Structures for Board Slotting

 

Many think that board slotting is simply an easy way to insert a hinge into a detached board.  While this is true, I have expanded on Clarkson’s original structure to adapt it to various types of books and book structures, with applications for circulating to rare collections.  Of course, every book has unique problems and these are just some general approaches.  Below are diagrams and an overview of six structures, but I’m sure there are many yet to be devised.  I’m always excited to hear from all the board slotters out there about the structures they have developed to deal with the specific needs of their collections.  Angela Andres, of New York University, has added the latest one, No. VI.

 

 

I.   BASIC SLOTTING

PROS

-The fastest and most economical method of board slotting

-Mainly suitable for circulating collections and book repair

-Requires minimal training to execute

 CONS

-Not suitable for items requiring a high degree of aesthetic integration

-Use of PVA raises questions about long-term durability

-Use of a made hollow relies more on adhesive strength than other hollow constructions (not pictured)

-The slot loses some of the endsheet on the inner board edge

 GOOD CANDIDATES

-Deteriorated 19^th. C. leather books with hollows that need to be used

 OBSERVATIONS

-Place the textblock on top of the board when adhering to the spine, you can see the three squares for accurate placement

-On larger or thicker books, using both the cloth hinges the full thickness of the spine might be necessary

-Endsheet edges can be covered with toned tissue or inpainted after boards are attached for aesthetic reasons

 

 

II.  CLARKSON/ SIMPSON STRUCTURE

PROS

-Very neat and strong, just one layer of cloth on the spine

-Mechanical reinforcement of the cloth adds strength

-Lifting the endsheet on the spine edge of the board makes it easier to align in the machine

-Lifting the endsheet on the spine edge results in minimal loss

 CONS

-As Clarkson says, it is “fiddly” to align the book board with the textblock and fully insert  the hinge at the same time

-On somewhat brittle 19^th C. books, I doubt the sewing actually contributes much strength

-Boards must dry separately upon inserting into the slot

-Takes about longer than the basic method

 GOOD CANDIDATES

-Clarkson originally developed this to deal with decorated, extensively tooled bindings, with leather joints or doublures

-Books that need a more aesthetic treatment

OBSERVATIONS

-Hinge must be adequately stiffened to insert into the slot

-Putting the adhesive into the slot first, rather than onto the hinge makes insertion easier

 

 

III. PUBLISHERS CLOTH CASE

PROS

-Using two layers of cloth creates perhaps the strongest type of hollow

-Less buildup of new cloth on the spine than a traditional cloth reback, so when the original spine is replaced there is less new material showing

-One layer of cloth on the spine ends creates a more natural flexibility

-There is no lifting of the cloth on the boards, eliminating the possibility of distorting an embossed grain pattern on due to moisture and pressure

-The joint is usually very easy to lift

 CONS

-If the endsheets are brittle, since they are not supported by board at the hinge area, sometimes lifting/ separating  is difficult. Also difficult to keep out of the way when slotting

-Ends of the spine can look a little unfinished, since the new cloth is only one layer, not turned in

 GOOD CANDIDATES

-Any Publishers case binding that has fragile cloth or endsheets, embossed cloth that could prove problematic to lift and readhere without flattening the grain pattern

OBSERVATIONS

-Cloth can be roughly toned before inserting into the slot, then locally toned to replicate the fading that often occurs on the spine

-The folded cloth can be inserted into one board, then the inner cloth adhered to the spine, then both layers glued together to insert into the opposite board, like the Clarkson method

-If toned with acrylics, two layers glued together seem to create enough stiffness to insert without additional backing with tissue

-The slot thickness must be thicker to accommodate the two layers of cloth (.032 or .051”)

 

 

IV. MOULDED SPINE FOR RAISED CORDS

PROS

-With  thin, deteriorating spine leather, this can add flexibility to the textblock, while preventing the original spine from flexing

-Spine is easily reversible

-Good for large, heavy books

 CONS

-Molded paper spine and two layers of cloth adds additional thickness so there may be extra space around the original spine in small books. This can be infilled or toned if desired

-Radically changes the entire original structure

 GOOD CANDIDATES

-Any leather book with raised cords, sound sewing and a fragile leather on the spine

-Books with a split spine.  The paper Mache spine liner can provide quite a bit of strength

-Thick and oversize books

 OBSERVATIONS

-The sewing structure must be strong enough to withstand more flexibility

-Cover the lifted spine with thin cling wrap, build 2-3 layers with wheat starch of very thin western paper or stiff Japanese tissue, tie up in a press to mold exact sewing support pattern

-Let dry tied up overnight

 

 

V. BISCUT SLOTTING

PROS

-Eliminates the need to lift an entire thin, firmly attached spine

-Slotting only the head and tail panels adds strength at critical areas

-Suitable for books with raised bands and smooth spines

– Vellum can be used instead of linen. Given its inherent rigidity, is very easy to insert into the slots and adds less thickness to the spine.

 CONS

-Large or heavy books may not be adequately supported

-If using Vellum instead of linen, the thinnest (.010”) blade is most often used.  This blade, because of its thinness is difficult to use.  It can easily deflect

 GOOD CANDIDATES

-Octavo or smaller books that have a thin, firmly attached tight back spine

OBSERVATIONS

-Vellum, instead of linen, often adds a more natural swing to the boards, and helps to keep the spine from flexing and creasing or splitting the unlifted spine areas due to its rigidity. 

 

VI. ANDRES STRUCTURE

There is an useful article in “The Bonefolder, Vol. 4, No. 2″ about a new boardslotting structure developed by Angela Andres from  NYU, titled “A New Variation on Board Slotting: Case Binding Meets in-boards Binding”.

ABSTRACT  

“Board slotting creates a very strong and aesthetically integrated  board reattachment for many books; however, books with  significant losses in their spine material require additional structural compensation. An adapted board slotting technique that addresses this specific concern is discussed.”