gold blocking
The decorative effect produced by blocking the
covers of books in gold. The practice began in the
early 16th century, probably first with the use of
wooden blocks, although metal blocks were also in
use during the 16th century. Nearly all gold
blocking of that time is very deeply impressed,
possibly because of the use of soft pasteboards
under the leather, and possibly because the
blocking pressure was difficult to estimate
accurately because the blocking had to be done in
a screw press; if, under these circumstances, the
block began to get too cool, very great pressure
would have been required. As the impressions made
were often very uneven in depth, such refinements
as "make-ready" must have been un known to
bookbinders of that time.
Blind lines, forming a cross, were frequently
marked on the covers as recently as the early ]
9th century to assist in positioning the block
precisely. The area was coated with glair, the
gold leaf was laid on, the heated block was then
centered on the intersection of the lines (which
can usually be seen extending beyond the gilt
impression), and the platen of the press was
lowered onto the cover. It is quite likely that
the covers were sometimes first blinded in before
being blocked in gold. See also: BLOCKING PRESS . (236 )
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