Zdobnictwo kart bloku w książkach według konserwatora papieru

Ornamentation of block pages in books according to a paper conservator

Books have been decorated in many different ways since the Middle Ages. The first decorative elements were decorative lines, initials, and rubrics. The books passed through the hands of many professionals, who left their original traces. In this way, it is often possible to differentiate which area a book comes from or which paper mill or print shop. Every single copy was unusual. There may have been errors and shifts. Because every book was handcrafted very carefully before Gutenberg’s printing began. Beautiful initials, miniatures, bordiure, drolleries, shield and much more were the culmination of a lengthy process of creation of the book. The decorative elements could remain black and white as well as be colored. Some copies were not forwarded for completion, showing us sketches of what should be included in a certain place. After the invention of the printing press, the typeface underwent even more developments and changes. The woodcut buttons that adorned the text became more and more extensive. They had an aesthetic, symbolic and educational function. It was possible to order and modify selected items. After purchasing the block, the owner was also able to change and decorate the lamp at will. Sometimes certain blocks have completely different frames and miniatures. Also during the maintenance of conservation-restoration new elements are added as needed, as the specimens are treated individually during the repair and preservation of the historical objects. Which pieces of jewelry were used in the book blocks, and which fonts can be distinguished? What elements can be recognized from where does the book from and which part is the primary and secondary layer in the book?