The Codex
Apuleius Metamorphoseos, printed in 1521 by Aldine Press is a great example if limp or soft-sided binding still in its original state. Measuring 3 7/8 inches wide and 6 1/2 inches tall and 1 3/8 inches thick.

The book is sewn onto two twisted leather strips and matching endbands. All of which appear to be alum tawed leather. The leather was then sewn through the cover and glued (because this is only a visual account, I cannot say what was used as a glue). The cover itself has signs of previous folding. The cover was made with flaps that cover and protect the foredge of the pages from the clasps that are now gone.

The slits for the leather are all only 1/8 of an inch wide and start at a crease made on the outside of the cover for the spine. The two endband strips are at 45 degree angles inward starting 1/8 of an inch in from the edges of the cover and the crease. The two primary strips are 1 3/4 inches in from the edges. All of the strips are sent back inside the cover 3/8 of an inch in towards the face of the covers.

The front and back are identical. except for a hand written title on the front.

When it comes to the binding we're in luck. Through the years all of the leather strips have broken right at the edge of the spine and the endsheet at that side has come unglued. Handling the codex very carefully one can observe the packed threads over the leather strips and the vestiges of paper glued on the spine between the stations.

There are leather strips glued onto the spine over the area the thread passes from one quire to the next so there is no way to know if the kettle stitch was employed.

The endbands were worked separately from the primary stitching.

The cover has an uneven but generous turn in varying from 1 1/8 inches to 3 inches in width with the edges of the turn in seam raw.

All of the holes go through both layers of the cover where there is any folds. So it is safe to assume that the holes were made after the cover was fitted to the bookblock.

   
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