CHAPTER V.
The following practical hints may be found useful when repairs are required to books in libraries. It is, however, necessary that the librarian or his assistants should gain some technical knowledge of bookbinding, as this will enable them to execute small repairs, which, if promptly done, will probably prevent the expense of rebinding.
The repairing room or small bindery should be not less than 12 feet square, and should have a good natural light. The "plant" required will be as follows:--
Approximate Cost. ------------ £ _s._ _d._ One cutting press, plough, pin and two knives 1 12 0 One close tub and cover 1 15 0 One stabbing machine 1 8 0 One sewing press and keys 0 10 0 One pair of millboard shears 0 18 6 One pair of shears 0 2 6 One paring knife 0 0 7 One cutting-out knife 0 0 7 One backing hammer 0 2 6 One knocking-down iron 0 3 6 Two bone folders (thin and thick) 0 0 10 One paste tub 0 3 0 One glue pot 0 3 0 Two paste brushes (small and large) 0 5 0 Two glue brushes (small and large) 0 5 0 Two pairs of backing boards (octavo and folio) 0 2 0 [A]Two pairs of pressing boards (quarto and folio) 0 7 0 One iron nipping press, 18 by 12 5 5 0 or One wooden nipping press, 18 by 12 1 15 0 One ragstone 0 0 5 One sandstone 0 0 3 One steel straight-edge 0 2 0 One square 0 2 0 One wooden trindle 0 0 6
[A] A few stout millboards of the same size as the wooden pressing boards will be required for placing between the books when more than one book is pressed at a time, the wooden pressing boards being used for the top and bottom books. These can be made by pasting together two tenpenny millboards; line each side with stout smooth paper, trim the edges of the boards, so that they are square.
_To repair torn leaves._--Paste the edges of the parts torn very neatly, using a little paste, place a piece of tissue paper under the torn part, carefully join the parts, and place another piece of tissue paper over the joint; then place a piece of paper each side of the leaf, and put a weight upon it until the part is dry, then take away the loose tissue paper.
_To insert a loose leaf._--Flatten the back edge of the leaf, then place a strip of paper about 1/8 inch from the edge, and paste that part very neatly, insert it in the book, placing it as close to the back as possible, close the book, and place a weight upon it for about three hours.
_To replace books in their covers._--If the cover of a book is sound, the book can be inserted again in the following manner:--If it is necessary, re-sew the book on tapes, put new end papers made with a strip of wide linen in the fold, sew these on the book and trim them, paste the tapes on the end papers, knock up the edges of the book as evenly as possible (as they will not be cut) and glue the back, using the glue sparingly, and place a thin piece of linen round the back extending about 1 inch on each end paper; put the book under a weight until the glue is almost dry, then "round" it and afterwards "back" it slightly; place the book again under a weight until the glue is quite dry, glue the back again, and place the book squarely in the old cover; place a piece of paper round the back of the cover, and rub it down with the bone folder until the back of the cover sticks well to the book. After about three hours the glue will be dry, and the book can then be pasted down; open the covers and paste the end paper facing the board, using the brush from the centre to the edges; close the covers and put the book in the nipping press--the pressing boards should be placed carefully against the grooves and not upon them; leave the book in the press for about twelve hours. When a book does not require re-sewing, new end papers should be made as stated and sewn on the book if it has been sewn on tapes; if the book has not been sewn on tapes, the end papers should be edged on in the same manner as the loose leaf, and in these instances the linen should be placed in the fold of the end papers.
