France to-day has many binders of great skill and good taste, but no longer holds the supremacy of the earlier days. England has developed some craftsmen of great skill and original artistic feeling, even though their best efforts are many times but reproductions of older models. Barely fifty years ago America did not have a binder capable of covering a volume to compare with the work of the artisans of France or even England. But in that time there have developed shops where work of such merit is done that it is now no longer necessary to send one's precious tomes abroad to be properly clothed. The true book lover as well as the collector desires for his treasures a suitable binding, and there is to-day an increasing demand for fine binding on individual volumes as well as on sets. This demand is not satisfied with "commercial binding" and is too intelligent to accept extravagant work, extravagant in over-decoration as well as in price. The art of bookbinding is now so widely known and the taste and judgment of the public so thoroughly educated by the efforts of the Grolier Club and similar associations that good work and good material are appreciated, genuine and suitable decoration recognized and the best results obtained in the combination of an intelligent customer and a skilled and artistic workman. [Illustration: The Book of the Presidents Maroon Levant--"arms" (Tiffany & Co. design) inlaid in colored leather. Plain mitred panels, tooled in gold.] [Illustration: The Book of the Presidents--Double Levant--national colors. Tooled in gold.] The Trow Bindery The production of fine bindings is not a new departure with us, but has been carried on for many years in what has been aptly described as, a "quality" department of a "quantity" business, where fine work can be executed at prices that are not prohibitive. It is under the direction of a skilled craftsman, and the workmen are encouraged to excel in careful and conscientious work. Our endeavor is to produce books which are not surpassed for elegance, elasticity, and durability--the three great requisites of a well bound book. With technical knowledge to aid us in the selection of the best materials, and excellent tools, we strive for that result which is described as "flawless material faultlessly treated." The decoration, if any, is designed in complete harmony with the text, and where warranted, we call to our aid the foremost decorative designers and artists of the day. [Illustration: No. 1. Vellum No. 2. Linen No. 3. Buckram Samples of specially designed "Marbled" cloths For sides and linings of half, three-quarter or full leather bindings] The older models are followed where original designs are not required; and where simplicity is desired, we hold to the belief in "the undecorated surface of flawless material," bearing in mind the sobriety of treatment, but careful execution which distinguishes the best work of the past.