Colloquiorum: Desid. Erasmi Roterodami familiarium decerpta, cum notis illustrata. […]

Colloquiorum: Desid. Erasmi Roterodami familiarium decerpta, cum notis illustrata. […]

Two hundred and twenty years younger than its display case neighbour Les Ordonnances et édicts du très chrestien roy de France Charles neufiesme du nom […], this item is a good example of the economic measures taken to reduce the costs of bookbinding. This item is sewn on only two supports, as opposed to the three double sewing supports seen on the spine of the previous example. The supports appear to have been lost over time, as well as the entire outer binding, although their loss allows for yet another stellar demonstration of the book sewing process. This particular sewing style shows the “sawn-in” sewing technique. As to be seen in Les Ordonnances, sewing supports were raised from the spine and had to be accommodated in the outer leather binding of the spine. Changes in aesthetic tastes had an influence in bookbinding techniques. To ensure that a spine would not display raised bands, cuts would first be made into the spine with a saw. The supporting sewing cords would then be aligned with, and inserted into, the cuts, allowing the sewing supports to be hidden and providing for a flat spine.

Erasmus, Desiderius (1467-1536)

Archives and Special Collections, University of Ottawa [PA8506 1794]

1794

Archives and Special Collections, University of Ottawa

Book

Latin

Text

ARSC_RB_PA8506 1794