History of the Book

Day 27

When considering binding, please consider the following words:

signatures/gathering/quires
link stitch/kettle stitch
cords
tapes
forwarding
finishing
Coptic/Greek
historical parts of a book:
bosses,
clasps/tapes,
cover/carrier(ie girdle book),
headcap
parts of a book:
text block
endpages/endsheets
pastedowns/doubleurs
spine
head
tail
foredge
boards
cover
foredge decoration:
gilt,
marbling,
gauffering
leather (finishing)
onlay,
gilding,
raised bands or cords,
titling
 

If you are confused about terms, here is an EXCELLENT site:

http://sul-server-2.stanford.edu/don/toc/toc1.html
 
 
 

When studying binding, here are some images to consider carefully:

bookbinding shops were separate from printing shops: one, two
early book covers made of : ivory, jewels, blind stamped leather
texts were stored on their sides and so needed bosses
chained books: one, two, three
sewing begins on a frame
signatures are sewn on tapes or cords in order
older books used linking stitches exculsively
sewing developed into a combination of stitches
the text block is glued and rounded
the cords must be attached to the boards
headbands may be added
covers are added to the boards
finishing is done
spines show structure as well as titles
texture can be achieved by using cords under the leather
leather can be inscribed as on this Spanish book
by hand using punches
other historical examples: 16th, 17th(collection), 17th, 18th centuries
Grolier book show Islamic influence: one, two
by using a press and a plate
blind stamping is done without gold added to the compressed areas
all old binding was not hardcover: a ledger, parchment and longstitch
doubleurs can also be worked with gold
finishing includes foredge decoration: one, two, three, four
modern books play off older structures such as longstitch: one, two, three
experiments with tapes: outside(inside view) and leather tapes
linking stitches are popular: one, two, three
modern finishing: one, two (onlays)
 
 

 



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