Nowadays, the average novel you pick up in your local bookshop has been mechanically printed and bound. But the twenty century old craft of bookbinding is still alive and well and is now considered as much as an art form as it was a trade. Competitions are even held where individuals can exhibit their technical and artistic skills and as a result there are countless different styles of binding available today. But how did we get here? Let’s rewind and explore the evolution of bookbinding from the 1st century to today.
First Books First
The first century A.D. marks the creation of the first ‘books’ as we know today. Whereas before that writing was to be found in scroll form, a shift in style lead to the creation of the binding of paper into what is called a ‘codex’. The earliest codices were bound together in a method called ‘coptic binding’ which involved essentially chain stitching signatures (sets of paper folded together) to each other through their folds. 
‘Limp’ Paperbacks and (Very Hard)backs
As early as the 2nd Century A.D. saw the arrival of the so-called ‘limp’ books. These are the earliest comparables to our modern day paperbacks, either having no cover at all or a soft cover made of vellum or paper.
On the other hand, medieval bookbinders introduced wooden boards as covers, which were often wrapped in leather. At first these boards were cut in line with the pages, but after 1200 A.D. the edges begin to protrude beyond the pages and become rounded.
Western Survival
The earliest surviving western bound book is the St. Cuthbert Gospel, dated circa 8th century A.D, which is currently housed in the British library. It has been closely studied, and even subjected to a CT scan in search of insight into the book’s construction. It was discovered that a clay-like material lay between the leather and boards, making the raised pattern on the cover.
As medieval bookbinding developed, clasps were added to some books. Similar cloth ties are seen on books bound in vellum serving the same purpose. As vellum is sensitive to humidity and has a tendency to warp, the cloth ties kept the books closed while shelved.
A Book or a Belt?
Nowadays we all carry knowledge with us in our tiny smartphones, but back in Medieval times they had to carry it around in books. Between the 13th and 16th centuries, literacy rates rose and as a result an innovative bookbinding technique came about- the ‘girdle book’. These books were bound with leather that extended loosely far past the book itself in order to be attached to a belt or girdle. This allowed for the more literate population to take books (mainly religious texts) with them on the go.
As time went on, books became more elaborately decorated. The arrival of paper and movable type in Europe allowed books to be be printed in larger numbers than ever before and demanded some automation to the binding process.
The Birth of Mechanical Print
Modern codex arose after a huge growth in demand for books during the 19th century. In order to keep up with demand, both materials and techniques had to be overhauled. Publishers took control of the entire book making process from printing to binding; books began to be printed on brittle paper and, by the end of the century, nearly all books received all-cloth bindings. Many libraries rebound these books, so now there is a movement to save the original covers.
Practical or Pretty?
By the 20th century bookbinding had become fully mechanised and adhesive had replaced thread to attach leaves together. However, not everyone was excited by this industrial revolution. Bookbinders saw their craft as an art, not something simply utilitarian. To counter the trend, bookbinders have attempted to maintain the value of traditional techniques through pushes to educate new generations in the craft, holding competitions for people to see it as an art form and constantly building on quality.
We have some amazingly well bound books in our Books auctions, particularly in the Old and Rare books auction which we hold every week. So discover our rare, antique and special books and find your own masterpiece today!