polishing plates
Large smooth plates, usually of metal, used in the
final pressing of a book to impart smoothness to
the leather. The use of polishing plates was
probably infrequent before the 19th century. Early
plates were made of tin or horn, while later
materials included japanned tin, iron, nickelled
steel, and German silver. In more recent times,
stainless steel and polished aluminum have been
used. Also called "crushing plates." (236 )
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