Workshops

Upcoming workshops and events

Early 19th C. American and English Bookbinding: Machines, Materials, Structures, and Tools PBI, May 12-23, (my workshop is 4 full days) Oxbow, Michigan. https://www.paperbookintensive.org/

In England and America, common book structures changed significantly during the early nineteenth century. A typical common calf binding was supplanted by even cheaper, new binding styles, such as cloth boards bindings and adhesive cloth case bindings. The early nineteenth century is a pivotal and rich period in the history of bookbinding, and we have a plethora of writings, documents, and images to better understand the binders work and this exciting time. In a very short time — between 1825-1840 — books and bookbinding changed more than in the previous three centuries. 

In this workshop, we will examine this complex time period through PowerPoint presentations, readings, discussions, and the hands-on construction of two models—an 1830s American starched cloth boards binding, and an 1840s English case binding with textured bookcloth. The poetry of John Bradford, an early nineteenth century New York City bookbinder, will be examined to add the context of a practicing bookbinder’s perspective from this defining, under-researched, and under-appreciated era in book history.

A key component of this workshop is exploring two methods of making bookcloth; a smooth starch filled version and a textured (or grained) style. Students will make a number of conservation grade cloths starting with inexpensive undyed muslin, XSL pigments and paint. The cloth can also be stamped or tooled in gold and blind. Bookbinders and Book Artists may find these useful materials in their expressive arsenal.

*****

STANDARD WORKSHOPS

EARLY NINETEENTH CENTURY AMERICAN AND ENGLISH BOOKBINDING: MACHINES, MATERIALS, STRUCTURES AND TOOLS.

In England and America, common book structures changed significantly during the early nineteenth century. A typical common calf binding was supplanted by even cheaper, new binding styles, such as paper boards bindings and the three-piece adhesive cloth case. We will examine this time period through powerpoints, readings, discussions, and the hands-on construction of four models: an English common-boards binding, an American extra-boards binding, an American tight-back cloth binding, and an English cloth case. We will explore methods of replicating plain and textured nineteenth century bookcloth, starting with undyed muslin, which will be useful for conserving and sympathetically rebinding books from this time. Close readings from bookbinding manuals, analysis of bindery images, and the use of historic tools will enhance our understanding of this important and underappreciated time period.

*****

BOARD REATTACHMENT FOR TIGHT JOINT LEATHER BOOKBINDINGS

In this week-long intensive workshop, students will be introduced to a wide variety of current techniques used to conserve leather bookbindings. Bookbinders, technicians, and conservators who wish to learn, expand, or refresh their treatment skills are all welcome. Previous bookbinding or conservation experience is required.

Detached boards are the most common place leather bookbindings fail, and five primary methods of treating this will be discussed: mechanical sewing extensions and tacketing, inner hinge repairs, interior-board repairs, outer joint repairs, and several styles of rebacking. (Outline here) The actual treatments will largely depend on the books that participants bring. Many treatments involve a combination of these techniques. Questions concerning methods of consolidating older leather, the archival qualities of modern leather, and leather dyes will be discussed. A variety of methods to pare, consolidate, and lift leather will be introduced. Since a sharp knife is crucial to success in any leather work, sharpening will also be taught.

Students should bring several non-valuable leather bound books to work on, though there will be additional books provided to practice with. There will be individual consultations with students before the workshop to discuss treatment goals for their chosen books, and determine if extra materials or tools might be required. The primary goal of this workshop is to equip participants with a more nuanced understanding of the pros and cons of currently practiced leather conservation techniques, gain supervised experience while performing them, refresh some previously learned skills, and recieve feedback.

Review by Kasie Janssen from The Preservation Lab Blog, University of Cincinnati.

Review by Elise Calvi from the  E. Lingle Craig Preservation Lab Blog, Indiana University.

*****

LATE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY FRENCH BINDING STRUCTURE

This workshop will focus on reconstructing a typical 18th century full leather French binding by comparing and contrasting three 18th century technical descriptions, examining extant bindings and using historic tools.

In some respects, this structure is the end of 1,200 years of utilitarian leather binding; fifty years later, the cloth case begins to predominate. The making of the book is very organic and does not rely on numeric measuring. In many respects, this class is a hands-on explication of historic written texts. Techniques to be learned include: using a beating hammer to beat the textblock before sewing, sewing on thin raised single cords, lacing into handmade pasteboards in a typical three hole pattern, beating the boards, trimming all three edges with a plough in-boards while using trindles for the foreedge, coloring the edges with vermillion, applying vellum transverse spine liners, sewing endbands on rolled paper cores, paring and covering in full leather, marbling and burnishing the leather, and applying simple blind tooled decoration.

Reproductions of 18th century French tools, constructed from plates in Diderot’s Encylopedie (1751-1780) will be available for use. Participants will learn to use and maintain a plough and investigate the problems in translating written descriptions of bookbinding into the construction of a model. Extensive notations (in English) on Gauffecourt’s Traite de la Relieure des Livres (1763) and Dudin’s L’Art du Relieur-doreur de Livres (1772) will be provided.

