Preface to the Second Edition Acknowledgements Introduction 1 Materiality MattersA Detailed Sketch of the Current State of Knowledge and Outline of the Research The Information Value of Binding Structures The Present Situation of the Book Archaeology of Islamic Manuscripts Obstacles in the Study of Islamic Bookmaking Linking Physical Analysis, Catalogue Data, and Literature Selection and Justification of the Corpus2 The Anatomy of the Islamic ManuscriptA Detailed Overview of the Different Methods of Construction Vocabulary and Images as Tools Techniques Used to Construct the Textblock Covering and Board Attachment A Problematic Term: Case-binding Other Characteristics Meaning and Validity of the Diversity3 A Comparative Study of the Historic Sources and Recent Literature on the Making of Islamic Manuscripts Historic Sources Secondary Sources: Related Studies and General Reference Works Founders of our Knowledge on the Use of Structure and Materials in Islamic Bookmaking Structure as a Starting Point Structure as a Side Issue Structure as a Conservation Issue The Sum of the Parts4 Multiplicity within the Traditionn Account of the Methodology and Quantitative Results of the Survey Methodology Survey Results--Quantitative Analysis5 Mapping the Variations in Time and PlaceDatable and Localisable Features and a Further Interpretation of the Findings Sewing Spine-lining Endbanding Covering Spine-endings Interior Covering of the Boards The Envelope and Fore-edge Flap Miscellaneous Features Southeast Asia as a Sub-category in the Islamic Tradition Summary6 Considerations and New Perspectives Recapitulation Development of the Tradition Discussion ConclusionAppendices1 Glossary 2 Corpus 3 Example of a Record of the Database 4 List of Manuscripts Used in Illustrations Bibliography Index.