WINTHROP C. PEABODY

A previously mentioned, preference is given in these articles to the styles of biuding likely to be most used by those who care only to bind magazines and books with inexpensive but durable bindings. In accordance with this idea, the covers to be first described will be those known as " cloth. "

This brings us to one of the difficulties likely to be experienced by the amateur who buys his materials in small quantities, thus depriving him of the opportunity of buying of the wholesale houses who sell only the quantity comprised in original packages. An exception is sometimes made in cloth, leather and twines, but the mill-board packages are not broken. The latter must be obtained elsewhere, and the small jobbing bindery will be found the best place to make purchases, as at such places the remainder of lots Used for other work can usually be had at a small advance in price over that charged by the wholesaler.

Mill-board is obtainable in two regular sizes, 22 x26 in. and 20 x 30 in. It is designated by numbers which refer to the number of sheets in 100 lbs. of board, as 12, 16, 18, 20, 25, 30, etc., up to 100 sheets per 100 lbs. weight, the latter being but little thicker than a heavy paper. The mill board used in the bound volumes of Amateur Work are known as "30, " which means that 30 sheets would weigh 100 lbs.

Binders' cloth comes in rolls and is 38 in. wide. This can be purchased by the yard, the price varying from 12 to 20 cents per yard for the cheaper grades, and from 20 to 40 cents for the better. A yard of cloth will cover several books, so this item of expense is not a heavy one.

To prepare the "covers," as cloth bindings are termed before being put on, the mill-board is cut to the required size. The margins to allow can be determined by an examination of other books of about the same size. It will be noted that the back edge does not meet the " backing " of the book, the space left being sufficient to form the hinge, so that the cover may be opened wide, yet not enough to cause looseness with continued use.

In cutting the cloth, an easy way for the beginner to get correct size and spacing is to draw a diagram which is dimensioned by measurements of the book to be covered. Note the space to be left between the two boards, and the amount to be turned over on the inside, also allowing for the thickness of the boards. The way to trim and turn in at the corners can readily be learned from books already at hand.

With boards and cloth cut and in readiness, the next process is gluing together. Regular binders have glue-pots contained in a hot water can, which serves te keep the glue fluid while using. If the reader lacks this and is binding but few books at one time, a bottle of liquid glue will serve, but it will be necessary to thin it until it will drop freely from the brush, much as would paint.

The cloth is then spread flat upon a smooth board or upon a sheet of clean wrapping paper, coated with a thin, even layer of glue, which should be applied as quickly as possible, brushing out any spots where too much glue has been applied. The boards are then placed in their proper places, the edges of the cloth turned over, after cutting out at the corners, smoothing over with an ivory folder. Care must be used, however, when using cloth with a grained pattern, not to press too hard, or the pattern will be rubbed out, leaving smooth spots which will greatly mar the appearance of the work. All that is necessary is that the cloth shall be firmly in contact with the boards at all places, so that when the glue is dry no "blisters " will appear.

On the inside of the cover between the boards a strip of strong paper, manila of moderate thickness will answer, is placed. It should be a trifle short of reaching the outer edges of the boards. The lap of the cloth is then turned over upon itself, the edges just meeting the ends of the paper. If the covers are not attached to the book at once they should dry between boards, the press boards serving for this purpose, which will prevent them from curling out of shape.

To put on the covers, coat the loose parts of the backing cloth with glue, place the book back downward in the proper place in the open covers, firmly press the cloth with the ivory, open the end papers, which have previously been covered with a strong paste, press the end papers smooth, using care not to stretch them, close the book and run the edge of the ivory along the back edge of each cover between the board and rounded backing, and the book is complete.

Nothing has been said about lettering or tool work of any kind; this will be taken up in a subsequent chapter.