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by Joseph W. Zaehnsdorf
3rd Edition Published in London 1897
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 uses 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 beveled 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 without being gilt, it is said to be
“blind-tooled” or “antique”.
Block Pressing-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 millboard 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 edge.
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 enclyopædia 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, 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 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 of 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 work at the head and tail of a volume, as a finish and
to make the book even with the boards.
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