In olden times, practically all written material were bound in calfskin. These normally came in one color, tan. However, some progress in dyemaking led to the production of maroon and black leather. Since these two colors were more expensive to make and use, the great majority of volumes were bound in natural calfskin. The color black was especially reserved for official records.
Among the records kept by local officials like the Town Clerk was a list of miscreants: Thieves, Murderers, Debtors, Convicted Criminals, and so forth. In other words, the dregs of the town. Their names and crimes were recorded in a Black Book, causing such a person to suffer much in terms of name and reputation. In later times, such a list in the Black Book of any particular town or city came to be known as a Black List.
Today, when one is blacklisted, he is immediately cut off from the mainstream and put up for all so see as one not to be dealt with, trusted, or the like.
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