The Nine Gates - NEW PHOTOS (page 12)

Re: The Nine Gates - NEW PHOTOS (page 7)

Hi Flattery,

i have a question about the woodcuts as well.

How they would have been included in the binding of the book-block, in respect
of a real binding (not as a book prop for a movie)?

- Do they have a blank back, or text on it?
- Are the sheets, with the woodcuts, part of the regulare signatures/foldings? Or they have been added later, as a single sheet?
glued in?

Would be interessted to learn how this has been done in the past (if it is different to today).
 
Re: The Nine Gates - NEW PHOTOS (page 7)

Hey, Murdoc.

Good questions.

Engravings are included as part of the section (aka signature). They would have been printed along with all other pages on one large sheet, later folded down and collated with the others.

As for a blank back or the backside having text, to my knowledge there's no real straight answer to that, but I'm sure someone with decades of experience could answer it. In my personal experience, I've found that woodcuts (the earliest form of engravings for printing) have text on the backside. Next in progression is copper plates, which may or may not. (Copper plates were found to oxidize, so that's why in later printings you'd see a piece of tissue bound in with the plate so it doesn't cross-oxidize other pages.)

Then copper plates graduated to steel plates, which also may or may not have text or other content on the backside. Part of why I don't feel I can give a definitive answer is because I've seen books from the same time period with both blank backsides and with text. I suppose it's really all up to the printer, or the depth of the printed sheet. If I were to print a copper or steel plate, the depth would be so great that I wouldn't want to print anything on the other side as a matter of preference.

Cheers!
 
Re: The Nine Gates - NEW PHOTOS (page 7)

As I've just completed a lightly weathered (by request) copy, I thought I'd post a few pics and some info.



When distressing leather, it's important to note that when doing so the seal on the leather is broken (if it already had been sealed, or you sealed it yourself). Distressing is fun, but breaking the seal invites all sorts of trouble down the road, to the detriment of the leather. So, it's equally important to re-seal those areas. Just a dab of your preferred finish will do, and it goes a long way toward making the distressed areas look more authentic.







One of my favorite and easiest ways to add a bit of wear to leather is to dig your thumbnail in, and drag it down just a bit. It doesn't scratch the leather or remove the finish.
 
Re: The Nine Gates - NEW PHOTOS (page 11)

Hagen, many thanks for your feedback about the "printing of the woodcuts" :)
Good to know that there is no "right or wrong"...

The "new" book looks amazing. Well done Hagen. I think the new owner couldn't be
happier with it :)
 
Re: The Nine Gates - NEW PHOTOS (page 11)

Thanks, Murdoc -- it's always flattering (;)) to hear.

On a different note:

I was asked whether I'm using the screen accurate title plate for these. The answer is: you bet I am. I just neglected to upload a photo.

But for anyone who wants the novel version (I prefer it, myself), just let me know. I'll add this as one of my standard questions I ask when taking orders.

Cheers!
 
Re: The Nine Gates - NEW PHOTOS (page 11)

Been busy today with another copy. Here she is:

ninegateskessler.jpg


Got this colored, tooled, polished and glazed today. The grain pattern is made by a rolling action between the palms.
 
Re: The Nine Gates - NEW PHOTOS (page 11)

I'm surprised it's taken me this long to ask: Does anyone have information on the 10 (is that right?) engravings that were rejected for use in the film?
 
Re: The Nine Gates - NEW PHOTOS (page 11)

You have an amazing talent ! So happy i was lucky enough to see it .
The future is bright for you my friend .
 
Re: The Nine Gates - In Progress

"And there it is -- in perfect condition."



The gold is 22k leaf, and the leather looks quite nice after its final polishing treatment using an emulsion I make myself, the primary ingredient being carnauba wax.

I'm still not quite done. The endpapers need to be pasted down.

The color came out wonderfully. I know I was going on and on about it being black, but the temperature of the hot polishing iron made the dark browns come out, and it looks spot on with some of the movie props. I like it A LOT.



just WOOOWWWWWHH !!!!
 
Re: The Nine Gates - NEW PHOTOS (page 11)

Today I'm working on a Balkan/Telfer copy, coloring, tooling and polishing, and this is the first copy to feature the discoloration on the verso cover:



And one with flash:



I didn't want to physically scrape the leather in that area (it would not look right, and it would forfeit the integrity of the leather), so I employed a period marbling technique. This particular marbling style is regarded as the first. No one really knows WHEN it was first used, but it was certainly in use in the middle of the 17th Century, so I figured it would be a good way to go about creating this particular feature.

Cheers!
 
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Flattery

That is looking very sharp - your technique looks most authentic. I cannot wait to see the rest. Excellent job!!

-Mac
 
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Thanks, Mac!

Now that the leather has darkened a bit from the final finish, it very much looks the part:

 
Great discoloration :) I realy like how you worked this out, without destroying/hurting the leather.... perfect. Congrats!
 
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