Late medieval and early modern binder’s boards.

Late medieval and early modern binder’s boards.

Gift of the late antiquarian bookseller B. H. Breslauer.

From the early Middle Ages through the 1500s, most European bookbindings that were intended to last were made from wooden boards. The rigidity of the wood, when fastened with clasps, not only protected the book, but also helped to keep the parchment inside from cockling. The narrower fragmentary example is made of beech and was originally used on a late medieval binding—then later reused in the 16th or 17th century. The larger board was likely made in the 16th century either in the Netherlands or Germany.

From the collection of Rare Book School