to be used. I give a slight idea of the kinds of
papers used and the method of making them.

_Cobb Paper_ is a paper used generally for half-calf bindings, with
a sprinkled edge, or as a change, half-calf, gilt top. The paper is
stained various shades and colours in the making, and I think derives
its name from a binder who first used it. Being liked by the trade,
they have distinguished the paper by calling it “Cobb paper,” which
name it has kept.

_Surface Paper._—This is a paper, one side of which is prepared with
a layer of colour, laid on with a brush very evenly. Some kinds are
left dull and others are glazed. The darker colours of this paper are
generally chosen for Bibles or books of a religious character, and the
lighter colours for the cloth or case work. There are many other shades
which may be put into extra bindings with very good effect, and will
exercise the taste of the workman. For example, a good cream, when of
fine colour and good quality, will look very well in a morocco book
with either cloth or morocco joints.

_Marbled Paper._—This paper has the colour disposed upon it in
imitation of marble; hence its name. It is produced by sprinkling
properly prepared colours upon the surface of a size, made either of
a vegetable emulsion, |34| or of a solution of resinous gum. It is
necessary, in either preparing an original design or in matching an
example, to remember that the veins are the first splashes of colour
thrown on the size, and assume that form in consequence of being driven
back by the successive colours employed.

We have it on the authority of Mr. Woolnough,[5] that the old Dutch
paper was wrapped round toys in order to evade the duty imposed upon
it. After being carefully smoothed out, it was sold to bookbinders at
a very high price, who used it upon their extra bindings, and if the
paper was not large enough they were compelled to join it. After a time
the manufacture was introduced into England, but either the colours are
not prepared the same way, or the paper itself may not be so suitable,
the colours are not brought out with such vigour and beauty, nor do
they stand so well, as on the old Dutch paper. Some secret of the art
has been lost, and it baffles our ablest marblers of the present day to
reproduce many of the beautiful examples that may be seen in some of
the old books.

      [5] “The Whole Art of Marbling as applied to Paper.” C. W.
      Woolnough. Bell and Sons, 1881.

For further remarks on marbled paper and marbling see chapter on
colouring edges.

_Printed and other Fancy Paper_ may be bought at fancy stationers; the
variety is so great that description is impossible, but good taste and
judgment should always be used by studying the style and colour of
binding. Of late years a few firms have paid some attention to this
branch, and have placed in the market some very pretty patterns in
various tints.

The foreign binders are very fond of papers printed in bronze, and some
are certainly of a most elaborate and gorgeous description. Many houses
have their own favourite pattern and style. All papers having bronze on
|35| them should be carefully selected and the cheaper kinds eschewed,
the bronze in a short time going black.

_Coloured Paste Paper._—This kind the binder can easily make for
himself. Some colour should be mixed with paste and a little soap,
until it is a little thicker than cream. It should then be spread upon
two sheets of paper with a paste brush. The sheets must then be laid
together with their coloured surfaces facing each other, and when
separated they will have a curious wavy pattern on them. The paper
should then be hung up to dry on a string stretched across the room,
and when dry glazed with a hot iron. A great deal of it is used in
Germany for covering books. Green, reds, and blues have a very good
effect.

There are many other kinds of paper that may be used, but the above
five different varieties will give a very good idea and serve as points
to work from. The many bookbinders’ material dealers send out pattern
books, and in them some hundreds of patterns are to be found.

Before leaving the subject of ends, it may be as well to mention that
morocco, calf, russia, silk, etc., are often used on whole bound work;
these must, however, be placed in the book when has been covered.

After having decided upon what kind of paper is to be used, two pieces
are cut and folded to the size of the book, leaving them a trifle
larger, especially if the book has been already cut. Two pieces of
white paper must be prepared in the same way. Having them ready,
a white paper is laid down, folded, on a pasting board (any old
mill-board kept for this purpose), and pasted with moderately thin
paste very evenly; the two fancy papers are laid on the top quite even
with the back or folded edge; the top fancy paper is now to be pasted,
and the other white laid on that: they must now be taken from the
board, and after a squeeze in the press between pressing boards, taken
out, and hung up separately to dry. This will cause one half of the
white |36| to adhere to one half of the marble or fancy paper. When
they are dry, they should be refolded in the old folds and pressed for
about a quarter of an hour. When there are more than one pair of ends
to make, they need not be made one pair at a time, but ten or fifteen
pairs may be done at once, by commencing with the one white, then two
fancy, two white, and so on, until a sufficient number have been made,
always pressing them to ensure the surfaces adhering properly; then
hang them up to dry. When dry press again, to make them quite flat. As
this is the first time I speak about _pasting_, a few hints or remarks
on the proper way will not be out of place here. Always draw the brush
well over the paper and away from the centre, towards the edges of the
paper. Do not have too much paste in the brush, but just enough to make
it slide well. Be careful that the whole surface is pasted; remove all
hairs or lumps from the paper, or they will mark the book. Finally,
never attempt to take up the brush from the paper before it is well
drawn over the edge of the paper, or the paper will stick to the brush
and turn over, with the risk of the under side being pasted. While the
ends are pressing we will proceed with further forwarding our book.


CHAPTER VII.

PASTING UP.

The first and last sheet of every book must be pasted up or down,—it
is called by both terms; and if the book has too much swelling, it
must be tapped down gently with a hammer. Hold the book tightly at the
foredge with the left hand, knuckles down; rest the back on the press,
and hit |37| the back with the hammer to the required thickness. If
the book is not held tightly, a portion of the back will slip in and
the hollow will always be visible; so I advise that the back be knocked
flat on the “lying press” and placed in it without boards, so that the
back projects. Screw the press up tightly, so that the sheets cannot
slip. A knocking-down iron should then be placed against the book on
its left side, and the back hammered against it; the “slips” or cords
must be pulled tight, each one being pulled with the right hand, the
left holding the slips tightly against the book so that they cannot be
pulled through. Should it happen that a slip is pulled out, nothing
remains but to re-sew the book, unless it is a thin one, when it may
possibly be re-inserted with a large needle. But this will not do the
book any good.

The slips being pulled tight, the first and last section should be
pasted to those next them. To do this, lay the book on the edge of the
press and throw the top section back; lay a piece of waste paper upon
the next section about 1/8 or 1/4 inch from the back, according to the
size of the book, and paste the space between the back and the waste
paper, using generally the second finger of the right hand, holding the
paper down with the left. When pasted, the waste paper is removed, and
the back of the section put evenly with the back of the book, which
is now turned over carefully that it may not shift; the other end is
treated in the same manner. A weight should then be put on the top, or
if more than a single book, one should lie on the top of the other,
back and foredge alternately, each book to be half an inch within the
foredge of the book next to it, with a few pressing boards on the top
one. When dry the end papers are to be pasted on.

[Illustration]


|38|

CHAPTER VIII.

PUTTING ON THE END PAPERS.

Two single leaves of white paper, somewhat thicker than the paper used
for making the ends, are to be cut, one for each side of the book. The
end papers are to be laid down on a board, or on a piece of paper on
the press to keep them clean, with the pasted or made side uppermost,
the single leaves on the top. They should then be fanned out evenly
to a proper width, about a quarter of an inch for an 8vo., a piece of
waste paper put on the top, and their edges pasted. The slips or cords
thrown back, the white fly is put on the book, a little away from the
back, and the made ends on the top even with the back, and again left
to dry with the weight of a few boards on the top.

If, however, the book or books are very heavy or large, they should
have “joints” of either bookbinders’ cloth or of leather of the same
colour as the leather with which the book is to be covered. Morocco is
mostly used for the leather joints. If the joints are to be of cloth,
it may be added either when the ends are being put on, or when the book
is ready for pasting down. If the cloth joint is to be put on now,
the cloth is cut from 1 to 3 inches, according to the size of book,
and folded quite evenly, the side of the cloth which has to go on the
book being left the width intended to be glued; that is, a width of 1
inch should be folded 3/4 one side, leaving 1/4 the other, the latter
to be put on the book. The smallest fold is now glued, the white fly
put on, and the fancy paper on the top; the difference being, that the
paper instead of being made double or folded is single, or instead of
taking a paper double the |39| size of the book and folding it, it is
cut to the size of the book and pasted all over. It will be better if
the marble paper be pasted and the white put on and well rubbed down,
and then the whole laid between mill-boards to dry. A piece of waste
or brown paper should be slightly fastened at the back over the whole,
(turning the cloth down on the book) to keep it clean and prevent it
from getting damaged.

The strongest manner is to overcast the ends and cloth joint to the
first and last section of the book, as it is then almost impossible
either for the cloth or ends to pull away from the book.

If, however, the cloth joint is to be put on after the book is covered,
the flys and ends are only edged on with paste to the book just
sufficient to hold them while it is being bound; and when the book is
to be pasted down, the ends are lifted from the book by placing a thin
folding-stick between the ends and book and running it along, when they
will come away quite easily. The cloth is then cut and folded as before
and fastened on, and the ends and flys properly pasted in the back.

Morocco joints are usually put in after the book is covered, but I
prefer that if joints of any kind are to go in the book they should be
put in at the same time as the ends. Take great care that the ends are
quite dry after being made before attaching them, or the dampness will
affect the beginning and end of the book and cause the first few leaves
to wrinkle.

When the ends are quite dry the slips should be unravelled and scraped,
a bodkin being used for the unravelling, and the back of a knife for
the scraping. The object of this is, that they may with greater ease be
passed through the holes in the mill-board, and the bulk of the cord be
more evenly distributed and beaten down, so as not to be seen after the
book has been covered. |41|

[Illustration: Method of sewing Ends on to Book that cannot tear away.
First and last sheet are not overcasted when treated in this manner.]

Many houses cut away the slip entirely, in order that the work may look
better. This should never be done; with large and heavy books it is
better to allow the bulk of the cord to be seen rather than sacrifice
strength. To a certain extent this may be avoided by cutting a small
portion of the mill-board away to allow the cord to lodge in.

There is another way of putting on the end papers, that is, to sew the
ends on with the book when sewing. The paper is folded at the back with
a small fold, the sheet placed in the fold, and the whole sewn through.
It is at once apparent that under no circumstances can there be any
strain on the ends, and that there is hardly any possibility of the
ends breaking away from the sheets.

For books subjected to very hard wear (school books, public library
books, etc.) this method of placing the ends is by far the best. See
opposite page.


CHAPTER IX.

TRIMMING.

Is the book to have a gilt top? marbled or gilt edges? or is it to be
left uncut? These questions must be settled before anything further is
done. If the book is to be uncut or have a gilt top, the rough edges
should be taken away with a very sharp knife or shears: this process is
called “trimming.”

The book having been knocked up straight, is laid on a piece of wood
planed smooth and kept for this purpose, called a “trimming board.” It
is then compassed from the back, a straight edge laid to the compass
holes, and the foredge cut with a very sharp knife. If the knife is
not |42| sharp the paper will yield to the slight pressure required
and will not be cut. It is therefore absolutely necessary that a good
edge be given to the blade, and, if possible, to keep a special knife
for the purpose. Such knives, called trimming knives, are sold, the
probable cost being about two shillings. They have a very broad blade.

The object of trimming is to make the edges true; the amount taken off
must be only the rough and dirty edges, the book being thus left as
large as possible.

The French put their books in the press between boards and rasp the
edges, but this method has not only the disadvantage of showing all the
marks of the rasp, but also of leaving a roughness which catches and
retains the dust in proportion to the soft or hard qualities of the
paper.

[Illustration: Cardboard Machine used for trimming.]

Another method is to put the book into the cutting press, and cut the
overplus off with a plough, having a circular knife, called a “round
plough.” This is used when a number of books are being done together. I
prefer to use the straight edge and knife for the foredge and tail, and
to cut the top when the book is in boards.

It is, however, not necessary to go to the expense of a round plough,
it is only advisable to have one when “plough trimming” is of daily
occurrence; an ordinary plough knife, ground to a circular edge, will
answer in most cases.

Another excellent plan is to set the gauge of the |43| mill-board
machine, or a _card-cutting machine_, and to cut or trim each section,
foredge and tail, by the machine knife. In a large number of books this
plan is to be recommended; the whole is cut more even and in less time;
trimming by this method must, however, be done before sewing. This
method is also adopted by some French houses.

Before leaving the subject of trimming, I will insert a few lines
from that well-known paper the “Athenæum,” as to how a book should
be trimmed; and so much do I agree with its writer, that I have the
quotation, in large type, hung up in my shop as a constant caution and
instruction to the workmen:—

(_No. 2138, Oct. 17th, 1868._)

 “Mr. EDITOR,—If you think that the ‘Athenæum’ is read or seen by any
 members of that class of ruthless binders, who delight in destroying
 the appearance of every pamphlet and book that comes into their hands,
 by trimming or ploughing its edges to the quick (and almost always
 crookedly), I beg you to insert this appeal to the monsters I have
 named, to desist from their barbarous practices, to learn to reverence
 the margin of a book, and never to take from it a hair’s breadth more
 than is absolutely needful. The brutality with which the fair margins
 of one’s loved volumes are treated by these mangling wretches with
 their awful plough knives is shocking to behold. The curses of book
 lovers are daily heaped on their backs, but they go on running-a-muck,
 heedless of remonstrance, remorseless, ever sacrificing fresh victims.
 Had we a paternal government, one might hope for due punishment of
 some of these offenders: one at least might be ploughed up the back,
 another up the front, as an example and a terror to the trade; but as
 this wholesome correction cannot unhappily be administered, will you
 give expression to the indignation of one amongst a million sufferers
 for years from these |44| trimmers’ savageries, and let them know
 what feelings their reckless cruelty awakens in many breasts? One of
 the largest houses in London has just sent me home fifty copies of an
 essay, intended as a present for a friend. They have been trimmed, and
 been ruined. Would that I could have the trimming of their trimmer’s
 hair and ears; also his nose! I don’t think his best friend would know
 him when I had done with him.

 “But, Sir, we live in a philanthropic age, and are bound to forgive
 our enemies and try to reform the worst criminals. I therefore propose
 a practical measure to win these book trimmers from their enormities;
 namely, that fifty at least of your readers, who care for book
 margins, should subscribe a guinea each for a challenge cup, to be
 competed for yearly, and held by that firm which, on producing copies
 of all books and pamphlets trimmed by it during the year, shall be
 adjudged to have disfigured them least. I ask you, Sir, if you will
 receive subscriptions for this challenge cup? If you will, I shall be
 glad to send you mine.

 “M. A.

 “P.S.—Any one who will cut out this letter, and get it pasted up in
 any binder’s or printer’s trimming room, will confer a favour on the
 writer.”

A very good trimming machine has been invented by Messrs. Richmond and
Co., of Kirby Street, Hatton Garden. The bed rises and falls, with the
books upon it, instead of the knife descending upon the work, as in
the cutting machines; and the gauges are so arranged, that the foredge
of one pile of books, and the tails of another, can be cut at one
operation, and it is guaranteed by the makers that the knife will leave
a clean and perfectly trimmed edge.


|45|

CHAPTER X.

GLUEING UP.

The book must now be glued up; that is, glue must be applied to the
back to hold the sections together, and make the back firm during
the rounding and backing. Knock the book perfectly true at its back
and head, and put it into the lying press between two pieces of old
mill-board; expose the back and let it project from the boards a
little, the object being to hold the book firm and to keep the slips
close to the sides, so that no glue shall get on them; then with glue,
not too thick, but hot, glue the back, rubbing it in with the brush,
and take the overplus off again with the brush. In some shops, a
handful of shavings is used to rub the glue in, and to take the refuse
away, but I consider this to be a bad plan, as a great quantity of glue
is wasted.

The Germans rub the glue into the back with the back of a hammer, and
take away the overplus with the brush; this is certainly better than
using shavings. The back must not be allowed to get too dry before it
is rounded, or it will have to be damped with a sponge, to give to the
glue the elasticity required, but it should not be wet, this being
worse than letting it get too dry. The book should be left for about an
hour, or till it no longer feels tacky to the touch, but still retains
its flexibility. A flexible bound book should first be rounded, a
backing board being used to bring the sheets round instead of a hammer,
then the back glued, and a piece of tape tied round the book to prevent
its going back flat. |46|

But all books are not glued up in the press; some workmen knock up a
number of books, and, allowing them to project a little _over_ their
press, glue the lot up at once; others again, by holding the book in
the left hand and drawing the brush up and down the back. These last
methods are, however, only practised in cloth shops, where books are
bound or cased at very low prices. The proper way, as I have explained,
is to put the book in the lying press. The book is then laid on its
side to dry, and if more than one, they should be laid alternately back
and foredge, with the back projecting about half an inch, and allowed
to dry spontaneously, and on no account to be dried by the heat of a
fire. _All artificial heat in drying in any process of bookbinding is
injurious to the work._


CHAPTER XI.

ROUNDING.

The word “rounding” applies to the back of the book, and is preliminary
to backing. In rounding the back, the book is to be laid on the press
before the workman with the foredge towards him; the book is then to
be held with the left hand by placing the thumb on the foredge and
fingers on the top of the book pointing towards the back, so that by
drawing the fingers towards the thumb, or by pressing fingers and thumb
together, the back is drawn towards the workman at an angle. In this
position the back is struck with the face of the hammer, beginning
in the centre, still drawing the back over with the left hand. The
book is then to be turned over, and the other side treated in the
same way, and continually |47| changed or turned from one side to
the other until it has its proper form, which should be a part of a
circle. When sufficiently rounded, it should be examined to see if one
side be perfectly level with the other, by holding the book up and
glancing down its back, and gently tapping the places where uneven,
until it is perfectly true or uniform. The thicker the book the more
difficult it will be found to round it; and some papers will be found
more obstinate than others, so that great care must be exercised both
in rounding and backing, as the foredge when cut will have exactly the
same form as the back. Nothing can be more annoying than to see books
lop-sided, pig-backed, and with sundry other ailments, inherent to
cheap bookbinding. |48|

[Illustration: Rounding Machine.]

The back when properly rounded should be about a third of a circle,
according to the present mode, but in olden times they were made almost
flat. They were not rounded as now done, but the swelling caused by
the thread used made quite enough rounding when put in the press for
backing.

Flat back books have a certain charm about them, the more so if in
other respects they are properly forwarded. The theory is altogether
averse to practical binding. I have always been given to understand
that we round our books in order to counteract the tendency of a book
to sink in and assume a convex back. Any old well-used book bound with
a flat back will show at once this defect.

Messrs. Hopkinson and Cope, of Farringdon Road, London, manufacture a
rounding machine. They claim that this machine will round 600 books per
hour, and that any desired “round” may be given to the book with great
uniformity.


CHAPTER XII.

BACKING.

The boards required for backing, called backing boards, should always
be the same length as the book. They are made somewhat thicker than
cutting boards, and have their tops planed at an angle, so that the
sheets may fall well over.

[Illustration: Backing Hammer.]

[Illustration: Before Backing. After Backing.]

Hold the book in the left hand, lay a board on one side, a little
away from the back, taking the edge of the top sheet as a guide, the
distance to be a trifle more than the thickness of the boards intended
to be used. Then |49| turn over the book, with the backing board,
holding the board to the book by the thumb, so that it does not shift,
and lay the other board at exactly the same distance on the other side.
The whole is now to be held tightly by the left hand and lowered into
the press. The boards may possibly have shifted a little during the
process, and any correction may now be made whilst the press holds the
book before screwing up tight, such as a slight tap with the hammer to
one end of a board that may not be quite straight. Should the boards
however be not quite true, it will be better to take the whole out
and readjust them, rather than lose time in trying to rectify the
irregularity by any other method. If the rounding is not quite true it
will be seen at once, and the learner must not be disheartened if he
has to take his book out of the press two or three times to correct any
slight imperfection.

The book and boards having been lowered flush with the cheeks of the
press, screw it up as tightly as possible with the iron hand-pin.
The back of the book must now be gently struck with the back of the
hammer, holding it slanting and beating the sheets well over towards
the backing boards. Commence from the centre of the back and do |50|
not hit too hard, or the dent made by the hammer will show after the
book has been covered. The back is to be finished with the face of
the hammer, the sheets being brought well over on the boards so that
a good and solid groove may be made. Each side must be treated in the
same way, and have the same amount of weight and beating. The back must
have a gradual hammering, and the sheets, when knocked one way, _must
not be knocked back again_. The hammer should be swung with a circular
motion, always away from the centre of the back. The book, when opened
after backing, should be entirely without wrinkles; _their presence
being a sign that the workman did not know his business_, or that it
was carelessly done. Backing and cutting constitute the chief work in
forwarding, and if these two are not done properly the book cannot be
square and solid—two great essentials in bookbinding.

Backing flexible work will be found a little more difficult, as the
slips are tighter; but otherwise the process is exactly the same, only
care must be taken not to hammer the cord too much, and to bring over
the sections very gently, in order not to break the sewing thread.

The backing boards may be replaned from time to time, as they become
used, but boards may be had having a double face of steel to them;
these may be used from either side. The edges of the steel must not be
sharp, or they will cut the paper when backing. The ordinary boards
may also have a face of steel screwed to them, but I prefer to use the
wood—one can get a firmer back without fear of cutting the sheets.

[Illustration: Two-edged Backing Boards.]

There are several backing machines by different makers but they are
all of similar plan. The book being first rounded is put between the
cheeks, and the roller at the |51| top presses the sheets over. I am
sorry to say that a great number of sheets get cut by this process,
especially when a careless man has charge of the machine.


CHAPTER XIII.

MILL-BOARDS.

There is no occasion to wait for the book to be advanced as far as
the backing before the workman sees to his boards; but he should take
advantage of the period of drying to prepare them, to look out the
proper thickness of the board, and to line them with paper either on
one side or on both.

There are now so many kinds of mill-boards made that a few words about
them may not be out of place. The best boards are made of old rope,
and cost about £30 per ton. The various mills make each a different
quality, the prices ranging down to £14 per ton; about this price the
straw boards may be said to commence, they going as low as £7, and even
less.

A new board has lately appeared called leather board; it is exceedingly
hard and durable. I made several experiments with this board, but up to
the present have not succeeded in getting it to lay flat on the book.

Boards are made to the various sizes in sheets varying from pott
(17-1/4 × 14-1/4 inches) to double elephant (40 × 28 inches). The
thickness is known as 6_d._, 7_d._, 8_d._; 8x, or eightpenny one cross;
8xx, eightpenny two cross; X for tenpenny. Here is a list in full of
all the boards likely to be used:—|52|

 KEY TO TABLE.
   A=“inches.”; B=“Dozens in a Bundle.”; C=“Weight Per Bundle, lb.”

 DESCRIPTION.      SIZE.            6d.    7d.    8d.    8x.   8xx.    X.
                      A            B  C   B  C   B  C   B  C   B  C   B  C

 Pott              17-1/4 ×14-1/4   6 28   6 40   5 48   5 56   4 60   3  58

 Foolscap          18-1/2 ×14-1/2   6 32   6 44   5 50   5 58   4 62   3  58

 Crown             20 ×16-1/4       6 36   6 50   5 62   5 72   4 74   3  72

 Small Half Royal  20-1/4 ×13       6 30   6 44   5 50   5 60   4 62   3  58

 Large Half Royal  21 ×14           6 30   6 48   5 60   5 62   4 70   3  72

 Short             21 ×17           6 38   6 55   5 70   5 78   4 78   3  78

 Sm. Half Imperial 22-1/4 ×15       6 36   6 50   5 64   4 70   3 62   2  60

 Half Imperial     23-1/2 ×16-1/2   6 40   6 60   5 66   4 70   3 66   2  64

 Mdle. or Sm.Demy  22-1/2 ×18-1/2   6 45   6 60   5 66   4 74   3 72   2  66

 Large Middle or
      Large Demy   23-3/4 ×18-1/2   6 48   6 68   5 66   4 76   3 74   2  60

 Large or Medium   24 ×19           6 48   6 70   5 65   4 76   3 74   2  60

 Small Royal       25-1/2 ×19-1/2   6 52   6 78   5 78   4 84   3 84   2  68

 Large Royal       26-3/4 ×20-3/4   6 52   6 78   4 68   3 76   2 68   2  86

 Extra Royal       28-1/2 ×21-1/2   6 56   6 82   4 74   3 80   2 74   2  92

 Imperial          32 ×22-1/2       6 72   4 72   3 72   2 72   2 96   2 120

[Illustration: Mill-board Shears.]

Having chosen the board, it is necessary to cut it up to the size
wanted. If the book is 8vo., the board is cut into eight pieces; if
4to., into four; using a demy board for a demy book, or a royal for
a royal book. To cut up the board, first mark up, as a guide for the
mill-board shears. These are very large shears, in shape somewhat like
an enlarged tin shears. To use the shears, screw up one arm in the
laying press, hold the board by the left hand, using the right to work
the upper arm, the left hand meanwhile guiding the board. Some little
tact is required |53| to cut heavy boards. It will be found that it
is necessary to press the lower arm away with the thigh, and bring the
upper arm towards the operator whilst cutting.

[Illustration: Mill-board Machine.]

A mill-board cutting machine is now in all large shops. The cut fairly
well explains itself; the long blade descending cuts the boards, which
are held fast on the table by the clamp. The gauges are set either on
the table or in front. The board is put on the table and held tight
by pressure of the foot on the treadle; the knife descending upon the
exposed board cuts after the principle of the guillotine blade. Another
kind, introduced by Messrs. Richmond, of Kirby Street, Hatton Garden,
is made for steam work, and is no doubt one of the best that can be
made. Instead of a knife to descend, a number of circular cutters are
made to revolve on two spindles, the one cutter working against the
other (see woodcut); but I give Messrs. Richmond’s own description, it
being more explicit than any I could |54| possibly give: “The machine
accomplishes a surprising amount of superior work in a very short time,
and the best description of the ordinary lever mill-board cutting
machine cannot be compared with it. The machine is very strongly and
accurately constructed. It is furnished with an iron table having a
planed surface, and is also provided with a self-acting feed gauge.
The gear wheels are engine cut, and the circular cutters, which are of
the best cast steel, being turned and ground “dead true,” clean and
accurate cutting is insured. The machine will therefore be found to be
a most profitable acquisition to any bookbinding establishment in which
large quantities of mill-board are used up.”

[Illustration: Steam Mill-board Cutting Machine.]

The boards being cut, square the edge which is to go to the back of the
book. This must be done in the cutting press, using a cutting board for
one side termed a “runner,” and another called a “cut-against” for the
other side. |55| These are simply to save the press from being cut;
and a piece of old mill-board is generally placed on the cut-against,
so that the plough knife does not cut or use up the cut-against too
quickly. The boards are now, if for whole-binding, to be lined on both
sides with paper; if for half-binding only on one side. The reason for
lining them is to make the boards curve inwards towards the book. The
various pastings would cause the board to curve the contrary way if it
were not lined. If the boards are to be lined both sides, paper should
be cut double the size of the boards; if only one side, the paper cut
a little wider than the boards, so that a portion of the paper may be
turned over on to the other side about a quarter of an inch. The paper
is now pasted with not too thick paste, and the board laid on the paper
_with the cut edge towards_ the portion to be turned over. It is now
taken up with the paper adhering, and laid down on the press with the
paper side upwards, and rubbed well down; it is then again turned over
and the paper drawn over the other side. It is advisable to press the
boards to make more certain of the paper adhering, remembering always
that the paper must be pasted all over very evenly, for it cannot be
expected to adhere if it is not pasted properly.

