slipcase
A more-or-less elaborate box made to order for a
specific book, or other archival material, and
used for protection. The simplest form of the
slipcase ir a cloth- or paper-covered box with one
open edge into which the book is slipped with its
spine exposed. The addition of a cloth dust
wrapper or chemise affords additional protection.
however, since the spine is then covered, the
title must either be blocked directly on the
closed edge of the box or a label must be attached
to the chemise. The substitution of an inner box
for the chemise is a further elaboration. The
inner box is usually made of chipboard covered
with cloth, and frequently it is lined with felt
or a felt substitute to protect the contents
against friction within the inner box. A cloth tab
may be attached as a means of pulling the inner
box from the case, or the sides of the case may be
thumb-notched to permit grasping of the inner box.
Simple slipcases, which have no inner box or
chemise, should not be notched as this places
considerable strain on the joints of the book when
it is removed and also causes soiling of the
covering material. The outer case may be improved
in appearance by rounding the closed edge to give
the appearance of the spine of a book, but this is
seldom done. except for very valuable books. The
booklike appearance may be further enhanced by
attaching false bands to the closed edge to give
the effect of sewing on raised bands, and by
covering the case with a leather spine and cloth
sides.
A slipcase should fit the book it protects. The
inner box, if any, other wise the case itself,
should hold the book snugly so that it cannot move
and rub against the board, which in turn should
provide a sliding fit in the case. But the case
(or box) should not be so tight that the book must
be pulled from it, nor so loose that the book will
fall out. See also: PULL-OFF BOX . (81 , 173 , 339 )
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