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by Joseph W. Zaehnsdorf
3rd Edition Published in London 1897
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.
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 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 glair to
turn white. The temperature must be well tested before it be applied to the cover. A practiced 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 polish 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 polish
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 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.
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