When the books are very thick, two boards must be pasted together, not
only to get the proper thickness, but for strength, for a made board is
always stronger than a single one. If a board has to be made, a thick
and a somewhat thinner board should be fastened together _with paste_.
Paste both boards and put them in the standing press for the night.
Great pressure should not be put on at first, but after allowing them
to set for a few minutes, pull down the press as tight as possible.
When placing made boards to the book, _the thinner one should always be
next the book_. It may be taken as a general rule that a thinner board
when pasted will always draw a thicker one. |56|

When boards are lined on one side only it is usual to turn half an inch
of the paper over the square or cut edge, and the lined side must be
placed next the book.

Many binders line the mill-board all over with paper before cutting;
this may save time, but the edge of the board at the joint is liable to
be abraised, and the resulting joint uneven.

The boards when lined should be laid about or stood up to dry, and when
dry, cut to the proper and exact size for the book. As a fact, the
black boards now sold are much too new or green to be used direct by
the binder, they should be stocked for some months.

The requisite width is obtained by extending the compass from the back
of the book to the edge of the smallest bolt or fold in the foredge. It
is advisable not to measure less than this point, but to leave a leaf
or two in order to show that the book is not cut down. The compasses
being fixed by means of the side screw, the boards are to be knocked
up even, compassed up, and placed in the lying press, in which they
are cut, using, as before, the “cut-against,” and placing the runner
exactly to the compass holes. When cut they are to be tested by turning
one round and putting them together again; if they are the least out
of truth it will be apparent at once. The head or top of the boards is
next to be cut by placing a square against the back and marking the
head or top with a bodkin or point of a knife. The boards being quite
straight are again put into the press and cut, and when taken out
should be again proved by reversing them as before, and if not true
they must be recut. The length is now taken from the head of the book
to the tail, and in this some judgment must be used. If the book has
already been cut the measure must be somewhat larger than the book,
allowing only such an amount of paper to be cut off as will make the
edge smooth. If, however, the book is to |57| be entirely uncut,
the size of the book is measured, and in addition the portion called
_squares_ must be added.

When a book has not been cut, the amount that is to be cut off the head
will give the head or top square, and the book being measured from the
head, another square or projection must be added to it, and the compass
set to one of the shortest leaves in the book. Bearing in mind the
article on trimming, enough of the book _only_ should be cut to give
the edge solidity for either gilding or marbling. A few leaves should
always be left not cut with the plough, to show that the book has not
been cut down. These few leaves are called _proof_, and are always a
mark of careful work.

About twenty years ago it was the mode to square the foredge of the
boards, then lace or draw them in, and to cut the head and tail of the
boards and book together, then to turn up and cut the foredge of the
book.


CHAPTER XIV.

DRAWING-IN AND PRESSING.

The boards having been squared, they are to be attached to the book
by lacing the ends of the cord through holes made in the board. The
boards are to be laid on the book with their backs in the groove and
level with the head; they must then be marked either with a lead pencil
or the point of a bodkin exactly in a line with the slips, about half
an inch down the board. On a piece of wood the mill-board is placed,
and holes are pierced by hammering a short bodkin through on the line
made, at a distance from the edge in accordance with the size of the
book. About half an inch away from the back is the right distance for
an |58| octavo. The board is then to be turned over, and a second hole
made about half an inch away from the first ones. The boards having
been holed, the slips must be scraped, pasted slightly, and tapered or
pointed. Draw them tightly through the hole first made and back through
the second. Tap them slightly when the board is down to prevent them
from slipping and getting loose. When the cords are drawn through, cut
the ends close to the board with a knife, and well hammer them down
on the knocking-down iron to make the board close on the slips and
hold them tight. The slips should be well and carefully hammered, as
any projection will be seen with great distinctness when the book is
covered. The hammer must be held perfectly even, for the _slips will be
cut_ by the edge of it if _used carelessly_.

The book is now to be examined, and any little alteration may be made
before putting it into the standing press. With all books, a tin should
be placed between the mill-board and book, to flatten the slips, and
prevent their adherence. The tin is placed right up to the groove,
and serves also as a guide for the pressing board. Pressing boards,
the same size as the book, should be put flush with the groove, using
the pressing tin as guide, and the book or books placed in the centre
of the press directly under the screw, which is to be tightened as
much as possible. In pressing books of various sizes, the largest
book must always be put at the bottom of the press, with a block or a
few pressing boards between the various sizes, in order to get equal
pressure on the whole, and to allow the screw to come exactly on the
centre of the books.

The backs of the books are now to be pasted, and allowed to stand for
a few minutes to soften the glue. Then with a piece of wood or iron,
called a cleaning-off stick (wood is preferable), the glue is rubbed
off, and the backs are well rubbed with a handful of shavings and left
to dry. Leave them as long as possible in the press, and if the volume
is |59| rather a thick one a coat of paste or thin glue should be
applied to the back. Paste is preferable.

If the book is very thick a piece of thin calico may be pasted to the
back and allowed to dry, the surplus being taken away afterwards.

In flexible work care must be taken that the cleaning-off stick is
not forced too hard against the bands, or the thread being moist will
break, or the paper being wet will tear, or the bands may become
shifted. The cleaning-off stick may be made of any piece of wood;
an old octavo cutting board is as good as anything else, but a good
workman will always have one suitable and at hand when required for use.

When the volumes have been pressed enough (a day’s pressing is none
too much) they are to be taken out, and the tins and pressing boards
put away. The book is then ready for cutting. Of the numerous presses,
excepting the hydraulic, Gregory’s Patent Compound Action Screw Press
is to my mind the best, and I believe it to be one of the most powerful
presses yet invented; sixty tons pressure can be obtained by it.


CHAPTER XV.

CUTTING.

In olden times, when our present work-tools did not exist and material
aids were scarce, a sharp knife and straight edge formed the only
implements used in cutting. Now we have the plough and cutting machine,
which have superseded the knife and straight edge; and the cutting
machine is now fast doing away with the plough. There are very few
shops at the present moment where a cutting |60| machine is not in
use, in fact I may say that, without speaking only of cloth books, for
they must always be cut by machinery owing to the price not allowing
them to be done otherwise, there are very few books, not even excepting
extra books, that have escaped the cutting machine.

[Illustration: Cutting Press and Plough.]

[Illustration: Sliding Knife.]

All cutting “presses” are used in the same way. The plough running over
the press, its left cheek running between two guides fastened on the
left cheek of the press. By turning the screw of the plough the right
cheek is advanced towards the left; the knife fixed on the right of
the plough is advanced, and with the point cuts gradually through the
boards or paper secured in the press, as already described in preparing
the boards. There are two kinds of ploughs in use—in one the knife
is bolted, in the other the knife slides in a dovetail groove—termed
respectively |61| “bolt knife” and “slide knife.” The forwarder will
find that the latter is preferable, on account of its facility of
action, as any length of knife can be exposed for cutting. But with a
bolt knife, being fastened to the shoe of the plough, it is necessarily
a fixture, and must be worn down by cutting or squaring mill-boards, or
such work, before it can be used with the truth necessary for paper.

[Illustration: Bolt Knife.]

To cut a book properly it must be quite straight, and the knife must be
sharp and perfectly true. Having this in mind, the book may be cut by
placing the front board the requisite distance from the head that is to
be cut off. A piece of thin mill-board or trindle is put between the
hind board and book, so that the knife when through the book may not
cut the board. The book is now to be lowered into the cutting press,
with the back towards the workman, until the front board is exactly on
a level with the press. The head of the book is now horizontal with the
press, and the amount to be cut off exposed above it. Both sides should
be looked to, as the book is very liable to get a twist in being put
in the press. When it is quite square the press is to be screwed up
tightly and evenly. Each end should be screwed up to exactly the same
tightness, for if one end is loose the paper will be jagged or torn
instead of being cut cleanly.

The book is cut by drawing the plough gently to and fro; each time it
is brought towards the workman a slight amount of turn is given to the
screw of the plough. If too much turn is given to the screw, the knife
will bite too deeply into the paper and _will tear instead of cutting
it_. If the knife has not been properly sharpened, or has a burr |62|
upon its edge, it will be certain to cause ridges on the paper. The
top edge being cut, the book is taken out of the press and the _tail_
cut. A mark is made on the top of the hind or back board just double
the size of the square, and the board is lowered until the mark is on a
level with the cut top. The book is again put into the press, with the
back towards the workman, until the board is flush with the cheek of
the press; this will expose above the press the amount to be taken off
from the tail, as before described, and the left hand board will be, if
put level with the cut top, exactly the same distance above the press
as the right band board is below the cut top. The tail is cut in the
same way as the top edge.

To cut a book properly requires great care. It will be of great
importance to acquire a methodical exactness in working the different
branches, cutting especially. Always lay a book down one way and take
it up another, and in cutting always work with the back of the book
towards you, and cut from you. Give the turn to the screw of the plough
as it is thrust from you, or you will pull away a part of the back
instead of cutting it.

[Illustration: Section of Book and Press, book partly cut.]

In cutting the foredge, to which we must now come, always have the head
of the book towards you, so that if not cut straight you know exactly
where the fault lies. The foredge is marked both back and front of the
book by placing a cutting board under the first two or three leaves as
a support; the mill-board is then pressed firmly into the groove and a
line is drawn or a hole is pierced head and tail, the foredge of the
board being used as a guide. The book is now knocked with its back on
the press quite flat, and trindles (flat pieces of steel in the shape
of an elongated U, about 1-1/2 inch wide and 3 or 4 inches long, with a
slot nearly the whole length) are placed between the boards and book by
letting the boards fall back from the book and then passing one trindle
at the head, the other at |63| tail, allowing the top and bottom slip
to go in the grooves of the trindles. The object of this is to force
the back up quite flat, and by holding the book when the cut-against
and runner is on it, supported by the other hand under the boards, it
can be at once seen if the book is straight or not. The cut-against
must be put quite flush with the holes on the left of the book, and
the runner the distance under the holes that the amount of square is
intended to be. The book being lowered into the press, the runner is
put flush with the cheek of the press and the cut-against just the same
distance _above_ the press as the runner is _below_ the holes. The
trindles must be taken out from the book when |64| the cutting boards
are in their proper place, and the mill-boards will then fall down. The
book and cutting boards must be held very tightly or they will slip
and, if the book has been lowered into the press accurately, everything
will be quite square. The press must now be screwed up tightly, and
the foredge ploughed; when the book is taken out of the press it will
resume its original rounding, the foredge will have the same curve as
the back, and if cut truly there will be a proper square all round the
edges. This method is known as “cutting in boards.”

If the amateur or workman has a set of some good work which he wishes
to bind uniformly, but which has already been cut to different sizes,
and he does not wish to cut the large ones down to the smaller size, he
must not draw the small ones in, as he may possibly not be able to pull
the boards down the required depth to cut the book, but he must leave
the boards loose, cut the head and tail, then draw the boards in, and
turn up and cut the foredge.

“Cutting out of boards” is by a different method. The foredge is cut
before gluing up, if for casing, taking the size _from the case_, from
the back to the edge of the board in the foredge. The book is then
glued up, rounded, and put into the press for half an hour, just to set
it. The size is again taken from the case, allowing for squares head
and tail. The book having been marked is cut, and then backed. Cloth
cases are made for most periodicals, and may be procured from their
publishers at a trifling cost, which varies according to the size of
the book and the amount of blocking that is upon them.

This method of cutting out of boards is adopted in many of the cheap
shops (even leather shops). It is a method, however, not to be
commended.

To test if the book be cut true it is only necessary to turn the top
leaf back level to the back of the book and |65| even at the head; if
it be the slightest bit untrue it will at once be seen.

[Illustration: Cutting Machine.]

A few words about the various cutting machines that are in the market.
Each maker professes his machine the best. In some the knife moves with
a diagonal motion, in others with a horizontal motion.

The principle of all these machines is the same: the books are placed
to a gauge, the top is lowered and clamps |66| the book, and, on the
machine being started, the knife descends and cuts through the paper.

[Illustration: Registered Cutting Machine.]

Another machine by Harrild and Son, called a registered cutting
machine, is here illustrated. Its operation is on the same principle as
a lying press, the difference being, that this has a table upon which
the work is placed; a gauge is placed at the back so that the work may
be placed against it for accuracy, the top beam is then screwed down
and the paper ploughed. A great amount of work may be accomplished with
this machine, and to anyone that cannot afford an ordinary cutting
machine this will be found invaluable.


|67|

CHAPTER XVI.

COLOURING THE EDGES.

The edges of every book must be in keeping with the binding. A half
roan book should not have an expensive edge, neither a whole bound
morocco book a sprinkled edge. Still, no rule has been laid down
in this particular, and taste should regulate this as it must in
other branches. The taste of the public is so changeable that it is
impossible to lay down any rule, and I leave my reader to his own
discretion.

Here are various ways in which the edges may be coloured.

_Sprinkled Edges._—Most shops have a colour always ready, usually a
reddish brown, which they use for the whole of their sprinkled edge
books. The colour can be purchased at any oil shop. A mixture of
burnt umber and red ochre is generally used. The two powders must be
well mixed together in a mortar with paste, a few drops of sweet oil,
and water. The colour may be tested by sprinkling some on a piece of
white paper, allowing it to dry, and then burnishing it. If the colour
powders or rubs, it is either too thick, or has not enough paste in it.
If the former, some water must be added; if the latter, more paste:
and it will perhaps be better if the whole is passed through a cloth
to rid it of any coarse particles. The books may be sprinkled so as
to resemble a kind of marble by using two or three different colours.
For instance, the book is put in the lying press and a little sand
is strewn upon the edge in small mounds. Then with a green colour a
moderate |68| sprinkle is given. After allowing it to dry, more sand
is put on in various places, a dark sprinkle of brown is put on, and
the whole allowed to dry. When the sand is shaken off, the edge will be
white where the first sand was dropped, green where the second, and the
rest brown.

A colour of two shades may be made by using sand, then a moderately
dark brown sprinkled, then more sand, and lastly a deeper shade of same
colour.

[Illustration: Sprinkling Brush and Sieve.]

There are a few of the “_Old Binders_” who still use what is called the
“finger brush,” a small brush about the size of a shaving brush, made
of stiff bristles cut squarely. They dip it into the colour, and then
by drawing the finger across it jerk the colour over the edge. Another
method is to use a larger brush, which being dipped in the colour is
beaten on a stick or press-pin until the desired amount of sprinkle is
obtained. But the best plan is to use a nail brush and a common wire
cinder sifter. Dip the brush in the colour and rub it in a circular
direction over the cinder sifter. This mode has the satisfactory result
of doing the work quicker, finer, and more uniformly. The head, foredge
and tail must be of exactly the same shade, and one end must not have
more sprinkle on it than the other, and a set of books should have
their edges precisely alike in tone and colour.

_Colours for Sprinkling._—To give an account of how the various colours
are made that were formerly used would be only waste of time, as so
many dyes and colours that |69| answer all purposes may be purchased
ready for instant use. I may with safety recommend Judson’s dyes
diluted with water.

_Plain Colouring._—The colour having been well ground is to be mixed
with paste and a little oil, or what is perhaps better, glaire and
oil. Then with a sponge or with a brush colour the whole of the edge.
In colouring the foredge the book should be drawn back so as to form a
slope of the edge, so that when the book is opened a certain amount of
colour will still be seen. It is often necessary to give the edges two
coats of colour, but the first must be quite dry before the second is
applied.

A very good effect may be produced by first colouring the edge yellow,
and when dry, after throwing on rice, seeds, pieces of thread, fern
leaves, or anything else according to fancy, then sprinkling with some
other dark colour. For this class of work body sprinkling colour should
always be used. It may be varied in many different ways.

_Marbled Edges._—The edges of marbled books should in almost every
instance correspond with their marbled ends.

In London very few binders marble their own work, but send it out of
the house to the _Marblers_, who do nothing else but make marbled edges
and paper. One cannot do better than send one’s books to be marbled; it
will cost only a few pence, which will be well spent in avoiding the
trouble and dirt that marbling occasions; nevertheless I will endeavour
to explain; it is, however, a process that may seem very easy, but is
very difficult to execute properly.

The requisites are a long square wooden or zinc trough about 2 inches
deep to hold the size for the colours to float on; the dimensions to
be regulated by the work to be done. About 16 to 20 inches long and 6
to 8 inches wide will probably be large enough. Various colours are
used, such as lake, rose, vermilion, king’s yellow, yellow ochre, |70|
Prussian blue, indigo, some green, flake white, and lamp black. The
brushes for the various colours should be of moderate size, and each
pot of colour must have its own brush. Small stone jars are convenient
for the colours, and a slab of marble and muller to grind them must
be provided. The combs may be made with pieces of brass wire about
two inches long, inserted into a piece of wood; several of these will
be required with the teeth at different distances, according to the
width of the pattern required to be produced. Several different sized
burnishers, flat and round, will be required for giving a gloss to the
work.

[Illustration: Marbling Trough.]

The first process in marbling is the preparation of the size on which
the colours are to be floated. This is a solution of _gum tragacanth_,
or as it is commonly called, gum dragon. If the gum is placed over
night in the quantity of water necessary it will generally be found
dissolved by the morning. The quantity of gum necessary to give proper
consistency to the size is simply to be learned by experience, and
cannot be described; and the solution must always be filtered through
muslin or a linen cloth before use.

The colours must be ground on the marble slab with a little water, as
fine as possible; move the colour from time to time into the centre
of the marble with a palette knife, and as the water evaporates add a
little more. About one oz. of colour will suffice to grind at once, and
it will take about two hours to do it properly.

Having everything at hand and ready, with the size in |71| the trough,
and water near, the top of the size is to be carefully taken off with a
piece of wood the exact width of the trough, and the colour being well
mixed with water and a few drops of _ox gall_, a little is taken in the
brush, and a _few very fine_ spots are thrown on.

If the colour does not spread out, but rather sinks down, a few more
drops of gall must be carefully added and well mixed up. The top of the
size must be taken off as before described, and the colour again thrown
on.

If it does not then spread out, the ground or size is of too thick
consistency, and some clean water must be added, and the whole well
mixed.

If the colour again thrown on spreads out, but looks rather greyish or
spotty, then the colour is too thick, and a little water must be added,
but very carefully, lest it be made too thin. If the colour still
assumes a greyish appearance when thrown on, then the fault lies in the
grinding, and it must be dried and again ground.

When the colour, on being thrown on, spreads out in very large spots,
the ground or size is too thin and a little thicker size should be
added. Now, if the consistency or the amount of gum water be noticed,
by always using the same quantity the marbler cannot fail to be right.

If the colours appear all right on the trough, and when taken off on a
slip of paper adhere to it, the size and colours are in perfect working
order.

The top of the size must always be taken off with the piece of wood
before commencing work, so that it be kept clean, and the colours must
always be well shaken out of the brush into the pot before sprinkling,
so that the spots may not be too large. The marbler must always be
guided by the pattern he wishes to produce, and by a little thought he
will get over many difficulties that appear of greater magnitude than
they really are.

_Spot Marble._—The size is first to be sprinkled with a |72| dark
colour, and this is always termed the “ground colour,” then the other
colours; bearing in mind that the colour that has the most gall will
spread or push the others away, and this colour should in spot marbling
be put on last.

With very little variation all the other kinds of marbling are done;
but in every case where there are more books or sheets of paper to be
done of the same pattern than the trough will take at once, the same
order of colours must be kept, and the same proportion of each, or one
book will be of one colour and the second entirely different.

_Comb or Nonpareil Marble._—The colours are to be thrown on as before,
but as fine as possible. Then if a piece of wood or wire be drawn
backwards and forwards across the trough, the colours, through the
disturbance of the size, will follow the motion of the stick. A comb
is then to be drawn the whole length of the trough in a contrary
direction. The wire in the comb will draw the colour, and thus will be
produced what is termed comb or nonpareil marble.

The size or width of the teeth of the comb will vary the size of the
marble.

_Spanish Marble._—The ground colour is to be thrown on rather heavily,
the others lighter, and the wavy appearance is caused by gently drawing
the paper in jerks over the marble, thus causing the colour to form
small ripples.

A few drops of turpentine put in the colours will give them a different
effect, viz.,—causing the small white spots that appear on the _shell
marble_.

There are various patterns, each being known by name: old Dutch,
nonpareil, antique, curl, Spanish, shell. An apprentice would do well
to go to some respectable shop and ask for a sheet or two of the
various kinds mentioned, and as each pattern is given to him, write the
name on the back, and always keep it as a pattern for future use and
reference. |73|

_Edges_ are marbled, after making the desired pattern on the trough by
holding the book firmly, pressing the edge on the colour and lifting it
up sharply. The foredge must be made flat by knocking the book on its
back, but the marbler had better tie his book between a pair of backing
boards, so that it may not slip, especially with large books. Care
must be taken with books that have many plates, or if the paper is at
all of a spongy nature or unsized. If a little cold water be thrown on
the edges it will cause the colours to set better. In marbling writing
paper, a sponge with a little alum water should be used to take off the
gloss or shine from the edge, occasioned by the cutting knife, and to
assist the marbling colour to take better.

Paper is marbled in the same way by holding it at two corners; then
gently putting it on the colour and pressing it evenly, but gently all
over, so that the colour may take on every part. It must be lifted
carefully, as the least shake by disturbing the size will spoil the
regularity of the pattern. Paper should be damped over night and left
with a weight on the top. When the paper has been marbled and is dry, a
rag with a little bee’s wax or soap should be rubbed over it, so that
the burnisher may not stick, and may give a finer gloss; this applies
also to the edges in burnishing. Marble paper manufacturers burnish
the paper with a piece of polished flint or glass fixed in a long pole
working in a socket at the top, the other end resting on a table which
is slightly hollowed, so that the segment of the circle which the flint
takes is exactly that of the hollow table. The paper is laid on the
hollow table, and the burnisher is worked backwards and forwards until
the desired gloss is attained. By the best and latest method, the paper
is passed between highly polished cylinders. It is more expensive, on
account of the cost of the machinery, but insures superior effect.

A great deal of paper is now being made by means of a |74| mechanical
process. It has a very high gloss; it is used on very cheap work.

_Sizing._—Paper should be always sized after being marbled. The size is
made by dissolving one pound of best glue in five gallons of water with
half a pound of best white soap. This is put into a copper over night,
and on a low fire the next morning, keeping it constantly stirred to
prevent burning. When quite dissolved and hot it is passed through a
cloth into a trough, and each sheet passed through the liquor and hung
up to dry; when dry, burnish as above.

But it will be far cheaper to buy the paper, rather than make it at the
cost of more time than will be profitable. The charge for demy size is
at the rate of 20_s._ to 95_s._ per ream, according to the quality and
colour; but to those to whom money is no object, and who would prefer
to make their own marbled paper, I hope the foregoing explanation will
be explicit enough.

The “English Mechanic,” March 17th, 1871, has the following method of
transferring the pattern from ordinary marble paper to the edges of
books:—

“Ring the book up tightly in the press, the edge to be as flat as
possible; cut strips of the best marble paper about one inch longer
than the edge, make a pad of old paper larger than the edge of the
book, and about a quarter inch thick; then get a piece of blotting
paper and a sponge with a little water in; now pour on a plate
sufficient spirits of salts (muriatic acid) to saturate the paper,
which must be placed marble side downwards on the spirit (not dipped in
it); when soaked put it on the edge (which has been previously damped
with a sponge), lay your blot paper on it, then your pad, now rap it
smartly all over, take off the pad and blot, and look if the work is
right, if so, take the book out and shake the marble paper off; when
dry burnish.”

At a lecture delivered at the Society of Arts, January, |75| 1878, by
Mr. Woolnough, a practical marbler, the whole process of marbling was
explained. Mr. Woolnough has since published an enlarged treatise on
marbling,[6] and one that should command the attention of the trade. A
copy of the Society’s journal can be had, describing the process, No.
1,314, vol. XXVI., and will be of great service to any reader, but his
work is more exhaustive.

      [6] George Bell and Sons, York Street, Covent Garden.

[Illustration: Leo’s Mechanical Marblers.]

A transfer marble paper may now be had, and from examples sent me the
process seems fairly workable. The following is the method of working
sent by the importers of the paper:—

“Place the book in the press. The book edge which is to be marbled
has to be rubbed with pure spirits of wine; the dry strip of transfer
marble is then to be put on the edge. The white back or reverse side,
whilst being pressed hard against the book edge, is to be moistened
carefully with boiling water, by dabbing a saturated sponge on it;
this dabbing process to be continued so long till the colour will show
through the white back—a proof that it is loosened from the paper. Then
remove the white paper, and let the edge dry slowly. When quite dry
burnish.”

[Illustration: Leo’s Mechanical Marblers.]

Another invention is to marble the edges by means of one or more
rollers. The top roller or rollers holds the colour, which is
distributed on the under rollers; these, in turn, ink the edge on being
passed over it. The books are naturally held in the press whilst this
is being done. |76|

[Illustration: Cut from Book “School of Arts,” 1750.]

From a book, the “School of Arts,” third edition, 1750, which has a
chapter on marbling, the following, with cut, is taken:—

 “When thus you have your colours and all things in good order, then
 take a pencil, or the end of a feather, and sprinkle or put first your
 red colour; then the blue, yellow, green, etc. Begin your red from
 No. 1, and go along your trough to No. 2, also the blue from No. 3,
 all along to No. 4; the yellow and green put here and there in the
 vacant places. Then with a bodkin or a small skewer draw a sort of a
 serpentine figure through the colours, beginning from No. 1 to No.
 2; when this is done, then take your comb and draw the same straight
 along from |77| No. 1 to No. 2. If you have some turnings or snail
 work on your paper, then with a bodkin give the colours what turns you
 please. (See the plate.)

 [Illustration: Leo’s Marbling Set.]

 “Thus far you are ready in order to lay on your paper, which must be
 moistened the day before, in the same manner as book-printers do their
 paper for printing; take a sheet at a time, lay it gently upon your
 colours in the trough, press it slightly with your finger down in such
 places where you find the paper lies hollow; this done, take hold at
 one end of the paper, and draw it up at the other end of the trough;
 hang it up to dry on a cord; when dry, glaze it, and it is done.
 You may also embellish your paper with streaks of gold, by applying
 mussel gold or silver, tempered with gum water, among the rest of the
 colours.”

This last paragraph shows that the gold vein which is now in such
demand is really over 150 years old.

Messrs. Leo, of Stuttgart, have put together a complete marbling
apparatus, containing colours, gall, cups, combs, sticks, filter,
brushes, etc., the whole in a box. To a small country bookbinder this
is indispensable.


|78|

CHAPTER XVII.

GILT EDGES.

A gilt edge is the most elegant of all modes of ornamenting edges,
and this branch of bookbinding has from time to time been so greatly
extended, that at the present day there are many ways in which a book
may have the edges gilt; but some methods are not pursued, either from
ignorance on the binder’s part, or with a view to save expense.

