Page:The Art of Bookbinding, Zaehnsdorf, 1890.djvu/200

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BOOKBINDING.

A hair sieve. This is not absolutely necessary, as a fine piece of linen will answer as well.

Size:—

(1). 1 quart of water.
  ½ ounce of powdered alum.
  1 ounce of isinglass.
  1 scruple of soap.

Simmer the whole for about one hour, then pass through a fine hair sieve or piece of linen. Use this whilst warm.

(2.) 1 gallon of water.
  ½ lb. of best glue.
  2 ounces of powdered alum.

Simmer and use as above.

(3). 1 quart of water.
  2½ ounces of isinglass.
  2 drachms of alum.

Simmer the whole for about one hour, strain as above.

It must be remembered that a size too strong in glue or isinglass is liable to make the paper too brittle; again, some papers require a stronger size than others.

(4). A size that may be used cold, and is recommended in France, to keep at hand and to use when only a single leaf requires sizing, such as when a name has been erased from a title-page, is as follows:—Boil about a quart of water in a saucepan. Whilst boiling, add about two oz. of shellac and ½ oz. of borax; the borax will dissolve the shellac, which will be held in suspension; the whole must then be passed through a fine hair sieve, or piece of linen, to rid it of all pieces or impurities. This will keep a very long time, and may be used over and over again.

Great care must be exercised that not too much shellac is used, or the paper will be rendered transparent.