<p>Based on the citations below the best translation for &quot;sauvegarde&quot; is &quot;waste sheet&quot; based on matching the description you have given to description of waste sheet in the bookbinding process.</p>
<p>According to the <a href="https://cool.culturalheritage.org/don/toc/toc1.html" rel="noreferrer">Bookbinding and the Conservation of Books A Dictionary of Descriptive Terminology</a></p>
<p>Your description:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>“It is a strip of paper the length of the volume, that one folds in
half and that one sews before the endsheet at the beginning and after
the endsheet at the end of each volume; they are used to protect the
endsheets: one removes them before finishing the bookbinding and at
the moment of gluing the endsheets on the cardboard.”</p>
</blockquote>
<p>matches the description for the definition of the term &quot;<a href="https://cool.culturalheritage.org/don/dt/dt3733.html" rel="noreferrer">waste sheet</a>&quot;</p>
<blockquote>
<ol>
<li>A sheet of paper tipped to the outside over the permanent endpaper to prevent it from becoming damaged or soiled during the binding of
the book. Special instructions on binding the book may also be written
on this sheet. Originally, the waste sheet was printed with an
abbreviated title so that the publication could be identified. The
so-called printed waste sheet is known as the half-title paper and is
always found in books of any pretension to high quality.</li>
</ol>
</blockquote>
<p>Also -
From the article on <a href="https://www.conservation-wiki.com/wiki/BPG_Endpapers" rel="noreferrer">BPG Endpapers</a>:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Waste sheets protect the pastedowns or linen stubs during binding
operations. They can be removed before pasting down, or adhered
underneath the visible board sheet.</p>
</blockquote>
<p><a href="https://www.conservation-wiki.com/wiki/BPG_Endpapers#Terminology" rel="noreferrer">BPG Endpapers - Terminology</a></p>
<p>Also -<br />
<a href="https://www.conservation-wiki.com/wiki/BPG_Endpapers#Made_Endpapers.2C_Sewn_On_.2816th_C_-_19th_C.29" rel="noreferrer">BPG Endpapers - Made Endpapers</a></p>
<blockquote>
<p>If the book was small, the first white flyleaf was left as a waste sheet to be torn off at the time of pasting down the cover lining leaf of the endpaper.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Searching the article for the words &quot;waste sheet&quot; will demonstrate that different bookbinding practices treat the waste sheet in different ways.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2023-01-03T19:38:59.033Z
It's interesting that the French term focuses on its purpose/function, and the English term focuses on its disposability when it's done serving its purpose rather than its actual purpose.
fixer1234
CC BY-SA 4.0
2023-01-04T16:36:15.817Z
I have also found another article that apparently refers to the sheets as “protection sheets.” This is probably not a common term like “waste sheets,” but there it is. The articles has the following URL: https://www.adelaide.edu.au/library/special/exhibitions/cover-to-cover/endpapers/
Micheal Gignac
CC BY-SA 4.0
2023-01-03T18:51:40.050Z
2023-01-03T18:51:40.050Z
David D
<p>I understand if this sounds like an odd question, so please allow me to explain.</p>
<p>I am reading an entry in a French dictionary and translating it into English. This entry is “sauvegarde.” In a general context, this term is translated as “safeguard,” “protection,” or even “conservation.” However, in the context of bookbinding, the definition essentially says, “Strip of paper made to protect the endpapers of books during the bookbinding.”</p>
<p>Now, my knowledge of bookbinding is sorely lacking, but I am reasonably confident that “safeguard” is not the word that goes with that definition. My research indicates that this strip of paper might be called “waste sheet” or “flyleaf,” but I am not entirely sure.</p>
<p>What is the word that matches the above definition?</p>
<p><strong>Addendum</strong></p>
<p>I have some information to add that should clarify things.</p>
<p>I found a website that gives an expanded definition of “sauvegarde” in the context of bookbinding. This definition essentially says, “It is a strip of paper the length of the volume, that one folds in half and that one sews before the endsheet at the beginning and after the endsheet at the end of each volume; they are used to protect the endsheets: one removes them before finishing the bookbinding and at the moment of gluing the endsheets on the cardboard.”</p>
<p>Reference URL: <a href="https://www.moulinduverger.com/reliure-manuelle/lexique-sauvegarde.php" rel="nofollow noreferrer">https://www.moulinduverger.com/reliure-manuelle/lexique-sauvegarde.php</a></p>
<p>In addition, for those of you who are not familiar with the parts of a book, I have found a website that does a good job explaining them. I will provide the link below.</p>
<p>Reference URL: <a href="https://bookprinting.com/resources/parts-of-a-book" rel="nofollow noreferrer">https://bookprinting.com/resources/parts-of-a-book</a></p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2023-01-01T01:55:56.990Z
Can you describe how the strip is placed?  Because I'm having trouble visualizing what you are talking about.
Buzz
CC BY-SA 4.0
2023-01-01T22:34:16.040Z
@Buzz: I have added an addendum to my question that should help in answering your question. Apparently, the “sauvegarde” is folded in half and sewn before the endsheet at the beginning and after the endsheet at the end of the book. In other words, two strips of paper are used. In addition, they are removed before you glue the endsheets to the cardboard. Does that help?
Micheal Gignac
CC BY-SA 4.0
2023-01-04T14:07:27.067Z
I have a new respect for the work of translating after researching this question. Selecting the right word when a technology like bookbinding changes over hundreds of years and the words meanings shift to match different processes is tough!
David D
<terminology>
What do they call a strip of paper made to protect the endpapers of books during the bookbinding?
Micheal Gignac
# What do they call a strip of paper made to protect the endpapers of books during the bookbinding?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2022-12-31)

I understand if this sounds like an odd question, so please allow me to explain.

