Bookbinding and The Care of Books
Librarians by Douglas Cockerell with Drawings
by Noel Rooke and other Illustrations
New York
1902
Book binding Chapter XIX
Part 2
composed of chemists especially conversant with
the treatment of leather, was directed specially to
the elucidation of the following points: an
investigation of the nature of the decay of leather
used for bookbinding; an examination of the
causes which produced this decay; a research into
the best methods of preparing Le leather for
bookbinding; and a consideration of the points
required to be dealt with in the preservation of
books.
"As to the suitability of various leathers, the
pigskin, probably alum (tanned,' is the most durable, but its excessive hardness and want of
flexibility renders this leather unsuitable for most modern work. Old brown calf has lasted fairly
well, but loses its flexibility, and becomes stiff and brittle when exposed to light and air. Some of
the white tawed skins of the 15th and 16th century, other than white pigskin, and probably
deerskin, have lasted very well. Some 15th and 16th century sheepskin bindings have remained
soft and flexible, but the surface is soft, and usually much damaged by friction. Vellum seems to
have lasted fairly well, but is easily influenced by atmospheric changes, and is much affected by
light. Early specimens of red morocco from the 16th to the end of the 18th century were found
in good condition, and of all the leathers noticed, this seems to be the least affected by the
various conditions to which it had been subjected. In the opinion of the committee, most of this
leather has been tanned with sumac or some closely allied tanning material. Morocco bindings
earlier than 186o were generally found to be in fairly good condition, but morocco after that
date seems to be much less reliable, and in many cases has become utterly rotten. During the
latter part of the 18th century it became customary to pare down calf until it was as thin as
paper. Since about 1830 hardly any really sound calf seems to have been used, as, whether thick
or thin, it appears generally to have perished. Sheepskin bindings of the early part of the century
are many of them still in good condition. Since about 1860 sheepskin as sheepskin is hardly to be
found. Sheepskins are grained in imitation of other leathers, and these imitation-grained leathers
are generally found to be in a worse condition than any of the other bindings, except, perhaps,
some of the very thin calfskin. Undyed modern pigskin seems to last well, but some colored
pigskin bindings had entirely perished. Modern leathers dyed with the aid of sulphuric acid are
all to be condemned. In nearly every case Russia leather was found to have become rotten, at
least in bindings of the last fifty years." On the question of the causes of the decay noticed and
the best methods of preparing leather in the future, I may quote the following:
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