* * * * *
Old books which have been bound in leather generally require repairs to the corners and the back, these being the parts which first show signs of decay. Carefully cut away the ragged edges of the old leather along the joints at the back and also the corners; strip the leather off the back and soak it off if necessary, so that the back is quite clean; also take away the old leather from the corners, lift up the edges of the leather along the joints and also at the corners about 1 inch, turn the leather back, and place a thin piece of wooden trindle under the fold, and pare the edges of the leather neatly; if the millboard at the corners is broken, open the edges and rub in some glue, press the edges together, and, when nearly dry, hammer them flat on the "knocking-down iron," obtain some leather to match the old binding, put a new back, also corners where necessary, on the book, paring the edges of the leather neatly; after these are quite dry, the edges of the old leather should be pasted down to overlap the new leather; wash any smears of paste away, and press the book lightly in the nipping press; new end papers should be edged in as in the case of the loose leaf: trim them to the size of the book and then paste them down, but with the boards open until they are quite dry; place either a tin or a glazed cardboard inside the covers, and keep the book pressed in the nipping press for about six hours.
INDEX.
Acetic Acid. _See_ Acids, organic. Acids, mineral, 20, 21 ---- ---- _See also_ Sulphuric acid. ---- organic; sulphuric acid substituted for, 8, 9 ----, ---- Use of, advocated, 21 Aniline dyes. _See_ Leather, dyeing. Athenæum Club Committee on leather decay, 11
Binderies, private; fitting and administration, 41-54 Binding contracts, 13, 24, 25 Binding specifications, model, 25 Bookbinding, education in, want of provision for, 43 Bookbinding in Public Libraries. _See_ Binderies, private. Bookbinding leathers. _See_ Leather; _and under names of skins_, _e.g._, Goatskin, &c. Book cleaning and polishing. _See_ Leather preservative compositions. Books; replacing within covers, 43, 52, 53 Book-sewing; stabbing process for pamphlets, 42, 43 ---- ---- Modern methods, 43, 44
Calvert, C., on decay of leather, 11 Catechol tannins condemned. _See_ Tannins. Calfskin, 26, 36 Cockerell, D.: Note on Bookbinding, 25
Damp, influence upon leather, 27, 48 Davenport, C.: "Repairing and Binding of Books for Public Libraries." Chap. IV., 41-48 Decay of leather. _See_ Leather, decay. Dyeing leather. _See_ Leather, dyeing.
Formic acid. _See_ Acids, organic.
Gas fumes; influence upon leather, 11, 12 Goatskin, 26, 34-36 Graining, artificial, of leather. _See_ Leather, artificial graining.
Heat; action upon leather, 11, 12, 27 Hogskin. _See_ Pigskin. Hull Public Library; Reports on private bindery, 45-47 Hulme, E. W.: "History of Sumach Tanning, &c." Chap. I., 7-14
Jones, A. S.: "Provenance, &c., of Bookbinding Leathers." Chap. III., 31-38
Lactic acid. _See_ Acids, organic. Lawton, W. F. _See_ Hull Public Library. Leather, artificial graining of, 10, 22, 31 ---- bindings; conditions for preserving, 27 ----, decay of; history, 10-12 ----, ---- symptoms, 13, 14 ----, ---- reasons, 18-24 ---- dyeing; old and new systems compared, 9, 20, 21 ---- early manufacture, 17 ---- finishes, 24 ---- preservative compositions, 27, 47, 48 Leathers, retanned; process described and condemned, 22-24 ----, ---- conditionally recommended, 34, 35 ---- split, 22, 26, 33 Leathersellers' Company; supervision of sumach tanning in 1565, 7 ---- ---- Grant to Society of Arts' Committee, 12 Light, influence upon leather, 27, 48 Lopez, R., original of "Shylock", 7, 8
McBride, Dr., introduces use of sulphuric acid in 1768, 8, 9 Morocco grain, 35 ---- ---- artificial. _See_ Leather, artificial graining of. Moroccos. _See_ Goatskin; Niger skin; Leathers, retanned. Myrobalans, duty on, in 1660, 8
Niger skin, 34
Oxalic acid, use of, by binders, 14, 24
Paper, clay-loaded, mounting, 41, 42 Parker, J. G.: "Causes of Leather Decay." Chap. II., 17-27 ----, ---- appointed Analyst to the L.A., 12, 13
"Persians." _See_ Leathers, retanned. Pigskin, characteristics, &c., 26, 37, 38 ---- decay, 14 Pyrogallol tannins. _See_ Tannins.
