Author: Jeff Peachey

Book conservator, tool maker, book historian.
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Upcoming Lecture, “John J. Bradford: A Knight of the Folding Stick.” Monday November 25, 2024, 3:30 – 5:00. Boston, MA.

Frontispiece to Bradford’s 1815 “The Poetical Vagaries of a Knight of the Folding-Stick of Paste-Castle.

A Presentation by Jeff Peachey
Monday November 25th, 2024

3:30-5:00pm

North Bennet Street School

150 North Street

Boston MA

John J. Bradford: A Knight of the Folding Stick. In this illustrated lecture, book conservator and lapsed poet Jeff Peachey traces the life of John Bradford and interprets his bookbinding-centric poetry. Particular attention will be paid to the 19th century bookbinding tools he describes, and is in fact made of in the frontispiece above. Bradford was a lifelong journeyman bookbinder in early 19th century New York City. 

Not only are John Bradford’s poems a lot of fun, but his book is the earliest American description of bookbinding written by an actual bookbinder. Only twelve copies are held in institutions. Bradford was an odd character parts of the book are written in hieroglyphics. This presentation is based on his recent publication, “The Binder’s Curse: John Bradford and Early Nineteenth-Century American Bookbinding” In Suave Mechanicals: Essays in the History of Bookbinding, Volume 8. 


At the conclusion, we will read selections from  “The Binder’s Curse” aloud. Join us for geeky bookbinder fun! Non-bookbinders are welcome.

Registration is not required. Open to the public.

A reproduction 19th century folding stick, made from boxwood.

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John J. Bradford: A Knight of the Folding-Stick. Free Presentation at Emory University, Friday, October 11, 3pm

Detail of the Frontispiece from John J. Bradford’s The Poetical Vagaries of the Knight of the Folding Stick of Paste-Castle and The History of the Garrett, 1815. Photo courtesy The Rosenbach Museum & Library.

Please join us at Emory University on Friday, October 11th, 3:00-4:30pm, for an informative and entertaining presentation in the Jones Room of the Robert W. Woodruff Library. This presentation is in-person, and registration is free. Light refreshments will be served.

In this illustrated lecture, conservator and lapsed poet Jeff Peachey traces the life of John Bradford and interprets his bookbinding-centric poetry. Bradford was a lifelong journeyman bookbinder in early 19th century New York City, remarkable for his idiosyncratic, self-published book of poetry, “The Poetical Vagaries of the Knight of the Folding Stick of Paste-Castle and The History of the Garrett” (1815).

Not only are John Bradford’s poems a lot of fun, but his book is the earliest American description of bookbinding written by an actual bookbinder. Only twelve copies are known of this book, and they are all heavily consulted. Bradford’s bookbinding infuses his mythopoetic cosmology in this seriously weird book; parts are even written in hieroglyphics.

“The Binder’s Curse” is John Bradford’s most well-known poem, and we will read it together at the end of the presentation. This talk is based on Peachey’s recent article, “The Binder’s Curse: John Bradford and Early Nineteenth-Century American Bookbinding” In Suave Mechanicals: Essays in the History of Bookbinding, Volume 8. (Ann Arbor: The Legacy Press, 2023): 386-457

Register here

This event will not be live-streamed or recorded.

Please contact Kim Norman or Ephranette Brown with any questions.

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New Tool! Deluxe Delrin Spatula

DELUXE DELRIN SPATULA

Last month I taught a toolmaking class at the University of Cincinnati, and Ashleigh Ferguson — rare book and paper conservator and Co-lab manager — made a beautiful “Griffin” spatula which I coveted. Rather than steal her tool, I developed my own version. Her tool helped me reexamine some long-held negative opinions about double ended tools.

This Deluxe Delrin Spatula is an ideal hand tool for conservators in almost any discipline. Useful for pressure sensitive tape removal, delaminating, paint and emulsion consolidation, applying adhesive under detached layers, controlled pressing, excess adhesive removal, working under magnification, and more.

The thin tip — due to the wedge shape in the thickness — is great for applying minute amounts of adhesive. The flexible wide tip (see below) can direct pressure downward, and be used with a twisting motion to help pry off unwanted layers.

SMALL TIP. THE DOTS ARE ABOUT 1MM APART
LARGE TIP, ABOUT .15 MM THICK AT THE EDGE

Delrin has a similar coefficient of friction as teflon, but is more abrasion resistant. Black delrin is harder than white delrin, likely due to the carbon, and stays sharp longer. The octagonal handle shape is comfortable in a writing or drawing hand position, and won’t roll off your work surface. Comes with a two stage sharpening kit and instructions to resharpen. The handle may feel familiar to some: it is the same diameter as a Rotring 600 mechanical pencil.

Black Delrin, octagonal handle, approximately 200mm x 8mm. Both tips are slightly flexible, with the small one about 1-2mm wide and blunt. The large tip is straight with sharp round corners, and about .15mm thick at the end.

Purchase here!

Or if you would like to make your own version, join us for a week-long toolmaking workshop at Emory University, October 7 – 11, 2024.

WRITING HAND POSITION
DRAWING HAND POSITION