First we have the “_plain gilt_,” then “_gilt in the round_”; then
again some colour under the gold, for instance, “_gilt on red_,” or
whatever the colour may be, red being mostly used, especially for
religious books. Some edges are “_tooled_,” and some have a gilt edge
with landscape or scene appropriate to the book painted on the edge,
only to be seen when the book is opened. “_Marbling under gilt_” may
also be used with good effect; but still better “_marbling on gilt_.”

The room where gilt edge work is done should be neither dirty nor
draughty, and the necessary materials are:—

_1st. The Gold Cushion._—This may be purchased ready for use, or if the
binder wishes to make one, it may be done by covering a piece of wood,
about 12 inches by 6, with a piece of white calf, the _rough side_
outwards, and padding it with blotting paper and cloth. The pieces
underneath should be cut a little smaller than the upper one, so that
it will form a bevel at the edge, but quite flat on the top. The calf
to be neatly nailed all round the edge. If the pile of the leather is
too rough, it can be reduced with a piece of pumice stone, by rubbing
the stone on the calf with a circular motion. |79|

_2nd. Gold Knife._—This should be a long knife of thin steel, the blade
about one to one and a half inch wide.

_3rd. Burnishers._—These are made of agate stone, and can be purchased
of any size. A flat one, and two or three round ones, will be found
sufficient. They should have a very high polish.

_4th. Glaire Water or Size._—The white of an egg and a tea-cup full
of water are well beaten together, until the albumen is perfectly
dissolved. It must then be allowed to stand for some hours to settle,
after which it should be strained through a piece of linen which has
been washed; old linen is therefore preferred to new.

_5th. Scrapers._—Pieces of steel with the edge or burr made to turn up
by rubbing the edge flat over a bodkin or other steel instrument, so
that when applied to the edge a thin shaving of paper is taken off. The
beauty of gilding depends greatly on proper and even scraping.

_6th. The Gold Leaf._—This is bought in books, the price according to
quality; most of the cheap gold comes from Germany. I recommend the use
of the best gold that can be had; it being in the end the cheapest, as
cheap gold turns black by the action of the atmosphere in course of
time.

The method of preparing the gold[7] is by making an alloy: gold with
silver or copper. It is drawn out into a wire of about six inches in
length, and by being passed again between steel rollers is made into a
ribbon. This ribbon is then cut into squares and placed between vellum
leaves, about four or five inches square, and beaten with a hammer
somewhat like our beating hammer, until the gold has expanded to the
size of the vellum. The gold is again cut up into squares of about one
inch, and again |80| interleaved; but gold-beaters’ skin is now used
instead of vellum; and so by continual beating and cutting up, the
proper thickness is arrived at. If the gold is held up to the light,
it will be found to be beaten so thin that it is nearly transparent,
although when laid on any object it is of sufficient thickness to hide
the surface underneath. It has been estimated that the thickness of the
gold leaf is only 1/280000 of an inch.

      [7] Although this has practically nothing to do with the art
      of bookbinding, it is always advisable for a workman to know
      something about the tools and materials he uses.

To gild the edges, the book should be put into the press straight and
on a level with the cheeks of the press between cutting boards, the
boards of the book being thrown back. The press should be screwed up
very tightly, and any projection of the cutting boards should be taken
away with a chisel. If the paper is unsized or at all spongy, the edge
should be sized and left to dry. This may be ascertained by wetting a
leaf with the tongue: if spongy, the moisture will sink through as in
blotting paper. The edge should be scraped quite flat and perfectly
even, care being taken to scrape every part equally, or one part of the
edge will be hollow or perhaps one side scraped down, and this will
make one square larger than the other. When scraped quite smoothly and
evenly, a mixture of black lead and thin glaire water is painted over
the edge, and with a hard brush it is well brushed until dry.

The gold should now be cut on the gold cushion. Lift a leaf out of
the book with the gold knife, lay it on the gold cushion, and breathe
gently on the centre of the leaf to lay it flat; it can then be cut
with perfect ease to any size. The edge is now to be glaired evenly,
and the gold taken up with a piece of paper previously greased by
drawing it over the head. The gold is then gently laid on the edge,
which has been previously glaired. The whole edge or end being done, it
is allowed to get perfectly dry, which will occupy some two hours.

[Illustration: Book-edge Burnishers.]

Before using the burnisher on the gold itself, some gilders |81|
lay a piece of fine paper on the gold and gently flatten it with the
burnisher. Books are often treated in this manner, they then become
“dull gilt.” When intended to be bright, a waxed cloth should be gently
rubbed over the surface two or three times before using the burnisher.
The beauty of burnishing depends upon the edge presenting a solid and
uniform metallic surface, without any marks of the burnisher. The
manner of burnishing is to hold a flat burnisher, where the surface
is flat, firmly in the right hand with the end of the handle on the
shoulder, to get better leverage. Work the burnisher backwards and
forwards with a perfectly even pressure on every part. When both
ends are finished, the foredge is to be proceeded with, by making it
perfectly flat. It is better to tie the book, to prevent it slipping
back. The foredge is to be gilt exactly in the same manner as the ends;
it will of course return to its proper round when released from the
press. This is done with all books in the ordinary way, but if the book
is to have an extra edge, it is done “solid” or “in the round.” For
this way the book must be put into the press with its proper round,
without flattening it, and scraped in that position with scrapers
corresponding with the rounding. The greatest care must be taken in
this kind of scraping that the sides |82| are not scraped away, or the
squares will be made either too large or lop-sided.

_Gilt on Red._—The edges are coloured by fanning them out as explained
in colouring edges, and when dry, gilt in the usual way; not quite
such a strong size will be wanted, through there being a ground in
the colour; nor must any black lead be used. The edges should in this
process be scraped first, then coloured and gilt in the usual way.

_Tooled Edges._—The book is to be gilt as usual, then while in
the press stamped or worked over with tools that are of some open
character; those of fine work being preferable. Some design should be
followed out according to the fancy of the workman. The tools must be
warmed slightly so that the impression may be firm; the foredge should
be done first. Another method is to tool the edge before burnishing, or
the different portions of the tooling may be so managed in burnishing
that some parts will be left bright and standing in relief on the
unburnished or dead surface.

_Painted Edges._—The edge is to fanned out and tied between boards, and
whilst in that position some landscape or other scene, either taken
from the book itself or appropriate to the subject of it, painted
on the foredge, and when quite dry it is gilt on the flat in the
usual manner. This work of course requires an artist well skilled in
water-colour drawing. The colours used must be more of a stain than
body colour, and the edges should be scraped first.

After the edges have been gilt by any of the foregoing methods, the
rounding must be examined and corrected; and the book should be put
into the standing press for two or three hours, to set it. The whole of
the edges should be wrapped up with paper to keep them clean during the
remainder of the process of binding. This is called “capping up.”


|83|

CHAPTER XVIII.

HEAD-BANDING.

Few binders work their own head-bands in these times of competition
and strikes for higher wages. It takes some time and pains to teach a
female hand the perfection of head-band working, and but too often,
since gratitude is not universal, the opportunity of earning a few
more pence per week is seized without regard to those at whose expense
the power of earning anything was gained, and the baffled employer is
wearied by constant changes. Owing to this, most bookbinders use the
machine-made head-band. These can be purchased of any size or colour,
at a moderate price.

Head-banding done by hand is really only a twist of different coloured
cotton or silk round a piece of vellum or cat-gut fastened to the
back every half dozen sections. If the head-band is to be square or
straight, the vellum should be made by sticking with paste two or three
pieces together. Damp the vellum previously and put it under a weight
for a few hours to get soft. Vellum from old ledgers and other vellum
bound books is mostly used. The vellum when quite dry and flat is to
be cut into strips just a little under the width of the squares of the
books, so that when the book is covered, the amount of leather above
the head-band and the head-band itself will be just the size or height
of the square.

If, however, a round head-band is chosen, cat-gut is taken on the same
principle with regard to size, and this is further advanced by using
two pieces of cat-gut, the one |84| being generally smaller than the
other, and making with the beading three rows. The round head-band is
the original head-band, and cord was used instead of cat-gut. The cords
were fastened to lay-cords on the sewing press, and placed at head and
tail, and the head-band was worked at the same time that the book was
sewn. I am now speaking of books bound about the 15th century; and in
pulling one of these old bindings to pieces, it will compensate for
the time occupied and the trouble taken, if the book be examined to
see how the head-band was worked, and how the head-band then formed
the catch-up stitch; the head-band cords were drawn in through the
boards, and thus gave greater strength to the book than the method used
at the present day. To explain how the head-band is worked is rather
a difficult task; yet the process is a very simple one. The great
difficulty is to get the silks to lie close together, which they will
not do if the twist or beading is not evenly worked. This requires time
and patience to accomplish. The hands must be clean or the silk will
get soiled; fingers must be smooth or the silk will be frayed.

[Illustration: Head-banding.]

Suppose, for instance, a book is to be done in two colours, red
and white. The head-band is cut to size, the |85| book is, for
convenience, held in a press, or a plough with the knife taken out, so
that the end to be head-banded is raised to a convenient height. The
ends of the silk or cotton are to be joined together, and one, say the
red, threaded through a strong needle. This is then passed through the
back of the book, at about the centre of the second section, commencing
on the left of the book. This must be passed through twice, and a loop
left. The vellum is put in this loop and the silk drawn tightly, the
vellum will then be held fast. The white is now to be twisted round the
red once, and round the head-band twice; the red is now to be taken in
hand and twisted round the white once, and the head-band twice; and
this is to be done until the whole vellum is covered. The needle must
be passed through the back at about every eight sections to secure the
head-band. The beading is the effect of one thread being twisted over
the other, and the hand must be kept exactly at the same tightness or
tension, for if pulled too tightly the beading will go underneath, or
be irregular. The fastening off is to be done by passing the needle
through the back twice, the white is then passed round the red and
under the vellum, and the ends are to be tied together.

_Three Colours Plain._—This is to be commenced in the same way as with
two, but great care must be taken that the silks are worked in rotation
so as not to mix or entangle them. The silks must be kept in the left
hand, while the right twists the colour over or round, and as each is
twisted round the vellum it is passed to be twisted round the other
two. In fastening off, both colours must be passed round under the
vellum and fastened as with the two colour pattern.

The head-bands may be worked intermixed with gold or silver thread, or
the one colour may be worked a number of times round the vellum, before
the second colour has |86| been twisted, giving it the appearance of
ribbons going round the head-band.

       *       *       *       *       *

With regard to stuck-on head-bands, the binder may make them at little
expense, by using striped calico for the purpose. A narrow stripe is
to be preferred of some bright colour. The material must be cut into
lengths of about one-and-a-half inch wide, with the stripes across.
Cords of different thickness are then to be cut somewhat longer than
the calico, and a piece of the cord is to be fastened by a nail at one
end on a board of sufficient length. The calico is then to be pasted
and laid down on the board under the cord, and the cord being held
tightly may be easily covered with the striped calico, and rubbed with
a folder into a groove.

When this is dry, the head and tail of the book is glued and the proper
piece of the head-band is put on. Or the head-band may be purchased, as
before stated, worked with either silk or cotton ready for fastening
on, from about 2_s._ 3_d._ to 4_s._ 6_d._ a piece of twelve yards,
according to the size required: it has, however, the disadvantage of
not looking so even as a head-band worked on the book. I have lately
seen some specimens of as good imitations of hand-worked ones as it is
possible for machinery to manufacture.

After the head-band has been put on or worked, the book is to be “lined
up” or “made ready for covering.”


|87|

CHAPTER XIX.

PREPARING FOR COVERING.

Nearly all modern books are bound with hollow backs, except where the
books are sewn for flexible work or otherwise meant to have tight backs.

Much of the paper used at the present day is so hard, that the binder
is almost forced to make a hollow back, in order that the book may open.

The head-band is first set with glue, if worked, by gluing the head and
tail, and with a folder the head-band is made to take the same form
as the back. This is to be done by holding the book in the left hand
with its back on the press, then a pointed folder held in the right
hand is run round the beading two or three times to form it; the silk
on the back is then rubbed down as much as possible to make all level
and even, and the book is allowed to dry. When dry it is put into the
lying press to hold it, and the back is well glued all over; some
paper, usually brown, is now taken, the same length as the book, put
on the back, and rubbed down well with a thick folder: a good sized
bone from the ribs of beef is as good as anything. The overplus of the
paper is now to be cut away from the back, except the part projecting
head and tail. A second coat of glue is now put on the top of the brown
paper and another piece is put on that, but not quite up to the edge on
the left hand side. When this is well rubbed down it is folded evenly
from the edge on the right side over to the left, the small amount of
glued space left will be found sufficient to hold it down; the top is
again glued |88| and again folded over from left to right, and cut
off level by folding it back and running a sharp knife down the fold.
This is what is generally termed “two on and two off,” being of course
two thicknesses of paper on the back and two for the hollow; but thin
or small books need only have one on the back and two for the hollow.
Thick or large books should have more paper used in proportion to their
size. Books that have been over-cast in the sewing should have rather
a strong lining-up, so that there be not such a strain when the book
is opened. When the whole is dry, the overplus of the paper, head and
tail, is to be cut off close to the head-band.

I need hardly say that the better the paper used the more easy will be
the working of it. Old writing or copy-book paper will be found to be
as good as any, but good brown paper is, as I have said before, mostly
used.

The book is now ready for putting the bands on. These are prepared
beforehand by sticking with glue two or three pieces of leather
together or on a piece of paper, well pressing it, and then allowing
it to dry under pressure. The paper must then be glued twice, allowing
each coat to dry before gluing again. It should then be put on one side
for future use, and when wanted, the proper thickness is chosen and
cut into strips of a width to correspond with the size of the book.
The book is now to be marked up, five bands being the number generally
used, leaving the tail a little longer than the other portions. The
strips of band are then to be moistened with a little hot water to
cause the glue upon the paper to melt. Each piece is then to be
fixed upon the back just under the holes made with the compasses in
marking-up. This will be found to be a far better plan than to first
cut the strips and then to glue them. By the latter plan the glue is
liable to spread upon the side, where it is not wanted, and if the book
has to be covered with light calf, it will certainly be stained black:
|89| so the coverer must be careful that _all glue is removed_ from
the back and sides before he attempts to cover any of his books with
calf. It is rather provoking to find some favourite colour when dry,
having a tortoiseshell appearance, which no amount of washing will take
out. When dry the ends of the bands are to be cut off with a _bevel_,
and a little piece of the boards from the corners nearest the back also
taken off on the bevel, that there may not be a sharp point to fret
through the leather when the book is opened. This is also necessary
so that the head-band may be properly set. A sharp knife should be
inserted between the hollow and should separate it from the back at
head and tail on each side so far as to allow the leather to be turned
in. Morocco may have the back glued, as it will not show through, and
will facilitate the adhesion of the leather.

_Flexible Work._—This class of work is not lined up. The leather
is fastened directly upon the book; the head-band is set as before
explained, and held tight by gluing a piece of fine linen against it,
and when quite dry, the overplus is to be cut away, and the back made
quite smooth. The bands are then knocked up gently with a blunt chisel
to make them perfectly straight, being first damped and made soft with
a little paste to facilitate the working and to prevent the thread from
being cut. Any holes caused by sawing-in, in previous binding, must be
filled up with a piece of frayed cord, pasted. Any holes thus filled up
must be made quite smooth when dry, as the least unevenness will show
when the book is covered.

In “throw up” backs, or in “flexible not to show,” a piece of thin
linen (muslin) or staff called _mull_ is glued on the back first, and
one piece of paper on the top. For the hollow, three, four, or even
five pieces are stuck one on the other, so that it may be firm; whilst
the book itself will be as if it had a flexible back. The bands, if
any, are then |90| to be fastened on, and the corners of the boards
cut off. It is then ready for covering. “Mock flexible” has generally
one piece of paper glued on the back, and when marked-up, the bands are
put on as before, and the book covered.


CHAPTER XX.

COVERING.

Books are covered according to the fancy of the binder or customer. The
materials used at the present day, are—leather of all sorts, parchment
or vellum, bookbinder’s cloth, velvet, needle-work, and imitation
leather, of which various kinds are manufactured, such as leatherette
and feltine.

Each kind requires a different manner of working or manipulation. For
instance, a calf book must not be covered in the same manner as a
velvet one: I will take each in the above order and explain how they
are managed.

Under the class of leather, we have moroccos of all kinds; russia;
calf, coloured, smooth, and imitation; roan, sheep, and imitation
morocco.

[Illustration: French Paring Knife.]

[Illustration: Method of Holding French Knife.]

[Illustration: German Paring Knife.]

The _morocco_ cover, indeed any leather cover, is to be cut out by
laying the skin out on a flat board, and having chosen the part or
piece of the skin to be used, the book is laid on it and the skin is
cut with a sharp knife round the book, leaving a space of about 3/4
of an inch for an 8vo, and more or less according to the size of the
book and thickness of board for turning in. The morocco |91| cover
should now have marked upon it with a pencil the exact size of the book
itself, by laying the book on the cover, and running the point of a
black lead pencil all round it. The leather must then be “pared,” or
shaved round the edges, using the pencil marks as a guide. This paring
process is _not_ so difficult, especially if a French knife is used,
such as may now be purchased at most material dealers. The chief point
being that a very sharp edge is to be kept on the knife, and that the
_burr_ is on the cutting edge. The knife is to be held in the right
hand, placing two fingers on the top with the thumb underneath. The
leather must be placed on a piece of marble, lithographic stone, or
thick glass, and held tightly strained between finger and thumb of the
left hand. Then by a series of pushes from the right hand, the knife
takes off more or less according to the angle given. The burr causes
the knife to enter the leather; if the burr is turned up the knife
will not cut but run off. If the knife is held too much at an angle
it will go right through the leather, a rather unpleasant experience,
and one to be carefully avoided. The leather should from time to time
be examined, by turning it over, to see if any unevenness appears, for
every cut will show. Especial attention should be given to where the
edges of the board go. The turning in at the head and tail should be
pared off as thin as possible, as there will be twice as much thickness
of leather on the back where turned in, the object of this care being,
that it must not be seen. The _morocco_ |92| cover should now be
wetted well, and grained up by using either the hand or a flat piece
of cork. This is to be done by gently curling it up in all directions;
and when the grain has been brought up properly and sufficiently, the
leather should be pasted on the flesh side with thin paste, and hung up
to dry. Should the leather be “straight grain,” it must only be creased
in the one direction of the grain, or if it is required to imitate any
old book that has no grain, the leather should be wetted as much as
possible, and the whole of the grain rubbed out by using a rolling pin
with even pressure.

[Illustration: Method of Holding Ordinary Knife.]

The Morocco leather first brought from _that_ country, had a peculiar
grain, and was dyed with very bright colours. It is now largely
manufactured in London and Paris; the French manufacture is the finest.
Russia and calf require no setting up of the grain, but russia should
be well rolled out with the rolling pin.

When the cover (morocco) is dry, it is to be well pasted, the squares
of the book set, so that each side has its proper portion of board
projecting. The book is then laid down evenly on the cover, which
must be gently drawn on; the back is drawn tight by placing the book
on its foredge and drawing the skin well down over it. The sides are
next drawn tight, and the bands pinched well up with a pair of _band
nippers_. The four corners of the leather |93| are cut off with a
sharp knife in a slanting direction, a little paste put on the cut
edge, and the operation of turning in may be commenced. The book must
be held on its edge, either head or tail, with a small piece of paper
put close to the head-band to prevent any paste soiling the edge or
head-band, and with the boards extended, the hollow is pulled a little
away from the back and the leather neatly tucked in. The leather is
next to be tightly brought over the boards and well rubbed down, both
on the edge and inside, with a folding stick, but on no account must
the outside be rubbed, or the grain will be taken away. The foredge is
to be treated in like manner, by tucking the corners in for strength.
The head-band is now to be set, by tying a piece of thread round the
book between the back and the boards in the slots cut out from the
corners of the boards; this thread must be tied in a knot. The book
being held in the left hand, resting on its end, the leather is drawn
with a pointed folding-stick, as it were, towards the foredge, and
flattened on the top of the head-band. When this is done properly it
should be exactly even with the boards, and yet _cover_ the head-band,
leaving that part of the head-band at right angles with the edge
exposed. With a little practice the novice may be able to ascertain
what amount of leather is to be left out from the turning-in, so that
the head-band can be neatly covered. The perfection in covering a book
depends upon the leather being worked sharp round the boards, but with
the grain almost untouched.

[Illustration: Band Nippers.]

Paste should be always used for morocco, calf, russia and vellum, in
fact for all kinds of leather; but in my humble opinion, all leather
with an artificial grain should be glued; the turning-in may be
with paste. The glue gives more |94| body to the leather, and thus
preserves the grain. _White_ morocco should be covered with paste
made _without any alum_, which causes it to turn _yellow_, and if the
leather is washed with lemon juice instead of vinegar when finishing,
the colour will be much improved.

_Russia_ is to be pared in the same way as morocco. It should be
damped, and rolled with a rolling-pin before covering, or stretched out
with a thick folding-stick.

_Calf_, either coloured or white, need be pared only round the
head-band. Calf should be covered with paste and the book washed when
covered with a clean damp sponge. In putting two books together, when
bound in calf of two different colours, a piece of paper should be
placed between, as most colours stain each other, especially green.
Care should be taken to handle calf as little as possible whilst wet,
and touching it with iron tools, such as knives and band nippers, will
cause a black stain. Morocco will bear as much handling as you like,
but the more tenderly calf is treated the better.

_Vellum or Parchment._—The boards should be covered with white paper,
to avoid any darkness of the board showing through. The vellum or
parchment should be pared head and tail, and the whole well pasted and
allowed to stand for a short time so that it be well soaked and soft.
The book should then be covered, but the vellum must not on any account
be stretched much, or it will, when dry, draw the boards up to a most
remarkable extent. It will perhaps be better if the book be pressed,
to make the vellum adhere better. The old binders took great pains in
covering their white vellum books. The vellum was lined carefully with
white paper and dried before covering: this in some degree prevented
the vellum from shrinking so much in drying, and enabled the workman to
give the boards a thin and even coat of glue, which was allowed to dry
before putting on the covering. |95|

_Roan_ should be covered with glue and turned in with paste. Head and
tail only need be pared round the head-band.

_Cloth_ is covered by gluing the cover all over and turning in at once:
gluing one cover at a time, and finishing the covering of each book
before touching the next.

Smooth cloth, cloth with no grain, may be covered with paste: great
care must be taken that no paste be on the fingers, or the cloth will
be marked very badly when dry.

_Velvet_ should be covered with clean glue not too thick; first glue
the _back_ of the book and let that set before the sides are put down.
The sides of the _book_ should next be glued, and the velvet laid down,
and turned in with glue. The corners should be very carefully cut or
they will not meet, or cover properly when dry. When the whole is dry
the pile may be raised, should it be finger marked, by holding the book
over steam, and if necessary by carefully using a brush.

_Silk and Satin_ should be lined first with a piece of thin paper
cut to the size of the book. The paper must be glued with thin clean
glue, rubbed down well on to the silk, and allowed to get dry, before
covering the book. When dry, cover it as with velvet.

       *       *       *       *       *

Dr. Dibdin, whose knowledge of libraries and great book collectors must
stamp him as an authority, says that:—

“The general appearance of one’s library is by no means a matter
of mere foppery or indifference: it is a sort of cardinal point,
to which the tasteful collector does well to attend. You have a
right to consider books, as to their outsides, with the eye of a
painter; because this does not militate against the proper use of the
contents. . . . . Be sparing of red morocco or vellum, they have each so
|96| distinct, or what painters call spotty, an appearance, that they
should be introduced but circumspectly.”

I cannot agree entirely with the Doctor with regard to being sparing
with the red morocco. A library without colour is dark, dreary,
and repulsive. The library should be one of the most inviting and
cheery rooms in a house, and even if one cannot aspire to a room
entirely devoted to literature and study, let the bookcase, whatever
its position or however humble, be made as cheerful and inviting as
possible. What colour will do this so well as red? But it should be
judiciously dispersed with other colours.

If some standard colour were chosen for each subject, one might
recognize from some little distance the nature of the book by its
colour. For instance, all books relating to Military matters might be
in bright red; Naval affairs in blue; Botany in green; History in dark
red; Poetry in some fancy colour, such as orange, light blue, light
green, or olive, according to its subject; Divinity in dark brown;
Archæology in dull red, and Law in white as at present. This would give
a pleasing variety, and a light and cheerful appearance to a library.

An imitation russia leather is imported from America, of far greater
strength than the real. It is made from buffalo skins, and tanned in
the same way as the russia hides. This fact, combined with the price,
has doubtless caused this material to be received with favour in the
English market. It is to be had from nearly all leather sellers.

       *       *       *       *       *

_Half-bound Work._—The title speaks for itself, the book has its back,
a part of the sides, and the corners covered with leather. The sides
are, after the leather is perfectly dry, covered either with cloth or
paper according to fancy, turned over the boards as with leather. The
book is then to be pasted down. Before the paper is put on the sides,
|97| all unevenness of the leather is to be pared away. This style has
gained its reputation very much on account of its economy; the amount
of leather required is less, and the work is as strong and serviceable
as in a whole-bound book. It will be better if the back be finished
before the corners are put on, as there is great likelihood that the
corners may get damaged to some extent during the process of finishing.
The outside paper may either match the colour of the leather, or be
the same as the edge or end papers. This, like many other rules in
bookbinding, is quite a matter of taste.


CHAPTER XXI.

PASTING DOWN.

This is to cover up the inside board by pasting down the end papers to
the boards.

The white or waste leaf, that has till this process protected the end
papers, must now be taken away or torn out. The joint of the board must
be cleaned of any paste or glue that may have accumulated there during
the course of either gluing up or covering, by passing the point of a
sharp knife along it, so that when the end is pasted down, the joint
will be quite straight and perfectly square. Morocco books should be
filled in with a smooth board or thick paper, the exact substance of
the leather. This thickness must be carefully chosen, and one edge
be cut off straight, and fastened to the inside of the board very
slightly, in fact only touching it in the centre with a little glue or
paste, just sufficient to hold it temporarily. It must be |98| flush
with the back-edge of the board. When dry, this paper or board is to
be marked with a compass about half an inch round, and both paper and
leather cut through at the same cut with a sharp knife. The overplus
board will fall off and the outside of the leather may be easily
detached by lifting it up with a knife. The paper or board, which will
now fit in exactly, should be glued and well rubbed down with a folding
stick, or it may be pressed in the standing press if the grain of the
morocco is to be polished, but not otherwise.

As morocco books only have morocco joints, I may as well explain at
once how they are made. Morocco of the same colour is cut into strips
the same length as the book, and about one inch and a half in breadth
for 8vo.; a line is drawn or marked down each strip about half an
inch from one edge, either with a pencil or folder, as a guide. The
leather is now to be pared from the mark made to a thin edge on the
half inch side, and the other side pared as thin as the leather turned
in round the board, so that there will be two distinct thicknesses on
each piece, the larger half going on the board to correspond with the
leather round the three sides, and the smaller and thinly pared half
going in the joint and edge on to the book. The end papers, only held
in with a little paste, are to be lifted out from the book, and the
leather well pasted is to be put on the board, so that the place where
the division is made in the leather by paring will come exactly to the
edge of the board; the thin part should then be well rubbed down in the
joint, and the small thin feather edge allowed to go on the book.

