Tree-Marbles
These marbles, which were first executed in Germany, from whence they passed into England, are formed by bending the boards in the middle, so that the water and colours flow from the back and fore-edge to the centre, in the form of branches of trees. Those who have never seen the tree-marbles of Mr. Clarke, of London, can form but little idea of the beauty of which this style is susceptible. The name is also given to such as are made to imitate the grain of the wood.
WALNUT.
Formed by sprinkling black and brown only, as for the common marble.
CEDAR.
After sprinkling as for the walnut, and before perfectly dry, apply lightly a sponge presenting large holes dipped in orange upon various places on the cover, so as to form a description of clouds. Afterwards apply the fine red, with a similar sponge, nearly upon the same places, and when dry give the whole two or three coats of yellow, taking care that each penetrates evenly into the leather.
MAHOGANY.
The proceedings are nearly the same as for the walnut, the difference being merely in sprinkling the black more boldly, and, when perfectly dry, giving two or three uniform coats of red.
BOX.
In order to imitate the veins contained in box, the boards must be bent in five or six different places and in divers ways. After placing the book between the rods, throw on the water in small drops, and proceed as for the walnut. After being perfectly dry, throw water again in large drops, and sprinkle on small spots of blue, diluted equally with water; and, when again dry and rubbed well, apply the scarlet with a sponge as directed for the cedar. Finally, when dry, give two or three coats of orange, and the design is complete.
WAINSCOT.
Colour with strong brown, glaire, and place between the rods, with the boards flat. Throw on weak black in large spots, then brown in like manner, and, lastly, sprinkle boldly with vitriol-water.
VARIEGATED.
Marble as for the walnut, and then put on each board a circle, oval, or other figure, and apply weak black on the outer parts. When dry, give it a good coat of red, and, after throwing on spots of scarlet, take off the figures, and wash well the parts where the latter colour has been used. Finally, give the oval two coats of yellow, or other colour, with a camel’s-hair brush.
MARBLING ON PAPER.
The sides of a half-bound book, which will be covered with paper, may be marbled to correspond with the effect produced on the leather by the action of the black and brown at the same time. This is performed by pasting firm white paper on the sides, and colouring with a mixture of four ounces of nut-galls and a small portion of powdered sal-ammoniac boiled well together, which will take the black and brown nearly equal to leather.