Russia leather, 26
Sealskin, 26, 37 Sheepskin, 26, 31-33 "Shylock," original of, 8 Skivers. _See_ Leathers, split. Society of Arts' Committee on Leathers, appointment, 12 ---- ---- ---- Recommendations, _passim_. Sound Leather Committee; appointment, 12 Spanish leather, sumach-tanned, 7 Stationery Office. _See_ Binding contracts. Sulphuric acid, first used in 1768, 8, 9 ---- ---- _See also_ Acids, mineral. Sumach tanning, history, 7, 8
Tannins; pyrogallols distinguished from catechols, 19, 20
Vellum, 26, 48
Williamson, F. J.: "Specification for the Fittings of a Small Bindery." Chap. V., 51-54 Woodward, C. T.: Experiments on action of gas fumes and heat, 11
ADVERTISEMENTS.
INDEX TO ADVERTISEMENTS.
_Bookbinders_: Banting, George F., x Birdsall & Son, xi Bookbinders' Co-operative Society, Ltd., xii Chappell, R. D., & Co., xii Eyre & Spottiswoode, xiii Gray, John P., & Son, xiv Mudie & Co., x Riley, B., & Co., Ltd., ix Smith, W. H., & Son, xii
_Leather Analysis_, ii
_Leather Importers_: Gray, John P., & Son, xiv
_Leather Manufacturers_: Bevingtons & Sons, iii Deed, John S., & Sons, Ltd., v Garnar, James, & Sons, vii Gibbs, Geo., & Son, vii Gryffe Tannery Co., ix Meredith-Jones, J., & Sons, Ltd., vi Muir, John, & Son, iv Richardson, Edward & James, v
_Leather (Bookbinding) Merchants_: Eyre & Spottiswoode, xiii
_Leather Trades Review_, viii
_Sumac Importers_: "Tiger" Sumac Co., x
When corresponding with Advertisers, please mention "LEATHER FOR LIBRARIES."
_Leather Analysis._
_Under an arrangement entered into between the Council of the Library Association and Dr. J. Gordon Parker, their Official Examiner of Leather, the following Scale of Fees has been agreed upon:--_
Special Fee Usual Fee. to Members. -------- ----------- £ _s._ _d._ £ _s._ _d._ Test for Presence of Injurious Acids 0 10 6 0 5 0 Quantitative Estimation of Acids 1 1 0 0 7 6 Nature of Tannage, if Pure Sumach 0 10 6 0 5 0 Full Microscopic Examination 1 1 0 0 5 0 Full Examination and Report on Sample of Leather 2 2 0 1 0 0
Samples of Leather, not less than six square inches, may now be sent to
Dr. J. GORDON PARKER, Herold's Institute, Drummond Road, Bermondsey.
_Correspondence on above may be addressed to the Hon. Sec., Sound Leather Committee of the Library Association, Whitcomb House, Whitcomb Street, W.C._
BEVINGTONS & SONS, NECKINGER MILLS, Bermondsey, London, S.E.
_Manufacturers of--_
_Seal Leather for Books,_ _Calf leather for Books,_ _Goat leather for Books,_ _---- and ----_ _Sheep Leather for Books._
Guaranteed Sumach-Tanned and free from Mineral Acids.
--> EVERY SKIN STAMPED. <--
_See Samples of our Goat, Seal, and Calf (1-4) on End Covers._
* * * * *
PIGSKIN
FOR
BOOK BINDING.
MUIR'S
BEITH.N.B.
We first introduced this material to the notice of Bookbinders some 25 years ago. Since then it has steadily increased in popularity, as its durability and utility have been demonstrated by this test of a quarter of a century.
_WHEREVER HARD WEAR IS WANTED PIGSKIN IS THE RIGHT THING IN THE RIGHT PLACE._
It is not a fibrous substance as other leather is, but naturally of a compact, gristly character. When skilfully tanned and treated for the purpose, it unquestionably is the best of bookbinding leather.