Great care must be taken to rub the whole down well, that it may adhere
properly; the grain need not be heeded. With regard to the overplus at
the head and tail, there are two ways of disposing of it: first, by
cutting both leathers slanting through at once, and making the two |99|
meet; or, secondly, by cutting the cover away in a slant and doing the
same to the joint, so that the two slant cuts cover each other exactly.
This requires very nice paring, or it will be seen in the finishing.
The book should be left till quite dry, which will take some five or
six hours. The boards are then to be filled in by the same method as
above described, and the end papers fastened in again properly.

_Cloth Joints._—If the cloth has been fastened in when the ends were
made, after cleaning all unevenness from the joints, the boards are to
be filled in as above, and the cloth joint stuck down with thin glue,
and rubbed down well. The marble paper may now be put on the board by
cutting it to a size a little larger than the filling in of the board,
so that it may be well covered. When cloth joints are put in, the board
paper is generally brought up almost close to the joint; but with
morocco joints, the space left all round should be even.

_Calf, Russia, etc._—After having cleaned the joint, the leather must
be marked all round a trifle larger than the size intended for the end
papers to cover. Then with a knife, the leather is cut through in a
_slanting direction_ by holding the knife slanting. The boards should
be thrown back to protect the leather, and the book placed on a board
of proper size, so that both book and board may be moved together,
when turning round. When the leather is cut, a piece of paper should
be pasted on the board to fill up to the thickness of the leather,
and to curve or swing the board back; the boards otherwise are sure
to curve the contrary way, especially with calf. When this lining is
dry, the end papers may be pasted down. As there are two methods of
doing this, I give the most exact but longest first. The paper is to be
pasted all over, and being held in the left hand, is to be well rubbed
down, particularly in the joint. The paper is then marked all round—the
head, foredge, |100| and tail, with a pair of compasses to the width
required for finishing inside the board. With a very sharp knife the
paper is to be cut through to the _depth_ of the _paper only_, by
laying the straight edge on the marks made by the compasses. This has
the advantage of procuring an exact margin round the board, but it must
be done quickly or the paper will stick to the leather round the board
from the paste getting dry, the leather absorbing the watery particles
in the paste.

The other way is to lay the paper back, and down on the board, and then
to mark it. A tin is then to be placed between the book and paper,
and the paper cut to the marks made. The paper is then pasted down as
above. When pasted down, the book should be left standing on its end,
with boards left open until thoroughly dry, which will be about six
hours. A tin should be kept especially for cutting on, and the knife
must be as sharp as possible. This latter method is used for all half
bindings.


CHAPTER XXII.

CALF COLOURING.

Although coloured calf-skins may be bought almost as cheaply as smooth
calf (the term given to uncoloured ones), yet there are so many reasons
why coloured calf should not be used, that I give such instructions as
will enable any one to colour, sprinkle, and marble his own leather.

The skins may, however, be procured already sprinkled or marbled at
most leather shops. This plan of sprinkling and marbling the whole
skin is good enough for cheap or |101| half-bound work, but for extra
work it is far better to sprinkle, marble, or otherwise colour the
leather when on the book. Hand-colouring is coming again into use,
and by degrees getting known more and more throughout the trade; but
a great many secrets in the art have been lost. Before giving the
names of the chemicals to be used, I must give a general caution, that
if any acid be used on the leather, it is essential to wash as much
as possible of it out with water _immediately after it has done its
work_, or after a few months the surface of the leather will be found
to be eaten away and destroyed. It is a fault of some of our binders
at the present day, that if they use any chemical, either on their
leather or on their paper, they are not satisfied to use their acid
weak, and allow it to do its work slowly, and when the proper moment
has arrived stop its further action, they frequently use the acids as
strong as possible, and, either to save time or through ignorance of
their chemical properties, do not wash out the residue. The consequence
is, the leather or the paper rots. In order to avoid this, I will
not recommend any chemicals that will destroy the leather, but give
instructions for harmless preparations, by the use of which as great a
variety of different styles may be executed as will, I trust, satisfy
any reasonable expectation.

_Black._—Sulphate of iron or copperas is the chief ingredient in
colouring calf black. Used by itself, it gives a greyish tint, but if a
coat of salts of tartar or other alkali be previously used it strikes
immediately a rich purple black. The name copperas is probably from the
old and mistaken idea that the crystals contain copper. They have a
pale greenish blue colour. It can be purchased at the rate of one penny
per pound from any drysalter.

1. Into a quart of boiling water, throw a 1/4-lb. of sulphate of iron,
let it re-boil, and stand to settle, and then bottle the clear liquid
for use. |102|

2. Boil a quart of vinegar with a quantity of old iron nails or steel
filings for a few minutes. Keep this in a stone jar, and use the clear
liquid. This can from time to time be boiled again with fresh vinegar.
An old iron pot must be kept for boiling the black.

_Brown._—1. Dissolve a 1/4-lb. of salts of tartar in a quart of boiling
water, and bottle it for use.

This liquid is mostly used for colouring; it has a very mellow tone,
and is always used before the black when a strong or deep colour is
required. It is poisonous, and must not be used too strong on the calf
or it will corrode it.

2. For a plain brown dye, the green shells of walnuts may be used. They
should be broken as much as possible, mixed with water, and allowed to
ferment. This liquid should then be strained and bottled for use. A
pinch of salt thrown in will help to keep it. This does not in any way
corrode the leather, and produces the best uniform tint.

_Yellow._—1. Picric acid dissolved in water forms one of the sharpest
yellows. It is a pale yellow of an intense bitter taste. It must not
be mixed with any alkali in a dry state, as it forms a very powerful
explosive compound. It is a dangerous chemical and should be carefully
used. It may be bottled for use.

2. Into a bottle put some turmeric powder, and mix well with methylated
spirit; the mixture must be shaken occasionally for a few days until
the whole of the colour is extracted. This is a very warm yellow, and
produces a very good shade when used after salts of tartar.

       *       *       *       *       *

For all the following, a preparation or ground of paste-water must
be put on the calf, that the liquids may not sink through too much.
The calf must be paste-washed all over equally, and allowed to get
thoroughly dry. It will then be ready for the various methods. Perhaps
to wash it over night and let it stand till next morning will |103| be
the best and surest plan. It matters very little whether the calf is on
the book or in the skin.

_Sprinkles._—There are so many sprinkles, that it would be useless for
me to enumerate a number, they are all worked in the same manner, by
throwing the colour on finely or coarsely, as it may be wanted light or
dark.

Presuming that the paste or ground-wash be thoroughly dry, take liquid
salts of tartar and dilute with cold water, one part salts to two of
water, in a basin; wash the calf with this liquid evenly, using a soft
sponge. The calf will require the wash to be applied two or three
times, until a proper and uniform tint be obtained. Each successive
wash must be allowed to get thoroughly dry before the next be applied.

The next process will be to sprinkle the book, with the boards extended
or open. Two pieces of flat wood, about three feet long, four inches in
width, and half an inch thick, will be found very useful for supporting
the book. These rods must be supported at each end, so that the book
may be suspended between them, with the boards resting on the rods
nearly horizontally. Now put into a round pan some of the copperas
fluid, and into another some of the solution of salts of tartar. Use
a pretty large brush for each pan, which brush must be kept each for
its own fluid. The sprinkling may be commenced. The brushes being
well soaked in the fluids, should be well beaten out, using a piece
of broomstick or a hand pin to beat on before beating over the book,
unless a coarse sprinkle is desired. Whilst beating over the book, the
hands should be held up high, and also moved about, so that a fine and
equal spray may be distributed; and this should be continued until the
desired depth of colour is attained.

This may be varied by putting some geometrical design, cut out of thin
mill-board, on the cover; or if the book is on any special subject, the
subject itself put on the cover |104| will have a very pretty effect,
and may be made emblematical. A fern or other leaf for botanical work
as an instance. The sprinkle must in these cases be very fine and dark
for the better effect. The leaf or design being lifted from the cover
when the sprinkle is dry, will leave the ground dark sprinkle with a
light brown leaf or design. _Cambridge calf_ is done in this way by
cutting a square panel of mill-board out and laying it on the sides.
The square on the cover may be left brown or may be dabbed with a
sponge.

_Marbles._—As the success of marbling depends upon the quickness with
which it is executed, it is important that the colours, sponges,
brushes and water, should be previously disposed in order and at hand,
so that any of them can be taken up instantly. Another point to which
attention must be directed is the amount of colour to be thrown on, and
consequently the amount that each brush should contain. If too much
colour (black) is thrown on, the result will be an invisible marble,
or, as I once heard it expressed by a workman, “it could not be seen on
account of the fog;” if too little, no matter how nicely the marble is
formed, it will be weak and feeble.

Marbling on leather is produced by small drops of colouring liquids,
drawn, by the flowing of water down an inclined plane, into veins and
spread into fantastic forms resembling foliage—hence, often called
_tree-marble_. It is a process that requires great dexterity of hand
and perfect coolness and decision, as the least hurry or want of
judgment will ruin the most elaborate preparation.

To prepare the book paste-wash it evenly all over, and to further
equalize the paste-water, pass the palm of the hand over the board
after washing it. When dry, wash over with a solution of salts of
tartar two or three times to get the desired tint. When dry, glaire the
whole as even as possible, and to diminish the froth that the sponge
may |105| occasion, put a few drops of milk into the glaire. Again
allow it to dry thoroughly. Put some fresh copperas into a pan, and
some solution of salts of tartar into another, and soak each brush in
its liquid. Place the book upon the rods, the boards extending over and
the book hanging between. Should it be desired to let the marble run
from back to foredge the back must be elevated a little, and the rods
supporting the boards must be level from end to end. If the marble is
to run from head to tail, elevate the ends of the rods nearest to the
head of the book. The elevation must be very slight or the water will
run off too quickly.

Place a pail of water close at hand, in it a sponge to wash off; and
a bunch of birch to throw the water with. A little soda should be
added to soften the water. Charge each brush well, and knock out the
superfluous colour until a fine spray comes from it. A little oil
rubbed in the palm of the hand, and the brush well rubbed into it, will
greatly assist the flow of colour from the brush, and also prevent the
black colour from frothing. Throw some water over the cover in blotches
with the birch, just sufficient to make them unite and flow downwards
together. Now sprinkle some black by beating the black brush on a press
pin, as evenly and as finely as possible. When sufficient has been
thrown on, beat the brown in like manner over the extended boards. When
the veins are well struck into the leather, sponge the whole well with
clean water. Have no fear in doing this as it will not wash off. Then
set the book up to dry.

_Tree-marbles._—The cover is to be prepared and sprinkled in the same
manner as stated in marbling; the boards, however, must be bent a
little, and a little water applied by a sponge in the centre of each
board to give the necessary flow of water; when the water is thrown on,
it will flow towards the centre or lowest part of the boards, and when
the sprinkle is thrown on, a _tree_, as it were, will be |106| formed.
The centre being white forms the stem, and from it branches will be
formed by the gradual flow of the streams of water as they run down.

For marbling, every thing must be ready at hand before any water is
thrown on, so that the water may not have time to run off before the
colour is applied. The water must run at the same time that the spray
is falling, or a failure will be the result.

It has been said that marbling was discovered by an accident; that a
country bookbinder was sprinkling some books, when a bird, which was
hung up in the shop, threw or splashed some water down on his books;
the water running, took some of the colour with it and formed veins.
Liking the form it gave, the workman improved upon it and thus invented
marbling. There is, however, no doubt that it had its origin in Germany.

Tree calf seems to be coming into general use again, and to meet the
demand for cheapness, a wood block has been cut resembling as closely
as possible one done by the water process, and blocked in black on the
calf; but, as might have been expected, it has not found much favour.

_Dabs._—This is a process with a sponge, charged with the black or
the brown liquid, dabbed on the calf either all over the cover or in
successive order. Give the proper preparation to the calf, and be very
careful that the ground tint of brown be very even. Take a sponge of
an open nature, so that the grain is pleasant to the eye; fill it with
black and squeeze out again, now dab it carefully over the calf. Repeat
the operation with another sponge charged with brown. Cat’s paw, French
dab, and other various named operations all emanate from the sponge.
When done properly this has a very good effect, and gives great relief
to the eye when placed with a number of other books.

All these marbles and sprinkles require practice, so that |107| a
first failure must not be regarded with discouragement. When one’s
hand has got into the method with these two or three colours it is
astonishing how many different styles may be produced. In all this
manipulation a better effect is obtained if a yellow tint be washed
over the leather after the sprinkle or marble has been produced. Again,
by taking _coloured calf_ and treating it in the same manner as white,
some very pleasant effects are brought out; and when the colours are
well chosen the result is very good. Take for instance a green calf and
marble a tree upon it, or take a light slate colour and dab it all over
with black and brown.

In all operations with the copperas care must be taken that it does not
get on the clothes, as it leaves an iron stain that cannot be easily
got rid of. Keep a bason for each colour, and when done with wash it
out with clean water. The same with the sponges: keep them as clean
as possible; have a sponge for each colour, and use it only for that
colour. A piece of glass to put the sponges on will be of great use,
and prevent the work-table or board from catching any of the colour. A
damp book or damp paper laid on a board that has been so stained will
most probably be damaged, even though it has waste paper between the
work-board and book. No amount of washing will ever take away such a
stain.

When the book has been coloured, the edges and inside are to be blacked
or browned according to taste, or in keeping with the outside. The book
is then ready for finishing.

Some very good results may be obtained if the binder, using coloured
calf of a light brown, treats it as if it were white calf, marbling
with the usual colours; or a yellow calf, splashing it all over with
salts of tartar only, the boards being placed in a slanting direction
to allow the colour to gently run down. |108|

Or the whole of a cover may be blacked with tartar and copperas, then
with a diluted solution of acid it may be sprinkled, this will give
grey-white spots on black or slate ground: if, after washing, the cover
be sponged over with some colouring liquid, such as analine dyes, the
spots will be of the colour used.

       *       *       *       *       *

I do not give many methods or receipts for producing colours for calf,
because, as before stated, the introduction of fancy calf has rendered
obsolete the old-fashioned way of boiling and preparing the different
woods for making colours, and the above will be found useful for
colouring calf in many different ways.

[Illustration]



PART II.

FINISHING.


[Illustration: RENAISSANCE.

Roy folio.

T. Way, Photo-Lith.]


|111|

CHAPTER XXIII.

FINISHING.

Finishing is the art of embellishing the covers of books with different
designs. Finishing comprises the embellishment of the covers either
with blind work, gold, silver or platina leaf, or with metal ornaments
fastened through the boards, or by only a lettering on the back of the
book.

The art of finishing does not comprise any embellishment done with
the “blocking press.” Therein the art is more that of the block or
tool cutter, who, working in concert with the artist who drew the
design, cuts the metal accordingly. The binder’s use of these blocks is
mechanical only.

The monks who cultivated all the arts, and enriched their _Hours_ and
their _Missals_ with marvellous miniatures, gave great zeal to the
occupation of binding. So charmingly were the bindings ornamented with
tools and small blocks reproduced from the text, that we must regret
that so few of these monastic bindings are now left to us.

A great number of these books were executed in Germany, where this
mode of decoration remained a long time in use; and we find that other
countries borrowed from the printer this primitive mode of decoration.
As the art progressed the binder’s mark was impressed on the cover as
an ornament, or as a distinction, such as we find at the present day at
the end or after the title of books to denote by what printer the work
was executed. Later on, when the Renaissance shone in all its glory and
beauty, we find that it freed itself from this limited practice. A new
mode |112| of decoration came into use, which we may well study, even
at the present day; a style at once rich and varied. If we follow the
bold interlacing lines which form the skeletons of those infinite and
varied designs, we catch the imaginative caprices of their authors; and
the details of their transformation gives us a guide to the different
schools and art of their time. The execution of these linear designs
is extremely difficult. It can be easily seen that they have not been
done by a block engraved in one piece, but with small segments.[8] The
art of putting together these small pieces, so as to form one complete
and artistic pattern, is the skill of the _finisher_. Many books are
now finished by means of the blocking press; but on close examination,
these imitations may be readily distinguished. A blocked cover never
has the life and spirit that a hand-finished one has. Of blocking I
must speak in subsequent pages.

      [8] There are a few exceptions to this on a few old books of
      12mo. size. One may now and then see such designs worked in one
      piece certainly by a block.

[Illustration: Monastic Tools.]

[Illustration: ANTIQUE WITH GOLD LINE.

Imperial 8^{vo}.

T. Way, Photo Lith.]

[Illustration: Venetian.]

[Illustration: Grolier.]

These intrinsic designs were very much used by the |113| binders
contemporary with _Grolier_, and the use of lined or azuré tools are a
distinctive mark of the period. This is the connecting link with the
Italian bindings. It will be observed that the Italian or Venetian
tools are solid, while in the other style the tools, although of the
same shape, are lined or azuré. A little later on other artists, not
satisfied with this modification, dispensed with the |114| fine cross
lines, and retained their outlines only. France, during the reign of
Henry II., left Italy far behind, and executed those grand compositions
of _Diane_ bindings. They are marvellous subjects, and are sometimes
imitated at the present day, but are never surpassed in their wonderful
originality.

[Illustration: Le Gascon.]

[Illustration: DEROME.

4^{to}

T. Way, Photo-lith.]

After these masterpieces we find the curious bindings of Henry III.,
which instantly mark a distinct transformation. The interlacings are
less bold and free, but more geometrically traced. The absence of
filling in with small tools gives a coldness, which is increased by a
heavy coat of arms on the sides. This form of decoration exercised a
great influence, and from this epoch another school sprung up. Later
on in time these interlacings served as a ground plan only for the
brilliant fantasies of _Le Gascon_, a master who no doubt has had the
least number of imitators. Although he followed and to a certain extent
kept the shapes, the aspect of his bindings was very much changed
by the application of pointed tools. _Le Gascon_ rests for ever as
the most renowned master of the 16th century. The number of tools
necessary for the execution of a composition like one of _Le Gascon’s_
is large; and when one considers that these tools are repeated,
perhaps a thousand |115| times on each side of the book, a fair
idea may be formed of the magnitude of such a work. I am of opinion
that _Le Gascon_ brought bookbinding to its highest point of richness
and finish. His drawings are always pure and correct; his squares,
lozenges, triangles, and ovals are so brought together as to form a
series of compartments interlacing the one within the other, with an
incomparable boldness and perfect harmony; above all, one must remark
with what richness the compartments are filled. There is no doubt the
ground work of the style was _Grolier_, but he never filled his panels
with such richness or with such taste as that displayed by _Le Gascon_.
The difficulty of adapting such designs to the different sizes of books
has no doubt deterred the various masters from imitating such works,
so that we see less of _Le Gascon’s_ style than of any other ancient
master.

[Illustration: Derome.]

From _Le Gascon’s_ period the tools became thicker and thicker, until
we have the heavy tools of _Derome_, which are much in keeping for
books of a serious character. They are original in shape, but their
employment was only in borders, leaving the centre of the book free
from ornament. |116| I do not pretend to give a history of the various
masters, but rather a practical description of the art of bookbinding.
Much has already been written about the various works executed by these
grand old masters; my endeavour has been to show, that whilst the
various masters of the art of bookbinding worked with tools but little
altered from their original forms, they so modified and changed them
in their character and use, as to form a distinctive mark of style for
each artist, by which his work may be recognized.

A pamphlet, published in Paris, 1878, says: “One of the branches of
artistic industry in which France possesses unquestionable superiority
is certainly bookbinding; the International Exhibitions, and still
more the sales of private or other collections, have each day given
evident proof of this. Italy, which initiated herself so perfectly in
the Renaissance style, and Holland, once her rival in the 17th century,
have long ceased to produce any work worthy of remark; everywhere books
are being bound, but the ‘art’ of bookbinding is practised only in
France.”

I cannot agree with its authors that one must go to France now to have
a book bound properly. The method of bookbinding is quite differently
managed and worked there than it is here. I have witnessed both
methods, and prefer the English one as being more substantial.

HAND-FINISHING.—We were first taught to work the gold leaf on books by
a method not now employed, except, perhaps, by a novice, who wishes to
get his books done before his glaire has dried. This method was to damp
the cover well with water, either with a wet sponge or by other means.
The gold leaf was then laid on, and the tool worked rather warm on the
gold. Through the heat or steam generated the gold was burnt in, and
the overplus washed off with a damp sponge or rag, the gold being left
only in the impressions. If, however, any block or centre |117| was
used, it was impressed with heat upon the side in a small lying press
in use at the period. This press was known then as an _arming press_,
because used commonly for impressing armorial bearings and monograms on
the sides. The term arming press is still used for the lighter kinds of
blocking presses.

Hand-finishing, as before stated, is really an _art_. The finisher
should be able to draw, or at least have some knowledge of composition,
and also know something about the harmony of colours. The workman
not having any knowledge of drawing cannot expect to be a good
finisher; because he cannot possibly produce any good designs, or by
a combination of the small tools form a perfect and correct pattern.
Taste has no small influence in the success of the workman in this
branch of the art. It is better to finish books plainly, rather than
put on the least portion of gold more than is necessary. If the
intentions of the books’ owner is to put some special style or design
into his bookcase, it will be well to think over the various styles
before deciding upon any particular one. Before going thoroughly into
the working details a few preliminary words may be permitted.

Let the tools be always in keeping with the book, both in size and
character. Large ones should be used only on a large book, and those of
less size for smaller works. A book on Natural History should have a
bird, insect, shell, or other tool indicative of the contents. A flower
should be used on works on Botany, and all other works be treated in
the same emblematical manner; so that the nature of the book may be
understood by a glance at the back. In lettering, see that the letters
are of a size proportionate to the book—legible, but not too bold.
They should neither be so large as to prevent the whole of the title
being read at one view, nor so small as to present a difficulty in
ascertaining the subject of a book when on the shelf. |118| Amongst a
large number of books there should be an agreeable variety of styles,
so that the effect may be in harmony with the colours around, and
produce as pleasing a contrast as possible.

[Illustration: Type-holder.]

[Illustration: Pallet.]

[Illustration: Fillet.]

_Tools and Materials required for Finishing._—_Rolls_, _fillets_,
_pallets_, centre and corner tools of every possible class and
character; type of various sizes for the lettering of books or labels.
The type may be either of brass or of the usual printer’s metal; if the
latter be chosen, care must be taken that it be not left at the fire
too long, or it will melt. Type-holders to hold the type, which are
made to fit the respective sizes are necessary, but one or two with a
spring side, adjusted by screw at the side, will be found convenient
for any sized type. In England it is the custom to letter books with
_hand letters_, each letter being separate and fixed in a handle. I
have, however, little doubt that these will in time be laid aside, and
that the type and type case will be found in every bookbinder’s shop.

_Polishing irons._ Of these two are necessary—one for the sides and one
for the backs. There is generally a third |119| kept for polishing
the board end papers when pasted down, which should be kept for this
purpose only.

[Illustration: Polishing Iron.]

_A gold-rag_, to wipe off the surplus gold from the back or side of a
book. It should have a little oil well worked into it, so that when it
has been wiped over the back or side the gold may adhere and remain in
it. This rag when full of gold will be of a dirty yellow, and may then
be melted down by any of the gold-refiners and the waste gold recovered.

_India-rubber_, cut up very small—the smaller the better—and steeped
in turpentine, so as to render it as soft as possible, to be used for
clearing away any gold not taken off by the gold-rag. This should also
be melted down when full.[9]

      [9] Messrs. Cow and Co., Cheapside, have lately prepared my
      rubber ready for use. I find it of great convenience.

_Gold-cushion_, for use as explained in Chapter XVII.

_Gold leaf._ The best should be used, it keeps its colour better, and
is much more easy to work than the commoner metal usually sold.

_Sponges_, both large and small—the large ones for paste-washing, the
smaller for glairing and sizing.

_Glaire_ may be purchased already prepared, or it may be made from the
white of egg, which must be very carefully beaten up to a froth with
an egg whisk. In breaking the egg care must be taken not to let any of
the yolk get amongst the white. A little vinegar should be mixed with
the white before beating up, and a drop of ammonia, or a grain or two
of common table salt, or a small piece of camphor, will in some measure
prevent it from turning putrid, |120| as it is liable to do. Some
workmen always have a stock of “good old glaire,” as they term it, by
them, fancying that it produces better work, but this is a mistaken
notion, often productive of annoyance, and destructive to the comfort
of the workmen. I advise the finisher to beat his glaire from an egg
as he may require it. When well beaten, allow it to stand for some
hours, and then pour the clear liquid into a bottle for use. I have
had some dried albumen sent me, but its working has not given me such
satisfaction as that freshly prepared; it may answer the purpose in
other hands, but with me the gold appears to have been burnt in.

_Cotton wool_, for taking up the gold leaf and pressing it firmly on
the leather.

_Varnish_ should always be used on that part where glaire has been
applied, after it has been polished; the object being to retain the
brilliancy, and to preserve the leather from the ravages of flies and
other insects which are attracted by the glaire; these pests do great
damage to the covers of books which have been prepared with glaire,
by eating it off. They also take away the surface of the leather and
spoil the good appearance of the books. Varnish may be purchased at all
prices: use only the best, and be very sparing with it.

A small pair of spring _dividers_, some _lard_, _sweet oil_, and
lastly, but most important, the _finishing stove_. Before gas was
introduced the finishing stove in use was the now almost extinct
charcoal fire. A bookbinder’s gas stove can now be purchased at almost
any gas-fitter’s shop or bookbinders’ material dealers. The price
varies according to size.

[Illustration: Leo’s Oil Finishing Stove.]

A stove burning paraffin oil may now be had from Leo of |121|
Stuttgart, which he guarantees smokeless and free from soot; where gas
is not obtainable, this will be found very handy.

[Illustration: Finishing Press. The reverse side is quite flat, used
when sides of books are being finished.]

Many still prefer the charcoal fire. To such a stove a pipe should be
fixed to conduct the fumes away into the open air or up a chimney. To
make such a stove any old tin may be utilized. Make a number of large
holes through the sides; fill it with some live charcoal, and place a
perforated tin plate on the top. It will keep alight for hours, and
impart quite enough heat for any purpose required. This primitive
stove, however, must be placed on a stand or on a piece of thick iron,
lest it become dangerous.

A _finishing press_ is a small press, having two sides of solid wood
with wooden screws at each end, the cheeks should be of width enough to
allow the sides of a book to be finished comfortably when the boards
are extended, the book itself being held by the press which is screwed
up tightly. The press should, however, be light enough to enable the
finisher to easily turn it round, as it frequently must be, while
finishing a book.

Mr. Leo has a press (patented) which he claims gives more freedom for
finishing a book, but with it one can only finish the back of a book;
there are, however, many good points that our English makers may well
study. |122|

_Finishing_ is divided into two classes—_blind_ or _antique_, or, as it
is sometimes called, _monastic_ and _gold-finished_.

The term antique is mostly known in the trade; and when _morocco
antique_ or _calf antique_ is mentioned, it means that the whole of the
finishing is to be done in blind tooling. Not only this, but that the
boards should be very thick and bevelled, and the edges either dull
gilt or red, or gilt over red. This class of work is used extensively
for religious books. A gold line introduced and intermixed with blind
work gives a great relief to any class of antique work.

