. Already the larger trade binders utilize machines extensively
and advantageously, but exclusively high-class trade binders do not as
yet materially depart from the older methods. Private binders have
naturally no reason to use machines at all. Fine and delicate examples
of large metal blocks or dies have been very successfully used for the
decoration of covers measuring about 11-1/2 by 8 in.

Besides the large trade binders working mainly by the help of machinery,
and producing a great quantity of bound work which is not expected to
last long, there also exists in London, Paris, New York and other large
cities, a small class of art binders who work throughout upon the
principles which have been continuously in use for first-class work ever
since about the 5th century. The initial impetus to this school can be
traced to William Morris, who himself made some beautiful designs for
bookbindings, to be executed both in gold and in blind. Although he
probably did not fully appreciate either the peculiar limitations or the
possibilities of the art of gold-tooling on leather, nevertheless his
genius guided him truly as to the spirit in which the designs should be
conceived. The revived art soon reached its first stage of development
under the guidance of Mr T.J. Cobden-Sanderson, who may fairly be
considered as the founder of the modern school of design for
gold-tooling on book-covers, the pre-eminence and individuality of his
work in this direction being proved by the number of his imitators.
Among the most successful of his pupils is Mr Douglas Cockerell, whose
work (Plate, fig. 7) is distinguished by a marked originality of
treatment, while it shows a scholarly appreciation of ancient methods.
Mr Alfred de Sauty has succeeded in developing a new and admirable style
in inlaid leathers, combined with delicate pointille work. A number of
women artists, both in England and in America, have already discovered
in bookbinding a fitting and lucrative field for their energies. One,
Miss Sarah Prideaux, is not only skilled and original in her own work,
but she has also given us much valuable literature on her subject. Miss
E.M. MacColl may claim to be the inventor of the small curved gold line
produced by means of a tiny wheel, for though the possibility of
producing such a line in blind was known for a long time, it was rarely
used. The graceful curves and lines found on Miss MacColl's work have
been designed for her by her brother,