Vellum or parchment bindings are made from untanned animal hides. The hide is soaked in lime, scraped clean of hair and flesh and then stretched to dry on a frame. The terms parchment and vellum are now used interchangeably but have a historical difference. Vellum was made from calfskin while parchment was made from sheepskin that had been split. The finer quality parchment was used for creating Medieval manuscripts. Several of the vellum bindings in this exhibit are made from manuscript leaves taken from older books. Recycling of older material was common and was done to conserve scarce resources and save money.

Year: 1794
Reference: Junius. Stat Nominus Umbra. London: Printed by T. Bensley, for Vernor and Hood, J. Cuthell, Lackington, Allenm and Co., J. Walker, R. Faulder, Otridge and Son, and Ogilvy and Son, 1794. Two volumes. 21 x 13 cm.
Description: Bound in vellum in the manner of Edward of Halifax. Double lines in blue ink on boards. Gilt ribbon ornaments and decorative rolls on spine. Spine title in blue ink. Edges with gilt stripes.
Catalog Record: http://ibisweb.miami.edu/search/o?SEARCH=5936922

Year: 1716
Reference: Casimir Freschot (d.1720). Histoire du congress et de la Paix d'Utrecht, comme aussi de celle de Rastadt & de Bade. Contenant les particularitez les plus remarquables & les plus interessantes desdites negociations, depuis leur premiere ouverture jusqu'à la conclusion de la paix generale. A Utrecht, Chez Guillaume van Poolsum, 1716. 503 p. 16.5 x 11 cm.
Description: Bound in vellum, with blindstamped fillet border and ornaments on covers. Gilt ornaments and double fillets on spine.
Catalog Record: http://ibisweb.miami.edu/search/o?SEARCH=13691594|

Year: 1646
Reference: Handbuechlein: aus der Evangelischen Kirchen Harmonie... Wulfen Buettel: In Verle gung der Gebrueder, 1646. 304 p. 14 x 8 cm.
Description: Bound in vellum. The binding is made from a manuscript leaf taken from an older book. Rubricated, ruled text can be seen on the binding.
Location: ASC Numbered Special 7098

Year: 1895
Reference: The Tale of Beowulf [done out of the Old English tongue by William Morris and A. J. Wyatt. Hammersmith, England: Printed by... William Morris at The Kelmscott Press, 1895]. 119 p. 29.5 x 22 cm.
Description: Limp vellum binding with green ribbon ties. Bound at the Kelmscott Press.
Binder: Kelmscott Press
Gift: Charles Deering
Catalog Record: http://ibisweb.miami.edu/search/o?SEARCH=4405692|

Year: 1719
Reference: Marcus Junianus Justinus. Justini Historiae Philippicae cum Integris Commentariis Jac. Bongarsii, Franc. Modii, Matth. Bernecceri... Lugduni Batavorum [Leyden]: apud Theodorum Haak, 1719. 832 p. 20 x 12.5 cm.
Description: Bound in vellum with decorative gilt roll border and floral ornaments on cover and spine. Armorial stamp on front cover.
Catalog Record: http://ibisweb.miami.edu/search/o?SEARCH=23618318|