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14 Sep, 2020
2020-9-14 2:28:41 PM UTC
That adds nothing to what I've said.
14 Sep, 2020
2020-9-14 2:57:21 PM UTC

Khamûl wrote:

Apologies for this near ten-year thread bump, but here goes...

Been thinking about this recently. It was asked is the Methuen Silmarillion real leather? Neil had stated his doubts because in his copy he could see what he thought was a cloth weave exposed underneath. And Wayne & others have stated it is leather. If both are correct is it not most likely that this is "bonded" leather?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bonded_leather

Bonded leather is made by shredding leather scraps and leather fiber, then mixing it with bonding materials. The mixture is next extruded onto a cloth or paper backing, and the surface is usually embossed with a leather-like texture or grain.

It might be, I think we need to find a book-binder to ask about this, does anyone know one?
14 Sep, 2020
2020-9-14 3:36:14 PM UTC
It's all the info about that edition, so yes, it's relevant.
14 Sep, 2020 (edited)
2020-9-14 3:53:06 PM UTC
Hello everyone, long time no see.

My copy definitely has a weave of the cloth underneath.

Actually, most of the thickness of the spine is made of cloth.

It looks like bonded leather to me, it is not genuine leather for sure.

Cheers ,

Lokki
14 Sep, 2020
2020-9-14 5:40:41 PM UTC

insurrbution wrote:

It's all the info about that edition, so yes, it's relevant.

Info on TolkienBooks.US comes from the sources Khamûl is examining and would most definitely cede to his determinations.
14 Sep, 2020
2020-9-14 8:00:16 PM UTC
I can't see too well under electric light; I'll have to check again tomorrow under daylight. But for now I'll go mainly by smell. - the Methuen smells like leather to me. The Hobbit feels and smells like leather. Oddly, my copy of The Silmarillion looks like leather, but doesn't much smell of leather. I suppose the smell may have faded over the years?
14 Sep, 2020
2020-9-14 8:17:34 PM UTC
I did the test by myself a few hours ago and it indeed smells a bit like leather. However, as there is some leather in the bonded leather that could explain the smell.
14 Sep, 2020
2020-9-14 8:31:58 PM UTC
Here is a pic. The blue layer is ultra-thin.

2001_5f5fd2d92ee8c.jpg 4128X3096 px
14 Sep, 2020
2020-9-14 8:35:09 PM UTC
Here is the front.

2001_5f5fd3e695aa6.jpg 4128X3096 px
14 Sep, 2020
2020-9-14 8:44:58 PM UTC
That's pretty conclusive looking, Lokki. That looks like bonded leather for sure.
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