pigskin
A leather produced from the skin of the domestic
pig ( Sus scrofa ). For use in bookbinding,
it is vegetable tanned (or alum tawed). Pigskin
has the characteristic grain pattern produced by
the hair follicles, which are arranged in
(roughly) triangular groups of three. The nature
of pigskin is such that the holes remaining
following removal of the bristles can be seen on
the flesh side as well as the grain side. Pigskin
is a tough and durable leather (and is even more
durable perhaps when alum tawed) but is somewhat
stiff and intractable. In addition, it does not
tool readily, except in blind, although very fine
bindings tooled in both blind and gold have been
produced. It is a rugged leather best used on
large books which can more readily emphasize its
rugged characteristics. Pigskin was used
extensively as a bookbinding leather in Germany
from about 1550 to 1640, usually on books having
wooden boards.
The term "pigskin" does not apply to leather
produced from the FLESH SPLIT (1) of a
pigskin. (69 , 236 , 351 , 363 )
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