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Creative Bookbinding
"Unusually well done and informative." — Lafayette (Indiana) Journal & Courier
A book bound by hand can be a work of art in a way that machine-bound books can never be. And in this comprehensive, profusely illustrated guide to hand bookbinding, a noted expert in the field explains the techniques needed to create your own choice specimens of the binder's art. Directed especially toward beginners, Creative Bookbinding shows how this ancient craft offers a satisfying hobby and rewarding aesthetic experience — even for those with little previous knowledge of the craft. As Pauline Johnson states in the "Even with a limited background of knowledge [the craftsperson] can experience a great deal of enjoyment in binding his own books and building up a distinctive personal library of which he can be proud. Each product can be an artistic creation to be cherished."
Detailed illustrated instructions for achieving such beautiful hand-crafted volumes are presented here in a readable, informal, and easy-to-follow format. After a brief history of printing and binding, the author provides an in-depth discussion of book design — the proportion and size of books, the parts of a book, materials, tools, and equipment needed for book construction ( a list of supply sources is included), and more. Working procedures are clearly explained, progressing from binding simple folders, notepads, folios, pamphlets, and magazines to full-size sewn books with bindings of cloth and leather. You'll also find an indispensable chapter on the preservation and repair of valuable or irreplaceable volumes.
Over 600 photographs and diagrams explain and clarify each step of each process, as well as depicting an abundance of beautiful bindings, both ancient and modern. With this book as a guide, bookbinders at all skill levels can strive to achieve similar magnificent results.
A book bound by hand can be a work of art in a way that machine-bound books can never be. And in this comprehensive, profusely illustrated guide to hand bookbinding, a noted expert in the field explains the techniques needed to create your own choice specimens of the binder's art. Directed especially toward beginners, Creative Bookbinding shows how this ancient craft offers a satisfying hobby and rewarding aesthetic experience — even for those with little previous knowledge of the craft. As Pauline Johnson states in the "Even with a limited background of knowledge [the craftsperson] can experience a great deal of enjoyment in binding his own books and building up a distinctive personal library of which he can be proud. Each product can be an artistic creation to be cherished."
Detailed illustrated instructions for achieving such beautiful hand-crafted volumes are presented here in a readable, informal, and easy-to-follow format. After a brief history of printing and binding, the author provides an in-depth discussion of book design — the proportion and size of books, the parts of a book, materials, tools, and equipment needed for book construction ( a list of supply sources is included), and more. Working procedures are clearly explained, progressing from binding simple folders, notepads, folios, pamphlets, and magazines to full-size sewn books with bindings of cloth and leather. You'll also find an indispensable chapter on the preservation and repair of valuable or irreplaceable volumes.
Over 600 photographs and diagrams explain and clarify each step of each process, as well as depicting an abundance of beautiful bindings, both ancient and modern. With this book as a guide, bookbinders at all skill levels can strive to achieve similar magnificent results.
272 pages, Paperback
Published June 1, 1990
2 people are currently reading
65 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
October 13, 2021
Everything necessary.
Since the author seems to assume the book would be used as a textbook for any age (or at least a teacher's guide for the particularly young), the different methods can seem silly when placed next to each other. Using gold leaf as well as how to make prints with a potato, for instance, are both covered.
Most importantly, this book makes it seem like any level of book binding is possible, from simple notepads to complex inlaid leather tomes.
Since the author seems to assume the book would be used as a textbook for any age (or at least a teacher's guide for the particularly young), the different methods can seem silly when placed next to each other. Using gold leaf as well as how to make prints with a potato, for instance, are both covered.
Most importantly, this book makes it seem like any level of book binding is possible, from simple notepads to complex inlaid leather tomes.
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June 12, 2014THIS is what I'd consult to supplement the EK Smith.
May 30, 2020
Fun projects in here
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August 19, 2016686.3 J685 1973
Want to read
February 16, 2020Available at Seattle Public Library
includes history,
simple binding and decorating papers.
includes history,
simple binding and decorating papers.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews