Bookbinding and the Conservation of Books
A Dictionary of Descriptive Terminology

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pasteboard

1. A class of board produced by laminating (pasting) sheets of (brown) paper and used for the boards of books, or, if lined, for printing. Originally pasteboards were generally of three types: 1) those made by pasting together sheets of plain paper, leaves of books, or printing spoilage; 2) a better grade produced by matting together sheets of newly made handmade paper; and 3) an inferior grade produced from shavings and even floor sweepings. The last named was not actually "pasteboard," by definition, as it was not built up of laminated layers.

Pasteboard was not in general use in Europe before about the first quarter of the 16th century, although in the East its use for book boards originated centuries before. By the second quarter of the 16th century, however, the use of pasteboard for books exceeded that of wood. Pasteboard continued to be used in economy trade binding until late in the 18th century, even though it had begun to be replaced by rope-fiber millboards in the latter part of the 17th century. Genuine pasteboards are seldom used in bookbinding today. (See also: BINDER'S BOARD .)

2. A general term applied to those paperboards and cardboards formed by pasting a liner on stock of a different grade. The term also denotes any stiff board or cardboard of medium thickness. (58 , 198 , 236 , 339 )




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