Back in January I wrote about my rebound version of the excellent Folio Society facsimile of this extraordinary book – excellent except for the publisher’s binding, that is. Well, I have another copy, without the drop-back box and accompanying commentary, so I have had another go.
In the meantime, since January, I have found out a lot more about the original, partly from a copy of the Sotheby’s auction brochure of 1929 and also from the British Library website which has an image of the previous rebinding, done in 1630. That was 300 years after the book was made and, presumably, first bound. A book designed for regular devotional use, such as a psalter might well have needed rebinding well before 1630, perhaps after 150 years – so around 1480. Also, if you look closely at the facsimile pages you can see that the margins were trimmed either when it was re-bound in 1630, or perhaps earlier.
So, a variation on my previous design would be appropriate, still aimed at a late 15th century effect.
I had a skin of goat, pale tan in colour, exactly as it would have been if freshly tanned in 1480. Five double bands on the spine, and blue-and-white sewn headbands would be appropriate, and ‘blind’ decoration on the covers. I like the strong black effect of using carbon paper which produces a much more even result than just using a hot tool on damp leather so I settled on that. Here is the first part of creating the outer panel:
I have not yet decided what to do on the back cover or the spine: any suggestions?
The Rebindery 
Carbon paper? Do you still use a hot tool with the carbon paper?
It gives a very definitive, matt result – nice!
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Yes – hot tool (just off the sizzle) on the carbon side of the paper, so the tool picks up the ink. Not through the paper. Glad you like the effect.
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