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It’s commonplace to see illustrations grace the inside of a book, but long ago, some of the best imagery was displayed on the edge of a publication. Known as fore-edge painting, these incredible compositions were printed or drawn on the closed pages of a book.
Why do old books have colored edges?
Until the 16th century books were shelved in a variety of ways, the most common of which involved piling them horizontally with their fore-edge facing outwards. It might come as a surprise then that its real purpose is not merely one of embellishment but of protection of the book’s contents from dust and handling.
What is it called when the edges of a book are colored?
2. The coloured edge-pages are called, unsurprisingly, edge painting or fore-edge painting: that’s actually already come up on a Stack Exchange site: Why do some books have colors on the edges of the pages? Print Ninja corroborate that, and even call the speckled effect you see on some books fore-edge splatter.
What is the painting on the page of a book is called?
A fore-edge painting is a scene painted on the edges of book pages. While the paints used for fore-edge paintings are watercolors, artists needed to use them carefully.
Why do books have gold edges?
This is done for obvious aesthetic reasons, but also for surprisingly practical reasons, as the gold finish serves to protect the edges of the book (with the top edge being clearly most vulnerable) from conditions such as moisture or dust.
Why are book edges red?
As books are returned from bookstores, publishers put a mark on the edge, the page block. This is a red one, again on the page block. Typically, you’ll find them on the bottom.
Why do some books have deckled edges?
First, a definition: deckle edges are the ragged edges on paper. These edges are a natural result of making paper by hand, but most of the books on your shelf with irregular edges are an artificial simulation of true deckle edges. If they weren’t cut off by the paper maker, they were usually trimmed by the binder.
What is the outer edge of a book called?
The edge of the book, that is visible when a book is on a bookshelf, is called the spine. It will have the title, the author’s name and the publisher either printed horizontally or vertically depending on its width.
What is the corner of a book?
noun. An area of a room (especially a classroom) set aside for books, especially one intended to provide a quiet or comfortable place for reading; (also in extended use) a page or section in a newspaper, magazine, etc., devoted to books or literature.
What is book gutter?
the inner margin of the leaves of a bound book; adjacent inner margins of facing pages when book is open.
What does fore edge mean?
Definition of fore edge : the edge of a book, book section, or illustration opposite the backbone.
Where does a frontispiece go?
an illustration or plate inserted immediately in front of the title page, with the illustration facing the title page, often abbreviated as frontis.
What is gold edged pages in a book called?
Gilding is the process of adding a decorative and protective coating to the edges of a book’s pages. For example, books with gold or silver page edges have been gilded.
Is gilt real gold?
Gilt often involves silver or another base metal with gold deposited on it by a chemical or electro-deposition process. Because gold can be applied in such thin layers, gilt allows an object to appear more luxurious with authentic gold, but without using a large amount of gold.
Are gilded pages real gold?
Pages can be gilded with other metals and materials, such as synthetic gold, which is sturdier than real gold. Applying sealant over the gold leaf is optional but recommended, as heavy use of your book will wear away the gilding over time.
What are the brown spots on old books?
Foxing is an age-related process of deterioration that causes spots and browning on old paper documents such as books, postage stamps, old paper money and certificates. The name may derive from the fox-like reddish-brown color of the stains, or the rust chemical ferric oxide which may be involved.
Why do books turn green?
So basically it’s oxidation of the chemical make up of paper. Apparently craft paper that is used in scrapbooks and stuff is Lignin free which means it stays ‘fresh’ looking.
Why do books go brown?
Paper is made out of wood that consists of cellulose and the wood component lignin. Now, lignin and cellulose, both the components are prone to oxidation. And oxidation, in turn, is responsible for the paper to turn yellow and eventually brown.
Why do some old books have uncut pages?
uncut: a book is said to be uncut if the edges of the paper have not been cut with the plough or guillotine. Cf. unopened. Because the sheet of paper is folded in half, then in half again, the top will either be a fold, or a sliced edge where the fold used to be.
What do you call books with uneven pages?
In case some don’t know, a deckle edge is a book with a ragged, uneven right margin that’s meant to mimic paper that is handmade, rather than machine trimmed.
Why is it called a deckle?
The name “deckle” comes from a tool called a deckle, which is a wooden frame used in the process of papermaking. With handmade paper, as the wet pulp dries it seeps between the deckle and the mould.
Why do old books have red covers?
The pictures of old books are from the blog “Restauration livre à Trôo”. In the 17th and 18th centuries, leather binding with a golden edge, sometimes with touches of blue or red, was given pride of place. The use of marbled paper is gradually being introduced to reduce costs and enhance aesthetics.
What are old book covers made of?
Many of the covers were made with cloth or leather, which led to an era of gold-stamped covers. Near the end of the 19th century, books began using dust jackets — an easier to produce version of the cloth covers of the past. Many people started using dust jackets as a kind of advertisement for the book.
What is a book leaf?
refers to the smallest, standard physical unit of paper in a printed piece; in the case of books and pamphlets, usually with a printed page on each side of a leaf; a broadside is printed on a single side of a single leaf.
