28/10/2017 Springback Binding with Richard Nichols

Springback Binding with

Richard Nichols
BOOKS & LIBRARY MATERIALS - Posted on 28th April 2015

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By Lucy Cokes

In 1799, John and Joseph Williams applied to patent a new type of binding-the
springback. The springback does what it says on the tin: it is a volume whose spine
literally 'springs back'-pushing the pages up and out of the spine. This way, the pages
can be opened flat. This was especially useful for large ledgers and account books as
the flat pages were more suitable for writing on. Springbacks, and variations of them,
are still used today.

The books department at West Dean College was recently treated to a special visit
from Richard Nichols, an archive conservator. For a manic four days, all 15 books
students traded off on presses and ploughs to create a springback book and explore
this historical book structure.

Having previously prepared the sections that would make up the pages of the book, we
sat at our workbenches to sew them together. We used a French link stitch over wide
tapes, leaving the ends free, and attached the (also previously prepared) endpapers
with the same method.

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One of the many things we've learnt from our springback workshop is that bookbinding
can be very smelly! Animal glue has been used throughout bookbinding history
because it is incredibly strong stuff that can withstand the repeated use that books go
through. The smell of warm animal glue (think wet dog) clung to us every day in the
workshop for the duration of the course! We glued the spine to hold all the sections of
pages together.

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After the glue was dry (and less smelly) we rounded the spine by bashing it with a
hammer. This gives it a nice curve and eliminates the swell from sewing.

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With the spine set, the book was ploughed to create smooth edges. Often at this stage,
springback edges would be marbled as a form of both decoration and security-if the
pattern on the edge was disturbed, it may indicate that pages within had been
tampered with.

Applying leather strips, or clothings, to the spine allows for a very strong support, which
helps absorb stress during the opening and closing of the book. We applied these
strips with more animal glue.

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Next, two levers were created from millboard. These go either side of the spine and
allow the pages to 'pop' out. When the levers were in place, the free ends of the
supporting wide tapes and the leather clothings were glued onto them. The levers were
then stuck down to the endpaper waste sheets.

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A solid spine piece, made from layers of paper and animal glue, was created by
curling it around a roller and creating a 'c' shape. The spring, as this 'c' shape is known,
is then lined with aero-cotton. The spring fits over the spine and clings on and the aero-
cotton is extended and glued over the levers. This gives a lot more strength to the
springing and levering action and secures the spring.

With the spring in place, the endpaper waste sheets were then folded back and glued
over the top of the lever to create even more strength. 'Split boards' (two boards glued
together halfway, creating a 'split' on the glue-free half) are used on springbacks as the
covering boards. The millboard levers were inserted between the splits in the boards.
This hinge is what allows the levers to push the pages up and out when the book is
open, creating the effect after which the binding is named.

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