See Sample of our Pigskin on End Cover.
Available in all colours and substances. Please write for full particulars.
JOHN MUIR & SON, TANNERS AND CURRIERS, BEITH, SCOTLAND. (_Established a Century ago._)
Offices: 3, ARUNDEL STREET, STRAND, LONDON, W.C. Telephone: 4669 GERRARD.
Pigskin Tyre Factory for Vehicles and Motors: 183, BOW ROAD, LONDON, E.
* * * * *
JOHN S. DEED & SONS, _Ltd._ Manufacturers of Best Quality Sumach-Tanned MOROCCOS AND CALF
And other Classes of Bookbinding Leathers. Factories { Eagle Leather Works, Mitcham and Carshalton, Surrey. { Middlesex - - Arthur Street, London, W.C.
_All Communications to be addressed to Central Works and Offices_ 91, NEW OXFORD ST., LONDON, W.C.
* * * * *
FINE LEATHERS FOR BOOKBINDING.
Speciality ... SEALS. CAPE GOATS. COLOURED CALF.
Makers also of Best Flexible Skin Glue and .. Roller Compo. ..
EDWARD & JAMES RICHARDSON ELSWICK LEATHER WORKS, NEWCASTLE-ON-TYNE.
* * * * *
J. MEREDITH-JONES & SONS, Ltd., CAMBRIAN LEATHER WORKS, WREXHAM.
MANUFACTURERS OF
Bookbinders' Leathers.
Guaranteed to be dressed on the lines recommended by the Society of Arts Report, and free from Mineral Acids.
SPECIALITY: WELSH SHEEP. See Sample of our Sheepskin on End Cover.
_Patterns and Prices on application._
* * * * *
AN EFFECTIVE BINDING!
_SKIVERS._
Sumach-Tanned Split Sheep and Lamb Skins.
SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR POCKET EDITIONS AND SMALL VOLUMES.
ONLY ENGLISH AND SCOTCH SKINS USED.
JAMES GARNAR & SONS, The Grange, BERMONDSEY, LONDON, S.E.
* * * * *
GEO. GIBBS & SON, 29, ST. BRIDE STREET, LONDON.
FACTORIES:-- MITCHAM COMMON, SURREY, AND LONG LANE, BERMONDSEY.
MANUFACTURERS OF EVERY DESCRIPTION OF COLOURED HIDES, CALF, MOROCCO, ROAN, PIGSKIN, and SKIVER LEATHERS.
ALSO WHITE AND COLOURED VELLUMS, FORELS AND PARCHMENTS FOR BOOKBINDERS.
* * * * *
A JOURNAL IN EVERY SENSE OF THE TERM. THE CHAMPION AND SUPPORTER OF THE TRUE INTERESTS OF THE LEATHER TRADE.
_"THE LEATHER TRADES' REVIEW."_
THE ORGAN OF THE _HIDE, TANNING, LEATHER AND KINDRED TRADES._
A PRACTICAL AND THOROUGHLY UP-TO-DATE PAPER, AND INDISPENSARLE TO ALL LEATHER MEN, BOTH EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYÉS.
_EVERY ISSUE WELL WORTH A WHOLE YEAR'S SUBSCRIPTION._
UNEQUALLED AS AN ADVERTISING MEDIUM.
WORLD-WIDE CIRCULATION.
TECHNICAL AND SCIENTIFIC ARTICLES BY THE LEADING EXPERTS IN ALL THE BRANCHES OF THE LEATHER INDUSTRY.
LATEST AND MOST RELIABLE NEWS.
ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION: TEN SHILLINGS (52 WEEKLY NUMBERS POST FREE).
OFFICE: 24, MARK LANE, LONDON, E.C.
* * * * *
PIG SKINS IN THE CRUST FOR BOOKBINDING LEATHER MANUFACTURERS
_Warranted Free of Mineral Acid._
GRYFFE TANNERY COMPANY, BRIDGE OF WEIR, Near GLASGOW, _SCOTLAND_.