Basic bookbinding skills are a prerequisite, but this class can serve as an introduction to leather paring. Discussions will include treatment decision making for this particular structure in relation to institutions and private clients. This class is open to all levels of experience: pre-program students, technicians, and mid-career conservators who desire a full week at the bench. Ideally, a variety of participant experience levels will result in an invigorating exchange of information on binding techniques, institutional protocols, and treatment approaches. Students should bring basic bookbinding tools.

A review of this workshop from 2016 by Constant Lem, Book Conservator at the National Library of the Netherlands.

A review of this class by Liz Dube, Conservator at Notre Dame, in 2009

A review of this class from 2009 by Brenna Campbell for the NY Chapter of the Guild of Bookworkers.

Student work from the Scrub Oak Bindery, Salt Lake City in 2007.

Student work from Paper and Book Intensive, 2010.

*****

BOARDS BINDING
This workshop focuses on a somewhat neglected book structure, boards bindings. This class begins with examining binding structures from the late 18th century, and places boards bindings in historic and economic context. From about 1780-1830, in America, this was the most common style of binding, apart from a plain calf trade binding. It marked a departure from previous styles in its combining less expensive covering material (paper) with a laced on, or in some cases a boards that are adhered to a wastesheet, though both are covered on the book. The covering techniques are similar to leather binding.  Millboard shears will be used to trim the boards, and students will have a choice of sewing on raised cords or sawn-in, with two-on sewing. We will also examine the pros and cons of why this is usually considered a “temporary” binding structure, and how it relates to the three piece adhesive case. This is a great workshop for beginners who want to be introduced to historic binding structures. A Powerpoint presentation will illustrate many styles of English and American boards bindings, as well as explore historic methods of production. One or two days.

*****

HISTORIC BOOK STRUCTURES FOR CONSERVATORS
This month long course is designed to refine bookbinding bench skills and explore historic book structures in the context of the conservation of books as historic artifacts. It will be held at The Winterthur <http://www.winterthur.org&gt;, a museum, garden and library consisting of 1,000 acres of rolling meadows, gardens and woodlands. The focus will be on books bound in-boards from the 16th through 19th centuries. Readings in bookbinding history, researching book structures and creating models of historic structures are the basis of the course. Class presentations, several written essays and an independent project are required. This course is intended for pre-program through mid-career participants who are passionate about book conservation. Students will receive a full scholarship for tuition and can live on the the grounds of the Winterthur for nominal charge. Class size is limited. Application requirements include a personal statement on the relevance of this class to your work and career, a portfolio of bookbinding or book conservation treatments that exhibits attention to detail, and a recommendation from a professional in the conservation or preservation field. International applications are encouraged. Students will have to supply their own hand tools, pay travel expenses, food, and a materials fee. Students will have 24/7 access to the workshop space and an excellent conservation literature library. Information on the 2015 version: https://jeffpeachey.com/2015/01/21/historic-structures-2015/

*****

CLOTH CASE BINDINGS: THEIR HISTORY AND CONSERVATION

For almost 200 years, the cloth case binding has been the standard way publishers issue books. Throughout the nineteenth century, and even into the twentieth, it was often derided by bibliophiles as a temporary structure, not a ‘real’ book. However, it has proved to be a remarkably durable structure, now commonly used by conservators when rebinding books, by fine small press publications, and in library binding.  Quite likely, there are more cloth cased books than any other rigid board book structure on earth.

This 5-day workshop will investigate the history of the cloth case binding, concentrating on the early years, 1825-1850. We will parse historic texts that describe this structure, while paying close attention to the introduction of four key pieces of machinery: the rolling press, the board shear, the guillotine, and the stamping press. Boards bindings will be considered as an industrial precursor to the cloth case, and we will make a structural model following a technical description from Cowie’s 1828 The Bookbinder’s Manual. By focusing on historic techniques, this workshop will also serve as introduction or refresher to the essential bookbinding hand-skills. Additionally, we will explore options for conserving and repairing cloth cased books by working on actual books provided by participants. Treatment options presented will include recasing, cloth rebacking, tissue repairs, hinge repairs, and boxing. Basic paper repairs, techniques of toning tissue and cloth, spine lining considerations, and the lifting of fragile material will be addressed. Discussions will include treatment decision making in relationship to specific institutional needs or the desires of private clients.

This workshop is open to all levels of experience: pre-program students, technicians, and mid-career conservators who desire a full time week at the bench. Ideally, a variety of participant experience levels will result in an invigorating exchange of information on binding techniques, institutional protocols, and treatment approaches.  Students should bring 5-10 non-valuable cloth cased books that can be sacrificed or repaired, and basic bookbinding tools.

Students should submit a resume and a brief one paragraph application statement, reviewing their background in bookbinding, book conservation, or other crafts, and stating what they hope to learn.

*****

INTRODUCTION TO BOOKBINDING
This workshop introduces students interested in Book History to the material, technological and structural aspects of Bookbinding. A presentation will explicate the techniques, tools, and sequence of European binding for printed books, ca. 1450-1850. Models of key bookbindings will be provided for handling, examination and discussion. These include a 15th c. German wood board binding, an 18th c. French binding, a 19th c. Publishers’ boards binding, and a 19 c. cloth case binding. Students will make a book (folding, compressing, sewing on raised supports, lacing, etc.) in order to gain hands-on understanding of the techniques of bookbinding. No special equipment is necessary, this can be held in your classroom, 3 hours.

