![]() ![]() In the specific context of Iran, several important documents shed light on governmental reforms that were implemented in the 1860s in response to the burgeoning printing industry. In the 19th century, the arrival of mechanized printing and lithography directly impacted the bookbinding trade. These methods proved so effective that with the passage of time, they supplanted earlier methods and became established traditions in their own right. While some of these advances allowed books to be luxuriously decorated for members of the elite, these methods were also used to produce affordable covers that catered to less affluent members of society. Cloth and decorative papers were adapted as frugal covering materials in place of more costly leather, and one particular method of minimal leather used only along with the spin, flap, and edges of the board are commonly observed today covering a wide variety of materials. Panel stamping largely supplanted the time-consuming process of tooling covers by hand. By the 16th century, bookbinders in the Eastern Islamic world adopted a number of innovative procedures that reduced the cost and increase the speed at which books could be produced. Instead of an individual scribe producing an entire manuscript from start to finish, a specialized bookbinder would focus strictly on producing the cover of a manuscript, often in a range of styles depending on their patron’s taste and budget. This is especially true of bookbinding craft techniques in the Islamic world that evolved from scribal practices of the Late Antique period into a distinct trade over time. European book bindings have beenįluctuating changes in style are often described in terms of fashion when in fact they are often developed to better meet practical demands. Persian bookbinding had the most delicate and intricate designs including painted lacquer work. Art was created on the covers of these bindings by embellishment and specimens are preserved all over the world. Leather binding is largely hand-done whereas machines are used for cloth boarded books. Some books have been produced which are half bound in which the back may be leather and the sides, of cloth or paper. The leather bindings have longer life than paper or cloth and are more solid in appearance. Book covers can be made of paper, cloth or leather. One of the definitions of book binding states it as a term applied to any process for making a book by fastening together printed or un-printed sheets of paper and providing them in this compact form with a suitable covering. In fact the works of the cover-makers and binders were no less than a fine art. ![]() Combining beauty and strength has been a historical practice. Ancient and medieval India had palm leaf manuscripts tied together as a book with ornate wooden covers. The decorative element in book covers and book binding has been important in bindings of yore. Historically speaking there were only hard copy books in ancient and medieval times as parchment, palm leaf, papyrus and paper bound together or as scrolls.In Egypt papyrus rolls were kept in roll form bound with papyrus tape sealed with seals of Nile mud, the rolls preserved in rectangular hollows cut in wood. Though we are in the digital era and age of the Internet, publishing is now both online and offline hybrid libraries have both types of reading and reference material in the form of manuscripts, traditional printed books and e-resources. However the cover and presentation of a book helps to make an initial impact on the reader binding has a role in giving it strength to withstand handling. Art of the book: the backdrop ''Don't judge a book by its cover…'' the adage goes. The article briefly describes the technique of book binding and showcases some specimens of fine book covers from across the world. The ancient and medieval times craftsmen used various methods and materials like wood, leather to make the bindings and used ivory, metal and pigments for embellishment. Great care was taken to make the binding of a revered text strong and look appealing. The book bindings are still available across libraries, museums and private collections. Some works have even been called 'treasure bindings' made for important people in high social positions. Early modern era too had beautiful work on binding covers. This article traces the history of the fine art of decorative binding in India, Egypt, Central Asia and Europe where it was mostly prevalent during ancient and medieval times and the cross cultural influences.
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