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

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

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

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.

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

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

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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.

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]