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by Joseph W. Zaehnsdorf
3rd Edition Published in London 1897
others are required to make the work complete.
In Boards-When a volume is cut after the mill-boards are attached, it is said to be cut in boards.
Inset-The inner pages of a sheet, cut off in folding certain sizes; to be inset in the centre of the
sheet.
Joints-The projections formed in backing to admit the millboards. The leather or cloth placed
form the projection on to the mill-board is call a joint.
Kettle-Stitch-The chain-stitch which the sewer makes at the head and tail of a book. A
corruption of either chain-stitch, or catch-up stitch.
Keys-Little metal instruments used to secure the bands to the sewing press.
Knocking-Down Iron-A piece of iron having a small leg in the centre by which it is secured in
the lying press. When fastened there it is used to pound or beat with a hammer the slips into
the boards after they are laced in, so that they do not show when the book is covered.
Laced In-When the mill-boards are attached to the volume by means of the slips being passed
through holes made in the boards, they are said to be laced in or drawn in.
Law Calf-Law books are usually bound in calf left wholly uncoloured, hence the term for white
calf.
Lettering Block-A piece of wood, the upper surface being slightly rounded, upon which side
labels are lettered.
Lettering Box-A wooden box in which hand-letters are kept (see Hand-Letters).
Lining-Papers-The coloured or marbled paper at each end of the volume. Called also end-
papers.
Marbler-One who marbles the edges of books and paper.
Marbling-The art of floating various colours on a size, from which it is transferred to paper or
book edges. To stain or vein leather like marble.
Marking-Up-When the back of a book is being marked for flexible sewing.
Mill-Board-The boards that are attached to the book. Various kinds are in use now; the most
common is made of straw, the best of old naval cordage.
Mitred-When the lines in finishing meet each other at right angles without overrunning each
other, they are said to be mitred. Joined at an angle of 45º.
Mutton-Thumping-A term used in bygone days, indicating the common binding of school
books in sheep-skin.
Mutton-Thumper-An old term indicating a bad workman.
Off-Set-The impression made by the print against the opposite page, when a book has been
rolled or beaten before the ink be dried. (Also Set-Off).
Out Of Boards-When a volume is cut before the boards are affixed, it is done out of boards.
Nearly the whole of common work is done out of boards.
Out of Truth-When a book is not cut square.
Overcasting-An operation in sewing, when the work consists of single leaves or plates.
Oversewing.
Pallet-The tools used for finishing across backs.
Panel-The space between the bands.
Papering-Up-Covering the edges that they are gilt, to protect them while the volume is being
covered and finished (see Cap).
Paring-Reducing the edges of the leather by forming a gradual slope.
Paring Knife-The knife used for paring.
Paste-Wash-Paste diluted with water.
Peel-A wooden instrument used to hang up damp sheets for drying.
Pencil-A small brush of camel’s hair used for glairing.
Pierced-Any space that has another leather upon it, as a lettering piece.
Plough-The instrument used for cutting the edges when the book is in the lying press.
Plough Knife-The knife attached to the plough.
Polisher-A steel instrument for giving a gloss to the leather after finishing.
Press-Of various kinds, viz.: lying, cutting, standing, blocking, finishing, etc.
Press Pin-A bar of iron used as a lever for standing presses; a small kind for lying presses.
Pressing Blocks-Blocks of wood used for filling up a standing press when there are not
enough books.
Pressing Boards-Boards used for pressing books between.
Proof-The rough edges of certain leaves left uncut by the plough, are “proof” that the book is
not cut down (see also Witness).
Rasped-The sharp edge taken off mill-boards.
Register-The ribbon placed in a volume for a marker. A list of signatures attached the end of
early-printed books for the use of the binder. In printing-when on looking through a leaf the
print on the recto and verso is not exactly opposite, it is said to be out of register.
Rolling Machine-A machine introduced to save the labour of beating, the sheets being passed
between two revolving cylinders.
Rolls-Cylindrical ornamental tools used in finishing.
Runner-The front board used in cutting edges.
Run-Up-When the back has a fillet run from head to tail without being mitred at each band, it
is said to be “run-up”.
Sawing-In-When the back is sawn for the reception of the cord in sewing.
Sawing Machine-A machine for sawing the backs of books quickly.
Setting the Head-Band-Adjusting the leather in covering so as to form a kind of cap to the
head-band.
Sewer-The person who sews the sheets together on the sewing press-generally a female.
Sewing Machine-A recent invention for the sewing of books with wire and thread.
Shaving Tub-The paper cut from the edges of a volume are called shavings. The receptacle
into which they fall while the forwarder is cutting is termed the shaving tub.
Shears-Large scissors used for cutting up mill-boards.
Sheep-An old term for all common work covered in sheep-skin.
Signature-The letter or figure under the footline of the first page of each sheet, to indicate the
order of arrangement in the volume.
Size-A preparation used in finishing and gilding, formerly made with vellum, but can now be
bought ready for use. When used on paper a thin solution of glue.
Slips-The pieces of twine that project beyond the back of the volume after it is sewn.
Squares-The portions of the board that project beyond the edges after the book is cut.
Stabbing-The term used formerly for piercing the boards with a bodkin for the slips to pass
through; more generally known now as “holeing”. The operation of piercing pamphlets for the
purpose of stitching.
Stabbing Machine-A small machine used for making the holes through the backs of
pamphlets.
Standing Press-A fixed heavy press with a perpendicular screw over the centre.
Start-When any of the leaves are not properly secured in the back, and they project beyond the
others, they are said to have started. When the back has been broken by forcing the leaves they
start.
Stiffener-A thin mill-board used for various purposes.
Stitching-The operation of passing the thread through a pamphlet for the purpose of securing
the sheets together.
Straight-Edge-A small board having one edge perfectly straight.
Stops-Small circular tools, adapted to “stop” a fillet when it intersects at right angles; used to
save the time mitring would occupy.
Tenon Saw-A small saw used by bookbinders for sawing the books for sewing. More strictly
speaking a carpenter’s tool.
Title-The space between the bands upon which the lettering is placed. The leaf in the
beginning of a book describing the subject.
Tools-Applied particularly to the hand stamps and tools used in finishing.
Trimming-Saving the rough edge of the leaves of a book that is not to be cut.
Thindle-A thin strip of wood or iron.
Turning-Up-The process of cutting the foredge in such a manner as to throw the round out of
the back until the edge is cut. All books that are cut in boards have a pair of trundles thrust
between the boards and across the back to assist the operation.
Typing-Up-The typing of a volume after the cover has been drawn on, so as to make the
leather adhere better to the sides of the bands; also for setting the head-band.
Type-Metal letters used in printing and lettering.
Type-Holder-An instrument for holding the type when used for lettering.
Varnish-Used as a protection to the glaire when polished on the covers of books.
Whipping-Another term for overcastting, but when longer stitches are made.
Witness-When a volume is cut so as to show that it has not been so cut down, but that some of
the leaves have still rough edges. These uncut leaves are called “Witness” (see Proof).
Wrinkle-The uneven surface in a volume, caused by not being properly pressed or by
dampness, also caused by improper backing.
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