| KEY: D=“Dozens in a Bundle.”; W=“Weight Per Bundle, lb.” | |||||||||||||
| DESCRIPTION. | SIZE. | 6d. | 7d. | 8d. | 8x. | 8xx. | X. | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| inches. | D | W | D | W | D | W | D | W | D | W | D | W | |
| Pott | 17 1 ⁄ 4 × 14 1 ⁄ 4 | 6 | 28 | 6 | 40 | 5 | 48 | 5 | 56 | 4 | 60 | 3 | 58 |
| Foolscap | 18 1 ⁄ 2 × 14 1 ⁄ 2 | 6 | 32 | 6 | 44 | 5 | 50 | 5 | 58 | 4 | 62 | 3 | 58 |
| Crown | 20 × 16 1 ⁄ 4 | 6 | 36 | 6 | 50 | 5 | 62 | 5 | 72 | 4 | 74 | 3 | 72 |
| Small Half Royal | 20 1 ⁄ 4 × 13 | 6 | 30 | 6 | 44 | 5 | 50 | 5 | 60 | 4 | 62 | 3 | 58 |
| Large Half Royal | 21 × 14 | 6 | 30 | 6 | 48 | 5 | 60 | 5 | 62 | 4 | 70 | 3 | 72 |
| Short | 21 × 17 | 6 | 38 | 6 | 55 | 5 | 70 | 5 | 78 | 4 | 78 | 3 | 78 |
| Sm. Half Imperial | 22 1 ⁄ 4 × 15 | 6 | 36 | 6 | 50 | 5 | 64 | 4 | 70 | 3 | 62 | 2 | 60 |
| Half Imperial | 23 1 ⁄ 2 × 16 1 ⁄ 2 | 6 | 40 | 6 | 60 | 5 | 66 | 4 | 70 | 3 | 66 | 2 | 64 |
| Mdle. or Sm. Demy | 22 1 ⁄ 2 × 18 1 ⁄ 2 | 6 | 45 | 6 | 60 | 5 | 66 | 4 | 74 | 3 | 72 | 2 | 66 |
| Large Middle or Large Demy | 23 3 ⁄ 4 × 18 1 ⁄ 2 | 6 | 48 | 6 | 68 | 5 | 66 | 4 | 76 | 3 | 74 | 2 | 60 |
| Large or Medium | 24 × 19 | 6 | 48 | 6 | 70 | 5 | 65 | 4 | 76 | 3 | 74 | 2 | 60 |
| Small Royal | 25 1 ⁄ 2 × 19 1 ⁄ 2 | 6 | 52 | 6 | 78 | 5 | 78 | 4 | 84 | 3 | 84 | 2 | 68 |
| Large Royal | 26 3 ⁄ 4 × 20 3 ⁄ 4 | 6 | 52 | 6 | 78 | 4 | 68 | 3 | 76 | 2 | 68 | 2 | 86 |
| Extra Royal | 28 1 ⁄ 2 × 21 1 ⁄ 2 | 6 | 56 | 6 | 82 | 4 | 74 | 3 | 80 | 2 | 74 | 2 | 92 |
| Imperial | 32 × 22 1 ⁄ 2 | 6 | 72 | 4 | 72 | 3 | 72 | 2 | 72 | 2 | 96 | 2 | 120 |
Mill-board Shears.
Having chosen the board, it is necessary to cut it up to the size wanted. If the book is 8vo., the board is cut into eight pieces; if 4to., into four; using a demy board for a demy book, or a royal for a royal book. To cut up the board, first mark up, as a guide for the mill-board shears. These are very large shears, in shape somewhat like an enlarged tin shears. To use the shears, screw up one arm in the laying press, hold the board by the left hand, using the right to work the upper arm, the left hand meanwhile guiding the board. Some little tact is required |53| to cut heavy boards. It will be found that it is necessary to press the lower arm away with the thigh, and bring the upper arm towards the operator whilst cutting.
Mill-board Machine.
A mill-board cutting machine is now in all large shops. The cut fairly well explains itself; the long blade descending cuts the boards, which are held fast on the table by the clamp. The gauges are set either on the table or in front. The board is put on the table and held tight by pressure of the foot on the treadle; the knife descending upon the exposed board cuts after the principle of the guillotine blade. Another kind, introduced by Messrs. Richmond, of Kirby Street, Hatton Garden, is made for steam work, and is no doubt one of the best that can be made. Instead of a knife to descend, a number of circular cutters are made to revolve on two spindles, the one cutter working against the other (see woodcut); but I give Messrs. Richmond’s own description, it being more explicit than any I could |54| possibly give: “The machine accomplishes a surprising amount of superior work in a very short time, and the best description of the ordinary lever mill-board cutting machine cannot be compared with it. The machine is very strongly and accurately constructed. It is furnished with an iron table having a planed surface, and is also provided with a self-acting feed gauge. The gear wheels are engine cut, and the circular cutters, which are of the best cast steel, being turned and ground “dead true,” clean and accurate cutting is insured. The machine will therefore be found to be a most profitable acquisition to any bookbinding establishment in which large quantities of mill-board are used up.”
Steam Mill-board Cutting Machine.
The boards being cut, square the edge which is to go to the back of the book. This must be done in the cutting press, using a cutting board for one side termed a “runner,” and another called a “cut-against” for the other side. |55| These are simply to save the press from being cut; and a piece of old mill-board is generally placed on the cut-against, so that the plough knife does not cut or use up the cut-against too quickly. The boards are now, if for whole-binding, to be lined on both sides with paper; if for half-binding only on one side. The reason for lining them is to make the boards curve inwards towards the book. The various pastings would cause the board to curve the contrary way if it were not lined. If the boards are to be lined both sides, paper should be cut double the size of the boards; if only one side, the paper cut a little wider than the boards, so that a portion of the paper may be turned over on to the other side about a quarter of an inch. The paper is now pasted with not too thick paste, and the board laid on the paper with the cut edge towards the portion to be turned over. It is now taken up with the paper adhering, and laid down on the press with the paper side upwards, and rubbed well down; it is then again turned over and the paper drawn over the other side. It is advisable to press the boards to make more certain of the paper adhering, remembering always that the paper must be pasted all over very evenly, for it cannot be expected to adhere if it is not pasted properly.