“After that to a bookseller’s and bought for the love of the binding three books.”

Samuel Pepys Diary, May 15, 1660.

Traditional bookbinding by hand is a craft centuries old. But the techniques are still largely the same today. Printed paper leaves (folios) must be folded down the middle. Groups of folios are made into sections. Those sections are sewed horizontally through the folds using linen thread on a sewing frame. The sewing frame has a number of tapes or cords that are perpendicular to the base. As sewing progresses, around the tapes or cords, a strong book is created. From the 16th century, coloured marble paper was often used as the front and back endpapers.   After sewing, the book is rounded and backed, boards are attached and then it is covered in leather. Decoration with blind tooling or gold gives further beauty to the finished book. From the mid 19th century, book cloth became available as a cheaper alternative to leather.

I repair or restore books using traditional hand bookbinding techniques. I use only high quality materials. I will strive to preserve as much of the original as possible.  I will usually adopt the same style of binding: for example, if the book was originally sewn on raised cords (as many older books were), then I will repair in the same way. I will repair torn or damaged pages and damaged leather wherever possible. However, when the old is beyond repair, new must be substituted and I adopt accepted conservation practices and principles. I take pleasure and care over every job.  I am a member of the American Institute for Conservation of Historic & Artistic Works and I adhere to its Code of Ethics and Guidelines for Practice.