Bookbinding - I Am The Page Edges Of A Well Bound Book
I am the top edge of a bookbinding, standing on the bookshelf
, take a look at me, I should at the very least be cut smooth, it's a bad idea to have a rough top edge, even if it means trimming off an attractive deckled edge, you should always at the very least cut me to a smooth finish. In bookbinding, a rough top edge is a trap for dust and other atmospheric impurities.
In craft bookbinding the page edges of a book can be treated in many different ways.
Perhaps the simplest treatment involves sanding my top edge smooth and then applying a thin coat of beeswax with a finger, after which it is then burnished. This simple treatment seals the top edge of the book, and prevents ingress of atmospheric impurities which may cause page yellowing.
Another simple craft bookbinding method of treating page edges, is to colour them, this can be done to just the top edge or all three edges, the colour is applied after sanding the edge smooth, when dry a coat of beeswax is applied as before and the edge burnished.
In the 16th century, a new way of decorating paper was introduced to Europe from the East; patterns were created that resembled the veins in marble. Soon after papers began to be marbled, it was discovered that this type of decoration could be applied to book edges, and books began to appear with a bewildering range of designs applied to them. Once again, to ensure a sealed surface, a thin coat of beeswax should be applied.
Of course my edges could also be gilded; it is very common to find books that have had their top edge gilded, though gold could be applied to all three edges. No one can question the aesthetic value of gilded edges in bookbinding, but it is done primarily to seal the edges from ingress of atmospheric pollution and other impurities.
In the early 17th century, those involved in English craft bookbinding began a form of edge decoration where foredges were painted with highly decorative motifs. Once again the edges would be waxed.
Soon after painted edges, it became the practice to fan the edges out before painting, so that when closed the edge appeared blank, the painting only showing when the bookbinding was slightly fanned out when opening.
The very richest bookbinding had hidden under edge paintings together with a gilded edges, this meant the book looked to have a normal gilded edge, but when fanned out slightly, the painting would appear.
During the 16th century, and once again, for the very rich, a method of book edge decoration called Gauffering (gauffred, gaufr, goffered) came into being.
This involves gilding the edges of the book, and then using small heated decorative hand tools, these are impressed into the edge of the book.
Obviously you will not find these methods used on modern mass produced books, they are the preserve of the craft of hand bookbinding.
The binder of today can not only call upon the past methods of book edge decoration, he or she can also use their imagination and take inspiration from the text of the book to determine a suitable edge decoration.
By Richard Norman
Bookbinding - I Am The Page Edges Of A Well Bound Book
By: richard norman
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