Exhibition presented by Carole Jeanneret
from the "Open Book" workshop
24 Rue de Lausanne in Fribourg
"The mission of the conservator/restorer: what if your books could last another 100 years?"
From June 3 to 27, 2026 at L'Atelier, Place Notre-Dame 16 in Fribourg
Covering materials
The book and its composite materials
The book, an essential cultural object
It is presented as an assembly of handwritten or printed pages, bound or stapled to form a durable volume intended for reading. It constitutes the physical support of a work, whether it be a narrative, a body of knowledge, a reflection, or a poetic creation. Depending on its nature and use, a book can take different forms: a rare volume, a paperback accessible to all, or even a picture book intended for a specific audience. It can also be referred to by various synonyms such as book, volume, tome, or written work.
In terms of its physical form, the book has a well-defined structure. It is composed of pages, made of parchment or paper, arranged in gatherings and then bound together. These gatherings are then protected by a cover that ensures both the cohesion and preservation of the whole. This construction, the result of artisanal or industrial techniques, guarantees the object's durability and facilitates its handling.
There is a wide variety of books, corresponding to diverse content and uses. Among the main types are novels, which are fiction; essays, which develop ideas or analyses; comic books, which combine text and image; art books, often richly illustrated; and schoolbooks intended for learning.
Finally, the book fulfills an essential function in the transmission of knowledge and emotions. It allows for the dissemination of ideas, the telling of stories, the preservation of knowledge, and the stimulation of the imagination. Whether used for educational or recreational purposes, it remains a fundamental tool of culture and human communication.
The vocabulary of the book
In the book trade, there is a specific vocabulary for the component parts of bookbindings. The diagram below presents these terms.
Glossary of the old book
Royalty-free photograph, Internet
The evolution of composite materials
In the 4th century , parchment manuscripts were protected between two wooden boards—oak, beech, or fir—ensuring rigidity and durability. These wooden boards were covered with leather, most often calfskin, goatskin, or sometimes sowskin, attached by gluing and folding. The quires were sewn onto supports, such as leather or rope cords, themselves anchored in the boards, guaranteeing a solid structure suitable for the large-format works used in monastic and liturgical settings.
During the Middle Ages, this structure remained predominant, although sewing and assembly techniques diversified according to region and use. The wood and leather combination formed a robust, but relatively heavy, binding, suitable for books intended to be consulted on-site.
At the end of the 15th century , with the development of printing, production needs changed. Wooden boards were gradually replaced by cardboard, obtained by layering and gluing sheets of recycled paper (scraps). This composite material, lighter and quicker to produce, accelerated manufacturing while maintaining sufficient strength for everyday use. Its use became widespread between 1480 and 1500.
In the 16th century, cardboard became the primary support for most bookbindings. Wooden boards, however, remained in use for certain prestigious pieces until the 18th century. Leather remained the dominant covering material, applied to these new, lighter supports.
At the beginning of the 19th century , industrialization introduced new materials and processes. Percaline, a cotton canvas primed and glued to cardboard, developed as an alternative to leather. This composite material, combining textiles and a cardboard backing, allowed for more economical mass production while offering sufficient durability for widespread distribution.
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