676 - Halfer, J.

Halfer, J. Advances in the Art of Marbling. A Practical Handbook for Bookbinders and Decorative Paper Manufacturers. Compiled on the basis of technical and scientific principles. 2nd, revised and expanded edition. With appendix: Decoration of Book Edges. Stuttgart, Wilhelm Leo, 1891. 8°. 224 pp. and 8 pp. (Advertisements) with 3 woodcuts in the text and 10 plates featuring 35 mounted colored marbled papers, 5 of which are larger (approx. 12 x 4.5 cm). Contemporary half-leather binding with gold-stamped spine title and gilt lines. Mejer 1814. - The definitive edition of what is arguably the most important handbook on the production of marbled paper. - “The Halfer system is so important that the history of marbling is divided at this point, and referred to as pre-Halferian and post-Halferian marbling. The advantages of the Halfer system were twofold: freed from the laborious preparation of colors and with standardized colors, marblers could produce more work; and secondly, the use of carrageenan size allowed for finer details in marbling” (Easton, *Marbling: A History*, p. 79 ff.). - The Hungarian bookbinder J. Halfer (1846–1916) “summarized his years of experimentation and newly gained insights in this seminal work, which was largely responsible for the renaissance of the art of marbling in Germany and Europe. It was translated into numerous languages and, for many years—in fact, right up to the present day—served as the foundation for numerous other publications (Boeck, Adam, Kersten, Hauptmann, Weisse, etc.). Halfer describes in great detail the production process for classic marbled paper patterns, such as comb, peacock, bouquet, snail, hairline, and stone-vein marbling. His experiments with a wide variety of marbling bases were extensive; from these emerged his “universal base” with Charageen moss—which remains valid to this day—and is described here. The particular value of this treatise lies in its first part. Here, Halfer describes the recipes for producing his brilliant marbling paints, which he exported all over the world. From the materials, the equipment, the exact composition, and the fineness of the pigments used, right down to the necessary additives, Halfer reveals all the secrets of his world-famous paints. The included original samples still possess a brilliance and color vibrancy that are captivating even today—qualities that modern paints cannot match. Finally, Halfer also provides instructions for creating a wide variety of marbling patterns, as well as for producing gold edges and even chiseled gold edges. “The most important book on the subject” (Buchatelier Bischoff, Lehrte-Arpke, on a facsimile edition). - Small name stamp on the title page; a very nice, clean copy.