It is not necessary that a special set of tools be kept for antique
work, although some would look quite out of keeping if worked in gold.
As a general rule antique tools are bold and solid, such as Venetian
tools, whilst those for gold work are cut finer and are well shaded.
The greater number work equally well in gold and in blind, but when a
special style has to be followed the various tools and their adaptation
to that style must be studied.

[Illustration: Leo’s Finishing Press.]

The general colour of the blind work is dark brown, and the proper way
of working these antique tools is to take them warm and work them on
the damp leather a number of times, thus singeing or burning as it were
the surface only, until it has assumed its proper degree of colour.
|123| Antique work, as a decoration, requires quite as much dexterity
and care as gold work. Every line must be straight, and the tools must
be worked properly on the leather, both in colour and depth; and as
the tools have to be worked many times on the same spot, it requires a
very steady hand and great care not to double them. Some consider blind
work as preparatory to gold work, and that it gives experience in the
method of handling and working the various tools, and the degree of
heat required for different leathers without burning them through. The
leather on which this work is mostly executed is morocco and calf.

[Illustration: Antique Stamps.]

In finishing the back of a book it must always be held tightly in the
“finishing press.” When in the press, mark the head and tail as a
guide for the pallets by running a folding-stick along the edge of a
piece of parchment or vellum held by the finger and thumb of the left
hand against the sides of the volume across the back at the proper
place. When two or more books of the same character and size are to
range together, the backs must be compassed up so that the lines head
and tail may run continuous when finished. In using the pallet, hold
it firmly in the right hand, and let the working motion proceed from
the wrist only, as if it were a pivot. It will be |124| found rather
difficult at first to work the pallets straight over the back and even
to the sides of the bands, but after a little practice it will become
easy to accomplish.

_Morocco_. Flexible work, as a rule, has blind lines, a broad and a
narrow one, worked close to the bands. Damp the back with a sponge and
clean water, and work the moisture evenly into the leather with a hard
clean brush. Take a pallet of a size suitable to the book, warm it over
the stove, and work it firmly over the back. As the leather dries, make
the pallet hotter; this will generally be found sufficient to produce
the required dark lines. Sometimes it will be necessary to damp the
different places two or three times in order to get the proper colour
in the blind tooling.

The tools may have a tendency to stick to the leather and possibly burn
it. To obviate this, take 1-1/4 oz. of white wax and 1 oz. of deer fat
or lard, place them in a pipkin over a fire or in a warm place, so that
they may be well mixed together; when mixed allow them to cool. Rub
some of this mixture upon the rough or fleshy side of a piece of waste
morocco, and when working any tools in blind, rub them occasionally
over the prepared surface. This mixture will be found of great service
in getting the tools to _slip_ or _come away_ from the leather in
working. Lard alone is sometimes used, but this mixture will be found
of greater service to any finisher, and the advantage of adding the wax
will be apparent.

The lines impressed on the back must now have their gloss given to
them. This is done by _giggering_ the pallets over them. Make the
pallet rather hot, rub it over the greased piece of leather, and work
it backwards and forwards in the impression previously made. Great
care must be taken that the pallet be kept steadily in the impressions
already made, or they will be doubled. The back is now ready for
lettering. This will be found further on, classed under gold work.
|125|

To blind tool the side of a book it must be marked with a folder and
straight edge, according to the pattern to be produced, and as a guide
for the rolls and tools to be used. These lines form the ground plan
for any design that has to be worked. Damp the whole of the side with
a sponge, and brush it as before directed; then work the fillets along
the lines marked. Run them over the same line two or three times. When
dry, make the fillet immovable by driving a wooden wedge between the
roll and fork, and gigger it backwards and forwards to produce the
gloss. If tools are to be worked, make them slightly warm, and as the
leather dries make the tool hotter and hotter. This must be repeated
as often as is necessary, until the desired depth of colour and gloss
is obtained. In using a roll that has a running or continuous pattern,
a mark should be made upon the side with a file, at the exact point
that first comes in contact with the leather, so that the same flower,
scroll, or other design, may always fall in the same place in the
repeated workings. It is impossible for a roll to be cut so exactly
that it may be worked from any point in the circumference without
doubling the design. All blind work is done in the same manner, whether
in using a small or a large tool, _viz._, the leather must be damped
and repeatedly worked until the depth of colour is obtained. It is
then allowed to dry, and re-worked to produce the gloss. The beauty of
blind work consists in making the whole of the finishing of one uniform
colour, in other words, avoiding the fault of having any portion of the
work of lighter tint than the rest.

       *       *       *       *       *

_Gold Work_ is far more complicated than blind or antique work, so that
it will be better if one practises upon some spare pieces of roan,
calf, or morocco before one attempts to finish a book. Gold work is
not more difficult than blind tooling, it is only more complicated.
The |126| different kinds of leather require such different degrees
of heat, that what would fail to make the gold adhere upon one leather
would burn through another. The various colours each require their
different degrees of heat; as a rule, light fancy colours require less
heat than dark ones. The finisher has not only to contend with these
difficulties, but he must also become an adept in handling the gold
leaf and in using the proper medium by which the gold is made to adhere
to the leather. This medium is used in two ways—wet and dry. The wet is
used for leather, the dry for velvet, satin, silk, and paper.

The wet medium is again divided into two classes, one for non-porous
and another for porous leather. Morocco is the principal of the
non-porous leathers, with roan and all other imitation morocco.

The porous varieties consist of calf of all kinds, russia, and sheep.

The non-porous leathers need only be washed with thin paste-water or
vinegar, and glaired once; but if the glaire be thin or weak it will be
necessary to give them a second coat.

The porous varieties must be paste-washed carefully, sized all over
very evenly, and glaired once or twice; care being taken that the size
and glaire be laid on as evenly as possible.

All this, although apparently so simple, must be well kept in mind,
because the great difficulty that apprentices have to contend with is,
that they do not know the proper medium for the various leathers, and
one book may be prepared too much, while another may have a deficiency,
and as a consequence, one book will be spoilt by the preparation
cracking, and the gold not adhere to the other. By following the
directions here given the finisher will find that his gold will adhere
without much trouble, beyond the practice necessary in becoming
accustomed to an accurate use of the various tools. |127|

Suppose that a half morocco book is before us to be neatly finished and
lettered. Take a broad and narrow pallet of a suitable and proper size,
and work it against the bands in blind as a guide for finishing in
gold. As the impression need be but very slight, warm the pallet on the
gas stove but very little. Choose some suitable tool as a centre piece
to go between the bands. Work this also lightly on the back exactly in
the centre of each panel. This must be worked as truly as possible and
perfectly straight. A line made previously with a folding-stick along
the centre of the back will greatly assist in the working of a tool in
its proper position. Now wash the back with vinegar, and brush it well
with a hard brush to disperse the moisture and drive it equally into
the leather; some use paste-water for this purpose instead of vinegar.
Paste-water has a tendency to turn grey in the course of time, and this
is avoided in using vinegar; vinegar also imparts freshness to the
morocco, and keeps it moist a longer time, which is very desirable when
finishing morocco.

The impressions made by the broad and narrow pallet and the centre tool
are now to be pencilled in with glaire; when dry, pencil in another
coat; allow this again to dry, then rub them very slightly with a piece
of oiled cotton wool. Take a leaf of gold from the book and spread it
out evenly on the gold cushion; cut it as nearly to the various shapes
and sizes of the tools as possible. Now take up one of the pieces of
gold upon a large pad of cotton wool, previously greased slightly by
drawing it over the head. (There is always a sufficient amount of
natural grease in the hair to cause the gold to adhere to the cotton
when so treated.) Lay the gold gently but firmly on the impressed
leather. See that the whole of the impression is covered, and that the
gold is not broken. Should it be necessary to put on another piece of
gold leaf, gently breathing on the first will make the second adhere.
When all the impressions are covered |128| with gold leaf, take one
of the tools heated to such a degree that when a drop of water is
applied it does _not hiss_ but _dries_ instantly; work it exactly in
the blind impressions. Repeat this to the whole of the impressions, and
wipe the overplus of gold off with the gold rag. The impressions are
now supposed to be worked properly in gold; but if there are any parts
where the gold does not adhere, they must be re-glaired and worked in
again. A saucer should be placed near at hand, with water and a piece
of rag or a sponge in it, to cool any tool and reduce it to its proper
heat before using. If the tool be used too hot, the gold impression
will be dull; if too cold, the gold will not adhere. To use all tools
of the exact degree of heat required is one of the experiences of the
skilled workman. The back is now ready for the title. Set up the proper
words in a type-case, of a type sufficiently large and suitable to the
book. The chief word of the title should be in somewhat larger size
than the rest, the others diminishing, so that a pleasant arrangement
of form be attained. In order to adjust the length of the words, it
may be necessary to _space_ some of them—that is, to put between each
letter a small piece of metal called a _space_. Square the type, or
make the face of the letters perfectly level, by pressing the face of
them against a flat surface before tightening the screw. They must be
exactly level one with another, or in the working some of them will be
invisible. Screw up the type-case, warm it over the finishing stove,
and work the letters carefully in blind as a guide. Damp the whole of
the lettering space with vinegar. When dry, pencil the impressions in
twice with glaire. Then lay the gold on and work them in gold.

But with lead type and a spring type-case (a method more suitable for
some binders on account of its relative cheapness and the convenience
of the case fitting itself to the different sizes of the type, of
which the binder will want |129| a selection of various sizes), the
type-case must be warmed before the type is put in. The heat of the
case should impart sufficient heat for the type to be worked properly.
If the case and type be put on the stove, the type will probably be
melted if not watched very narrowly. Hand letters are letters fixed in
handles, each used as a single tool. The letters should be arranged in
alphabetical order round the finishing stove, and as each letter is
wanted it is taken from the order, worked, and replaced. They are still
very much used in England, but where two or more books are to have the
same lettering, brass type is very much better. It does its work more
uniformly than hand letters, however skillfully used.

[Illustration: Showing progressive Stages of Finishing.

Pallets.

Panel entirely finished.

Band.

Panel mitred in gold, with title and small corners.

Band.

Panel mitred and cornered with centre tool.

Band.

Panel mitred and cornered.

Band.

Panel mitred.

Band.

Panel marked out in blind for finishing.

Small tail panel with date.

Pallet.]

[Illustration: Cut showing the use of Mitrepiece.]

When this simple finishing can be executed properly and with ease, a
more difficult task of finishing may be attempted, such as a _full
gilt back_. This is done in two ways, a “run-up” back and a “mitred”
back. As a general rule morocco is always mitred. Place the book on
its side, lift up the mill-board, and make a mark head and tail on the
back, a little away from the hinge of the back. Then with a folder
and straight edge mark the whole length of the back: this is to be
done on both sides. Make another line the whole length down the exact
centre of the back. With a pair of dividers take the measurement of
the spaces between the bands, and mark the size, head and tail, for
the panels from the top and bottom band; with a folder and strip of
parchment make a line across the back, head and tail, at the mark made
by the dividers. Work a thin broad and narrow pallet alongside the
bands in blind. Prepare the whole of the back with vinegar and glaire,
as above described, but lay the glaire on with a sponge. When dry,
lay the gold on, covering the whole of the back with it, mending any
breaks. For mitreing, take a two-line pallet that has the ends cut at
an angle of 45°, so that the joint at that angle may be perfect. Work
this on the side at the |131| mark made up the back, and up to the
line made in blind across the back. Repeat this to each panel. The
two-line pallet must be worked across the back and up to the lines
made in gold; the cutting of the pallet at the angle will allow of the
union or mitre, so that each panel is independent of the other. There
will be a space left, head and tail, which may be filled up with any
fancy pallet or repetition of tools. The corners should be in keeping
with the centre, and large enough to fit the panel. Work these from
the sides of the square made, or from the centre of the panel, as will
be found most convenient, according to the thickness of the book and
style of finishing, and then fill in any small stops. When the whole is
done, rub the gold off with the gold-rag, and use the india-rubber if
necessary. The title has now to be put on, which is done in the same
manner as before described.

It is not always necessary that the finishing be done in blind first.
I have explained it, and advocate its being so worked first as easier
for a learner. One who is accustomed to finishing finds that a few
lines marked previously with a folding-stick is all that is required.
When working the title, a thread of silk drawn tightly across the gold
produces a line sufficient, and is the only guide that an experienced
workman requires.

To finish a side, make a mark with the folder and straight edge as a
guide for any rolls or fillets. Prepare the leather as before described
where the ornamentation is to come; but if the pattern is elaborate
it must be worked first in blind. As a greater facility, take a piece
of paper of good quality and well sized. Draw the pattern you wish
to produce on the paper, and if any tools are to be used, hold them
over the flame of gas; this will smoke them so that |132| they may be
worked on the paper in black. When the pattern is complete in every
detail, tip the four corners of the paper with a little paste, then
work the pattern through the paper on to the leather, using the various
sized gouges as the scrolls require, and a single line fillet where
there are lines. Work thus the complete pattern in blind. This being
done completely, take the paper off from the four corners, place it on
the other side, and work it in the same way. Prepare the leather with
vinegar, and pencil out with glaire the whole of the pattern. If the
whole side be glaired with a sponge it will leave a glossy appearance
that is very undesirable. The whole of the side is now to be laid on
with gold, and the pattern worked again with the warm tools, in the
previous or blind impressions.

The inside of a book is generally finished before the outside. This
should be done as neatly as possible, carefully mitreing the corners
when any lines are used. Most frequently a roll is used, thus saving a
great deal of time. A style was introduced in France called “doublé,”
the inside of the board being covered with a coloured morocco different
to the outside, instead of having board papers. This inside leather
was very elaborately finished; generally with a “dentelle” border,
while the outside had only a line or two in blind. It is a style which,
although very good in itself, is not now in great request, many prefer
to have the finishing outside rather than to have it covered up and not
seen when the book is shut.

[Illustration: GROLIER.

Demy folio.]

The edges of the boards and the headbands must be finished either in
gold or blind, according to fancy, but in keeping with the rest of
the embellishment. A fine line worked on the centre of the edge of
the board by means of a fillet looks better, and of course requires
more pains than simply running a roll over it. If it is to be in gold,
simply glairing the edge is sufficient. Lay on the gold and work the
fillet carefully. Place the book on its ends in the |133| finishing
press to keep it steady, or it will shake and throw the fillet off. If
a roll is used, take the gold up on the roll, but grease it first a
little, by rubbing the gold rag over the edge to make the gold adhere.
Then run the roll along the edge of the boards: the roll generally used
for this purpose is called a _bar roll_—that is, one having a series of
lines running at right angles with the edge of the roll.

Imitation morocco is generally used for publishers’ bindings, where
books are in large numbers and small in price, and the finishing is all
done with the blocking press: To finish this leather by hand, it is
advisable to wash it with paste-water and glaire twice.

Roan is generally used for circulating library work, and is very seldom
finished with more than a few lines and the title across the back. This
leather is prepared with paste-wash and glaire, and, when complete,
varnished over the whole surface.

_Inlaid Work._—Inlaid, or mosaic work, is used only in the higher
branches of bookbinding. Formerly books were not inlaid, but painted
with various colours. Grolier used a great deal of black, white, and
green. Mr. Tuckett, the late binder to the British Museum, took out a
patent for extracting one colour from leather and substituting another
by chemical action. This method, however, was in use and known long
before he turned his attention to the subject, although he improved
greatly upon the old practice. As the patent has long expired, it may
not be out of place to give an extract from the specification: “Take
dark chocolate colour, and after the design has been traced thereon, it
is then to be picked out or pencilled in with suitable chemicals, say
diluted nitric acid; this will change the chocolate, leaving the design
a bright red on a chocolate ground.” But to lay on the various colours
with leather is, no doubt, by far the better plan. Paint has a tendency
in time to crack, and, if acids are used, they will, to a certain
|134| extent, rot or destroy the leather; but if leather is used
it will always retain both colour and texture. To choose the proper
colours that will harmonize with the ground, give tone, and produce a
pleasing effect, requires a certain amount of study. Morocco is the
leather generally used, but in Vienna calf has been used with very good
results. If the pattern to be inlaid be very small, steel punches of
the exact shape of the tools are used to punch or cut out the patterns
required. To do this, work the pattern in blind on the side of the
book; take morocco of a different colour to the ground it is required
to decorate, and pare it down as thin as possible. Lay it on a slab of
lead. Lead is better than anything else on account of its softness;
the marks made by the punch can always be beaten out again, and when
quite used up it may be re-melted and run out anew. Now take the steel
punch of an exact facsimile of the tool used that is to be inlaid, and
punch out from the leather the required number. These are to be pasted
and laid very carefully on the exact spot made by the blind-tooling;
press each down well into the leather, either with a folding-stick or
the fingers, so that it adheres properly. When dry, the book should be
pressed between polished plates, in order that the pieces that have
been laid on, may be pressed well into the ground leather. When it has
been pressed, the whole of the leather must be prepared as for morocco,
and finished in gold. The tools in the working will hide all the edges
of the various inlaid pieces, provided they are laid on exactly.

[Illustration: MAIOLI.

Royal folio.

T. Way, Photo Lith.]

If interlacing bands are to be of various colours, the bands must be
cut out. Pare the leather thin, and after working the pattern through
the paper on to the sides of the book, lay it on the thinly pared
leather; with a very sharp and pointed knife cut through the paper and
leather together on a soft board. Or the design may be worked or drawn
on a thin board, and the various bands cut out |135| of the board as
patterns. Lay these on the thin leather and cut round them. Keep these
board templates for any future use of the same patterns. The various
pieces are to be well pasted, carefully adjusted in their places, and
well rubbed down. The leather is then to be prepared and worked off in
gold.

Another method is to work the pattern in blind on the sides. Pare the
morocco thin, and while damp place it upon the portion of the pattern
to be inlaid, and press it well with the fingers, so that the design
is impressed into it. Lay the leather carefully on some soft board,
and cut round the lines made visible by the pressure with a very sharp
knife. When cut out, paste and lay them on the book and prepare as
before, and finish in gold. I do not recommend this last method as
being of much value; I give it only because it is sometimes chosen;
but for any good work, where accuracy is required, either of the plans
mentioned previously are to be preferred.

The Viennese work their calf in quite a different manner, in fact, in
the same way that the cabinet-makers inlay their woodwork. With a very
sharp and thin knife they cut right through two leathers laid the one
on the other. The bottom one is then lifted out and replaced by the top
one. By this method the one fits exactly into the other, so that, if
properly done, the junctions are so neatly made that no finishing is
required to cover the line where the two colours meet.

The frontispiece to this treatise is a copy of a book bound by my
father for one of the Exhibitions. The ground is of red morocco,
inlaid with green, brown, and black morocco. The pattern may be called
“Renaissance.” The inside of the boards are “Grolier,” inlaid as
elaborately as the outside. Seven months’ labour was expended on the
outside decoration of this volume.

_Porous._—_Calf_, as before described, requires more and |136|
different preparation than morocco, on account of its soft and
absorbing nature. As a foundation or groundwork, paste of different
degrees of strength is used, according to the various work required.

Calf books have generally a morocco lettering piece of a different
colour to the calf on the back for the title. This is, however,
optional, and may or may not be used, according to taste. Leather
lettering pieces have a great tendency to peel off, especially if the
book be exposed to a hot atmosphere, or if the paste has been badly
made, so that it is perhaps better if the calf itself be lettered.
There is no doubt that a better effect is produced in a bookcase when
a good assortment of coloured lettering pieces are placed on the
variously coloured backs, and the titles can be more easily read than
if they were upon light or sprinkled calf; but where wear and tear have
to be studied, as in public libraries, a volume should not have any
lettering pieces. All such books should be lettered on their natural
ground.

For lettering pieces, take morocco[10] of any colour, according to
fancy, and having wetted it to facilitate the work, pare it down as
thin and as evenly as possible. Cut it to size of the panel or space it
is intended to fit. When cut truly, pare the edges all round, paste it
well, put it on the place and rub well down. Should the book require
two pieces—or one for the title, and one for the volume or contents—it
is better to vary the colours. I must caution the workman not to allow
the leather to come over on to the joint, as by the frequent opening
or moving of the boards the edge of the leather will become loose.
A very good plan as a substitute for lettering pieces is to colour
the calf either dark brown or black, thus saving the leather at the
expense of a little more time. When the lettering |137| pieces are
dry, mark the back, head and tail, for the pallets or other tools with
a folding-stick. Apply with a brush paste all over the back. With a
thick folding-stick, or with the handle of an old tooth brush, which is
better, rub the paste into the back. Before it has time to dry, take
the overplus off with rather a hard sponge, dipped in thin paste-water.
The learner will perhaps wonder why paste of full strength should be
used for the back, and only paste-water for the sides. The reason is,
that through the stretching of the leather over the back in covering,
the pores are more open, and consequently require more filling up to
make a firm ground. Much depends upon the groundwork being properly
applied; and a general caution with regard to the working in general
may not be here amiss. Finishing, above all other departments, demands
perfect cleanliness. A book may have the most graceful designs, the
tools be worked perfectly and clearly, but be spoiled by having a dirty
appearance. See that everything is clean—paste-water, size, glaire,
sponges, and brushes. Do not lay any gold on until the preparation be
perfectly dry, or the gold will adhere and cause a dirty yellow stain
where wiped off.

      [10] Other leathers are often used instead of morocco, even
      paper; in fact a specially prepared paper is largely sold in
      Germany for this purpose.

Should the calf book be intended to have only a pallet alongside the
bands, it is only necessary, when the paste-wash is quite dry, to
glaire that portion which is to be gilt: this is usually done with a
camel’s hair brush, by laying on two coats. When dry, cut the gold into
strips, and take one up on the pallet and work it on the calf. This is
what is termed calf neat. The band on each side is gilt, leaving the
rest of the leather in its natural state. Some binders polish their
backs instead of leaving them dead or dull. This, however, is entirely
according to taste, whether so large a space be left polished only.

[Illustration: Samples of Backs suitable for Calf Work.]

_Full Gilt Back._—_Run-up._ Make a mark up the back on both sides a
little away from the joint with a folder and |139| straight edge.
Put on lettering piece. When dry, paste and paste-wash the back. When
again dry, take some of Young’s patent size, melt it in a pipkin with
a little water and apply it with a sponge. Lay this on very evenly
with a very soft sponge, and be particular that it is perfectly clean,
so that no stains be left. When the size is done with, put it on one
side for future use. This size should not be taken its full strength,
and when warmed again some more water should be added to make up for
evaporation. When the coat of size has dried, apply two coats of
glaire. The first must be dry before the second is applied, and great
care must be taken that the sponge is not passed over the same place
twice, or the previous preparation will be taken off. It is now ready
for finishing. Cut the gold to proper size; rub a little lard over
the whole of the back with a little cotton wool. This requires great
attention. Very little must be put on light or green calf, as these
colours are stained very readily. Take the gold up on a cotton pad;
lay it carefully down on the back; breathe on the gold, and press down
again. If there be any places where the gold is broken, they must be
mended. Now take a two-line fillet; heat it so that it hisses when
placed in the cooling pan or the saucer with the wet rag in it, and run
it the whole length of the back on the line made before paste-washing.
Do this on both sides, and rub the gold off with the gold-rag up to the
line on the outside. Take a two-line pallet, and work it on each side
of the bands. Work the morocco lettering piece last, as it requires
less heat. The centre piece of each panel must now be worked. Impress
the tools firmly but quickly. The corner tools next; work them from
the centre or sides, using the right hand corners as a guide, and
judging the distance by the left ones. The press must be turned when
it is required to bring the left side to the right hand in working the
corners. The requisite pallets may now be worked to finish the book
|140| head and tail. As a rule these are worked when the two-line
pallet is imprinted.

Calf requires very quick working. The tools should not be held over
the various places too long, or the heat will destroy the adherent
properties of the albumen. With morocco time does not signify so much,
as the heat used is not so great.

_Mitred back_ must be prepared the same way as for “run-up back,” and
the mitreing is to be done as explained in working morocco. As before
stated, this is superior work and requires more skill; takes longer,
but looks much better: each panel should be an exact facsimile of the
rest. If the tools do not occupy precisely similar places in each
panel, the result will be very unsatisfactory, and an evidence of a
want of skill. When the backs are finished, rub the gold off with the
gold-rag, and clear off any residue with the india-rubber. Be very
careful that every particle of the surplus gold be cleaned off, or
the delicate lines of the ornaments will be obscure and ragged in
appearance.

The book is now ready for lettering. Set the type up in the case, and
work it carefully in a perfectly straight line over the back. The whole
of the back is now to be polished with the polishing iron, which must
be perfectly clean and bright before it is used. Prepare a board from
an old calf binding, by rubbing some fine emery or charcoal and lard
over the leather side of it. By rubbing the iron over this prepared
surface it will acquire a bright polish. It must be used over the back
by holding it lightly, and giving it an oblong circular motion. Go over
every portion of the back with very even pressure, so that no part may
be made more glossy than another. The polishing iron should be used
rather warmer than the tools. If the iron be too hot the glaire will
turn white; if too cold the polish will be dull. The grease upon the
leather will be quite sufficient to make |141| the polisher glide
easily over the surface, but the operation must be rapidly and evenly
done. All light and green calf require less heat than any other kinds.
These will turn black if the iron be in the least degree too hot.

It is in finishing the sides that the workman can show his good taste
and skill. The sides should be always in keeping with the back; or,
more strictly speaking, the back should be in keeping with the sides.
Before the sides can be finished, the inside of the boards must occupy
our attention. With a “run-up” back, the edge of the leather round
the end papers is to be worked either in blind or have a roll round
it in gold. In any case it should be paste-washed. If for blind, the
roll is to be heated and worked round it; if for gold, it must be
glaired twice. The gold, cut into strips, is to be taken up on the roll
and worked, and the overplus taken off with the gold-rag as before
directed. Extra work, such as mitred work, should have some lines,
or other neat design impressed. Paste-wash the leather, and when dry
glaire twice. When again dry lay on the gold all round, and work the
roll or other fillets, or such other tool that may be in keeping with
the exterior work. When the gold has been wiped off, the leather should
be polished with the polishing iron.

The outside must now be finished. Are the sides to be polished, or left
plain? If they are not to be polished, paste-wash the whole of the side
up to the edge of the back carefully, then glaire only that portion
which is to be gilt. Generally a two-line fillet only is used round the
edge, so that the width of the fillet or roll must determine the width
to be glaired. When glaired twice and dry, take up the gold on the
fillet or roll and work it evenly and straightly round the edge. The
corners where the lines meet are next to be stopped by working a small
rosette or small star on them. Clean off any gold that may be on the
side, and |142| work a small dotted or pin-head roll at the edge of
the glaire. This will cover and conceal the edge.

