Marbled paper is one of those things that make up part of the aesthetic pleasure of pulling an old bound book from a shelf and flipping it open to reveal the myriad of features that distinguishes a well printed work. Largely absent from modern publications, marbled paper is a beautiful offshoot of the printing and binding industry which embraces art and technical skill in equal measure.
In it’s heyday no firm was more highly regarded as masters of the practice than that of the Cockerell Bindery in Hertfordshire. The video below shows the process from start to finish, highlighting the intricacy of the process and the control employed by a master of the craft. Enjoy.