I was asked if I could make a blank book in the same manner as a particular limp vellum ledger binding from 1670, which can be viewed online at the Conservation Studies website for the University of Texas at Austin. Of course, I said yes.
Using an old parchment document for the cover (above), I was able to make a very old-looking replica.
On the original book, the decorative stitching was most likely done with narrow alum tawed strips; but, lacking a source of alum tawed skin, I used pigskin leather for the loop and toggle, and artificial sinew for the stitching.
For the blank pages inside, I used Old Master paper from Saint-Armand. Needless to say, that project ranks among my most favorite. If only I could have kept the finished book for myself...but alas it is gone off to the person who commissioned it. But I wish I got more requests like that.
16 comments:
That looks so nice! very well done. I adore the manuscript as cover
thanks liesan!
Wow! Very beautiful book and very cool that you were able to replicate it so closely. Thanks for showing this!
wow! what a project to get commissioned for! you did such a great job!
thanks julie and craftyash!
Wow! this is so great Rhonda! I really love the cover - it looks so good! Well Done!
thanks Ali :)
Nice job, and using the old vellum that way is totally authentic. Now, make one for yourself!
thanks Velma! and yes, the next time i find myself in possession of an old parchment document i will make one for myself :)
One word: WOW. Congrats on getting this commission in the first place, and then again for such a gorgeous result; they must've been thrilled when you showed them. You are DANG good! :)
Hi Rhonda! I just nominated you for the "Spreader of Love" award...for your ongoing encouragement to all bookmakers and team support. Details are over at my blog...
:)
Rhonda: could you give me the name of a good leather supplier for my books? (in the US). Love your work. You are the one of the most creative binders on the internet. Cheers,Lou
Thank you Louis!
I am not in the USA, so there are probably a lot of good leather sources of which I'm unaware. I started buying leather on Ebay and I still use Ebay - I can get good stuff for limp leather bindings. If you are doing fine bindings, you'd probably want to buy from a bookbinding supplier like Talas (www.talasonline.com) or Hollanders
(www.hollanders.com) so you can be sure of its quality.
Cover looks very perfect, Cover making is your profession>?
Thanks BreitlingReplica.
Well, I suppose my profession is "bookbinder" or "book and paper artist" - it is difficult to commit to a title!
More great work Rhonda.
Regards
Richard
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