Leather for Libraries

A practical manual that reviews the production and use of light bookbinding leathers, beginning with traditional sumach tanning and following later chemical and mechanical changes that altered colour and durability. It diagnoses the physical and chemical causes of leather decay and explains how modern dyeing and processing affect longevity. The text evaluates the characteristics and relative value of common binding leathers, offers step-by-step guidance for repairing and rebinding books in public collections, and supplies recommended fittings and specifications for operating a small bindery, together with procedures for testing and examining leather quality.