The Cambridge Medieval V1 Stamp
A first look at the successful test stamping for Volume 1
One of the final steps before a book is bound is the test stamping. This is our last chance to be certain everything is correct with the brass stamp and check that the various cover elements line up correctly. A book case is created, then a single stamp is made for approval before the entire print run is stamped.
Above is the test stamp for the Cambridge Medieval History Volume I: The Christian Empire to the Twelfth Century, which is the second book in the Castalia History series. It is a limited edition of 500 and it is already sold out. It also introduces the new Castalia History logo, which you can see featured on the top of the spine. All of the History books will feature this logo, with the motto LEGO ERGO SCIO, which means “I read, therefore I know.”
As you can see, the four bands have not yet been stamped into the cover, as that is the final step before the interior book block is cased into it. As usual, the stamping isn’t absolutely flawless; gold foil on leather is an imperfect art, but the flaws here are very minor and the clarity on the text is excellent.
So, this stamp has been approved, and we can anticipate proceeding to the casing-in next week, which suggests that History subscribers may start receiving their first books before the end of the month if everything goes well. And with luck, the Volume II stamping will be just as successful and we’ll be able to get both books completed and shipped in February.
The current History subscription book is Book 4, Studies in the Napoleonic Wars by Sir Charles Oman.
Excellent!