BACKING THE BOOK

The shoulder size is determined by the thickness of the cover board. The trimming mark is penciled on the end sheet where the shoulder is to begin and will be the guide for the backing boards. To compensate for the fold-over of the shoulder 1/16” is added to the guide mark. The backing boards are positioned on the guide lines on both sides of the book. The book and boards are lowered into the press projecting the boards about ½” above the top of the press. Before tightening the press it must be certain that the book is in a level horizontal position and the round of the book is a good shape, not twisted. The press is tightened to the most pressure possible, using an iron bar for leverage, if available.

Should the book shape change under pressure, because of the swelling, raise the book and board unit about ½” to relieve the pressure. In this position a preliminary shaping with the claw of the hammer will relieve the pressure and the book can be lowered to the original position. The claw of the hammer is used for the initial backing between the bands to prevent damage to the threads. Downward glancing blows are applied down the entire center of the backbone, first to the right of center then to the left of center. The claw is then applied below center in like manner. Finally the claw is applied down to the backing board area. Gradually the sections will turn forming the shoulder at right angles to the book. The end view of the book will gradually show a bending of the sections from the top center to the right angles at the shoulder.

After the claw hammering has influenced the sections to a proper shape a wooden backing block is used between the bands to smooth the back and sharpen the joints to a right angle. A backing block is made of end-grain hardwood, ¾’’ square and 2” long, with the wood grain running in the 2” direction. One end of the block is made flat, the opposite end is made concave to conform to the shape of the backbone. The concave end is placed on the backbone, and the flat end is then hammered with considerable force between the bands. The wooden block can be moved to any position between the bands.

When the shoulders have been formed and the backbone made smooth, the cords are straightened with band-nippers and repositioned. The book is removed from the press. One of the lined cover boards is squared at one end and the long end is placed against the shoulder to test for size and squareness at the head and tail edges. Shoulders made too small are re-backed and made larger. Shoulders too large may be rubbed down slightly with the edge of a bone folder. An alternative is to use a thicker board and bevel the edges. After backing, the book is ready for board attachment or head or tail plough trimming.