An Antique Books Guide - Vellum Binding

Only recently have I really learned of the value of vellum and I though I should make a brief blog post about it.
Vellum is treated pig skin and can be found as the binding of many antique or valuable books.
Whilst it may sounds rather disgusting, Vellum is one of the most prized cover materials, giving a lovely cream colour that can be adorned with gilt patterning.

Vellum copies of famous book can sell for thousands such as Arthur Rackham's Alice in Wonderland.
Vellum can get dirty easily and is most valuable when clean and bright with detailed patterning gilded upon it.

Even lesser known books can attract reasonable values purely for the binding.
Below are some pictures to show more of this smooth, hard binding material.

Thanks for reading