Extra calf books generally have the sides polished. Paste-wash the
sides all over, and when dry size them. Hold the book, if small, in the
left hand, if large, lay it on the press and work the sponge over the
side in a circular direction, so that the size may be laid on as evenly
as possible. Be very careful that it does not froth; should it do so,
squeeze the sponge out as dry as possible, and fill it anew with fresh
size. Some workmen work the sponge up and down the book, but if this
be not done very evenly it produces streaks. The finisher will find
he can lay a more even coating on by using the sponge in a circular
direction. Allow this to dry by leaving the book with boards extended.
When perfectly dry glaire once. This will be found sufficient, as
the size gives body to the glaire. When sizeing and glairing, be
assured that the book be laid down with the boards extended on a level
surface; if the book be not level, the size or glaire will run down to
the lowest portion of the surface, and become unequally distributed.
The gold is now to be laid on the respective places, either broad
or narrow, according to the nature of the finishing or width of the
rolls. As a general rule, the sides of the better class of calf books
have nothing more than a three-line round the edge and mitred in the
corners. This is, however, quite a matter of taste. Some have a border
of fancy rolls, but never any elaborate pattern as in morocco work.
To finish the sides, place the book in the finishing press with the
boards extended, so that they may rest on the press. This will afford
greater facility for working the fillets, rolls, and tools necessary
to complete the design on each side. The finishing press being a small
one, can be easily turned round as each edge of the border is finished.

To polish the sides, place the book on its side on some |143| soft
surface, such as a board covered with baize, and kept for the purpose.
Use the large and heavy polishing iron, hot and clean. Rub or work the
iron quickly and firmly over the sides, first from the groove towards
the foredge, and then in a contrary direction, from the tail to the
head, by turning the volume. The oil or grease applied to the cover
previous to laying on the gold will be sufficient to allow the polisher
to glide easily over the surface. Polishing has also the effect of
smoothing down the burr formed on the leather by the gilding tools, and
bringing the impressions slightly to the surface. The iron must be held
very evenly, so that the centre of the iron may be the working portion.
If held sideways the edge of the iron will indent the leather. The heat
must be sufficient to give a polish. It must be remembered that if the
iron is too hot it will cause the glaire to turn white. The temperature
must be well tested before it be applied to the cover. A practised
finisher can generally tell the proper heat on holding the iron at some
little distance from his face, by the heat radiated from the iron. Calf
books should be pressed, whether polished or not.

_Pressing._—Plates of japanned tin or polished horn are proper for
this purpose. Put pressing tins between the book and the mill-boards:
the tins must be up to the joint. Now place one of the japanned plates
on the side level with the groove; turn book and japanned plate over
carefully together, so that neither shifts; place another of the
polished plates on the top of the book, thus placing the book between
two polished surfaces. Put the book into the standing press, and screw
down tightly. Leave in for some hours. When pressed sufficiently, take
the book out, and if the sides be polished, varnish them.

Make a little pad of cotton wool, saturate the lower portion with
varnish; rub it on a piece of waste paper to equalize the varnish, then
work the pad over the side as |144| quickly as possible in a circular
direction. Renew the wool with varnish for the other side. Enough must
be taken on the pad to varnish the whole side, or the delay caused by
renewing the varnish on the cotton will cause a streaked surface. When
the varnish is perfectly dry—a few minutes will suffice—the book must
be again pressed. To do this, rub the gold-rag, which is greased, over
the sides, this will prevent the sides from sticking to the polished
plates. Place the book between the plates as before, leaving out the
pressing tins, and place in the standing press. Only little pressure
must now be given; if the press be screwed down too tightly the plates
will stick to the book. The varnish must be of good quality, and
perfectly dry, or the result will be the same. Half an hour in the
press will be found quite long enough. Should the plates stick, there
is no other remedy than washing off the varnish with spirits of wine,
and the glaire and size with warm water, and carefully re-preparing the
surface as before. This is, however, an accident that cannot happen if
due care and judgment be exercised.

_Graining._—Graining is now used very much on calf books. It may be
properly considered as a blind ornament. It is done by means of wooden,
or, better still, copper plates cut out in various patterns, so as
to form small squares, scales of fish, or an imitation of morocco.
Place the volume between two of these plates, level to the groove of
the back, in the standing press; screw down tightly. The pressure
should be equal over the whole surface. Nothing looks worse than a
bold impression in one place and a slight one in another, so that it
is rather important that it be evenly pressed; a second application
of the plates is impracticable. Graining has the advantage of hiding
any finger-marks that may accidentally be on the calf, and also partly
conceals any imperfections in the leather. |145|

The state of the weather must in a great measure guide the finisher as
to the proper number of volumes he ought to prepare at one time. The
leather should always be a little moist, or, in other words, rather
_fresh_. In winter double the number of books may be prepared, and the
gold laid on, than the dryness of a summer’s day will permit. If books
are laid on over night the tools must be used very hot in working them
the next morning, or the gold will not adhere. During summer, flies
will eat the glaire from various places while the book is lying or
standing out to dry, so that constant vigilance must be kept to avoid
these pests.

Russia is prepared in the same way as calf, but is usually worked with
more blind tools than gold, and the sides are not as a rule polished,
so that the size and glaire are dispensed with, except on those parts
where it is to be finished in gold; those portions need be only
paste-washed and glaired once, without any size.

_Finishing with Dry Preparation._—The dry preparation is used for silk,
velvet, paper, or any other material that would be stained by the
employment of the wet process. There are a number of receipts in the
trade and in use.

Take the white of eggs, and dry by spreading it somewhat thickly over
glass plates, taking care to preserve it from dust. When dry it will
chip off readily, if the glass has been previously _very slightly_
oiled or greased. It must not be exposed to more heat than 40° Reaum.,
or the quality of the albumen will be destroyed. The dried mass is to
be well powdered in a porcelain mortar.

Or, take equal portions of gum mastic, gum sandrac, gum arabic, and
powder them well in a mortar. This powder, if good work be desired,
must be ground into an impalpable powder. When powdered put it into a
box or bottle, and tie three or four thicknesses of fine muslin over
the mouth. By tapping the inverted box, or shaking |146| it over the
lines or letters, the dust will fall through in a fine shower. The
powder should fall only on the part to be gilt. Cut the gold into
strips, take it up upon the tool, and work rather hot. The overplus
of the powder can be brushed away when the finishing is completed.
Finishing powder is now sold commercially.

_Velvet_ is very seldom finished beyond having the title put on, and
this should be worked in blind first and with moderately large letters,
or the pile will hide them.

_Silk_ is finished more easily, and can, if care be taken, have rather
elaborate work put upon it. In such a case, the lines or tools, which
must be blinded-in first, may be glaired. For this purpose the glaire
must be put in a saucer or plate in the free air for a day or two,
so that a certain amount of water or moisture of the glaire may be
evaporated; but it must not be too stiff so as to prevent the brush
going freely over the stuff. Great care, however, must be taken, or
the glaire will spread and cause a stain. A thin coat of paste-water
will give silk a body and keep the glaire from spreading to a certain
extent, but I think the best medium for silk is the dry one, and it
is always ready for instant use. In using glaire the gold is laid on
the silk, but on no account must any oil or lard be rubbed on it for
the temporary holding of the gold. Rub the parts intended for the gold
with the finger (passed through the hair), or with a clean rag lightly
oiled, and when the tools are re-impressed a clean piece of flannel
should be used to wipe off the superfluous gold.

Blocking has been used lately on silk with some success in Germany.
The blocking plate is taken out of the press, and the gold is laid on
it, and then replaced in the press. The finishing powder is freely
distributed over the silk side, which is laid on the bed of the press.
On pulling the lever over, the block descends and imprints the design
in gold on the silk. This process may be applied to velvet, |147| but
velvet never takes the sharpness of the design on account of the pile,
so that as a rule it is left in its natural state.

_Vellum._—The Dutch, as a nation, appear to have been the first to
bind books in vellum. It was then a simple kind of casing, with hollow
backs. A later improvement of theirs was that of sewing the book on
double raised cords, and making the book with a tight back, similar to
the way in which our flexible books are now done, showing the raised
bands. The ornamentation was entirely in blind, both on the back and
sides, and the tools used were of a very solid character.

This art of binding in vellum seems to be entirely lost at the present
day; its imperishable nature is indeed its only recommendation. It has
little beauty; is exceedingly harsh; and little variety can be produced
even in the finishing.

There are two or three kinds of vellum prepared from calf skins at the
present day, thanks to the progress of invention. First, we have the
prepared or artist’s vellum, with a very white artificial surface;
then the Oxford vellum, the surface of which is left in its natural
state; the Roman vellum, which has a darker appearance. Parchment is an
inferior animal membrane prepared from sheepskins after the manner of
vellum, and this is very successfully imitated by vegetable parchment,
made by immersing unsized paper for a few seconds in a bath of diluted
oil of vitriol. This preparation resembles the animal parchment so
closely that it is not easy to distinguish the difference. It is
used very extensively in France for wrappering the better class of
literature, instead of issuing them in cloth as is the custom here.

The method of finishing vellum is altogether different to leather.
On account of its very hard and compact nature, it requires no other
ground or preparation than glaire for gold work. |148|

The cover should be very carefully washed with a soft sponge and
clean water, to clean off any dirt or finger-marks, and to make the
book look as fresh as possible. This washing must be very carefully
done by going over the surface as few times as possible. This caution
applies particularly to the prepared or artist vellum, as each washing
will take off a certain amount of the surface, so that the more it
is damped and rubbed the more the surface will be disturbed and the
beauty destroyed. It requires some experience to distinguish the flesh
and leather surfaces of prepared vellum, but this experience must be
acquired, because it is absolutely necessary that the leather side
should be outward when the book is covered, for two reasons: the flesh
side is more fibrous, and adheres better to the boards than the leather
side, and the leather side is less liable to have its surface disturbed
in the process of washing.

The parts that are to be gilt must be glaired, but as the glaire will
show its presence, or, more strictly speaking, leave rather a dirty
mark, the tools should first be worked in blind, and the glaire laid on
carefully up to their outer edge. When dry, lay the gold on and work
the tool in. Let the tools be only moderately warm; if too hot they
will go through to the mill-board, leaving their mark as if they had
been cut out with a knife.

As a rule no very heavy tooling is ever put on vellum, the beauty
lies in keeping the vellum as clean as possible. The tooling being,
comparatively speaking, on the surface, owing to the thinness of the
skin, requires a very competent and clean workman to produce anything
like good work on vellum.

Vellum is of so greasy a nature that, if a title-piece of leather has
to be put on, it will be found that there is a great difficulty in
making it adhere properly unless some special precaution be taken. The
best plan is to scrape |149| the surface where the leather is intended
to be placed with the edge of a knife. This will produce a rough and
fibrous ground on which to place the pasted leather. This _leather_,
when dry, must be prepared with paste-water and glaire, in the same
manner as with other books.

In the foregoing instructions for finishing a book, the most that can
be looked for towards teaching either the apprentice or the unskilled
workman is to give him an idea how it is accomplished by practised
hands. Pure taste, a correct eye, and a steady hand, are not given to
all in common. The most minute instructions, detail by detail, cannot
make a workman if Nature has denied these gifts. I have known men whose
skill in working a design could not be excelled, but who could not be
trusted to gild a back without instructions. Others, whose ideas of
design were not contemptible, could not tool two panels of a back in
perfect uniformity. Some also have so little idea of harmony of colour,
that without strict supervision they would give every volume the coat
of a harlequin. In a word, a first-rate bookbinder is _nascitur non
fit_, and although the hints and instructions I have penned may not
be sufficient to _make_ a workman, I trust they will be found of some
value to the skilled as well as to the less practised craftsman.

_Blocking._—The growing demand for books that were at once cheap and
pretty, became so strong, that mechanical appliances were invented to
facilitate their ornamentation; and thus we have the introduction of
the present blocking press.

I will not follow too closely the various improvements introduced at
different periods, but roughly describe the blocking press, without
which cheap bookbinding cannot be done at the present day. There can be
no doubt that this press owes its extensive use to the introduction of
publishers’ cloth work.

Formerly, when the covers of books were blocked, a |150| small lying
or other press was used. The block, previously heated, was placed on
the book, and the screw or screws turned to get a sufficient pressure.
It often happened that the pressure was either too much or too little:
the block either by the one accident sank into the leather too deeply,
or by the other the gold failed to adhere, and it required a good
workman to work a block properly.

The first press to be noticed is a Balancier, having a moveable bed,
a heating box, heated by means of red-hot irons, two side pillars to
guide the box in a true line, and attached to it a screw connected at
the top with a bar or arm, having at each extremity an iron ball. The
block, having been fixed to a plate at the bottom of the heated box,
the side of the book was laid down on the bed, and by swinging the arm
round the block descended upon the book. The arm was then swung back,
and the next book put into place. It will be seen that this incurred a
great loss of time.

The next improvement consisted in having a press that only moved
a quarter circle, with almost instantaneous action; and another
improvement connected with the bed was, that by means of screws and
gauges, when the block was once set, a boy or an inexperienced hand
might with ease finish off hundreds of copies, all with equal pressure.
By referring to the woodcut opposite, the press and its action will
be seen and understood. The box may be heated with gas, and kept at a
constant and regulated temperature the whole time of working. It can
be adjusted to any amount of pressure, as it is regulated by the bed
underneath.

The next step in progress was the introduction of printing in different
colours upon the cloth, and intermixing them with gold. Messrs.
Hopkinson and Cope’s machines may be mentioned. They are made to be
driven by steam, and will print and emboss from 500 to 600 covers per
|151| hour, and are heated by steam or gas. The inking apparatus is
placed at the back of the press, so that while the workman is placing
another cover, the ink roller, by automatic action, inks the block
ready for the next impression. The inking or printing of the covers is
done without heat, so, to avoid loss of time, an arrangement is made
that the heating box can be cooled immediately by a stream of water
passed through it.

[Illustration]

Messrs. Kampe and Co. have just brought out a blocking machine, which
they claim to be superior to any in the trade. It will block at the
rate of 700 to 800 covers per hour. The pressure is obtained by one of
the most powerful of mechanical appliances, and it can be adjusted to
block either paper or leather.

The tools required for blocking are called blocks or stamps. These may
be composed of very small pieces, or may be of one block cut to the
size of the book. In any case, the block has to be fastened to the
moveable plate at the bottom of the heating box. To block the sides
of a book, take a stout piece of paper and glue it upon a moveable
plate.[11] Then take the book, and having set the blocks upon the side
in exact position, place the side or board upon which are placed the
blocks upon the bed of the blocking press, leaving the volume hanging
down in front of the press. The bed is now to be fixed, so that the
centre of the board is exactly under and in the centre of the heating
box. When quite true, the sides and back gauges are fixed by screws.
Pull the lever so that a slight pressure upon the plate be given:
release |152| the press, and take out the book and examine if all be
correct. Some of the blocks may require a small piece of paper as a
pad, so as to increase the pressure, others to be shifted a little.
Now glue the back of the stamps and replace them in their respective
places. Place the whole under the top plate in the press, heat the
box, and pull the lever over; and let the book remain for some little
time to set the glue. Take out the book, examine if perfectly square
and correct, but replace it with a soft mill-board under the stamps,
and pull down the press. The lever must remain over, and the blocks be
under pressure until the glue is hardened.

      [11] The moveable plate is also called the _platen_.

Another method is to glue upon the plate a piece of thick paper and
mark upon it the exact size of the book to be blocked. Strike upon the
plate from the size the centre, and from that any other lines that may
assist in placing the blocks. Arrange the blocks upon the plate so as
to form the design; when correct, paste the blocks on their backs and
replace them on the plate. When the paste adheres a little, turn the
plate over and put it into the press. Apply heat to the box; pull the
lever over, and when the paste is set, regulate the bed and gauges.

When the press is properly heated, throw back the lever; take out the
mill-board from under the stamp, and regulate the degree of pressure
required by the side-screw under or over the bed. Place upon the bed
the side to be stamped, hold it firmly against the guides with the left
hand, and with the right draw the lever quickly to the front. This
straightens the toggels and forces down the heating box, causing a
sharp impression of the stamp upon the leather or other material. Throw
or let the lever go back sharply, and take out the book. If the block
be of such a design that it must not be inverted, the whole of the
covers must be blocked on one side first, and the block turned round
for the other side, or the design will be upside down. |153|

Work for blocking in gold does not require so much body or preparation
as if it were gilt by hand. Morocco can be worked by merely washing the
whole surface with a little urine or weak ammonia, but it is safer to
use a coat of glaire and water mixed in proportion of one of the former
to three of the latter. The heat should not be great, and slowly worked.

Calf should have a coat of milk and water or thin paste-water as a
ground, and when dry another of glaire. Both should be laid on as
evenly as possible; but if only portions are to be gilt, such as a
centre-piece, and the rest dead, the centre-piece or other design
should be pencilled in with great care. The design should be first
slightly blocked in blind as a guide for the glairing. The edge of the
glaire generally leaves a black or dark stain. The heat required for
calf is greater than for morocco, and the working must be done more
quickly.

Cloth requires no preparation whatever, the glue beneath and the
coloured matter on the cloth gives quite enough adhesiveness when the
hot plate comes down for the gold to adhere.

A great deal of taste may be displayed in the formation of patterns
in this branch, but as publishers find that books that are tawdrily
gilt are better liked by the public, they are, of course, very well
satisfied if their books are well covered with gold. It would be well
if those who have the principal charge of this work would strive, by
the cultivation of elegant design, to correct the vitiated taste of the
public, and seek by a study of classic ornamentation to please the eye
and satisfy the judgment rather than to attract the vulgar by glitter
and gaudy decoration.

However, of late years a great advancement has been made with
publishers’ block work; the samples given in the trade paper (“The
Bookbinder” now “Bookmaker”) will prove this.

[Illustration]



GENERAL INFORMATION.


|157|

CHAPTER XXIV.

WASHING AND CLEANING.

The binder is often called upon to clean books; to many he is a sort
of Aladdin, who makes old books into new; the consequence is that he
often has placed in his hands a lot of dirty, miserable-looking books,
and is expected to turn them into first-class copies. To renovate such
books requires time and experience, and unfortunately very little is
known among binders as a body about cleaning. Outside the trade, I am
sorry to say, even less is known, for if a book be received from a
binder bleached, it seems to satisfy the owner, and to be all that is
desired. By such treatment of bleaching a quantity of lime is generally
left in the paper, the goodness is destroyed, and naturally the paper
must suffer in a short time. To test such treatment one has only to
apply the tongue to the paper, it will at once absorb any moisture, as
blotting paper does, and often the lime can be distinctly tasted.

But books are often washed and given out to the binder to rebind in
this state. In such a case it remains with the binder not to associate
himself with the book; for if he rebinds such a book the stigma will
attach itself to him when the period of rotting, falling to pieces, and
other misfortunes has arrived.

It is the practice of many who profess to wash books or prints to use
chlorine at every washing; this is not necessary; often a simple bath
of hot water, with perhaps the |158| addition of a little alum, is all
that is required. An important thing is to know the different kinds of
stains when looking through the book; there may be many in one book,
each from a different cause. In such a case it will be best to go
for the majority, and to use the bath that will move them. Often the
one bath is sufficient, but should there be any stains that are not
touched, these leaves must be treated again.

When there are stains of different character in the one book, such as
oil stains on a few leaves, and, say, coffee stains in other parts, the
oil must be first removed; the one bath will not touch both stains.

Often when the bath is used wrongly it will fix the stain in the paper,
and not remove it, the chemical used acting as a mordant.

It is impossible for me to describe the various stains, the
intelligence of the workman must be brought to bear on the subject; and
I advise a small memo. book be used to jot down the difficulties that
may occur from time to time, and so to act as a guide for future work;
to the use of such a book I am enabled to lay before my readers the
methods of working with the various receipts collected in France and
Germany, and used by me in my business.

To wash a book it is absolutely necessary to pull it to pieces. Should
there be much glue on the back, and difficulty arise in the pulling,
the book may be treated as given in Chapter II.: or sections of six
or eight sheets may be left together; the hot water and soaking to
which the book will be subjected in the washing will dissolve the glue
or paste that may be on the back, and the sheets will readily part
whilst in the solution. Washing must be conducted with great care; the
handling of the wet sheets will demand the most delicate touch, for
one can reasonably understand that paper left in water for twelve or
more hours is likely to be very tender. In nearly every case when a
book has been washed it will be found necessary to size it: the size
|159| gives back the body or goodness that the hot water and chemical
has extracted. Often the virtue is extracted by damp, through the book
being left in some damp situation, or by imperfect sizing the paper
has first received; in such cases, although the book may not require
washing, sizing will be of benefit.

_Requisites._—The necessary articles required for washing, etc., are
dishes. Those of porcelain are perhaps the best; they may be bought
at any photographic material dealers. If much work is done, it is
advantageous to have a set or sets of two or three sizes. In using
the various dishes, ample room should be given to allow the hands to
enter the water and pick up the sheets or leaves without any danger of
tearing. Should the pans be of such a size as to be too heavy to move
when full of water, they may be emptied by means of a syphon, the short
end of the syphon placed, in preference, at one of the corners of the
dish, so as not to touch the sheets. The dishes may also be made of
wood, lined with zinc or lead: for very large work these must be used,
the porcelain are not made above a certain size.

A _kettle_ for boiling water in.

A _gas-stove_, or substitute, for heating purposes.

A _peel_, made of wood, to hang the sheets on the lines. The sheets are
placed on the peel, from which they are transferred to the lines.

_Chloride of lime for solution of chloride of lime._—Make a saturated
solution of chloride of lime by mixing intimately the lime with water
in a large jar. When clear the solution may be used. To every gallon of
hot water take from this stock solution two or three ounces.

NOTE.—_Chlorine bleaches all vegetable matter._

_Hydrochloric acid_, also known as muriatic acid or spirits of salts
(poison).

_Oxalic acid_ (poison).

_Powdered alum._ |160|

A _hair sieve_. This is not absolutely necessary, as a fine piece of
linen will answer as well.

_Size_:—

 (1.) 1 quart of water.
      1/2 ounce of powdered alum.
      1 ounce of isinglass.
      1 scruple of soap.

Simmer the whole for about one hour, then pass through a fine hair
sieve or piece of linen. Use this whilst warm.

 (2.) 1 gallon of water.
      1/2 lb. of best glue.
      2 ounces of powdered alum.

Simmer and use as above.

 (3). 1 quart of water.
      2-1/2 ounces of isinglass.
      2 drachms of alum.

Simmer the whole for about one hour, strain as above.

It must be remembered that a size too strong in glue or isinglass is
liable to make the paper too brittle; again, some papers require a
stronger size than others.

(4). A size that may be used cold, and is recommended in France, to
keep at hand and to use when only a single leaf requires sizing, such
as when a name has been erased from a title-page, is as follows:—Boil
about a quart of water in a saucepan. Whilst boiling, add about two oz.
of shellac and 1/2 oz. of borax; the borax will dissolve the shellac,
which will be held in suspension; the whole must then be passed through
a fine hair sieve, or piece of linen, to rid it of all pieces or
impurities. This will keep a very long time, and may be used over and
over again.

Great care must be exercised that not too much shellac is used, or the
paper will be rendered transparent. |161|


MANIPULATION.

_Dust._—The careful application of india-rubber or bread will generally
take away all dust. In using india-rubber, hold the sheet or leaf down
by the left hand, and rub gently away from it. If the rubber is used
in a to and fro motion, there is great danger of the sheet doubling
back and breaking. The bread may be used in a circular motion; and if a
book be cleaned from dust by this means without pulling to pieces, all
crumbs must be brushed away from the back very carefully before closing
the book.

_Water stains._—If the stains be from water, the application of boiling
water and alum will take them out. This stain is the one most usually
found in books, it may be distinguished from other stains by leaving a
mark having a sharp edge.

To take such a stain away, pull the book to pieces, strew on the bottom
of the pan a handful of powdered alum, on this pour a quantity of
boiling water. Immerse each section leaf by leaf in the liquid, and
allow to remain for some hours. It may be found rather difficult to get
the sheets to go under the water; and as one cannot press them under by
hand, on account of the heat, make a substitute by wrapping strips of
linen on the end of a piece of wood; keep this handy, it will be found
very useful; being round at the end, and soft, it does not tear or go
through the paper, as will anything sharp.

The alum water will, after a time, become very discoloured; this is
only the stain and other dirt extracted from the paper; throw this away
by tipping the dish, or by the use of the syphon; add fresh water,
either warm or cold, but preferably warm, to dissolve any excess of
alum that may have soaked into the paper, and to further clear it.
After a time the whole book may be taken out, placed between pressing
boards, and excess of water pressed away by the laying |162| press.
The sections are then carefully opened, and hung upon lines or cords
stretched across the workshop to dry. When dry, should the paper
require it, pass the whole book, section by section, or leaf by leaf,
through a size, press, and again hang up to dry. When dry, it will be
ready for re-binding. It may happen that only a single leaf is stained;
do _not cut_ this out as is usually done, but wet a piece of fine
string, which lay on the leaf as far in the back as possible; close the
book and allow to remain a few minutes; the leaf may then be readily
drawn out, the moisture of the string having made the paper soft where
it was placed. It may then be cleaned, and when dry and pressed,
replaced.

_Damp stains_ may be treated as for water stains, but, as a rule,
a book damaged by damp has little or no chance of being made good
again. A book so damaged can only be strengthened by re-sizing or some
artificial means. To re-size leaves that cannot be plunged into the
solution, the sizing may be done with a soft brush. Place the leaf on a
piece of glass or marble, and use the brush to the leaf as one would do
in pasting; when sized, lift the leaf up very gently and lay it out on
paper to dry; when dry, the reverse side is treated in like manner; or
a thin paper of a transparent character may be pasted over the pages,
either on one or both sides.

_Mud._—Luckily a book stained with mud is not of frequent occurrence.
Mud seems to be a combination of all that is objectionable, generally
it is a mixture of iron and grease. Wash the leaf well in cold water,
then in a weak solution of muriatic acid, after which, plunge in a weak
solution of chloride of lime. Rinse well, dry, and size. Sometimes
it will be necessary to wash the leaf with soap water. Make a soap
solution, and gently go over the whole sheet with a soft brush, a
shaving brush for instance; this may be done by laying the leaf on a
slab of glass: use great care with |163| the brush, or the surface of
the paper will be abraised; after which, rinse well with water.

Very often such stains, if fresh, will disappear if a fine jet of
water be allowed to play on the parts dirtied, the water being ejected
through a fine rose jet.

_Fox-marks._—Books so stained may generally be cleaned by immersing the
leaves into a weak solution of hydrochloric acid; one must not make
the bath too strong, 1/2 ounce of the acid to 1 pint of water, using
the bath hot, will be found about right. Should the marks not give to
this treatment, plunge the book, sheet by sheet, into a weak bath of
chlorine water. The book may be left in for some hours, taken out and
replaced in the hydrochloric bath; after a half hour it may be rinsed
with cold water, hung up to dry, and sized.

_Finger-marks, commonly called “thumb-marks.”_—These are the most
difficult to erase, the dirt being generally of a greasy nature, and
forced into the fibres of the paper. Make a jelly of white or curd
soap, apply to the stain, and leave it on for some time, then wash away
gently by means of a soft brush _while the leaf is in cold water_; this
will, as a rule, take all, or nearly all, away. A slight rinsing in
very weak acid water, again with cold water, and when dry size.

_Blood stains._—The leaves stained must be plunged into cold water;
when thoroughly soaked, the stains may be washed with a soft brush
charged with soap, then well rinsed with water again. Dry.