Telegrams: "GRYFFE," Bridge of Weir. National Telephone: No. 8, Bridge of Weir.
* * * * *
B. RILEY & Co., Ltd., LIBRARY BOOKBINDERS and SPECIALISTS.
Best Work, Best Materials, and Promptness, with Lowest Prices.
PIGSKINS AND MOROCCOS _Guaranteed free from Injurious Acid._
PATENT SEWING AND FLEXIBILITY.
_Catalogues, Price Lists, and Quotations by return post._
NOTE ADDRESS:-- Works: WESTGATE, HUDDERSFIELD. London Office: 376, STRAND, W.C.
* * * * *
Messrs. MUDIE & Co.
_Undertake all Classes of Binding for either PUBLIC or PRIVATE LIBRARIES.... THE BEST WORK and BEST MATERIALS only. No Imitation Leathers used...._
CHARGES FOR LARGE OR SMALL QUANTITIES ON APPLICATION.
_Address MANAGER_, BOOKBINDING DEPARTMENT, MUDIE'S LIBRARY, NEW OXFORD STREET, LONDON.
* * * * *
_IMPORTANT TO LIBRARIANS._
GEORGE F. BANTING, Danemere Works, Danemere Street, Putney (Hitherto trading as J. BANTING & SON, CHELSEA),
_Specialist in Public Library Bookbinding_. The only binder in London who has made a speciality of Public Library Bookbinding.
_Testimonials from Customers for Continuous Work for 18 years._ BOOKS BOUND IN SOUND LEATHER AS PER SOCIETY OF ARTS RECOMMENDATION.
A Trial Order will prove that Books Bound by me are "Bound once for All."
* * * * *
Telegrams and Cables: "CLEANING, ECCLES." Code: A.B.C., 5th Ed. Stores: LONDON. LIVERPOOL.
THE "TIGER" SUMAC COMPANY. "TIGER" REGISTERED BRAND. THOMAS ATKIN, Proprietor. ECCLES, ENGLAND.
Purity and 26 per cent. minimum Tannin guaranteed by I.A.L.T.C. Analysis. Analyst, Dr. ANDREW TURNBULL, 3, Lord Street, Liverpool, whose determination in every case must be final.
Average Test of all our Shipments from September 1, 1904, to July 31, 1905, =29·7=%, =or 14 per cent. beyond our guarantee=.
_Free copy of Analysis given with orders for 10 Tons and upwards._
Shipments made c.i.f. from Palermo to any port in the world. STOCKS KEPT IN LIVERPOOL AND LONDON FOR THE HOME TRADE.
A SPECIAL SUMAC FOR THE FINEST LEATHERS.
Agents--Messrs. POPPLETON, GIBBS & Co., 4-5, Leather Market, London, S.E. Sole Agents for Australia and New Zealand--Messrs. JAMES HARDIE & Co., Melbourne.
* * * * *
BIRDSALL & SON _NORTHAMPTON_, High-Class, General, and Miscellaneous BOOKBINDERS.
AN OLD-ESTABLISHED BUSINESS with a lengthened reputation, and in the hands of the proprietors' family for the past 113 years. The buildings now cover 20,000 square feet of ground.
THE THOROUGHNESS of the old handicraftsman, with the skill of modern expert workmanship.
SOUND AND DURABLE ENGLISH LEATHER free from destructive acids.
RELIURES DE LUXE and ART BINDINGS of the highest quality, either to original designs, or as reproductions of early styles.
PRIVATE AND PUBLIC LIBRARY BINDINGS of every description. Patentees of "Bibliofortis" Bindings for books subject to exceptional wear.
SPECIAL BINDINGS in general conformity with the specifications of the Society of Arts.
REPAIRING, REMOUNTING, and RESTORING of Old Bindings. Washing and Repairing of Old Books. Imperfect Leaves made up in facsimile, &c., &c.
