Bookbinding and the Conservation of Books
A Dictionary of Descriptive Terminology

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common calf ( common sheep )

A very simple style of leather binding, often not headbanded or backed, and without pastedowns or lettering on the spine. They were produced for the inexpensive edition or retail trade, particularly during the 17th and 18th centuries. The vast majority of the 17th century bindings were in full leather, as were those of the first half of the 18th; thereafter they were also bound in half leather. (237 )




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