Girdle Books

Photo and description of construction of a girdle book.

Photo of the binding of a girdle book at the Victoria & Albert Museum.

Documentation-paper from a girdle book with a calendar, along with photos of related examples.

Although numerous books, both theoretical and practical, have been published on the subject of bookbinding and the conservation of archival materials, there would seem to be a need for one that approaches the subject by examining the meaning and usage of the many terms, expressions, and names pertaining to the various subjects.

Although this dictionary is intended first and foremost for those actively involved in one or more aspects of the overall field of bookbinding and book conservation, it is perhaps no less intended for those working in related fields where the many terms and expressions relating to the overall field may be less familiar and even more confusing.

Girdle books are curious things, and I wanted one as soon as I found out about them. I didn't have any complete text that I wanted to bind, so instead I considered a blank girdle book for taking notes. In the end I came up with the idea of a girdle book slip-cover for covering a modern notebook. This article provides a pattern for a slipcover for a 15cm x 10.5cm (roughly 6x4 inch) notebook.

An online display of over 200 bindings, including many pre-17th century bindings.

An analysis of girdle books following a course on the subject, including an extensive bibliography and some girdle books from period artwork.

"The study of girdle books in their historical context will add to our understand ing of late medieval social history
i n some European countries. Since little has been written on the subject, and no comprehens ive resource exists with text
and illustrati ons of all surviving girdle books, the results of this project will fill a gap in the documentat ion of the developmen t
of bookbindin g styles, their utility, and the variety of materials and techniques used to produce these books. All documented
girdle books will be individual ly analysed and described in bookbindin g terms, with photograph s and drawings to supplement
the text. Although very few girdle books have survived, they are frequently pictured in the visual arts of the times and are
refer red to in the literature .

An extant girdle book containing 15th century legal manuscript s.