TWO FIREPROOF STRONG ROOMS for the better security of valuable books.
THE PERSONAL ATTENTION of the four Messrs. Birdsall is given to the intricate and often difficult detail of this business. Their efforts are seconded by a large and expert managing staff, so that an exceptional amount of experienced supervision is available, and a high standard of efficiency is thereby maintained.
* * * * *
Messrs. W. H. SMITH & SON EXECUTE ORDERS FOR ALL STYLES OF BOOKBINDING IN THEIR OWN WORKSHOPS UNDER THE DIRECTION OF DOUGLAS COCKERELL
THEY ARE MAKING A SPECIALITY OF CARRYING OUT EXACTLY THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE COMMITTEE OF THE SOCIETY OF ARTS ON LEATHER FOR BOOKBINDING
BOOKS FOR BINDING MAY BE HANDED IN AT ANY OF W. H. SMITH & SON'S BOOKSTALLS OR BRANCHES OR SENT DIRECT TO THEIR BINDING DEPARTMENT
PAMPHLET & PRICE LIST SENT ON APPLICATION
GOLDSMITH ST. DRURY LANE LONDON, W.C.
* * * * *
_The Bookbinders' Co-operative Society, Ltd._, (With Co-partnership of the Workers.)
17, BURY STREET. BLOOMSBURY, W.C. Established 1885.
The above Society is noted for sound, reliable work, and binds for many public institutions, and also has an _extensive private connection_.
Special Terms quoted for School and College Libraries.
NIGER MOROCCO BINDINGS A SPECIALITY.
_Books Bound in accordance with Society of Arts recommendations._
All work entrusted to us is under the supervision of Mr. J. WATSON, Manager.
* * * * *
OUR "FLEXO" BOOKBINDING
ensures STRENGTH, DURABILITY, and FLEXIBILITY: Three important requisites.
PORTFOLIOS of every description made at the shortest notice.
MSS. carefully Bound.
OLD AND RARE BOOKS Restored, Washed, and Cleaned without use of Acids.
R. D. CHAPPELL & Co., General Library Bookbinders, 25, ST. JOHN'S SQUARE, LONDON, E.C.
* * * * *
=Eyre & Spottiswoode's=
_PURE SUMACH TANNED LEATHER._
Supplied in a variety of colours.
Not only free from acid, but strengthened and enriched by a process which fully satisfies the conditions prescribed by the Committee of the Society of Arts.
Analysed by Gordon Parker, and certified to be pure Sumach tanned and free from acid.
_Facsimile of [Illustration] _Stamped on every skin Guarantee_ supplied._
Binding: undertaken in this Special Leather (as used for the British Museum) at a nominal increase on the rates charged for ordinary leather.
EYRE & SPOTTISWOODE, East Harding Street, E.C.
* * * * *
_Established 1847._ _Established 1847._ Special Appointment.
_Best Appointed Bindery in East Anglia_
SPECIAL ATTENTION TO LIBRARY BOOKS
John P. Gray & Son, _Artistic & General_ _BOOKBINDERS_,
Nat. Tel.: 0262. _10, Green Street_, Cambridge.
_NIGER MOROCCO_, _Being importers of this excellent Leather, direct from Kano, Northern Nigeria, we are in a position to supply the trade and public in general with good skins at reasonable prices._
EARLY PARISH REGISTERS SKILFULLY RESTORED, &C.
John P. Gray & Son's reputation is a guarantee for the best Workmanship and Materials at Moderate Prices.
Transcriber's Notes
In the text version, text in italics and underlined text has been transcribed using the _underline symbol_.
Text in bold has been transcribed with =equals symbols=.
There is some inconsistent hyphenation. This has been left as printed.
p.10. "since about 1860 skeepskin" changed to sheepskin.
p.43. "books sewn with sawn-in bands" changed to sewn-in.
Index. "Sulphuric acid 8,6" There is no marked p.6. It is most likely that the reference is to p.9 and this has been corrected.