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by Joseph W. Zaehnsdorf
3rd Edition Published in London 1897
different colour to the calf on the back for the title. This is,
however, optional, and may or may not be used, according to
taste. Leather lettering pieces have a great tendency to peel
off, especially if the book be exposed to a hot atmosphere, or if
the paste has been badly made, so that it is perhaps better if
the calf itself be lettered. There is no doubt that a better effect
is produced in a bookcase when a good assortment of coloured
lettering pieces are placed on the variously coloured backs, and
the titles can be more easily read than if they were upon light
or sprinkled calf; but where wear and tear have to be studied,
as in public libraries, a volume should not have any lettering
pieces. All such books should be lettered on their natural
ground.
For lettering pieces, take morocco of any colour, according to
fancy, and having wetted it to facilitate the work, pare it down
as thin and as evenly as possible. Cut it to size of the panel or
down. Should the book require two pieces-or one for the title, and one for the volume or contents- it is better to vary
the colours. I must caustion the workman not to allow the leather to come over on to the joint, as by the frequent
opening or moving of the boards the edge of the leather will become loose. A very good plan as a substitute for
lettering pieces is to colour the calf either dark brown or black, thus saving the leather at the expense of a little more
time. When the lettering pieces are dry, mark the back, head and tail, for the pallets or other tools with a folding-
stick. Apply with a brush paste all over the back. With a thick folding-stick, or with the handle of an old tooth brush,
which is better, rub the paste into the back. Before it has time to dry, take the overplus off with rather a hard
sponge, dipped in thin paste-water. The learner will perhaps wonder why paste of full strength should be used for
the back, and only paste-water for the sides. The reason is, that through the stretching of the leather over the back
in covering, the pores are more open, and consequently require more filling up to make a firm ground. Much depends
upon the groundwork being properly applied; and a general caution with regard to the working in general may not be
here amiss. Finishing, above all other departments, demands perfect cleanliness. A book may have the most graceful
designs, the tools be worked perfectly and clearly, but be spoiled by having a dirty appearance. So that everything is
clean-paste-water, size, glaire, sponges, and brushes. Do not lay any gold on until the preparation be perfectly dry,
or the gold will adhere and cause a dirty yellow stain where wiped off.
Should the calf book be intended to have only a pallet alongside the bands, it is only necessary, when the paste-
wash is quite dry, to glaire that portion which is to be gilt; that is usually done with a camel’s hair brush, by laying on
two coats. When dry, cut the gold into strips, and take one up on the pallet and work it on the calf. This is what is
termed calf neat. The band on each side is gilt, leaving the rest of the leather in its natural state. Some binders
polish their backs instead of leaving them dead or dull. This, however, is entirely according to taste, whether so large
a space be left polished only.
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