*****

MAKING AND SHARPENING KNIVES: A RATIONAL APPROACH
This class is an intensive one to three day introduction to one of the most basic human tool making activities- making and keeping an edge tool sharp without the use of jigs. Participants will be provided the materials, instruction and equipment to make several knives of their choosing, and to sharpen any type of edge tool they bring with them. The specific tools of bookbinders will be examined: paring knives, lifting knives, scissors, hole punches, spokeshaves and board shear blades. A wide variety of sharpening systems will be available for comparison: water stones, ceramic stones, diamond stones, oil stones, natural stones, silicone carbide powder, aluminum oxide powder, diamond paste, abrasive papers and stropping compounds. Some basic principals of tool steels will be explained, and edge geometry investigated. Machines for shaping metal will also be used: stone grinders, belt grinders, belt sanders and the Tormek. The goal is to free participants from the plethora of misinformation and mystique that surrounds sharpening and to instill confidance in sharpening and resharpening bookbinding knives.
One day version:  Sharpening from a factory grind, resharpening, knife maintenance. Review of the workshop.
Two day version:  The above and making two knives from scratch, either by hand or possibly on grinding machines.
Three day version:  The above and spokeshave modification. Possible additional topics: handles, drilling, tapping, simple wood shaping, planes.
The New England Chapter of the Guild of Bookworkers review of this workshop. Review from ICON Conservation Newsletter, November 2010.

*****

A DROP SPINE BOX WITH AN INTEGRAL CRADLE

The cloth covered drop spine (aka. Clamshell) box is the standard for protection of rare books. Having an integral cradle adds another level of preservation and presentation, making it ideal for artist books or even a suite of prints. This workshop focuses on learning traditional boxmaking skills—how to accurately and easily measure, cut, glue and assemble a drop spine box with an integral cradle. This construction method will emphasize the use of jigs and other non-numerical methods of measurement. The first day will be devoted to learning the basic techniques of working non-ferrous metals such as aluminum and brass. Using hand tools, basic shaping, filing, drilling, tapping, sawing and finishing will be taught in order to make permanent jigs. A box making triangle and trimming jigs will be constructed. Techniques for the efficient production of the same and different sized boxes will be taught. Participants will construct a one-piece cradle and box, which was invented by Peachey and announced in a blog post:https://jeffpeachey.wordpress.com/2009/10/27/drop-spine-box-with-an-integral-cradle/. If time permits the pros and cons of other models drop spine box with cradle constructions will be examined. Two or three days.

*****

WOODEN BOOK BOARDS: THEIR CONSERVATION, HISTORIC CONSTRUCTION AND THE PRAXIS OF WORKING WOOD.
Until around 1500, most books were bound in wooden boards. Books with wooden boards lie somewhat outside the routine treatments book conservators are normally tasked with. Split, and splitting wood boards are a tremendous problem in many institutions–they put many other aspects of a binding, especially intact covering materials, at risk of further damage if not stabilized or otherwise treated. This five day master class will focus on the fundamentals of the treatment of wooden book boards: the basics of using hand tools to shape wood accurately, easily and efficiently; the making a sample set of woods commonly used for wood boards; the examining of historic techniques for fabrication; and the making a sample set of common treatments for split boards. Choosing, tuning, using, sharpening and maintaining woodworking tools will also be taught. Exploring some of the complexities of wood technology and how this impacts treatment, storage and handling options for conservation treatments will also be covered. No previous woodworking experience is necessary. Five days.

GOALS OF THE WORKSHOP

• Learn how to evaluate, use and maintain basic hand wood working tools.
• Construct a sample set of reference wood commonly encountered in historic book boards.
• Construct a specialized jig to plane thin wood boards.
• Reproduce historic board shapes, channels, tunnels, chamfering and learn to recognize the tools used to make them.
• Construct samples of currently used techniques to repair split and splitting boards, and discuss their applicability in various real world situations.
• Make one sample board from a log, by hand, to understand the historic hand technologies– using a maul, froe, and broad axe.
• Begin to appreciate some of the complexities of wood technology and how this impacts treatment, storage and handling options for real world books.
• Discuss in depth the results of a recent article by Alexis Hagadorn and  Jeffrey S. Peachey  “The use of parchment to reinforce split wooden bookboards, with preliminary observations into the effects of RH cycling on these repairs” Journal of the Institute of Conservation, Volume 33, Issue 1 March 2010 (pp 41 – 63)
• Consider storage, housing and display issues unique to wooden board bindings.
• Discuss treatment considerations based on documentation that participants supply.

*****

BOARD SLOTTING
One to three day workshops are designed to provide an overview of the set-up, use, adjustment, and maintenance of the Peachey Board Slotting Machine.  Longer workshops also include experimenting with various types of slotting, discussion of material selection, advanced board slotting structures, and more. One to three days.