CHAPTER III.
To correctly locate the sources of skin supply suitable for bookbinding is not easy, in consequence of original breeds having been transplanted to equally suitable climes over the seas. In many cases purity of breed has been maintained, while in the majority, deterioration has set in, due to desire for heavier beasts: therefore the purposes of this chapter will be best met if original breeds are described and their general habitat located. The animals which furnish skins suitable in quality and quantity to meet the increasing demands of to-day are: sheep, goat, calf, seal, and pig or hog. Other animals may produce skins good for bookbinding, but a description of the foregoing will afford ample illustration.
The sheepskin takes first place in regard to quantity. Probably more than two-thirds of modern commercial bindings are represented by this much-abused skin, which is frequently so skilfully manipulated as to deceive even an expert, that it is not what it is represented to be. After the pelt has been split or cut in twain—the grain part after tanning being termed “a skiver,” and the flesh after dressing designated chamois—the former is so manipulated with dyes, finishes, and embossing, that surface or grain detection is extremely difficult, say, between a true morocco or embossed skiver. Much of this so-called misrepresentation has been created by the public, who order their books to be covered in “leather,” which they are pleased to think is morocco, or pig or seal, when reflection should tell them that it cannot be genuine at the price they have paid, often for book and binding complete. This “faking” is very largely accomplished upon sheepskin, because it readily lends itself to such alterations both by nature and price; but when such leathers are employed they should be correctly described by the binder. Sheepskins have a large place in the commercial bookbinderies and affections of the public at large, and there is no reason why they should not only hold their ground, but succeed in displacing the cloth imitations of leather; and, provided the skins are selected from suitable breeds, they should find a place in the binding of certain classes of books intended for permanent reference in libraries.
The sheep as a family are divided into two classes: the Upland and Lowland breeds. The Upland class inhabit the mountain ranges, and while possessing a short firm wool, have a mass of close thick hair underneath. Their habits and life make the character of meat and skin approach a goat nearer than any other animal. The parent stock are the argali or wild sheep of the Himalaya, and the “Musmon” of the Andes and Sierra Nevadas. Fuller particulars will be found in the “Royal Natural History,” by Richard Lydekker, B.A., F.R.S., Vol. 2, pp. 212 to 234. The Upland sheep of to-day vary in purity or closeness to the parent stock according to the source of supply. In certain Mongolian, Arabian and Welsh sheep it is not easy to discriminate between them and a true goat, after the wool has been removed. It is the skins of such sheep that are suitable for binding books in libraries where price and hard wear are a consideration. Sheep-grazing countries having high altitudes would be probable sources of supply of such skins. Great Britain, through Wales, Cumberland, Westmorland, and the Highlands of Scotland provides many millions of skins a year to the cotton spinning trade, for covering drawing rollers, an operation calling for a hard-wearing grained skin.
In practice it has been found that sheepskins yield the most lasting results when tanned slowly in oak-bark liquors; the product is a tighter and more solid skin than when tanned in sumach, though sumach may be used in given cases, or a combination of both. Commercially valued, the upland sheepskins sell at prices varying from 2-1/2d. to 9d. per square foot, when finished according to the Society of Arts’ Bookbinding Committee’s Report.
The Lowland breed, commonly known as domestic sheep (Ovis aries) are found wherever there are grazing lands. In sheep grazing, the graziers’ “object” varies. It may be the “wool or the flesh.” If the former, the skin is usually unfavourable for binding purposes, while if the latter, a large portion find their way to the sheepskin splitters, who by machinery of considerable delicacy split the skins into what are known in the trade as grains and fleshes. The grains alone interest us, being subsequently tanned into skivers. This class of leather has its use in low-price trade bindings of flexible character, and as such competes and compares in price and durability successfully with any imitations.
To make skivers suitable in wearing qualities it is advisable to take the plain dyed class, reasonably stout, tanned in sumach, and dyed without mineral acid, dried out with a little stretch left in, and if they are required as tough as it is possible to obtain a grain, a little nourishing material may be used to advantage. By following these lines it will reduce the risk of imitations. Though “paste grain,” "long grain," and “glazed skivers” will still find a market among binders, they must not be classed among the “Imitations.” Skivers are sold from about 1d. to 5d. per square foot.
Before proceeding further it may be well to point out that the skins from old or very young animals should be avoided, although old animals are a rarity. Exceptionally large skins in their class should be viewed with suspicion, likewise very small ones. The former may indicate weakness, and the latter want of maturity. This must in practice have a general application.