- How to Open a New Book - 

Hold the book with its back on a smooth or covered table: let the front board down, then the other, holding the leaves in one hand while you open a few leaves at the back, then a few at the front, and so on, alternately opening back and front, gently pressing open the sections until you reach the centre of the volume. Do this two or three times and you will obtain the best results. Open the volume violently or carelessly in any one place and you will likely break the back and cause a start in the leaves. Never force the back of the book.

From the book "Henley's twentieth century formulas, recipes and processes"