COMMERCIAL BINDING FOR REFERENCE BOOKS
While they are not a part of library binding, it may not be amiss to include specifications for commercial binding of heavy reference books, such as dictionaries, cyclopedias, etc. It is done with the hope that librarians will exert pressure upon the publishers to induce them to adopt these or other specifications which will produce equally good results.
1. Four tapes should be used in sewing; the tapes must extend on each side of the book at least two inches. The book should contain as many stitches as possible, using the best four-strand cotton thread. The thickness of the thread will depend somewhat upon the number of pages in a signature. Books should be sewed "all along" with no splitting of signatures at head or tail.
2. First and last signatures should be reinforced inside and outside of the fold with a strip of strong, thin muslin which passes around the outside of the end papers. The English cloth called jaconet is the best for this purpose.
3. The second signature and the next to the last should be reinforced with muslin on the inside of the fold.
4. The end papers should also be lined on the inside.
5. Illustrations should be guarded with muslin which is folded around the next signature.
6. Books should be lined with a medium grade of canton flannel, with the fuzzy side to the back and extending from one-half inch from the head to within one-half inch of the tail of the book, lapping over at least two inches on the side.
7. The flannel, together with the tapes, should be inserted between split boards.
8. Over the canton flannel, but not extending over to the sides, there should be pasted a good quality of linen, rope or manila paper of sufficient thickness to make the book firm. In putting on this lining paper paste instead of glue must be used.
9. Volumes should have French joints.
10. The best quality millboard of suitable thickness with rounded corners should be used.
11. Leather should be made, if possible, according to the specifications of the London Society of Arts. Niger morocco is probably the best. Volumes should have leather corners as well as backs.
12. For cloth sides, Winterbottom's Imperial morocco cloth, Bancroft's Legal buckram, or Holliston's Library buckram should be used.