bindblad

Bindblad is a term used in the field of bookbinding and conservation, originating from Swedish where bind- means “to bind” and blad means “leaf.” It refers to a leaf that is added as part of the binding process rather than as content produced by the book’s author.

In historical bindings, bindblad could serve several practical roles. It might reinforce the binding at the inner margin, act as a spacer between sections, or provide an additional surface for adhesion of the spine lining or cover structure. The exact function and form of a bindblad varied by region, time period, and binding practice.

Descriptions in catalogs, conservation notes, or archival repair records sometimes use bindblad to denote blank or lightly printed leaves inserted during binding to improve mechanical strength or to compensate for trimming near the spine. In some cases, bindblad may carry decorative elements or publisher’s insignia when used as part of the binding rather than as book content.

Today, the term is not widely standardized and is largely encountered in discussions of older books, manuscript bindings, or repair notes. In modern practice, more specific terms such as endleaf (försättsblad), flyleaf, or spine lining are typically preferred to describe the functional components of a binding. Bindblad remains of interest mainly to bibliographers and conservators studying historical binding techniques.