If hot water be used, the heat renders the albumen of the blood
insoluble, and the stain will be difficult to erase.

_Ink stains (writing)._—Some inks are more difficult to erase than
others. As a rule ink gives way if the writing be treated with a
solution of oxalic acid, and afterwards to a weak solution of chloride
of lime. It is perhaps better to immerse the whole leaf in the
solution, as the lime is likely to bleach and leave a mark; the leaf
should in any |164| case be plunged in warm water afterwards, to wash
away the lime and acid, and, after drying, it should be sized.

_Ink stains (marking ink, silver)_ may be removed by a solution of
tincture of iodine; nitrate of silver, the basis of the ink, is changed
into iodide of silver, this is then treated with a solution of cyanide
of potassium. It may perhaps be necessary to repeat this two or three
times; when quite dissolved out, it must be well washed. As the cyanide
is a deadly poison, one may substitute _hyposulphite of sodium_.

_Fat stains._—(1.) Place a piece of blotting-paper on each side of
the stain, apply a hot polishing iron very carefully to the paper;
this will, in most cases, melt the fat, which will be absorbed by the
blotting-paper.

(2.) Scrape pipe clay, or French chalk, which place on the stain, then
use the hot iron. The iron must not be used too hot, or the paper will
be scorched; a piece of paper should always be placed between the iron
and the leaf stained. The powder may be afterwards brushed away.

(3.) May be removed by washing the leaf with ether, or benzoline,
placing a pad of blotting-paper under and over the leaf, dabbing the
benzoline or ether on the spot with a piece of cotton wool. This
process must not be conducted near a flame, both are highly inflammable.

(4.) A mixture of 1 part nitric acid, 10 parts water, is useful in many
instances for oil stains. When erased, plunge the whole sheet or leaf
into water, changing the water several times. Dry and size.

_Ink._—When the writing-paper has been made from inferior rags bleached
with excess of chlorine the best ink becomes discoloured.

_Reviving old writings._—(1.) Brush the paper over carefully with a
solution of sulpho-cyanide of potassium (1 in 20). Then, while still
damp, hold over a dish containing hot muriatic acid; the writing will
develop deep red. |165|

(2.) Wash the writing with a very weak solution of hydrochloric acid,
then carefully apply infusion of galls.

(3.) For letters that have been in sea water, wash with warm water to
remove the salt, then soak in weak solution of gallic acid, about 3
grains to the ounce. If this does not make the writing legible enough,
wash thoroughly in clean water, and soak in a solution of protosulphate
of iron, 10 grains to the ounce.

_To restore writing effaced by chlorine._—(1.) Expose the writing to
the vapour of sulphuret of ammonia, or dip it into a solution of the
sulphuret.

 (2.) Ferro-cyanide of potassium, 5 parts.
      Water, 85 parts.

Dissolve and immerse the paper in the fluid, then slightly acidulate
the solution with sulphuric acid.

Guitaud discovered that sulphuret of ammonia and prussiate of potash
revives writing effaced by oxymuriatic acid.

_To restore MSS. faded by time._—A moderately concentrated solution of
tannin washed over the paper. The MS. to be carefully dried.

_To preserve drawings or manuscripts._—Mix with every 100 parts
of collodion 2 parts of sterine. Place the paper in question on a
perfectly level and even surface, such as a marble table or large slab
of glass. Give the paper a thin coat of this collodion, and in about
twenty minutes it will be protected by a transparent, brilliant, and
imperishable envelope.

_To fix drawings or pencil marks._—Pass the paper through a bath of
thin size, made either from gelatine or isinglass; or a bath of skim
milk.

_To render paper waterproof._—Take of borax 100 parts, water 2,250
parts; boil, and while stirring, gradually add powdered shellac 300
parts. When the whole is dissolved, strain through muslin. This will
keep a long time and may be bottled. |166|

_To render paper incombustible._—Pass the paper through a strong
solution of alum, and hang up to dry.

The following, taken from the “English Mechanic,” June 19th, 1874, is,
I think, of great use to the professional restorer of old books, and
will give the binder an idea of what has to be done sometimes:—

 “DECIPHERING BURNT DOCUMENTS.

 “M. Rathelot, an officer of the Paris Law Courts, has succeeded in an
 ingenious manner in transcribing a number of the registers which were
 burnt during the Commune. These registers had remained so long in the
 fire that each of them seemed to have become a homogeneous block, more
 like a slab of charcoal than anything else; and when an attempt was
 made to detach a leaf it fell away into powder.

 “He first cut off the back of the book; he then steeped the book in
 water, and afterwards exposed it, all wet as it was, to the heat at
 the mouth of a warming pipe (_calorifère_). The water as it evaporated
 raised the leaves one by one, and they could be separated, but
 with extraordinary precaution. Each sheet was then deciphered and
 transcribed. The appearance of the pages was very curious—the writing
 appeared of a dull black, while the paper was of a lustrous black,
 something like velvet decorations on a black satin ground, so that the
 entries were not difficult to decipher.”

_Insects._—A library has generally three kinds of enemies to be guarded
against, viz.: insects, dampness, and rats or mice.[12]

      [12] Blades, in his “Enemies of Books,” includes bookbinders.

Everyone is supposed to know how to guard against dampness and rats or
mice. Several means are known how to keep insects at a distance. The
first consists in the |167| proper choice of woods for the book-case:
these are cedar, cypress, mahogany, sandal, or very dry and sound oak.
All these are compact or of very strong aroma, and are such as insects
do not like to pierce. Another source of danger is the use of chemicals
in the binding of books.

The insects that make ravages in books multiply very rapidly, and very
few libraries are free from them. The microscopic eggs that are left
by the female give birth to a small grub, which pierces the leather
boards and book for its nourishment, and to get to the air. These are
familiarly called bookworms, but by the scientific world they are
known as _hypothenemus eruditus_ which eats the leather, and _anobium
striatum_ which bores through the paper. The larvæ of the _dermestes_
also attack wood as well as books.

An instance of how these insects were once managed:—M. Fabbroni,
Director of the Museum of Florence, who possessed a magnificent
library, found, after a year’s absence, in the wood and furniture,
great havoc made by insects, and his books spoilt by the larvæ, so
much so that it gave a fair promise of the total destruction of the
whole, unless he could find a method to exterminate the pests. He
first painted the holes over with wax, but shortly after he found new
worms which killed every particle of wood they touched. He plunged the
ordinary wood in arsenic and oil, and other portions he anointed once
every month with olive oil, in which he had boiled arsenic, until the
colour and odour announced that the solution was perfect. The number
then diminished. But a similar method could not be employed for books.
M. Fabbroni resolved to anoint the back and sides with aquafortis; in
an instant the dermestes abandoned their habitation, and wandered to
the wood; the oil having evaporized they commenced to develop again,
and again began their attacks on the newly bound books. He saw amongst
the many spoilt books one |168| remaining intact, and on inquiry
found that turpentine had been used in the paste. He then ordered that
for the future all paste should be mixed with some such poison. This
precaution had the _beneficial_ result.

It is not only in Europe that these worms make such ravages in
libraries. In the warmer climes they appear to be even more dangerous.
And it is a fact that certain libraries are almost a mass of dust, by
the books (and valuable ones) falling to pieces. Nearly all authors
on this subject agree that the paste which is used is the first
cause, or a great help, to all the waste committed by these dangerous
_bibliophobes_. Then something must be put into the paste which will
resist all these insects and keep them at a distance. The most suitable
for this is a mineral salt, such as alum or vitriol; vegetable salts,
such as potash, dissolve readily in a moist air and make marks or
spots in the books. From experience, it is most desirable to banish
everything that may encourage worms, and as it is very rare that
persons who occupy themselves with books are not in want of paste,
for some repairs or other, either to the bindings or to the books,
subjoined is a method of preserving the paste and keeping it moist and
free from insects.

Alum, as employed by binders, is not an absolute preservative, although
it contributes greatly to the preservation of the leather. Resin as
used by shoemakers is preferable, and in effect works in the same
way; but oil of turpentine has a greater effect. Anything of strong
odour, like aniseed, bergamot, mixed perfectly but in small quantities,
preserves the paste during an unlimited time.

Or, make the paste with flour, throw in a small quantity of ground
sugar and a portion of _corrosive sublimate_. The sugar makes it pliant
and prevents the formation of crust on the top. The sublimate prevents
insects and fermentation. This salt does not prevent moisture, but as
two or |169| three drops of oil are sufficient to prevent it, all
causes of destruction are thus guarded against. This paste exposed to
the air hardens without decomposition. If it is kept in an air-tight
pot or jar, it will be always ready, without any other preparation.

Books placed in a library should be thoroughly dusted two or three
times a year, not only to keep them in all their freshness, but
also to prevent any development of insects and to examine for signs
of dampness. The interior of a book also asks that care, which
unfortunately is neglected very often. After having taken a book from
the shelves it should not be opened before ascertaining if the top edge
be dusty. If it is a book that has had the edge cut, the dust should be
removed with a soft duster, or simply blown off. If it is a book which
has uncut edges it should be brushed with rather a hard brush. By this
method in opening the volume one need not be afraid that the dirt will
enter between the leaves and soil them.

_Glue._—The best glue may be known by its paleness, but French glue is
now manufactured of inferior quality, made pale by the use of acid, but
which on boiling turns almost black. Good glue immersed in water for a
day will not dissolve, but swell, while inferior will partly or wholly
do so, according to quality.

In preparing glue, a few cakes should be broken into pieces and placed
in water for twelve hours, then boiled and turned out into a pan to get
cold; when cold, pieces may be cut out and placed in the glue-pot as
wanted. This naturally refers to when large quantities are used, but
small portions may be boiled in the glue-pot after soaking in water.

Glue loses a great deal of its strength by frequent re-melting. It
should always be used as hot as possible.

_Rice glue or paste._—By mixing rice flour intimately with |170| cold
water, and then gently boiling it, a beautifully white and strong paste
is made. It dries almost transparent, and is a most useful paste for
fine or delicate work.

_Paste._—For ordinary purposes paste consists simply of flour made into
a thin cream with water and boiled. It then forms a stiffish mass,
which may be diluted with water so as to bring it to any required
condition. It is sometimes of advantage to add a little common glue to
the paste. Where paste is kept for a long time, various ingredients may
be added to prevent souring and moulding. A few cloves form perhaps the
best preservative for small quantities; on the larger scale carbolic
acid may be used; salicylic acid is also a good preservative, a few
grains added to the freshly prepared paste will entirely prevent
souring and moulding.

Paste is now made on a commercial scale by various Paste Cos., who send
it out to all parts. The paste is exceedingly good, and keeps a long
time.

_Photographs._—A few words respecting the treatment of photographs may
not be out of place here.

To remove a photograph from an old or dirty mount, the surplus of the
mount should be cut away; it should then be put into a plate of cold
water and be allowed to float off. A little warm water will assist in
its coming away more easily, but should it not do so, the photograph
has probably been mounted with a solution of india-rubber, and in that
case, by holding it near the fire, the rubber will soften, and the
print may easily be peeled off.

Very hot water is likely to set up a reaction if the prints were not
well washed by the photographer when first sent out.

In mounting photographs, white boards should, as a rule, be avoided,
because the colour of the boards is more pure than the lights of the
photograph, and deaden the effect. A toned or tinted board is more
suitable. |171|

They should be damped, and evenly trimmed and pasted all over with thin
best glue or starch, and well rubbed down with a piece of clean paper
over the print. If any of the glue or starch oozes out from the sides,
it should be wiped off with a clean damp sponge. As photographs lose
their gloss in mounting, they must be rolled afterwards in order to
restore it. A special machine is used for this.

But it may be wished to introduce the silver print without mounting on
a board. To do so, and to keep the print straight, paste a very thin
paper on the back, stretching the paper well; this will counteract
the pulling power albumen has, and the print will, if this be done
properly, remain perfectly straight and not curl up.

_Albumen._—Desiccated egg-albumen is now well known in the market
in the form of powder. Three teaspoonfuls of cold water added to
every 1/2 teaspoonful of powder represents the normal consistency of
egg-albumen.[13]

      [13] See Chapter on Finishing—“Albumen.”

The manufacture of egg-albumen in the neighbourhood of Moscow is
carried on in the houses of the country people. The albumen however is
generally roughly prepared and of bad appearance, and often spoils.
But egg-albumen is also produced on a manufacturing scale in the
neighbourhood of Korotscha, the largest establishment there numbering
sixty to seventy workwomen, using about eight million eggs yearly,
other establishments using less in proportion.

Albumen is also largely manufactured from blood; 5 oxen or 20 sheep or
34 calves are said to yield the same quantity of dry albumen, viz., 2
lbs. In producing blood-albumen for commerce, the objects borne in mind
are the attainment of a substance whose solution is free from colour,
possesses coagulation, and which is cheap.

_To prevent tools, machines, etc., from rusting._—Boiled linseed
oil, if allowed to dry on polished tools, will keep them |172| from
rusting; the oil forms a coat over them which excludes contact from air.

Dissolve 1/2 oz. of camphor in 1 lb. of lard; take off the scum, and
mix as much blacklead as will give the mixture an iron colour. All
kinds of machinery, iron or steel, if rubbed over with this mixture,
and left on for 24 hours, and then rubbed with a linen cloth, will keep
clean for months.

_To clean silver mountings._—To restore the colour of tarnished silver
clasps, etc., boil the goods, either silver or plated, in enough
water to cover them. For every pint of water put into it 2 ounces of
carbonate of potash and a 1/4 lb. of whiting. After boiling them for
about a quarter of an hour, clean with a leather, brush, and whiting.
They will then look as good as new.

_To clean sponges._—Soak the sponge well in diluted muriatic acid for
twelve hours. Wash well, then immerse in a solution of hyposulphate of
soda to which a few drops of muriatic acid has been added a few moments
before. When sufficiently bleached, wash well, and dry in a current of
air.



|173|

GLOSSARY

OF THE

TECHNICAL TERMS AND IMPLEMENTS USED IN BOOKBINDING.


ALL-ALONG.—When a volume is sewed, and the thread passes from
kettle-stitch to kettle-stitch, or from end to end in each sheet, it is
said to be sewed “all-along.”

ARMING PRESS.—A species of blocking press used by hand; so called from
the use of it to impress armorial bearings on the sides of books.

ASTERISK.—A star used by printers at the bottom of the pages meant to
supply the places of those cancelled (_see also_ CANCEL).

BACKING BOARDS.—Used when backing and for forming the groove. They are
made of very hard wood, and sometimes faced with iron; are thicker
on the edge intended to form the groove than upon the edge that goes
towards the foredge, so that the whole power of the lying press may be
directed towards the back.

BACKING HAMMER.—The hammer used for backing and rounding; it has a
broad flat face similar to a shoemaker’s hammer.

BACKING MACHINE.—A machine for backing cheap work.

BANDS.—The cord whereon the sheets of a volume are sewn. When a book is
sewn “flexible” the bands appear upon the back. When the back is sewn
so as to imbed the cord in the back, the appearance of raised bands is
produced by gluing narrow strips of leather across the back before the
volume is covered.

BAND DRIVER.—A blunt chisel used in forwarding, to correct any
irregularities in the bands of flexible backs.

BAND NIPPERS.—Flat pincers used for nipping up the band in covering.

BEADING.—The small twist formed when twisting the silk or cotton in
head-banding.

BEATING HAMMER.—The heavy short-handled hammer used in beating
(generally about 10 lbs.).

BEATING STONE.—The bed on which books are beaten.

BEVELLED BOARDS.—Very heavy boards with bevelled edges; used for
antique work.

BLEED.—When a book has been cut down into the print it is said to have
been bled.

BLIND-TOOLED.—When a book has been impressed with tools |174| without
being gilt, it is said to be “blind-tooled” or “antique.”

BLOCKING PRESS.—Another and more general term for the arming press; one
of the chief implements used in cloth work. Used for finishing the side
of a cover by a mechanical process.

BLOCKS OR BLOCKING TOOLS.—An engraved stamp used for finishing by means
of the blocking press.

BOARDS.—Are of various kinds, each denoting the work it is intended
for, such as pressing boards, backing, cutting, burnishing, gilding,
etc.

BODKIN.—A strong and short point of steel fixed in a wooden handle, for
making the holes through the mill-boards. The slips upon the back of
the book are laced through the holes for attaching the mill-board to
the book.

BOLE.—A red earthy mineral, resembling clay in character, used in the
preparation for gilding edges.

BOLT.—The fold in the head and foredge of the sheets. The iron bar with
a screw and nut which secures the knife to the plough.

BOSSES.—Brass or other metal ornamentations fastened upon the boards of
books; for ornament or preservation.

BROKEN OVER.—When plates are turned over or folded a short distance
from the back edge, before they are placed in the volume, so as to
facilitate their being turned easily or laid flat, they are said to be
broken over. When a leaf has been turned down the paper is broken.

BURNISH.—The gloss produced by the application of the burnisher to the
edges.

BURNISHERS.—Pieces of agate or bloodstone affixed to convenient handles.

CANCELS.—Leaves containing errors which are to be cut out and replaced
by corrected pages (_see_ ASTERISK).

CAP.—The envelope of paper used to protect the edges while the volume
is being covered and finished.

CASE-WORK.—When the cover is made independent of the book, the book
being afterwards fastened into it. Refers principally to cloth and
bible work.

CATCH-WORD.—A word used and seen in early printed books at the bottom
of the page, which word is the first on the following page. To denote
the first and last word in an encyclopædia or other book of reference.

CENTRE TOOLS.—Independent tools cut for the ornamentation of the centre
of panels and sides.

CLASP.—The hook or catch used for fastening the boards together when
the book is closed; used formerly on almost every book.

CLEARING-OUT.—Removing the waste-paper, and paring away any superfluous
leather upon the inside, preparatory to pasting down the end-papers.

CLOTH.—Prepared calico, sometimes embossed with different patterns,
used for cloth bindings.

COLLATING.—Examining the sheets by the signatures after the volume has
been folded, |175| to ascertain if they be in correct sequence.

COMBS.—Instruments with wire teeth used in marbling.

CORNERS.—The triangular tools used in finishing backs and sides. The
leather or material covering the corners of half-bound books. The metal
ornaments used usually in keeping with clasps.

CROPPED.—When a book has been cut down too much it is said to be
cropped.

CUT DOWN.—When a plough-knife dips downward out of the level it is
said to “cut down”; on the contrary, if the point is out of the level
upwards it is said to “cut up.”

CUT UP.—Same as the last explanation.

DIVINITY CALF.—A dark brown calf used generally for religious books,
and worked in blind or antique.

DENTELLE.—As the word expresses. A style resembling lace work, finished
with very finely cut tools.

DOUBLED.—When in working a tool a second time it is inadvertently not
placed exactly in the previous impression, it is said to be “doubled.”

EDGE-ROLLED.—When the edges of the boards are rolled, either in blind
or in gold.

END-PAPERS.—The papers placed at each end of the volume and pasted down
upon the boards.

FILLET.—A cylindrical tool used in finishing, upon which a line or
lines are engraved.

FINISHING.—The department that receives the volumes after they are put
in leather. The ornaments placed on the volume. The person who works at
this branch is termed a finisher.

FINISHING PRESS.—A small press, used for holding books when being
finished.

FINISHING STOVE.—A heating box or fire used for warming the various
tools used in finishing.

FLEXIBLE.—When a book is sewn on raised bands, and the thread is passed
entirely round each band. It is the strongest sewing done at the
present time. This term is often misused for limp work, because the
boards are limp or flexible.

FOLDER.—A flat piece of bone or ivory used in folding sheets, and in
many other manipulations; called also a folding stick. A female engaged
in folding sheets.

FOLDING MACHINE.—A machine invented to fold sheets, generally used in
newspaper offices.

FOREDGE.—The front edge of a book.

FORWARDING.—The branch that takes the books after they are sewed, and
advances them until they are put into leather ready for the finisher.
The one who works at this branch is called a forwarder.

FULL-BOUND.—When the sides and back of a volume are covered with
leather it is said to be full-bound.

GATHERING.—Collecting the various sheets from piles when folded, so
that the |176| arrangement follows the sequence of the signature.

GILT.—Applies to both the edges and to the ornaments in finishing.

GLAIRE.—The white of eggs beaten up.

GOLD CUSHION.—A cushion for cutting the gold leaf on.

GOLD KNIFE.—The knife for cutting the gold; long and quite straight.

GOUGE.—A tool used in finishing; it is a line forming the segment of a
circle.

GRAINING BOARDS.—Boards used for producing a grain on calf and russia
books. Grain of various form is cut in wood, and by pressure the
leather upon which the boards are laid receives the impression.

GRAINING PLATES.—Metal plates same as above.

GUARDS.—Strips of paper inserted in the backs or books intended for the
insertion of plates, to prevent the book being uneven when filled; also
the strips upon which plates are mounted.

GUIDES.—The groove in which the plough moves upon the face of the
cutting press.

GUILLOTINE.—A machine used for cutting paper.

GUINEA-EDGE.—A roll with a pattern similar to the edge of an old guinea.

HALF-BOUND.—When a volume is covered with leather upon the back and
corners; and the sides with paper or cloth.

HAND-LETTERS.—Letters fixed in handles; used singly for lettering.

HEAD AND TAIL.—The top and bottom of a book.

HEAD-BAND.—The silk or cotton ornament worked at the head and tail of a
volume, as a finish and to make the back even with the boards.

IMPERFECTIONS.—Sheets rejected on account of being in some respect
imperfect, and for which others are required to make the work complete.

IN BOARDS.—When a volume is cut after the mill-boards are attached, it
is said to be cut in boards.

INSET.—The inner pages of a sheet, cut off in folding certain sizes; to
be inset in the centre of the sheet.

JOINTS.—The projection formed in backing to admit the mill-boards. The
leather or cloth placed from the projection on to the mill-board is
called a joint.

KETTLE-STITCH.—The chain-stitch which the sewer makes at the head and
tail of a book. A corruption of either chain-stitch, or catch-up stitch.

KEYS.—Little metal instruments used to secure the bands to the sewing
press.

KNOCKING-DOWN IRON.—A piece of iron having a small leg in the centre by
which it is secured in the lying press. When fastened there it is used
to pound or beat with a hammer the slips into the boards after they are
laced in, so that they do not show when the book is covered.

LACED IN.—When the mill-boards are attached to the volume by means of
the slips being passed through holes |177| made in the boards, they
are said to be laced in or drawn in.

LAW CALF.—Law books are usually bound in calf left wholly uncoloured,
hence the term for white calf.

LETTERING BLOCK.—A piece of wood, the upper surface being slightly
rounded, upon which side labels are lettered.

LETTERING BOX.—A wooden box in which hand-letters are kept (_see_
HAND-LETTERS).

LINING-PAPERS.—The coloured or marbled paper at each end of the volume.
Called also end-papers.

MARBLER.—One who marbles the edges of books and paper.

MARBLING.—The art of floating various colours on a size, from which it
is transferred to paper or book edges. To stain or vein leather like
marble.

MARKING-UP.—When the back of a book is being marked for flexible sewing.

MILL-BOARD.—The boards that are attached to the book. Various kinds are
in use now; the most common is made of straw, the best of old naval
cordage.

MITRED.—When the lines in finishing meet each other at right angles
without overrunning each other, they are said to be mitred. Joined at
an angle of 45°.

MUTTON-THUMPING.—A term used in bygone days, indicating the common
binding of school books in sheep-skin.

MUTTON-THUMPER.—An old term indicating a bad workman.

OFF-SET.—The impression made by the print against the opposite page,
when a book has been rolled or beaten before the ink be dried. (_Also_
SET-OFF.)

OUT OF BOARDS.—When a volume is cut before the boards are affixed, it
is done out of boards. Nearly the whole of common work is done out of
boards.

OUT OF TRUTH.—When a book is not cut square.

OVERCASTING.—An operation in sewing, when the work consists of single
leaves or plates. Over-sewing.

PALLET.—The tools used for finishing across backs.

PANEL.—The space between the bands.

PAPERING-UP.—Covering the edges after they are gilt, to protect them
while the volume is being covered and finished (_see_ CAP).

PARING.—Reducing the edges of the leather by forming a gradual slope.

PARING KNIFE.—The knife used for paring.

PASTE-WASH.—Paste diluted with water.

PEEL.—A wooden instrument used to hang up damp sheets for drying.

PENCIL.—A small brush of camel’s hair used for glairing.

PIECED.—Any space that has another leather upon it, as a lettering
piece.

PLOUGH.—The instrument used for cutting the edges when the book is in
the lying press.

PLOUGH KNIFE.—The knife attached to the plough. |178|

POLISHER.—A steel instrument for giving a gloss to the leather after
finishing.

PRESS.—Of various kinds, viz.: lying, cutting, standing, blocking,
finishing, etc.

PRESS PIN.—A bar of iron used as a lever for standing presses; a
smaller kind for lying presses.

PRESSING BLOCKS.—Blocks of wood used for filling up a standing press
when there are not enough books.

PRESSING BOARDS.—Boards used for pressing books between.

PROOF.—The rough edges of certain leaves left uncut by the plough, are
“proof” that the book is not cut down (_see also_ WITNESS).

RASPED.—The sharp edge taken off mill-boards.

REGISTER.—The ribbon placed in a volume for a marker. A list of
signatures attached to the end of early-printed books for the use of
the binder. In printing—when on looking through a leaf the print on
the recto and verso is not exactly opposite, it is said to be _out of
register_.

ROLLING MACHINE.—A machine introduced to save the labour of beating,
the sheets being passed between two revolving cylinders.

ROLLS.—Cylindrical ornamental tools used in finishing.

RUNNER.—The front board used in cutting edges.

RUN-UP.—When the back has a fillet ran from head to tail without being
mitred at each band, it is said to be “run-up.”

SAWING-IN.—When the back is sawn for the reception of the cord in
sewing.

SAWING MACHINE.—A machine for sawing the backs of books quickly.

SETTING THE HEAD-BAND.—Adjusting the leather in covering so as to form
a kind of cap to the head-band.

SEWER.—The person who sews the sheets together on the sewing
press—generally a female.

SEWING MACHINE.—A recent invention for the sewing of books with wire
and thread.

SHAVING TUB.—The paper cut from the edges of a volume are called
shavings. The receptacle into which they fall while the forwarder is
cutting is termed the shaving tub.

SHEARS.—Large scissors used for cutting up mill-boards.

SHEEP.—An old term for all common work covered in sheep-skin.

SIGNATURE.—The letter or figure under the footline of the first page of
each sheet, to indicate the order of arrangement in the volume.

SIZE.—A preparation used in finishing and gilding, formerly made with
vellum, but can now be bought ready for use. When used on paper a thin
solution of glue.

SLIPS.—The pieces of twine that project beyond the back of the volume
after it is sewn.

SQUARES.—The portions of the boards that project beyond the edges after
the book is cut.

STABBING.—The term used formerly for piercing the boards with a bodkin
for the slips to pass through; more generally |179| known now as
“holeing.” The operation of piercing pamphlets for the purpose of
stitching.

STABBING MACHINE.—A small machine used for making the holes through the
backs of pamphlets.

