For 250 years after its introduction to Europe around 1600, the method of decorating paper known as marbling reigned supreme as the chief means of embellishing the fine work of hand-bookbinders. Richard J. Wolfe reconstructs the rise and fall of the craft and offers the most comprehensive account available of its history, techniques, and patterns. A publication of the A.S.W. Rosenbach Fellowship in Bibliography Series

Paper marbling is a beautiful craft with a long history that can be traced back to Japan in the twelfth century. This practical book introduces traditional patterns and explains the techniques that are used creatively today. It covers the history of marbling – from its origins in Japan to Persia, Turkey and then Europe in the seventeenth century. Details on equipment and materials are given along with what you need to get started and to set up a studio. The process from preparing the size, to adding the paints, creating the pattern and then treating the sheets is covered in detail. It introduces traditional patterns such as spot and combed patterns, as well as advanced techniques. Creative uses for marbling are given including step-by-step sequences for a range of projects. Making Traditional Marbled Papers is a visual treasure and shows how paper marbling can be practised and appreciated by all, from children to professionals.

This book is a complete guide to marling. It covers various topics, from the basics of color preparations to the history of the art and an advanced classification of marbling patterns. Also, a reader will find tips on cases that require skill, like marbling book edges or marbling on a large scale.