This part of bookbinding is a matter of some importance especially as tree marbled calf patterns have again recently revived in popularity. We will first speak of the preparation of the colors and solutions necessary.
Binders differ much amongst themselves in the formulae they prefer; but the following, mainly those given by John Hannett, in his "Bibliopegia," may be relied upon. All the woods and other ingredients named should be reduced to powder or small pieces before being used.

Black - 1. Dissolve 1/2lb. green copperas in a couple of quarts of water. The oxide contained in the sulphate of iron will combine with the tannin of the leather and produce a good black. 2. Boil in a cast-iron pot a quart of vinegar with a quantity of rusty nails or steel filings till reduced one-third, taking off the scum as it rises to the top. This liquid improves with age. To keep up the quantity, boil with more vinegar.

Brown -1. Half-pound of good Dantzig or American potash dissolved in one quart of rain-water, and preserved in a bottle well corked. 2. Salts or oil of tartar in the same proportion as above. 3. A beautiful brown may be procured from the green shells of walnuts. To prepare this, a quantity of the green shells, when the nuts are gathered, must be pounded in a mortar, to extract the juice, and then put into a vessel capable of holding a sufficient quantity of water. The water being put in, the whole should be frequently stirred, and left to soak with the vessel covered. Afterwards, the liquid must be passed through a sieve, the juice well expressed, and bottled, with some common salt, for use. This liquid, after fermentation, will produce the best effects for the uniform tints, as it tends to soften the leather, and will not corrode.

Blue -1. It is usual with many binders to use" Scott's Liquid Blue," but it is well to know the composition of the color. Perhaps the best and most simple one is that given by Poerner, which is as follows: In 4oz. of sulphuric acid of 66deg. mix gradually loz. of finely powdered indigo, so as to form a kind of pulp. Place the vessel in another containing boiling water for some hours, and leave it to cool; afterwards put in a small portion of good potash, dry and finely powdered, stirring the whole well, and letting it rest for twenty-four hour's, when bottle, and use as required. This color will appear nearly black, but may be made any shade by adding water to it. If any portion remains after being diluted, it must be put into a separate bottle, as if mixed with the first preparation the whole would be deteriorated. 2. A readier blue may be prepared by mixing 10z. of powdered indigo with 20z. of oil of vitriol (sulphuric acid), and letting it stand for twenty-four hours, and then adding 120z. of pure water.

Purple -Boil half a pint of archil, or logwood, with vinegar and water, of each half a pint.

Lilac -Same as the purple, with the addition of about two tablespoonfuls of potash.

Violet -Half-pound of logwood chips and 1oz. of Brazil dust, boiled over a good fire in four pints of water, until reduced one half, and left to clear. Then throw in loz. of powdered alum and 2gr. of cream of tartar, and boil again till dissolved. This liquid must be used warm.

Fawn -In two pints of water boil 1oz of tan and a like portion of nutgalls, till reduced to a pint.

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