ABSTRACT
Binding is the art of folding the sheets of a book, securing them together, affixing boards or sides thereto, and covering the whole with leather or other materials. There are various styles of binding, as half-binding, where the backs and comers only are covered with leather, and the sides or boards with marbled or coloured paper. The trade of a Bookbinder has been ranked among the most difficult of the arts. It is incontestibly one requiring much care, great neatness, correct taste, and attentive practice, to form a skilful workman, and without these requisites no one will ever attain the three great characteristics of good binding, solidity, elasticity, and elegance. The various errors and defects in the many important operations required in binding, will be pointed out under their respective heads; and a careful attention to the rules laid down will soon enable any individual, moderately expert, to execute binding worthy of a place in any library.
