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by Joseph W. Zaehnsdorf
3rd Edition Published in London 1897
where it is not wanted, and if the book has to be covered with
light calf, it will certainly be stained black: so the coverer must
be careful that all glue is removed from the back and sides
before he attempts to cover any of his books with calf. It is
rather provoking to find some favourite colour when dry, having
a tortoiseshell appearance, which no amount of washing will
take out. When dry the ends of the bands are to be cut off
with a bevel, and a little piece of the boards from the corners
nearest the back also taken off the bevel, that there may not
be a sharp point to fret through the leather when the book is
opened. This is also necessary so that the head-band may be
properly set. A sharp knife should be inserted between the
hollow and should separate it from the back at head-band may
be properly set. A sharp knife should be inserted between the
hollow and should separate it from the back at head and tail on
each side so far as to allow the leather to be turned in.
Morocco may have the back glued, as it will not show through,
and will facilitate the adhesion of the leather.
This class of work is not lined-up. The leather is fastened directly upon the book; the head-band is set as before
explained, and held tight by gluing a piece of fine linen against it, and when quite dry, the overplus is to be cut away,
and the book made quite smooth. The bands are then knocked up gently with a blunt chisel to make them perfectly
straight, being first damped and made soft with a little paste to facilitate the working and to prevent the thread from
being cut. Any holes caused by sawing-in, in previous binging, must be filled up with a piece of frayed cord, pasted.
Any holes thus filled up must be made quite smooth when dry, as the least unevenness will show when the book is
covered.
In “throw up” backs, or in “flexible not to show,” a piece of thin linen (muslin) or stuff called mull is glued on the back
first, and one piece of paper on the top. For the hollow, three, four, or even five pieces are stuck one on the other, so
that it may be firm; whilst the book itself will be as if it had a flexible back. The bands, if any, are then to be fastened
on, and the corners of the boards cut off. It is then ready for covering. “Mock flexible” has generally one piece of
paper glued on the back, and when marked-up, and the bands are put on as before, and the book covered.
Books are covered according to the fancy of the binder or customer. The materials used at the present day, are –
leather of all sorts, parchment or vellum, bookbinder’s cloth, velvet, needle-work, and imitation leather, of which
various kinds are manufactured, such as leatherette and feltine. Each kind requires a different manner of working or
manipulation. For instances, a calf book must not be covered in the same manner as a velvet one: I will take each in
the above order and explain how they are managed. Under the class of leather, we have moroccos of all kinds;
Russia; calf, coloured, smooth, and imitation; roan, sheep, and imitation morocco.
The morocco cover, indeed any leather cover, is to be cut out by laying the skin out on a flat board, and having
chosen the part or piece of the skin to be used, the book is laid on it and the skin is cut with a sharp knife round the
book, leaving a space of about ¾ of an inch for an 8vo, and more or less according to the size of the book and
thickness of boards for tuning in.
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