Book of Chess, Its Problems, and Its Subtleties

A vertical photograph shows the fore edge of this thick, antique volume. The edges of the many paper leaves are visible. They show significant darkening and discoloration caused by age. The book is bound in a dark reddish-brown leather, likely morocco or calfskin. This material was prized for its durability and smooth texture. The binding appears worn at the corners. There is no visible painting or lettering on the edges of the pages.

Technical Terms

• fore-edge: The outer edge of the book pages opposite the spine. In some luxury manuscripts, this area was painted or gilded.
• binding: The protective cover of the manuscript. It holds the pages together and preserves the text from environmental damage.
• book block: The complete set of gathered and sewn pages of a book. This does not include the covers.
• leather binding: A cover made from processed animal hide. This was the standard for high-quality medieval books.
• antique book: A term for a volume produced in a previous era. It usually refers to items with historical or collector value.