New-York tribune., 1901-11-24
ARTISTIC BOOkBlNDlNU.
. FASCINATING WORK THAT is BECOM-
ING FAD WITH MEN AND WOMEN.

At the scrbner exhibition OF bookb1nd1ng' heid
last week the work of women in TINS heiu CUM
paratively to them was much praiseu' TN9
the exhibitors was Miss Emily Preston young
woman born in Chicago. VINO mas ie~o''N 49,
training in London and Paris.
Miss Preston expressed her belief YESTERDAY TO
Tribune reporter that the craft is not oesliieu ~
widely adopted by women. notw1thstaiu,e -
fascinating features because artistic ooohoiiiis
is not sufficiently in demand to afford means u
entire support.
eft Is delightful craft with which TO provide the
salads and sorbet when one already mas 'he u eau
and butter the way she phraseu IT. ou'
would not advise any woman to adopt IL VINO mas
not small income assured. she Wouiu hiio IL q
hard and fear unsuccessful struggle
Many more English women than American - iaee -,
learned the craft Those with large or sihaH III
comes and artistic formerly took to palhths
o,o+,,res Now II is rather the fashion to devote
one's self TO a handcraft making 1t the avenue
through which to express love OF art ana 10 give
form to ideals ,.
hscome silver and gold smiths, and DO really eA-
cer,e,+ work Some have become cabinetmakers
and produce admirable pieces. There are workers
in brass in leather and, as nave sald' ndilS
give profound and serious attention to boohohins.
which is fascinating, as Deautilul' "' 0"'i'
ing as any
An interesting point to be noted in bookbindng IS
that the tools and appliances required dfer hardN
in any respect from those in use nearly lour nun
dred is there greater beffotS "a u'-
sip nor nerfectfon of detail in the best work or to-
day Miss Preston has a small volume published
In Florence In 1539 which is bound in vellum Dor
dered with a simple graceful design in gold 1t mas
a flexible back and is in perfect conoitioh alo mas
served as model fo~ some OF her best work
Miss Preston is at work on an omar hhav-
van hound in green leather with gold decoration
The process of applying the gold Is interesting.
First the design traced with ndenting tool on
the leather small portion at time Is moistened
with palm oil and on this small pieces OF godleaf
are laid the tool fitted to the design is placed on the
gold and pounded sharply. This presses the gold
firmly into the design ard cuts off the superfiuous
edges. which, tiny they may be- are caretuiiy
gathered up for they are gold.
An almost unlimited supply OF tools IS needed,
for every degree of curve must nave a nlHeIeht
one Circles TOO, and stars and dots there must De.
all of the most dimnutTe character as many DELI
% re detafIs enter into designs book ornamental
'.Tha successful bookbinder must have infinite pa
fence and respect fer the thousandth part OF an
inch!" declared Miss Preston
II "a a strange fact that both gold and leather for
tljg work must be imported, none has yet been
made in the United states Of the requisite quality.
ut broke ray heart have 10 pay duty on those
sirr !aliahe1 the artist, pointing to a pile of
green red ana black leather that lay on a bench
IaaidrE a Gpct Of r1Ch coi2I- - w.. 80,
or booitiudinE in general Miss Preston talks
,,nE; o. tartatn;ngly She thinks that the most in
teTastinE'' Is dcnc in England although the most
finished decoration is found in tiorence'
The best design is English the best execution is
F-lcrertire che said. Incidentally the artist con-
troverted a view generally held when she affirmed