Quick Guide
to Buckram Binding Styles
of the 1960's

The table below shows the varieties of buckrams that have thus far been uncovered. Click the full binding image for a blow-up.

Note: The date range statement for each binding type is just an assertion and needs to be verified. Please check your collections and send in a report!

If you know of other styles, please let me know.

For the story on what makes a buckram a buckram, see the Buckram Editions page.

Regulars
B1 - In broad use through at least 1967, with the spine based on regular binding style 8

spine
front
B2 - Evidently used only in 1963, the spine style corrsponds to the one on regular binding style 10. Note the lack of a series number and the usual legend "BUCKRAM REINFORCED" at the base of the spine, as well as the lack of a background field for the title.

spine
front
B3(a) - Generally used in 1964 and beyond, the style of the spine is like a combination of style 8 and style 11.

spine
front
B3(b) - The same as B3(a) except for the style of the spine torchbearer logo.

spine
front

Giants
BG1 - This style was used extensively for the buckram giants. It looks quite a bit like the standard giant G5 style except for the "BUCKRAM REINFORCED" statement and the icon used on the front panel. Note the full left-streaming flame above the torchbearers' heads.

spine
front
BG1(a) - Both the spine and front cover logos have the left hand pointing up. This example is from the Fall of 1963.

spine
front
BG1(b) - Both the spine and front cover logos have the left arm bent inward, and the flame is short & vertical. Like BG1(a) this example is also from the Fall of 1963.

spine
front
BG2 - Like the B2 style in the regular-sized buckrams, this one lacks a series number and the usual legend "BUCKRAM REINFORCED" at the base of the spine. Also like B2, there are no contrasting colors anywhere.

ML used the same torchbearers as BG1, but they reversed where they appear.

spine
front
BG2(a) - Like the BG2, the spine has a torchbearer with the left hand pointing up and the front panel shows the torchbearer with the left hand down. But the spine has contrasting colors and the standard "Buckrum Reinforced" message and series number.

spine
front
BG3 - Only one of this type has been reported (this one with a Giants catalog in the back dating to Fall 1963). With the spine icon showing a short horizontal flame with no oval and the front icon showing a vertical flame within an oval, both with bent right arms, this icon combo is similar to B3(b) above.

spine
front
BG4 - This one dates to no earlier than 1968, given the date of the publication of the title. With icons like the G7, it's the only one the contributor (Amy Comeau, an ML specialist and bookseller for many years) has seen.

spine
front
BG5 - This one has to be 1969 or 1970, given the publication date of The Cotton Kingdom. The logo combination seems to be unique -- a late Fujita logo on the spine and a 1967-era logo on the front. Also note the text on the spine -- the editor is listed along with the author, another unique element. Thanks to John Wolansky for submitting this one.

spine
front