Bookmaking Materials and Techniques collection, 1988-2014 | Rare Book & Manuscript Library, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

By Meg Hixon and Molly Banwart

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Collection Overview

Title: Bookmaking Materials and Techniques collection, 1988-2014

Predominant Dates:2014

ID: 01/01/MSS00120

Primary Creator: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Rare Book and Manuscript Library

Extent: 8.0 Boxes. More info below.

Arrangement: The collection is arranged into series by format.

Date Acquired: 12/02/2014. More info below under Accruals.

Forms of Material: Books

Languages: English

Abstract

This collection consists of examples of materials and tools used in the bookmaking process.

Scope and Contents of the Materials

This collection consists of examples of materials and tools used in the bookmaking process. The collection includes numerous sample books containing a variety of example materials, as well as larger pieces of leathers commonly used for bookbinding. See the box and folder list for more detailed information about the collection's contents.

Collection Historical Note

The Rare Book & Manuscript Library established this collection, a resource for researchers and students interested in bookmaking history and methods, in 2014.

Administrative Information

Repository: Rare Book & Manuscript Library, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Accruals: Additional materials may be added to this collection in the future.

Alternate Extent Statement: 0.5 linear feet with additional oversize animal skins and 2 typecases

Access Restrictions: The collection is open for research.

Use Restrictions:

This collection is the physical property of the Rare Book & Manuscript Library. Intellectual property rights, including copyright, may reside with the materials' creator(s) or their heirs.

The Rare Book & Manuscript Library's reproduction and publication policies are available here. The library welcomes requests for reproductions made from works in our collections, though restrictions may apply to certain materials. Please contact the library with any questions.

Acquisition Source: Various

Acquisition Method:

Purchased.

Leather paring knife and headbands donated by Henry Hebert, 2014.

How a Book is Made kit donated by Allan Steinberg, 2016.

Processing Information: Processed by Meg Hixon, August 2015

Finding Aid Revision History: Revised by Molly Banwart, January 2025

Other Note: Formerly POST-1650 MS 0659

Box and Folder Listing

Browse by Box:

[Box 1: Bookbinding materials],
[Box 2: Signatures, text blocks, catalogs],
[Box 3: Metal tools, types, and plates],
[Box OS 1: Oversize bookbinding material],
[Box OS 2: Oversize bookbinding material],
[Box OS 3: Oversize bookbinding material],
[Box OS 4: Oversize metal tools, types, and plates],
[Box OS 5: Oversize metal tools, types, and plates],
[All]

Box 1: Bookbinding materials

Folder 1: Parchment, undated: Contains examples of parchment made from calf, goat, sheep, and deer.
Folder 2-4: Animal skins and leathers, undated: Contains samples of skins and leathers from a variety of animals. Additional materials are housed in Box OS 1 and 2.
Folder 5: Papers, undated: Contains examples of decorative endpapers and, to a lesser extent, other papers. Additional materials are housed in Box OS 2.
Folder 6: Bookcloths, undated: Contains examples of decorative cloths used tin bookbinding.
Folder 7: Gold and silver leaf, undated: Contains examples of gold and silver leaf, often used for embossed decorations on book covers.
Folder 8: Headbands, undated: Contains examples of sewn headbands used in bookbinding.
Folder 9: Museum boards, undated: Contains examples of different weights of museum board.

Box 2: Signatures, text blocks, catalogs

Folder 1-3: Examples of text blocks, undated: These folders contain examples of blank textblocks, including examples of sewn and glued bindings.
Folder 4-5: Examples of signatures, undated
Folder 6: Trade catalogs: This folder contains examples of trade catalogs related to bookbinding and conservation.

Box 3: Metal tools, types, and plates

Folder 1: Tools, undated: Contains an example of a leather paring knife. The knife was donated to the Rare Book & Manuscript Library by Henry Hebert.
Folder 2: Metal plate, undated: Contains an example of a printing plate from the Veterinary Science Views for the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine. Additional plates are housed in Oversize Box 4.
Folder 3: Type book, 1943: Contains Speciments of Type Faces (Richmond, Virgina: Richmond Newspapers, Incorporated, 1943).

Box OS 1: Oversize bookbinding material

Item 1-7: Animal skins and leathers, undated: Contains samples of skins and leathers from a variety of animals.

Box OS 2: Oversize bookbinding material

Item 1-3: Animal skins and leathers, undated: Contains samples of skins and leathers from a variety of animals.
Item 4-5: Marbled endpapers, undated: Contains examples of decorative marbled endpapers.
Item 6: How a Book is Made kit, 1988?: Contains sample components representing various stages of book publication. The samples are taken from How a Book Is Made, by Carol Greene (Chicago: Children's Press, 1988).

Box OS 3: Oversize bookbinding material

Item 1-5: Discarded bindings, undated: Contains five examples of old, discarded bindings from items in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library's collection.

Box OS 4: Oversize metal tools, types, and plates

Item 1: 24pt Lydian Bold typecase, undated: Contains typesetter's case of 24pt Lydian Bold type.
Item 2: University library printing plate, undated: Contains incised printing plate, possibly steel, with images of the University Library.
Item 3-5: Copper printing plates, undated: Contains three examples of copper printing plates with intaglio images of football players, gymnasts, and a group of young men.
Item 6-7: Blank printing plates, undated: Contains two examples of blank printing plates.
Item 8: Landscape copper printing plate: Contains copper printing plate of a landscape, possibly of an image of the University of Illinois campus.

Box OS 5: Oversize metal tools, types, and plates

Item 1: 36pt Goudy Bold typecase, undated: Contains typesetter's case of 36pt Goudy Bold type.