STANDING PRESS.—A fixed heavy press with a perpendicular screw over the
centre.

START.—When any of the leaves are not properly secured in the back, and
they project beyond the others, they are said to have started. When the
back has been broken by forcing the leaves they start.

STIFFENER.—A thin mill-board used for various purposes.

STITCHING.—The operation of passing the thread through a pamphlet for
the purpose of securing the sheets together.

STRAIGHT-EDGE.—A small board having one edge perfectly straight.

STOPS.—Small circular tools, adapted to “stop” a fillet when it
intersects at right angles; used to save the time mitringmitreing would
occupy.

TENON SAW.—A small saw used by bookbinders for sawing the books for
sewing. More strictly speaking a carpenter’s tool.

TITLE.—The space between the bands upon which the lettering is placed.
The leaf in the beginning of a book describing the subject.

TOOLS.—Applied particularly to the hand stamps and tools used in
finishing.

TRIMMING.—Shaving the rough edge of the leaves of a book that is not to
be cut.

TRINDLE.—A thin strip of wood or iron.

TURNING-UP.—The process of cutting the foredge in such a manner as to
throw the round out of the back until the edge is cut. All books that
are cut in boards have a pair of trindles thrust between the boards and
across the back to assist the operation.

TYING-UP.—The tying of a volume after the cover has been drawn on, so
as to make the leather adhere better to the sides of the bands; also
for setting the head-band.

TYPE.—Metal letters used in printing and lettering.

TYPE-HOLDER.—An instrument for holding the type when used for lettering.

VARNISH.—Used as a protection to the glaire when polished on the covers
of books.

WHIPPING.—Another term for overcasting, but when longer stitches are
made.

WITNESS.—When a volume is cut so as to show that it has not been so cut
down, but that some of the leaves have still rough edges. These uncut
leaves are called “Witness” (_see_ PROOF).

WRINKLE.—The uneven surface in a volume, caused by not being properly
pressed or by dampness, also caused by improper backing.



|181|

INDEX.


Acids, effect of, on leather, 133.

Advantage, comparative, of paste and glue, 93.

—— of flexible binding, 28.

—— of graining calf, 144.

—— of vinegar over paste water when finishing, 127.

Albumen, 171.

Antique finishing, 122.

—— tools, method of working, 122.

Arming press, 117.

Artificial heat, 46.

Artists’ vellum, 147.

Athenæum letter on trimming, 43.

Azuré tools, 113.


Back, calf, polishing a, 140.

—— finishing a (cut), 130.

—— full gilt, 129.

—— mitred, 129–139.

—— run up, 129–140.

Backs, flat, 48.

—— suitable for calf work (cut), 138.

Backing, 48.

—— (cut), 49.

—— boards (cut), 48, 50.

—— flexible work, 50.

—— hammer (cut), 49.

—— machines, 50.

Band nippers (cut), 93.

Bands, putting on, 88.

Bar roll, 133.

Bath, effect upon stains of wrong, 158.

Beating, 9.

—— hammer (cut), 9.

—— gold books, 10.

Beating stone, 9.

Bibles, etc., edges of, 122.

—— end papers for, 33.

—— finishing of, 122.

Bindings, monastic, 111.

Blind finishing, 122.

—— —— beauty of, 125.

—— —— colour of, 122.

Blocking, 149.

—— calf, 153.

—— cloth, 153.

—— in gold, 153.

—— morocco, 153.

—— old method of, 116.

—— press, 150.

—— sides, 151.

—— silk, 146.

—— velvet, 146.

Blocks, 151.

Blood stains, removing, 163.

Board, backing, 48.

—— cutting, 54.

—— trimming, 41.

Boards, cutting in, 64.

—— cutting out of, 64.

—— made, 55.

—— for photographs, 170.

Bolt knife (cut), 61.

Books, enemies of, 166.

Book-worms, 167.

—— to keep away, 168.

Brass type, 129.

Bread, cleaning with, 161.

Bronze end paper, 34.

Brush, finger, 68.

—— sprinkling, 68.

Burnishers, 79.

—— edge (cuts), 81.

Burnishing edges, 81.

—— marbled paper, 73.

Burnt documents, deciphering, 166.

Burr on knife, 79.


Calf, back polishing, 137.

—— blocking, 153.

—— Cambridge, 104.

—— colouring, 100.

—— colouring, preparing for, 102.

—— colouring, black, 101.

—— colouring, brown, 102.

—— colouring, yellow, 102.

—— covering in, 94.

—— dabbing, 106.

—— effect of glue on, 89.

—— extra, 142.

—— finishing, 135.

—— graining, 144.

—— graining, advantage of, 144.

—— green and light, 139–141.

—— handling, 94.

—— lettering, 140.

—— marbling, 105.

—— marbling, preparing for, 104.

—— neat, 137.

—— pasting down, 99.

—— sides, finishing, 141.

—— sides, polishing, 142.

—— work, backs suitable for (cut), 138.

—— sprinkling, 103.

—— sprinkling, emblematic, 103.

—— sprinkling, preparing for, 103.

Cambridge calf, 104.

Capping up edges, 82.

Cat’s paw, 106.

Charcoal fire for finishing, 121.

Chemical colouring of leather, 133.

Chloride of lime solution, 159.

Chlorine, restoring writing effaced by, 165.

Cleaning, 157.

—— off stick, 58–59.

—— removing single leaf for, 162.

Cleaning silver mountings, 172.

—— sponges, 172.

—— with india-rubber, 161.

—— with bread, 161.

Cloth blocking, 153.

—— covering with, 95.

—— joints, 38.

—— smooth, 95.

Cobb paper, 33.

Collating, 13.

Colour of blind work, 122.

Colours for books, suggested, 96.

—— for marbling, 69.

—— for sprinkling, 68.

Coloured edges, fancy, 69.

—— paste paper, 35.

—— plates, 17.

Colouring calf, 100.

—— calf preparing for, 102.

—— calf, black, 101.

—— calf, brown, 102.

—— yellow, 102.

Colouring edges, 67.

—— of leather, chemical, 133.

—— plain, for edges, 69.

Comb marble, 72.

Cord, sizes of, 22.

Cords, lay, 23.

Cotton wool, 120.

Covers, cutting leather, 90.

Covering, 90.

—— half bound work, 96.

—— preparing for, 87.

—— with calf, 94.

—— with cloth, 95.

—— with morocco, 90.

—— with parchment, 94.

—— with roan, 95.

—— with russia, 94.

—— with satin, 95.

—— with silk, 95.

—— with vellum, 94.

—— with velvet, 95.

Cut against, 54.

—— true, to tell if boards are, 56.

—— to tell if book is, 64.

Cushion, gold, 78.

Cutting, 59.

—— in boards, 64.

—— out of boards, 64.

—— board, 54.

—— foredge, 62.

—— gold leaf, 80.

—— head, 61.

—— leather covers, 90.

—— machines (cuts), 65, 66.

—— mill-board, 52.

—— press and plough (cut), 60.

—— tail, 62.


Dabbing calf, 106.

Damp stains, 162.

—— repairing books damaged by, 162.

Deciphering burnt documents, 166.

Dentelle border, 132.

Derome tools (cuts), 115.

Dibdin, Dr, 95.

Disadvantage of backing machines, 51.

—— flat backs, 48.

—— lettering pieces, 136.

—— wire sewing, 30.

Dishes for washing, 159.

Documents, deciphering burnt, 166.

Doublé, 132.

Down, pasting, 97.

Dragon, gum, 70.

Drawing in, 57.

Drawings, fixing, 165.

—— preserving, 165.

Dry preparation, 145.

—— making, 145.

Drying, artificial heat in, 46.

Duplicate sheets, 19.

Dust, removing, 161.

Dutch marble paper, 34.


Edge burnishers (cuts), 81.

Edges of bibles and religious books, 122.

—— of boards, finishing, 132.

—— burnishing, 81.

—— capping up, 82.

—— coloured, fancy, 69.

—— coloured, plain, 69.

—— colouring, 67.

—— gilding, 80.

—— gilt, 78.

—— gilt, dull, 81.

—— gilt, painted, 82.

—— gilt, on red, 82.

—— gilt, in the round, 81.

—— gilt, solid, 81.

—— gilt, tooled, 82.

—— marbled, 69.

—— marbled, paper, transferring to, 74–75.

—— marbling, 73.

—— marbled, on gilt, 78.

—— marbled, under gilt, 78.

—— sprinkled, 67.

—— sprinkled marble, 67.

—— transferring marbled paper to, 74–75.

—— uncut, 41.

Effaced by chlorine, restoring writing, 165.

—— by oxymuriatic acid, restoring writing, 165.

Emblematic sprinkling, 103.

—— tooling, 117.

End papers, 33.

—— papers, bronze, 34.

—— papers, cobb, 33.

—— papers, coloured paste, 35.

—— papers, making, 35.

—— papers, marbled, 33.

—— papers, printed and fancy, 34.

—— papers, putting on, 38.

—— papers, surface, 33.

—— papers, for bibles, etc., 33.

—— papers, for school and public library books, 41.

Ends, sewing (cut), 40.

Enemies of books, 166.

Extra, calf, 142.


Faded MSS., restoring, 165.

—— writing, restoring, 165.

Fat stains, removing, 164.

Fillet (cut), 118.

Filling up, 137.

—— up, saw cuts, 89.

Finger brush, 68.

Finger-marks, 163.

—— removing, 163.

Finishing, 111.

—— ancient, 117.

—— a back (cut), 130.

—— a back, calf, 135.

—— a back, full gilt, 137.

—— a back, run up, 139.

—— blind, antique or monastic, 122.

—— blind, tools for, 122.

—— calf sides, 141.

—— charcoal fire for, 121.

—— edges of boards, 132.

—— extra calf sides, 142.

—— flexible work, 124.

—— gold, 125.

—— gold, tools for, 122.

—— half morocco book, 127.

—— inside of a book, 132–141.

—— medium, 126.

—— medium, importance of proper, 126.

—— morocco sides, 131.

—— morocco imitation, 133.

—— paper, 144.

—— press (cuts), 121–122.

—— religious books, 122.

—— roan, 133.

—— russia, 145.

—— sides calf, 135.

—— sides calf extra, 142.

—— sides morocco, 131.

—— sides, morocco imitation, 133.

—— silk, 146.

—— stove (cuts), 120.

—— taste in, 117.

—— tools, 118–122.

—— tools, heat for, 128.

—— vellum, 147.

—— velvet, 146.

—— with dry preparation, 145.

Fixing drawings, 165.

Flat backs, 48.

Flexible binding, advantages of, 28.

—— how to tell, 29.

—— not to show, 29, 89.

Flexible work, backing, 50.

—— work, cleaning off, 59.

—— work, covering, preparing for, 89.

—— work, finishing, 124.

—— work, gluing up, 45.

—— work, marking up, 20.

—— work, mock, 90.

—— work, sewing, 23.

—— work, sewing (cut), 27.

Folding, 3.

—— stick, 4.

—— machine (cut), 7.

—— maps, 15.

Folio, 4.

Foredge, cutting, 62.

Forwarding, 33.

Fox-marks, 163.

—— marks, removing, 163.

French, dab, 106.

—— method of pressing, 19.

—— method of trimming, 42.

—— paring knife (cut), 90.

—— paring knife, method of using (cut), 91.

Full gilt back, finishing, 137.


Gall, ox, for marbling, 71.

Gascon, 115.

—— tools (cuts), 114.

Gathering, 8.

—— machine, 8.

German, method of gluing up, 45.

—— paring knife (cut), 91.

—— paring knife, method of using (cut), 91.

Giggering, 124.

Gilding edges, 80.

Gilt back, full, 129.

—— edges, 78.

—— edges, dull, 81.

—— edges, painted, 82.

—— edges, solid, 81.

—— edges, tooled, 82.

—— in the round, 81.

—— marbling on, 78.

—— marbling under, 78.

—— on red, 82.

—— top, 41.

Glaire, 119.

—— how to make, 119.

—— water, 79.

Glue, 169.

—— comparative advantages of paste and, 93.

—— effect on calf of, 89.

—— rice, 169.

—— to tell good, 169.

Gluing up, 45.

—— up flexible work, 45.

—— up, German method of, 45.

Gold, blocking in, 153.

—— cushion, 78.

—— finishing, 125.

—— finishing, tools for, 128.

—— knife, 79.

—— leaf, 79–119.

—— leaf, cutting, 80.

Grain, treatment of straight, 92.

—— treatment of leather with no, 92.

Graining calf, 144.

—— advantage of, 144.

Graining up, 92.

Grolier tools (cuts), 113.

Groove, 7.

Guarding plates, etc., 15.

Guards, object of, 16.

Gum Tragacanth (Gum Dragon), 70.


Half binding, 96.

—— binding, covering, 96.

—— binding, lining for, 53.

—— binding, pasting down, 100.

Hammer, beating (cut), 9.

Hand finishing, 116.

—— letters, 118.

Handling calf, 94.

Head band, setting, 93.

—— bands, stuck on, 80.

—— banding, 83.

—— banding (cut), 84.

—— banding on old books, 84.

—— of book cutting, 61.

Heat, artificial, 46.

—— for finishing tools, 128.

—— for polishing tools, 140.

Henry III., bindings of, 114.

Holes in back, filling up, 89.

Hollow backs, 87.


Imitation morocco, finishing, 133.

Importance of proper finishing medium, 126.

Incombustible, to render paper, 166.

India rubber, 119.

—— rubber, how to use, 161.

Ink stains, removing, 163.

—— stains, marking, 164.

Inlaid work, 133.

Inlaying, 134.

—— Viennese method of, 135.

Insects, 166.

—— poison for, 168.

Inside of book, finishing, 132–141.

Interleaving, 18.

Iron, knocking-down (cut), 6.

—— polishing (cut), 119.


Joint, 7.

Joints, cloth, 38–99.

—— morocco, 98.


Kettle stitch, 25–28.

Keys (sewing), 23.

Knife, bolt (cut), 61.

—— burr on, 79.

—— gold, 79.

—— paring, French (cut), 90.

—— paring, method of holding, (cut), 91.

—— paring, German (cut), 91.

—— paring, German, method of holding (cut), 92.

—— sliding (cut), 60.

—— trimming, 42.

Knocking down iron (cut), 6.


Lard, 124.

Lay cords, 23.

Lead type, 129.

Leaf, gold, 79.

—— gold, cutting, 80.

—— gold, thickness of, 80.

—— removing single, 162.

Leather covers, cutting, 90.

—— kinds of, 90.

—— non-porous, 126.

—— porous, 126.

Leaves, re-sizing, 162.

Lettering, 117.

—— calf, 140.

—— pieces, 136.

—— pieces, disadvantages of, 136.

—— pieces, for vellum books, 148.

—— pieces, substitute for, 136.

Letters, hand, 129.

Lining boards, 55.

—— boards, half binding, 55.

—— boards, whole binding, 55.

—— paper for, 88.

—— up, 87.


Machine, backing, 50.

—— cutting (cuts), 65, 66.

—— folding (cut), 7.

—— gathering, 8.

—— mill-board cutting (cuts), 54.

—— mill-board cutting, steam, (cut), 54.

—— rolling (cut), 11.

—— rounding, (cut), 47.

—— sawing in (cut), 22.

—— sewing (cut), 31.

—— sewing, 32.

—— sewing wire, 32.

Machines, to prevent, rusting, 171.

Making end papers, 35.

Maps, mounting (cut), 14.

—— throwing out, 13.

Marble comb, 72.

—— edges, sprinkled, 67.

—— nonpareil, 72.

—— shell, 72.

—— Spanish, 72.

—— spot, 72.

—— tree, 105.

Marbled edges, 69.

—— paper, 33.

—— paper, burnishing, 73.

—— paper, old Dutch, 34.

—— paper, transferring to edges, 74–75.

Marblers, mechanical (cuts), 75.

Marbling, 34–71.

—— ancient instructions for, 76.

—— calf, 105.

—— colours for, 69.

—— edges, 73.

—— edges, on gilt, 78.

—— edges, under gilt, 78.

—— ox gall for, 71.

—— paper, 73.

—— preparing for, 104.

—— requisites for, 69.

—— set, 77.

—— size for, 70.

—— trough (cut), 70.

Margins, 3–43.

Marking ink stains, removing, 164.

—— up, 20.

Mechanical marblers (cuts), 75.

Medium for finishing, 126.

—— importance of proper, 126.

Mill-board, cutting, 52.

—— cutting machine (cut), 53.

—— cutting machine, steam, (cut), 54.

—— shears, 52.

Mill-boards, 51.

—— made, 55.

—— name of, 51.

—— sizes of, 52.

—— price of, 51.

Missing sheets, 19.

Mitre piece (cut), 131.

Mitred back, 129.

Mock flexible binding, 90.

Monastic, bindings, 111.

—— finishing, 122.

—— tools (cuts), 112.

Morocco, blocking, 153.

—— imitation, finishing, 133.

—— joints, 98.

—— pasting down, 97.

—— sides, finishing, 141.

Mosaic work, 133.

Mounting, maps, 15.

—— photographs, 171.

Mountings, cleaning silver, 172.

MSS., preserving, 165.

—— restoring faded, 165.

Mull, 89.

Mud stains, 162.

—— removing, 162.


Neat, calf, 137.

Nippers, band (cut), 93.

Nitric acid, effect upon leather, 133.

Nonpareil marble, 72.

Non-porous leathers, 126.


Object of guards, 16.

—— of trimming, 42.

Old books, beating, 10.

—— head-banding in, 84.

—— sewing, 25.

Old writing, reviving, 164.

Opening books, care in, 169.

Overcasting, 18.

Oversewing, 18.

Ox gall for marbling, 71.

Oxford vellum, 147.

Oxymuriatic acid, restoring writing effaced by, 165.


Painting covers, 133.

Pallet (cut), 118.

—— using the, 123.

Paper, bronze end, 34.

—— burnishing marbled, 73.

—— Cobb, 33.

—— finishing, 145.

—— for lining up, 88.

—— incombustible, to render, 166.

—— marbled, 33.

—— marbled, old Dutch, 34.

—— marbling, 73.

—— paste, 35.

—— printed and fancy end, 34.

—— surface, 33.

—— waterproof, to render, 165.

Papers, end, 33.

—— end, making, 35.

Parchment, 147.

—— covering with, 94.

—— vegetable, 147.

Paring, 91.

—— knife, French (cut), 90.

—— knife, French, method of using (cut), 91.

—— knife, German (cut), 91.

—— knife, German, method of using, 92.

Paste, 170.

—— and glue, comparative advantages, 93.

—— for white morocco, 94.

—— for paper, 35.

—— rice, 169.

—— to prevent, moulding and souring, 170.

—— water, effect upon leather, 127.

Pasting, 36.

—— calf, 99.

—— down, 97.

—— down half bindings, 100.

—— Russia, 99.

—— single sheets, 17.

—— up, 36.

Peel, 159.

Photographs, boards for, 170.

—— mounting, 171.

—— removing, 170.

Pieces, lettering, 136.

—— lettering, disadvantages of, 136.

—— lettering, substitute for, 136.

Plates, 14.

—— coloured, 17.

—— guarding, 15.

Plough, round, 42.

Polishing calf back, 140.

—— calf sides, 142.

—— heat for, 140.

Polishing iron (cut), 119.

Porous leathers, 126.

Preparation, dry, 145.

Preparing for covering, 87.

—— for covering flexible work, 89.

—— for covering flexible work, not to show, 89.

—— for covering mock flexible work, 90.

Preserving drawings, MSS., etc., 165.

Press, arming, 117.

—— blocking, 150.

—— cutting (cut), 60.

—— finishing (cut), 121–122.

—— lying, 7, 37.

—— sewing (cut), 24.

—— standing, 18.

—— standing, American (cut), 19.

Pressing, 58, 143.

—— Parisian, mode of, 19.

—— various sized books, 58.

Proof, 57.

Public library books, 41.

Pulling, 5.

Putting on bands, 88.

—— on end papers, 38.


Refolding, 5.

Register, 3.

Religious books, edges, 122.

—— books, end papers, 33.

—— books, finishing, 122.

Removing blood stains, 163.

—— damp stains, 162.

—— dust, 161.

—— fat stains, 164.

—— finger-marks, 163.

—— fox-marks, 163.

—— ink stains, 163.

—— marking ink stains, 164.

—— mud stains, 161.

—— single leaf for cleaning, 162.

—— photographs, 171.

—— water stains, 161.

—— writing, 163.

Repairing books damaged by damp, 162.

Re-sizing leaves, 162.

Restoring faded MSS., 165.

—— writing effaced by chlorine, 165.

—— writing effaced by oxymuriatic acid, 165.

—— writing effaced by sea water, 165.

—— writing faded by time, 165.

Reviving old writing, 164.

Rice glue or paste, 169.

Roan, covering with, 95.

—— finishing, 133.

Roll, bar, 133.

Rolling, 10.

Rolling machine (cut), 11.

Round plough, 42.

Rounding, 46.

—— machine, 47.

Roman vellum, 147.

Runner, 54.

Run up back, 129, 139.

Russia, finishing, 145.

—— imitation, 96.

—— pasting down, 99.

—— treatment of, 94.

Rusting, to prevent, tools, etc., 171.


Satin, covering with, 95.

Saw cuts, depth of, 22.

—— cuts, filling up, 89.

—— marks (cut), 21.

—— tennon, 21.

Sawing in, 21.

—— in machine (cut), 22.

School books, end papers for, 41.

Scrapers, 79.

Set, marbling, 77.

Set off, 12.

Setting head band, 93.

Sewing, 23.

—— disadvantage of wire, 30.

—— ends, mode of (cut), 40.

—— flexible (cut), 27.

—— flexible work, 23.

—— keys, 23.

—— machine, 32.

—— machine (cut), 31.

—— old books, 25.

—— ordinary (cuts), 26.

—— press (cut), 24.

—— thread, 27.

—— wire, 30.

—— machine, 32.

Shears, mill-board, 52.

Sheets, 3.

—— duplicate, 19.

—— missing, 19.

Shell marble, 72.

Sides, blocking, 151.

—— calf, finishing, 141.

—— calf, extra finishing, 142.

—— calf, polishing, 142.

—— morocco, finishing, 131.

—— siding, 142.

—— tooling, 125.

Sieve, sprinkling, 68.

Signatures, 4.

Silk blocking, 146.

—— covering with, 95.

—— finishing, 146.

Silver mountings, to clean, 172.

Single sheets, pasting, 17.

Size, 74–79, 160.

—— for marbling, 70.

Sizes of books, 4–5.

—— of cord, 22.

—— of mill-boards, 52.

Sizing, 74–159.

Siding sides, 142.

Sliding knife (cut), 60.

Smooth cloth, covering with, 95.

Spanish marble, 72.

Sponges, 119.

—— cleaning, 172.

Spot marble, 72.

Sprinkled edges, 67.

—— marble edges, 67.

Sprinkling brush, 68.

—— calf, 103.

—— calf, fancy, 103.

—— calf, preparing for, 103.

—— colours, 68.

—— sieve, 68.

Stains, blood, removing, 163.

—— damp, 162.

—— effect of wrong bath upon, 158.

—— fat, removing, 164.

—— ink, removing, 164.

—— mud, removing, 162.

—— removing, 158.

—— removing, different, 158.

—— water, how to tell, 161.

—— water, removing, 161.

Stamps, 151.

Standing press, 18.

—— press, American (cut), 19.

Steel-faced backing boards, 50.

Stick, folding, 4.

—— cleaning off, 58, 59.

Stone, beating, 9.

Stove, finishing (cut), 120.

Straight grain leather treatment, 92.

Stuck on head bands, 86.

Substitute for lettering pieces, 136.

Surface paper, 33.

Swelling, 27.


Tail, cutting, 62.

Taste in finishing, 117.

Tennon saw, 21.

Thread, sewing, 27.

Throw up backs, 89.

Throwing out maps (cut), 16.

Thumb marks, removing, 163.

Time, restoring writing faded by, 165.

Title, 128.

Tools, Derome, 115.

—— finishing, 118.

—— for antique finishing, 122.

—— for gold finishing, 122.

—— Grolier, 113.

—— Le Gascon, 114.

—— monastic, 112.

—— to prevent, rusting, 171.

—— Venetian (cuts), 113.

Tooled gilt edges, 82.

Tooling, emblematic, 117.

—— sides, 125.

Top, gilt, 41.

Tree marble, 105.

Trimming, 41.

—— board, 41.

——French method of, 42.

—— knife, 42.

—— letter on, 43.

—— machine, 44.

—— machine (cut), 42.

—— object of, 42.

Trindles, 62.

Trough, marbling (cut), 70.

—— two sheets on, 29.

Type, 118–128.

—— brass, 129.

—— holder (cut), 118.

—— lead, 129.


Uncut edges, 41.

Unsized paper, to tell, 80.


Varnish, 120.

Varnishing, 143.

—— object of, 120.

Vegetable parchment, 147.

Vellum artists, 147.

—— binding, lettering pieces, 149.

—— binding, old, 94.

—— covering with, 94.

—— finishing, 147.

—— Oxford, 147.

—— Roman, 147.

Velvet, blocking, 146.

—— covering with, 95.

—— finishing, 146.

Venetian tools (cuts), 113.

Viennese method of inlaying, 135.

Vinegar, advantage of, 127.


Washing, 158.

—— dishes for, 159.

—— requisites for, 159.

Water, glaire, 79.

—— stains, how to tell, 161.

—— stains, removing, 161.

Waterproof, rendering paper, 165.

White morocco, paste for, 92.

Whole binding, lining boards for, 55.

Wire sewing, 30.

—— sewing, disadvantage of, 30.

—— sewing, machine, 32.

Writing effaced by chlorine, restoring, 165.

—— effaced by oxymuriatic acid, restoring, 165.

—— faded by sea water, reviving, 165.

—— faded by time, reviving, 165.

—— removing, 164.

—— reviving old, 164.

Wrong bath, effect upon stains of, 158.



CHISWICK PRESS:—C. WHITTINGHAM AND CO., TOOKS COURT, CHANCERY LANE.



TRANSCRIBER’S NOTE

Original printed spelling and grammar are retained, with a few
exceptions noted below. Small caps are changed to all capital letters.
Italics _look like this_. Many illustrations have been moved from
their original locations to nearby places between paragraphs. Original
printed page numbers look like this: “|81|”.

Page 21. In “by sewing a small book on fine bands”, changed “fine” to
“five”.

Page 46. Changed “spontanenusly” to “spontaneously”.

Page 52. A new KEY has been added to the table, so that the table can
be displayed properly in this ebook edition. Furthermore, each pair of
columns with headings “6d.”, “7d.”, “8d.”, “8x.”, “8xx.”, and “X.” was
originally printed with an illustration of a black rectangle showing
the relative size referred to. These illustrations are included in the
html and epub editions.

Page 107. Changed “bason” to “basin”.

Page 121. A new paragraph break was inserted between “become dangerous”
and “A _finishing press_ is”.

Page 164. Changed “subsitute” to “substitute”.

Page 179, Glossary, Entry “Stops”. Changed “mitring” to “mitreing”.

Page 182, Index, Entry “Covering”. In “preparing f r, 87”, changed
“f r” to “for”.





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