42G
r Class xvii.
this branch of the book trade, had also some bound works.M. Schokning, of Berlin (1 Zollv., 154, p. 1057), ex-hibited a large Altar Bible in morocco, well bound. M.Graf, Duchy of Saxe Altenburg (1 Zollv., 740, p. 1091),a large Altar Bible in purple morocco; as a specimenof block gilding it is perfect, and considering the largesize of the engraved block, which is stated to be in onepiece, much skill is displayed in its being so skilfullyapplied.
M. Regeer, of Rotterdam (112, p. 1141), exhibitedthe works of Hogarth, in folio, as a specimen of binding,neatly aud carefully executed.
Bookbinding—Sweden.
M. F. Beck, of Stockholm (104, p. 1354), exhibitedten specimens of binding, possessing fair merit.
Bookbinding—United States of America .
Judging from the collection in the American Depart- |incut, bookbinding has not advanced in that country as !much as some other branches of the book trade. Theworks exhibited are loosely forwarded, and twist in •handling; and although much labour is bestowed ingilding and finishing, sufficient attention is not paidto the minor details on which good workmanship somuch depends. The following is a list of the exhibi- !tors:—Mr. B. Bradley, Boston (473, p. 1465)—booksin cloth, well blocked. These specimens were enclosedin a case in the form of an immense book, well andneatly covered. Mr. Henry Gassktt, Boston (420, p.1462), and Messrs. Liprincott, Grambo, and Co., ofPhiladelphia (57, p. 1437)—specimens of binding, of 1moderately good workmanship. Mr. G. P. Putnam, of iNew York (122, p. 1441)—five or six specimens of 1mediaeval binding. Messrs. Walker and Co., NewYork (123, p. 1441)—a large 4to Bible in two vols.,bound in Gothic style, green morocco, gilt metal or-naments and corners, most elaborately worked fly-leaves,illuminated in green, red, and white, with recesses ineach side for a family register, embellished paper, andfinished in such a maimer that when the recesses areshut up the inside of the cover remains even. Thisis the best specimen in the American Department, andpossesses some novelty and care in forwarding and finish-ing.
Bookbinding—Van Diemen’s Land.
The Council of the Royal Society of Van Diemen’sLand (345, p. 999) displayed a collection of books neatlybouud by Mr. Rolwecar, of Hobart Town (196, p. 996);and one volume, said to be gilt and lettered with goldleaf from Californian gold, manufactured by Mr. R. V.Hood, also of Hobart Town .
Vellum Binding.
Vellum binding is a separate branch of the trade, andconsists in binding all kinds of account books, from thelargest ledger to the smallest memorandum book. Thecovers are usually vellum, forril, russia leather, smoothand rough calf, and the larger books are in general neatlyworked with russia bands, which add botli to their ap-pearance and durability. The English vellum binders,whose works were in the Exhibition, fully sustain theirhigh reputation for beauty of execution and solidity ofworkmanship. The ledgers of MM. Gaymard andGerault, of Paris (517, p. 1203), however, show thatremarkable progress has taken place in France within thelast 10 years in this branch of trade. In the AmericanDepartment, also, Mr. Herrick (502, p. 1466) andMessrs. J. and W. McAdams, of New York (482,p. 1465), had ledgers ruled in a very superior manner.An improved mode of numbering the leaves of accountbooks has been introduced within the last few years, bymeans of a paging machine, patented by Mr. Shaw.There are other machines for the same purpose; and Mr.Schlesinckr (38, p. 539) had one at work in ClassXVII. during the whole of the Exhibition, which is
very simple in its construction; and appears to answerthe purpose, although it may be less durable than Shaw’s.Mr. Hancock took out a patent some years since for thepurpose of applying caoutchouc to the manufacture ofaccount and other books: the leaves are fastened to-gether with caoutchouc in a semi-fluid state, instead ofstitchiug them, thus obtaining much greater freedom iuopening when the book is bound; this appeared at first tobe a superior mode, and promised to supersede all others.It was not found, however, to be sufficiently strong tosustain the severe wear and tear consequent on the con-stant opening and shutting of ledgers. It is a process bywhich books that do not require such constant handlingmay be bound to advantage, as they open much morei freely. It appeal's admirably adapted for music-books,
' albums, small pocket ledgers, and similar works.
The English exhibitors of account books were Messrs,j Thomas and Son, Coruhill (44. p. 540) ; J. Williams,j of Bueklersbury (53, p. 541); Evans, Berwick Street,
1 (8, p. 537) ; Harris and Galabin, Fenehttrch Street| (173); Royston and Brown, Broad Street (34, p.
1 539); Waterlow and Sons, London Wall (46, p. 540);
Cowan and Sons (101, p. 544); De La Rue and Co.
! (76, pp. 541-543), for pocket ledgers; and Mr. Wod-derspoon (159, p. 547), whose new mode of fasteningthe sections with cloth bands appears to be an improve-ment.
I From France , MM. Gaymard and Gerault (No. 517,p. 1203) exhibited an immense and well-bound ledger;and M. Neraudeau (661, p. 1209), whose various ac-count books were of an average quality. From America ,Messrs. Sibell and Mott, New York (339, p. 1456),iu addition to those already mentioned.
! III. PAPER.
The introduction of paper, first mode of cotton, and. afterwards of linen rags,* dates from the arrival of theArabs in Spain and Sicily, in this part of Europe , andi from the time of the Crusaders as regards the Southernportion. Thus it is from two different parts of theEast that we have derived this process, originally in-vented in China , where the art of making sheets ofpaper from the bark of trees, from bamboo, old rags,silk, hemp, or cotton, reduced to pulp, dates from thecommencement of the second century of the Christianera.t
The use of papyrus, manufactured in Egypt , ceased inEurope about the ninth century, and the cotton paper,then in great use iu the East, was introduced iuto Europe at this time, through the commercial relations of Venice ,Naples, and Sicily .
Edrisi, who wrote in 1150, tells us that the paper madeat Xativa, an ancient city of Valencia, ! was excellent, andthat it was exported to the East and West.
At the commencement of the fourteenth century thereexisted at Fabriano , in the Piceuum, and at Colie, inTuscany , paper-mills moved by streams of water.§ Itwas from these Fabriano mills that Bodoui, at the com-mencement of the present century, obtained the paperfor his beautiful editions; and this manufacture is stillcarried on with success, judging from the superb vat-made paper exhibited by M. Milliani, of Fabriano (Rome, No. 12, p. 1285).
At Nuremberg, in Germany , a paper-mill was esta-blished in 1390.
The introduction of paper-making in France dates fromthe fourteenth century. The towns of Troyes aud Es-
* “ Ex rasuris pannorum,” arc the words of Peter theVenerable , Abbot of Cluny.
f Between the years 89 and 105 after the birth of JesusChrist .
J Xativa is a pretty town, with castles, the beauty andsolidity of which have passed into a proverb ; here is madepaper, the equal of which cannot be found in the wholeuniverse. It is exported to the East and West.—(Geographyof Edrisi, translated by A. Jaubert, vol. ii., p. 37.) Xativa is now called 8an Felipe.
§ The Charter of the 6th of March 1377, relates to thelease of a mill with a waterfall, ad facicndus cartas.