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covering
Process of applying a covering material (skin, fabric, paper) to the boards and spine of a book.
bookbinding leather
Animal leather (e.g., goat or calf) used in bookbinding to cover a book.
butt
Part of the skin that covered the back and hindquarters of the animal; it is the part most often used for covering because it is thick and supple.
tail
Part of the skin that covered the rear portion of the animal’s back and hindquarters; it is seldom used in bookbinding.
flank
Part of the bookbinding leather that covered the animal’s stomach; it is used less often than the butt because it warps easily.
neck
The part of the bookbinding leather between the animal’s head and shoulders; it is less used than the butt for covering, mainly because it is veiny.
head
The forepart of the bookbinding leather that covered the animal’s neck.