e only two who have
any sense of design and harmony of colour. But this is not to be wondered
at when we consider that the majority of the bookbinders' customers know
nothing whatever of bookbinding good or bad, requiring only that their
volumes shall present a gorgeous appearance to the eye. Consequently the
ordinary binder is rarely called upon to pay those minute attentions to
detail demanded by a hypercritical collector. Bibliophiles are born, not
made, and it were foolish to expect that every bookbinder has the love of
books at heart. In nine cases out of ten it is our own fault if the
binder goes wrong, for it means that our instructions have been either
too meagre or lacking in a knowledge of technical detail.

When sending a book to the binder, definite instructions should always be
enclosed. The details should be set forth clearly on a slip accompanying
the volume. It should be stated:

(i) Whether the book is to be bound in pigskin, vellum, or
morocco (Levant, Niger, smooth or rough grained).

(ii) The colour.

And here let me say that it is always better to choose the leather (the
actual skin) oneself. The binder will make up two little books, lettered
with the collector's name on the cover, containing moroccos of different
hues; one he will give to the collector, the other he will retain. As
every sample in these books is numbered, when ordering it is merely
necessary to give the number (written _very distinctly_!). It is perhaps
superfluous to add that, at the outset, the collector will have obtained
a guarantee from his binder that only acid-free skins shall be used in
binding his books. And he will also be careful to avoid selecting the
very bright tints, such skins not being so durable as those of more
sombre hue.

(iii) Whether quarter, half, or whole binding.

(iv) If quarter or half binding, whether the sides are to be
covered with cloth (buckram or linen, and colour) or paper
(marbled or plain, and colour).

(v) Treatment of the edges: whether top edge gilt (t.e.g.), all
edges gilt, gilt on red, gilt on the rough, marbled, sprinkled,
yellow, red, or blue edges (the last two very effective on folio
books bound in pigskin), edges trimmed or untrimmed, uncoloured,
etc.

(vi) Round or square back.

(vii) Solid or hollow back.

(viii) Round or square raised bands, big or small, or 'no bands'
(_i.e._ not showing).