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by Joseph W. Zaehnsdorf
3rd Edition Published in London 1897
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 if 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 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.
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 nad 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 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. By 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.
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