Bookbinding and the Conservation of Books
A Dictionary of Descriptive Terminology

post binder

A form of loose-leaf (mechanical) binder. The screw posts for the hinders may be either solid or sectional, the former being used for storage binders, the latter for books being actively used. As the volume of the book increases, half-inch or inch-long sections are added to the posts.

The typical binder has two posts, which may either be self-locking or locked by caps or knurled thumb screws. In the so-called flexible chain post binder, the book is compressed by a link mechanism operated by a key or crank. It is also possible to construct post binders that cannot be tampered with. A lock in the back of the binder which must be opened with its own key is provided for this purpose.

Post binders use punched or slotted leaves, the latter allowing exchange of sheets without the binding having to be removed. A superior type of post binder has the top and bottom strips of metal, with the posts fastened to the bottom plate, the top plate sliding on them. The top plate has a lock which grips both posts, which can be released by turning a key or sliding a latch. Also called "transfer binder." (320 , 339 )