graining plates
Plates used to impart a diced pattern to the
leather covering of a book. They were invented by
John Bohn, a German immigrant in England in about
1796. Early plates were made of brass or wood and
were able to impart a deeper impression than that
obtained by calendering. Later plates were made of
metal. As the lines were placed diagonally in one
direction only, two impressions were required to
produce the diced effect. They were also superior
to calendering in that the dicing could be done
following covering. The simple graining plates for
dicing soon evolved into more elaborate plates for
impressing fish scales, squares, etc. One reason
they were popular was their capability for
covering blemishes in the leather. 236)
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