#raised bands

[muspeccoll]

#WordyWednesday

Raised bands: The ridges on the spine of some books. Originally, these were created by the sewing supports, which wrapped around the spine of the book. When binding techniques changed to favor recessed sewing supports (where the sewing supports rested in grooves cut into the text block), binders started creating false raised bands to suit their clients’ old-fashioned tastes. (In England, this started happening in the early 17th century.) Raised bands do not always match the locations of the actual sewing supports.

Image: Ovid, 43 B.C.-17 A.D. or 18 A.D. Fasti. Lyon: Antonius Gryphius, 1574. PA6519 .A2 1566

(via Quarter bound — Ruling · Rare Books: A Glossary · Special Collections and Archives)

[zhalfirin-binds]

During training I got introduced to some old binding techniques. All sewn but on something else than the bands commonly used today. The samples I made then are by no means complete, but it’s a good thing to have the descriptions to come back to. I will share the notes I took and more pictures for those who’d like to try something along those lines.

[zhalfirin]