Uwagi o niektórych elementach oprawy i ich roli w ochronie książki

A relatively ample bibliographical literature that is found in Polish libraries does not however contain thorough studies on the protective function of ferrules and clasps. This flows from the fact that as a rule authors are preoccupied with historic, stylistic and artistic values of book bindings and not with their utilitarian or protective roles. The lack of this kind of information can be noticed particularly in conservation work. Throughout the ages the ferrules strengthening the binding and protecting the book acquired an optimum construction. As a fundamental element of protection the clasps had different forms depending on the kind of the book. Taking as a criterion a mode of tastening we can distinguish ten types of clasps, whilst depending on the type of attaching them to bindings, three modes of fixing may be singled out. A replacement of cardboard bindings with wooden ones eliminated ferrules. They survived only in books used for special purposes such as missals, chronicles, guild books. The beauty of old ferrules and clasps was restored in the 19th century under the influence of romanticism but then they served merely as adornment.