Half-Binding
Half-binding—so called from the backs and corners only being covered with leather—has come so much into vogue that it may now be said to be the favourite style of binding. This is not to be wondered at; for, while it combines economy and durability, it can also be made to exhibit a great deal of neatness. To do this, however, requires more care and skill in paring the back and corners than is generally required for full binding. The transition from the thick morocco to the paper used on the sides can be made almost imperceptible to the touch by a skilful use of the paring-knife or chisel. The general directions for covering will be sufficient for the class of work under consideration. After the back is lettered or finished, the corners may then be put on; and, after carefully marking and cutting the paper selected for the purpose, the sides should be glued carefully over and affixed to the boards, having sufficient projection to turn inside of the board far enough to be covered by the end-papers. The width of the back should be governed by the size of the volume. A narrow back gives a very meagre appearance to a book. The size of the corners should be determined by the width of the back. The end-papers are pasted down and the work finished in the same way as will be pointed out for binding in general. The colour of the paper used for sides should harmonize with the colour of the leather. The English generally prefer the inside-paper, the edges, and the outside-paper, to match; and it must be confessed that, when the paper is of good quality and the edges correspond, the effect is extremely good. The French generally use a light tint of marble-paper for the inside, and a darker shade for the outside. For durability as an outside-paper, there is nothing equal to the papier d’ Anonay, vellum being one of its components. Of this article there are many worthless imitations, which yet in external appearance are well calculated to deceive. The real article will wear as well as the morocco used for the back and corners. The best class of half-binding for amateurs is the Font Hill style, half morocco, of the best quality; uncut leaves, so as to preserve the integrity of the margin; top-edge gilt, as a protection from dust; lined with the best English paper; worked-silk headbands; outside-paper to harmonize with the back; no gilding on the back except the lettering. This style requires extra pains in the forwarding and covering, as the slightest defect in these particulars cannot be remedied by the finisher. In other bindings, the brilliancy of the gilding often serves to conceal or to allure the eye from those portions of the binding that a workman would pronounce to be “botched.”
Uncut books are trimmed to a general line with a large knife, similar to a butcher’s-knife, previous to being glued up. They are the special favourites of book-collectors. An uncut copy of a scarce work will always command a higher price than one that has been cropped.