The making of manuscript books, based on a study of the early MSS., offers the best training to the scribe and illuminator in writing, lettering, rubricating, gilding, illuminating initials and borders, and miniature painting, and is the best means of mastering the foundations of Book Typography and Decoration.
Materials, &c. for MS. Books; Paper (see pp. [51], [103], [111], [317]); Vellum and Parchment and Pounce [p099] (see pp. [110], [167], [173]–[5]).—Cut a small sheet the size of a page of the book, and clip the long edge between two flat pieces of wood (holding it as it would be if bound). If the page will bend over and stay down by its own weight, it is thin enough (R fig. [68]); if it stands up (W), it is too stiff.
Cutting Sheets.—A frame or template (the size of the sheet desired) is used by parchment makers. It is useful for cutting out the sheets for a common size of parchment book. They are cut on the end-grain of wood, or on card or glass.
Folding.—A Folder, as used by bookbinders (or a bone paper-knife), is useful, and also a Set or T-Square for testing right angles, &c. The fold and the top edge of each book-sheet are commonly squared by proper folding.
Ruling, &c. (see p. [343]).—For marking distances of lines, a carefully prepared paper[17] scale or pattern (p. [25]) and an awl (p. [109]), or a [p100] “star-wheel”—having regular intervals between the spikes—may be used. Or the ruling—of the writing lines—may be simplified by using a stout card frame (internally the size of the text-column) with strips glued across it: for a common size of book this might be made in stout tin or other metal. The lines are commonly ruled with a ruling stylus (see figs. [72], [77]), or a sort of “rake” may be made to rule six lines at once.
Writing, Colouring, Gilding, Binding (Chaps. II., X., IX., XVI.).
METHODS & PROPORTIONS
Having to make a manuscript book for a specific purpose, the scribe formulates in his mind a general plan of the work, and decides approximately the respective sizes of page and of writing which seem most suitable.