TIME: 8 hours.
MATERIALS: Newsboard, vellum, and lining paper.
Before beginning this holder, it may be well to have collections made
of cards relating to a definite subject. Interest in the study of
various industries, history, and geography is greatly increased by the
use of pictures, and in many places sets of cards prepared for such a
purpose may be purchased.
[Illustration: PLATE XXXIV. The postcard holder partly open.]
This holder consists of an outside case into which the inner holder
slips. (See Plate XXXIV.) The size of the faces may be determined by
individual pupils, but, if the blocks to be described later are used,
it will be quite essential to have a uniform size so that the blocks
may be used interchangeably among the pupils. For this reason, it is
recommended that the broad faces of the outside be about one inch
larger in each direction than a postcard, and the narrow faces 1¼” wide.
Plan the foundation of a single piece of newsboard, as wide as the
outside length of the holder, scored to divide it into the four faces
above referred to, and a fifth division the exact size of one narrow
face. Arrange these faces to be joined at their long edges with a
narrow face on each end of the strip of newsboard so that when folded
together one narrow face will be double, which gives greater stability
to the shape of the holder. Plan a strip of vellum 2 inches wider than
the length of the case, and long enough to extend around it, allowing
for a lap at one corner. It will be found in putting on this vellum
that it will require a piece longer than the sum of the width of the
faces as, however closely it may be put on, it “takes up” at the
corners. Therefore be generous with the lap as a little extra length
does no harm.
For the inner holder plan a strip of newsboard ⅛” narrower than the
case, scored to divide it into five parts. Two parts are to be of the
same length as the case, alternating with two narrow faces ⅛” less than
thickness of the case (that they may fit inside) and the fifth piece
about one-half the length of the long faces.
Plan two strips of vellum to cover the narrow faces, and lap onto the
adjoining faces about 1”. Allow ½” at each end to turn over the edges.
For each of the three broad faces, plan a covering of lining paper
which shall allow an edge of vellum to show at the joints, and shall
lap over the other edges of the newsboard. Notice that these three
pieces are of three different sizes.
Make dimensioned sketches of all pieces (See Plate XXXV) and lay
out and cut all parts. Along the folding lines of both newsboard
foundations, score and fold as explained in connection with the box.
[Illustration: PLATE XXXV. Dimensioned sketches of the parts of the
postcard holder.]
When pasting the vellum onto the outside case, it will be found of
great advantage to have blocks of wood to work around. If there is a
woodworking room in connection with the school, these blocks may well
be made there. They should be at least the full length of the case and
may project beyond the ends. Their thickness should be the width of
the narrow faces, and their width may be the same as that of the broad
faces, or narrower. If narrower, the blocks may be slipped along as the
vellum is being rubbed down.
The strip of vellum for covering the outside is so large that it is
difficult for a child to cover it with paste, before a part of it has
dried. It is better, therefore, to paste a little more than enough for
one face at a time, rub this down, apply paste again, and so on to the
end. By putting the paste a little beyond were it is needed there is a
certainty of leaving no dry areas at the corners.
[Illustration: PLATE XXXVI. An illustration of the method of covering
the outside of the case when a block of wood is used.]
If blocks are to be used, paste together the two end divisions of the
newsboard, put the block inside, and paste on the strip of vellum.
Place one end of the vellum flush with one edge of the case, and cover
one broad face first. (See Plate XXXVI.) Before rubbing down the vellum
on the next face, be sure that it is pulled as closely as possible over
the edge, leaving no wrinkles or loose places. When all the faces have
been covered, there should remain a margin of vellum to lap onto the
face first covered. If this is pasted down very closely, it will be
almost invisible.
If no blocks are available, three faces should be covered before
joining the two end pieces of newsboard, which should then be covered
as one piece. Lay each face as it is being pasted so that one edge is
at the edge of the desk or table, and allow the rest of the case to
hang over the side. (See Plate XXXVII.) In this way the faces may be
easily covered. Next make a longitudinal cut on the projecting vellum
as far as the newsboard at each corner of the case. The resulting laps
may then be easily pasted down onto the inside of the case.
[Illustration: PLATE XXXVII. An illustration of the method of covering
the outside of the case when no block of wood is available.]
Over the narrow faces of the inner holder paste the strips of vellum,
cut for this purpose. Paste and fold their ends over the edges of
the newsboard. These ends fit a little better if two slits are made
in each at the fold of the newsboard. Cover the broad faces with the
lining paper, turning and pasting the laps over the edges closely.
The corners should be cut as in the flat objects described in previous
articles. This inner part should not be pressed as a flat piece as this
would cause the paper to crack open when folded for use.
If desired, the inside may be lined with white paper, in which case the
pieces should be put in separately instead of in one long strip. This
is difficult for any but most skillful workers.
B. A holder of similar construction, but of convenient size to hold
note or letter paper makes an excellent filing case.