bosses
Brass or other metal knobs, studs, SHOES , or
ornamentation fastened to the cover of a book for
ornamental value or to prevent the leather from
being scratched or otherwise marred. Bosses
originally were attached to books that were meant
to lie on a lectern and not stand on bookshelves.
Not all books were provided with them, and they
were more common in Germany than elsewhere. There
was usually one boss at each corner of both covers
and another in the middle of each cover, or ten in
all, although the center bosses were sometimes
left off. It is commonly assumed that the use of
bosses declined with the advent of printing from
movable metal type, the proliferation of books,
and vertical shelving in cupboards and book
stacks. In addition, the relative increase in the
use of pasteboard instead of wooden boards also
reduced the use of bosses, although in Germany,
where wooden boards were still common in the 16th
century, they continued to be used more often than
elsewhere. Today, books with bosses are frequently
kept in boxes so as to prevent damage to adjacent
books on the shelves. See also: ROLLER SHOES . See PLATE 1. (69 , 83 , 236 )
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