The English laced boards binding was very common around 1820-1840. Structurally, these books took less time than older binding types. They are known by several different names: publisher’s board bindings, in-boards bindings, boarded bindings, paper covered board bindings, publisher’s boards, plain boards, boards bindings, in-boards publisher’s bindings, original boards, and publisher’s trade bindings.

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It was previously thought that these types of bindings were meant to be temporary. They would be sold to customers who would then take them to be rebound in their preferred style. While this probably did happen, more recent scholarship suggests that more books intentionally stayed in this first binding than originally thought. It is likely that this type of book was included in the “hierarchy” created by book sellers based on cost. This style served as the base model for many of the innovations that came later in the designs of books.

 

This model was made during the Historical Book Structures Practicum, a month-long summer 2022 LACE workshop taught by Jeff Peachey.

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Key Features (exceptions apply)

• Not beaten

• Sewn two-on

• 2, 3, or 4 recessed sewing stations

• Uncut edges

• Unopened bolts

• Thin boards for the covers that are laced or adhered

• Tan/cream paper tightback spine cover with boards covered in a colored paper (commonly blue, olive, or brown)--usually three pieces total

• No endband