Fine Bookbinding: A Technical Guide

The purpose of this book is to guide the reader through the sequence of operations involved in creating a book bound in leather, or a "fine binding." The author defines a fine binding as a book fully covered in leather, with leather-jointed endpapers, gilt edges, and leather doublures. Although a basic knowledge of bookbinding terms and techniques is assumed, this book is meant for both novice and experienced bookmakers. The book is intended to be used as an active guide during the process of fine binding. It is arranged into sixteen sections, in the order of how they are to be undertaken (or a "sequence of operations"), beginning with preliminary work and ending with preparing and putting in leather doublures. Each section includes appropriately numbered instructions so that the user can find his or her place in the sequence of operations and have a reference for what step is next. There are also numbered explanatory sections that include a rationale (why you do it) and technique (how you do it). The work includes close to 300 black and white illustrations, four appendices, and a bibliography.