I am reading an entry in a French dictionary and translating it into English. This entry is “sauvegarde.” In a general context, this term is translated as “safeguard,” “protection,” or even “conservation.” However, in the context of bookbinding, the definition essentially says, “Strip of paper made to protect the endpapers of books during the bookbinding.”

Now, my knowledge of bookbinding is sorely lacking, but I am reasonably confident that “safeguard” is not the word that goes with that definition. My research indicates that this strip of paper might be called “waste sheet” or “flyleaf,” but I am not entirely sure.

What is the word that matches the above definition?

**Addendum**

I have some information to add that should clarify things.

I found a website that gives an expanded definition of “sauvegarde” in the context of bookbinding. This definition essentially says, “It is a strip of paper the length of the volume, that one folds in half and that one sews before the endsheet at the beginning and after the endsheet at the end of each volume; they are used to protect the endsheets: one removes them before finishing the bookbinding and at the moment of gluing the endsheets on the cardboard.”

Reference URL: <https://www.moulinduverger.com/reliure-manuelle/lexique-sauvegarde.php>

In addition, for those of you who are not familiar with the parts of a book, I have found a website that does a good job explaining them. I will provide the link below.

Reference URL: <https://bookprinting.com/resources/parts-of-a-book>

**Tags:** terminology

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Can you describe how the strip is placed?  Because I'm having trouble visualizing what you are talking about.  
> **username_0**: @username_1: I have added an addendum to my question that should help in answering your question. Apparently, the “sauvegarde” is folded in half and sewn before the endsheet at the beginning and after the endsheet at the end of the book. In other words, two strips of paper are used. In addition, they are removed before you glue the endsheets to the cardboard. Does that help?  
> **username_2**: I have a new respect for the work of translating after researching this question. Selecting the right word when a technology like bookbinding changes over hundreds of years and the words meanings shift to match different processes is tough!  

---

## 1 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2023-01-03. Score: 9 | Accepted answer

Based on the citations below the best translation for "sauvegarde" is "waste sheet" based on matching the description you have given to description of waste sheet in the bookbinding process.

According to the [Bookbinding and the Conservation of Books A Dictionary of Descriptive Terminology](https://cool.culturalheritage.org/don/toc/toc1.html)

Your description:

> “It is a strip of paper the length of the volume, that one folds in
> half and that one sews before the endsheet at the beginning and after
> the endsheet at the end of each volume; they are used to protect the
> endsheets: one removes them before finishing the bookbinding and at
> the moment of gluing the endsheets on the cardboard.”

matches the description for the definition of the term "[waste sheet](https://cool.culturalheritage.org/don/dt/dt3733.html)"

> 1. A sheet of paper tipped to the outside over the permanent endpaper to prevent it from becoming damaged or soiled during the binding of
>    the book. Special instructions on binding the book may also be written
>    on this sheet. Originally, the waste sheet was printed with an
>    abbreviated title so that the publication could be identified. The
>    so-called printed waste sheet is known as the half-title paper and is
>    always found in books of any pretension to high quality.

Also -
From the article on [BPG Endpapers](https://www.conservation-wiki.com/wiki/BPG_Endpapers):

> Waste sheets protect the pastedowns or linen stubs during binding
> operations. They can be removed before pasting down, or adhered
> underneath the visible board sheet.

[BPG Endpapers - Terminology](https://www.conservation-wiki.com/wiki/BPG_Endpapers#Terminology)

Also -  
[BPG Endpapers - Made Endpapers](https://www.conservation-wiki.com/wiki/BPG_Endpapers#Made_Endpapers.2C_Sewn_On_.2816th_C_-_19th_C.29)

> If the book was small, the first white flyleaf was left as a waste sheet to be torn off at the time of pasting down the cover lining leaf of the endpaper.

Searching the article for the words "waste sheet" will demonstrate that different bookbinding practices treat the waste sheet in different ways.

> **Comments:**
> **username_3**: It's interesting that the French term focuses on its purpose/function, and the English term focuses on its disposability when it's done serving its purpose rather than its actual purpose.  
> **username_0**: I have also found another article that apparently refers to the sheets as “protection sheets.” This is probably not a common term like “waste sheets,” but there it is. The articles has the following URL: https://www.adelaide.edu.au/library/special/exhibitions/cover-to-cover/endpapers/  

---

