Fortress of Science

[This page features a decorative marbled endpaper.]

Marbled paper, produced by floating oil-based pigments on water or a thickened liquid solution, was a hallmark of high-quality bookbinding from the 17th century onwards. These intricate patterns—appearing here in shades of grey and black—served as decorative "endpapers" to line the inner covers and protect the opening pages of the manuscript. Beyond their beauty, these patterns were practical, as the busy designs easily hid the inevitable wear, stains, and finger marks that occurred at the beginning and end of a frequently used volume.