To produce silver edges, a sizing material of a solution of gelatine (one half of a gelatine cake to one cup of water) is used as a surrogate to the albumen. This can also be employed in the laying on of aluminium.
For base metal leaf care should be taken that a soft, thin article is used, the one of a light hue is more pliable on account of the larger quantity of tin contained in it than is in the darker copper one.
The more pliable French aluminium is preferable to the brittle German article.
If gilt-edges are to be produced upon unsized paper, the edges must be sized with a solution of gelatine.
Colored Edges with Front and End
Gilding.
COLORED EDGES WITH FRONT AND END
GILDING.
The effect of edges gilt front and back with marbling between is beautiful. This edge is especially applicable to books of large size.