by Florence O. Bean - Assistant in Manual Arts - Boston Public Schools
Published by School Arts Publishing Company 1914
be constructed similarly to the portfolio but without tape or lining
paper, and with but one strip of vellum (the long one) on the back.
Plan to have the covers extend beyond the front and ends of the
book about 1/8 of an inch, but at the back they should lack about
1/8 of an inch of reaching the fold. Make dimensioned sketches of
all pieces and layout and cut all parts. (See Plate XLVI.)
Place the pieces of news board on each side of the" book" in the
exact position they are intended to occupy. Take a narrow strip of
paper and attach its ends to the outside of the pieces of news
board (see Plate XLVII) so that when the latter are removed from
the "book" they will be attached to each other the correct distance
apart. Place them on the vellum and trace along the inner edge of
each after ascertaining that the distance between them is the
same at both ends. Remove the paper which connects the covers
and paste them to the vellum in the position already marked out,
but do not yet turn over the ends of vellum. Cut a strip of heavy
paste in the middle of the piece of vellum, after which the
ends of vellum should be turned over and pasted down.
Complete the "case" by pasting on the cover paper.
Place the" book" in the" case" at the proper position. Lay
it on the desk and turn back one cover. Using newspaper
as already described, spread paste over the surface of
the outside page on which the tapes and "super" are
already pasted (see Plate XLVIII), and fold the cover
back on. See that the edges of the covers are in
alignment. When this is assured, press the cover firmly to
the pasted leaf, then open and rub down thoroughly this
double leaf which forms the lining of the cover. Turn the
book over and repeat the process with the other cover.
The book should now be well pressed. If two thin pieces
of tin, zinc, or blotting-paper are placed between the "
case" and the "book" while in press it will prevent the
moisture from being absorbed by the leaves, causing
them to wrinkle.
VARIATIONS
Several variations of the "case" are possible.
(A). The simplest is to cover the outside corners with
vellum. If this is to be done, the vellum corners are to be
applied before the cover paper. The width of the corner
piece, exclusive of the laps and measured on a line
bisecting the right-angle, should equal the width of the
strip of vellum which shows at the back. This rule holds
true in all high class bindings such as morocco, Levant,
calf, etc. (See Plate XLIX.) By experimenting a little, a
pattern (trapezoid) may be made for the corner pieces by
which to cut them. (See Plate XLIX) Plan these pieces to
extend under the paper at least 1/4 of an inch.
After the cover paper has been cut in rectangular shape,
according to the original plan, the two outside corners
should be trimmed to allow the proper amount of vellum
to show. This may be accomplished in one of two ways.
Using the same pattern as for the vellum corners, fit its
possible and cut along the inside edge of the pattern. Or, one
may place the news board on the paper and trace around it,
layoff the size of the finished corner and cut on the resulting
oblique line. After the vellum corners have been pasted on
firmly, place the cover paper carefully and paste it on as
already described.
(B). After the" case" is completed in either of the two ways
described, it may be decorated with lettering or by the
application of other design. In this instance the suggestions'
given in connection with the portfolio should be followed.
(C). The entire "case" may be covered with vellum. Generally a
cloth covering is not desirable on a hand-sewed book, but if
for a special reason one is to be used, have a single piece of
vellum cut large enough to cover both back and sides. After
finding the correct distance between the two pieces of news
board, lay them on the vellum, in the manner already
described, trace around them, and complete the' "case" by
pasting.
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