International studio (33.1907/1908(1908))

Practical Bookbinding

the leather has been properly turned in it will be
necessary to dampen it at the head and tail, in
order to shape the leather over the head-bands. It
will be remembered that the inner corners of the
boards were trimmed off; that is, a little wedge-
shaped piece at each inside corner at the hinge had


been removed. This is done in order to give room
for the extra thickness which is caused at this place
by the turning in of the leather.
Placing the book on its side, with the leather well
dampened, a folder is pressed into this V-shaped
space, rather deep, making a well-marked crease.
After this has been done on each side of the head,
the book should be held upright, with the fore
edge pressed against the chest and with a flat
folder, the leather which is still projecting above
the level of the head-
band is pressed over
the top edge and should
then lie flat with the
upper edge of the
boards. There should
be enough of this
leather to cover the
upper edge of the
head-band and the
turned-over portion
should be the same
width all around.
After this has been
done, the point of the
folder should be in-
serted at the end of the
head-band and the
leather pushed out so
that the upper edge of the leather covering the
head-band will be pushed out level with the board,
the finger or another folder being held against the
crease already made, to prevent it being pushed
out. This process needs to be repeated several

times, in order to get the leather properly shaped
and to make it lie smoothly. It should be kept
quite damp up to this time. The same operation
is repeated at the tail of the book, so that the two
ends are duplicates.
After this has been done, the book may be stood
up on its tail on a flat stone, and with a square
wooden rod, which lies flat on the stone, pressure
should be made against the tail, just over the head-
band. By holding the book firmly on the stone
and pushing it slightly away from the operator
and at the same time bringing pressure to bear
against the leather with the wooden rod it will be
found that the leather is made absolutely smooth
and regular all around. Treat the head in the
same manner.
Tying up: After the head-band has been prop-
erly formed and the creases on the side of the
book made permanent, it must be left to dry; but
before doing this it is necessary to “tie up” the
book, in order that these creases retain their shape.
Open each cover slightly, slip a piece of thin, stiS
water-proof paper (such as is used in copying let-
ters), slightly larger than the cover, between each
cover and the book, care being taken that it goes
well up to the joint, but not enough to interfere with
the final “tying up.” The only object in using the
sheets of water-proof paper is to protect the leaves
from contact with the damp, turned-in leather and
the consequent “ crinkling.” Laying the book on
its side, with the back projecting over the edge of
the bench, a piece of very fine linen thread is se-
lected (long enough to pass around the book at
least twice). Holding one end in one of these
creases, the thread is run around the book snugly,
so that it lies firmly in each one of the four creases
made (at the joint). The first turn around will
hold the loose end, and after taking one more turn
at least, the other end is pushed under the threads
and slipped down into one of the creases until it is
firmly held also. The book may then be placed
between two pressing boards, under slight pressure,
or it may be stood up on its tail for this purpose; if
placed between boards the result will be better,
inasmuch as the covers will remain quite straight.
After an hour or two has elapsed, the thread is
removed, one board opened at a time, to note
whether the hinge is well set and works well. This
should be carefully done and note taken whether,
when opened almost flat, the inner edge of the
board lies close to the edge of the joint, or whether
it is raised up by the leather; if this is the case
the inner edge of board should be thoroughly
rubbed down with a heavy folder. (During the


Showing how the leather is folded
over the head-bands

CXIX