Suppose it is necessary to use three half leaves of gold to cover the edge. Layout two leaves on the cushion and cut both in half with the knife. Supposing pieces of paper to be used, lift up a piece of gold, which then will adhere to the paper. Lay this down, gold upward, and lift the other two pieces in like manner. Now well 1iIl the size brush (a. flat camel brush), and pass it quickly over the edge with one sweep if possible, taking care not to disturb the blacklead; then as quickly as possible lift the gold now on the papers and lay each piece upon the edge. Care must be taken to prevent making holes in the leaf, and the various pieces must overlap but slightly. Holes that have to be patched generally are unsightly, as also are broad overlaps.

If time can be allowed, it is best to protect the edge from dust and to allow the gold to dry naturally. This may take from three to six hours, according to the atmosphere of the room in which the operation is carried on. When dry the gold must be burnished. The burnisher should be used in somewhat the same manner as a cobbler burnishes the edges of a boot sole; the main thing is a fair amount of pressure applied evenly. If the gold is to be bright, the edges must be rubbed over with a waxed cloth before burnishing; dull gilt is produced by keeping a piece of paper between the gold and the burnisher. The edges are then papered up until the binding of the book is completed.

The method of burnishing adopted by some bookbinders is as follows. Before burnishing the gold is rubbed down with a piece of paper held in the left hand; then place the paper upon the edge and rub the burnisher over it. The edge must be rubbed over with something to prevent the burnisher sticking, beeswax being generally used. A little is rubbed on the cheek of the press in a convenient position for the right hand, and a piece of leather or the fleshy part of the hand is rubbed over the wax, and the edge is rubbed with this. The burnisher is grasped in the closed hand and held by the thumb and forefinger; it comes out between the first and second fingers. The handle is placed against the shoulder, and this indicates that considerable pressure is to be used in this operation. The burnisher is passed forwards and backwards across the edge. This motion is kept up until a high degree of polish is obtained, rubbing being done now and again with the wax if required. .

Sometimes, especially in devotional books, emblems and devices are painted in water colors on the gilt fore edges. Another plan, effective but expensive, and therefore seldom resorted to, is to fan out the edges, and paint on them in water colors a landscape, figures, or appropriate floral Or other patterns and devices. The book is then gilded on the edges in the usual manner. A specimen can be seen in the Guildhall Library, London , E.C.

The "red under gold" effect is produced by reddening the edges first. Other colors are often used, such as "green under gold," etc., but the method is the same in all cases. For red, get a sufficient quantity of vermilion (a dry colour in powder), place it on a stone slab, mix it into a paste with water, and with a stone muller grind it until it is very fine and smooth. Then mix it in a cup with glaire thin enough to be applied with a sponge. This done, take the book (which must be cut on all edges) and place it on the bench, opening it from about the middle so that the same number of leaves may lie to right and left. Put a backing board on the right-hand side of the open leaves flush with' the edge, press it down tightly with the left hand, and with a sponge dipped in the colour put an even coating over this part of the book edge. By this method the sides of the edges of the book are colored and will always show when the book is open, which is the effect desired. Then turn the book round and treat the left-hand side in the same manner, and when dry close the book, turn it round, open again, and colour the other side of the edges. This completes the fore edge of the book. The ends will .be more difficult to manipulate. With the book flat on the bench and with the fore edge towards the operator, take the right hand corner of the book between the thumb and finger of the right hand and move it towards the left, pushing the top part of the book backwards, and when in this position hold it so with the left hand. Then put the backing board on as before and color this edge. Turn the book over and repeat the moving process in the opposite direction and again apply the colour. The other end is treated in the same way. When the edges are dry, the book is put into the press and the ordinary gilding operations are proceeded with.

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