The plain red-edge (carmine) and every marbled edge can be used in this connection.
Antique marbles are greatly adapted to this kind of book-edge decoration.
The production of these edges does not offer any especial technical difficulties. The book block must be treated as a hollow edge and must be scraped and then decorated with antique marbling or red color.
This having been done, insert the book into the hand-press and mark correctly how far the gilding is to be done.
To put on the gold, a solution of albumen is applied to the spots to be gilded and then a good and substantial gold leaf is laid on. As soon as the edge is dry, burnish as any other gilt-edge.
A fine chased pearl line at the meeting of the two edges, will greatly enhance the effect of this beautiful edge.