Reverse calf

Description

A leather prepared from calfskin finished on the flesh side. Reverse calf is stuffed with oils to increase water-resistance, then buff to a suede-like finish. It was originally called trench calf in England, then later termed hunting calf because of its use for hunting clothing. In the late 18th and early 19th centuries, reverse calf was used for ledger covers (Roberts and Eddington 1982).

Synonyms and Related Terms

rough calf; reveresed calf; trench calf; hunting calf; ternero afelpado (Esp.); mouton retourné (Fr.)

Resources and Citations

• Matt Roberts, Don Etherington, Bookbinding and the Conservation of Books: a Dictionary of Descriptive Terminology, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington DC, 1982

• Edward Reich, Carlton J. Siegler, Consumer Goods: How to Know and Use Them, American Book Company, New York City, 1937