This late mediaeval painting is a panel from the Tucher altarpiece, in the Church of Our Lady, Nuremberg, dates from around 1450, and shows St Augustine in his study, -with a shelf full of books.
Close examination will show that there are several types of binding illustrated, including an open girdle book (lower shelf to the right of the candlestick).
Also note the appearance of the spines. Where the leather covers the cords it is simply left “lumpy”. The technique of nipping in these bands to give a more decorative effect does not appear to have been used before about the 16th century
Other examples of original bindings are shown alongside our replicas on the page titled “Types of Binding Available”
Close examination will show that there are several types of binding illustrated, including an open girdle book (lower shelf to the right of the candlestick).
Also note the appearance of the spines. Where the leather covers the cords it is simply left “lumpy”. The technique of nipping in these bands to give a more decorative effect does not appear to have been used before about the 16th century
Other examples of original bindings are shown alongside our replicas on the page titled “Types of Binding Available”
AUTHENTICITY
Our books are all hand sewn and bound replicas of mediaeval books, but they are NOT facsimiles. The bindings are fully authentic, but the book block itself is made from wood-pulp paper. Laser printing has replaced months of scribing The earliest books were written on vellum but from the 14th century onwards, paper made from rag pulp was used. Both of these are now prohibitively expensive.
There were no significant changes in bookbinding methods between the 8th and 15th centuries, so these books are made to the Living History standard for that period. Until opened, when they become “6 ft” authenticity!
Each volume is individually handmade, so the colour of the leather used and the method of binding used will vary from book to book. The books are “foxed” to make them look as if they have been well used for about 25 years!
Whilst every care has been made to print an accurate version of the text, these books are made for re-enactment/LARP usage, and not intended for serious historical research. dates are given as “ appropriate from” as whilst any library would hold books which were very old, it is important for a Living History presentation that you are not using texts which haven’t yet been written!
With the exception of the Latin Gospels, the Psalter, and the Grimoire these books are in “readable” English, -although the language used may sometimes seem a bit archaic.
Each volume is individually handmade, so the colour of the leather used and the method of binding used will vary from book to book. The books are “foxed” to make them look as if they have been well used for about 25 years!
Whilst every care has been made to print an accurate version of the text, these books are made for re-
With the exception of the Latin Gospels, the Psalter, and the Grimoire these books are in “readable” English, -
