Book #355

ARCH. CAP. S. PIETRO,
Distribuzioni, feste e mandati 31

This is the last binding that I have to show from my models of Langwe's Limp Bindings from the Vatican Library. It was another tricky one that was originally two distinct textblocks that were bound independently and later combined into a single volume.

Book #354

Stamp. Pal. IV 957

Another of the limp bindings examined in Limp Bindings from the Vatican Library. This model is based on a bound thesis that was written in the 1520s.

Book #353

Arch. Chig. 631

Another limp binding based on the research of Monica Langwe and this one is modelled after a financial records book from the 1690s. It was a tricky one to emulate since there are two distinct textblocks inside, bound separately then combined.

Book #350

Arch. Cap. S. Pietro, Ricordi 11

Today's binding is another model of an historical record book (from the 1500s) described by Langwe in her book Limp Bindings from the Vatican Library.

Book #344

Arch. Cap. S. Pietro, Quietanze 15

Another model based on a book examined by Langwe. A very nice structure with a raised cord sewing and endbands, tacketed to an outer parchment cover - although I used paper for my cover.

Book #343

Stamp. Pal. V 1149

Today's book is bound on double raised leather cords and tacketed to a cover wrapper. This is modeled on one of the books examined in Limp Bindings from the Vatican Library.

Book #342

Stamp. Pal. V 1852

Back to my efforts of recreating the bindings examined in Langwe's book Limp Bindings from the Vatican Library. Today's model is based on a book from 1564 that had its signatures sewn directly to a parchment cover using this very tricky method that is supposed to have a tidy little bead chain formed along the top and bottom of each set of stitches - I tried but the technique looks much better on the original.

Also, it is World Book Day! A good thing to celebrate.

Book #335

Stamp. Pal. V 1075

This book is another model based on the books examined by Langwe in Limp Bindings from the Vatican Library. The original was a religious treatise from the 1500s. The stitching technique is quite tricky and I did not really master it. There is a bead, or chain, formed at the top and bottom of each row of stitching - and mine are not very consistent. The original book had 23 sections and I used only ten - it occurs to me that the chain would get easier to form and look more consistent as more sections are added.

Book #334

Arch. Cap. S. Pietro,
Campomorto, libri di grani e bestiame 10

The title of today's binding is another of the books examined by Langwe in her book Limp Bindings from the Vatican Library. She described the construction of this ledger book from the 1730s and I have used her notes to make my model shown here. In fact, this might be my new favorite limp vellum binding. The textblock is bound using unsupported link stitches with an integrated headband and then the textblock is very effectively tacketed to the parchment wrapper. It all comes together really well.

Book #330

S. Maria in Cosmedin X111 2

My book for today is another model based on the research of Monica Langwe, as presented in her book Limp Bindings from the Vatican Library. It is a collection of loose sheets, letters, etc, contained within two gatherings. The two gatherings are then tied inside a lined parchment wrapper with turn-ins, yapp edges, and leather ties.

Book #329

Arch. Cap. S. Pietro, Puntature Bis 35

The name of this binding, shown above, is the name of a 16th Century notebook that is described by Monica Langwe in her book "Limp Bindings from the Vatican Library." Using her notes, I have created this model of that book using the same simple stitching, inside wrapper, and outer decorative paper covering.

Book #284

Tegumentum Violaceum

This is another limp binding model based on the books examined in Limp Bindings from Tallin. The original was a church's record of accounts in the late 15th Century. Certainly one of the trickier books I have made recently. The textblock is sewn on double raised cords and then attached to the cover with tackets and there is a small wooden support in between the layers of leather.

Book #283

Tegumentum Rubicundum

Today's binding is made in the manner of a 16th Century town register that Langwe examined. The primary binding is actually sewn onto double raised cords, after which the textblock is tacketed to the cover. Apparently the original had 54 signatures! I didn't use quite so many.

Book #282

Tegumentum Fuscum

Another of the bindings examined in Limp Bindings from Tallinn.

Book #281

Tegumentum Candidum

Tegumentum candidum is another binding examined by Monica Langwe Berg in her book Limp Bindings from Tallinn. The original was a merchant's book from the early 1400s, with direct tacketing. I used artificial sinew for the stitching rather than parchment strips.

Book #280

Tegumentum Cinereum

Another book for November, the tegumentum cinereum, which is one of the bindings examined by Monica Langwe Berg in her book Limp Bindings from Tallinn. Rather than recycling a parchment document for the cover like the original, I have used a woodblock letterpress collage that I made for the cover. Red stitching and red leather straps. The extra blanket stitching on the spine stitches is an attractive feature.

Book #273

Tegumentum Spadix

I tried another of the bindings from Langwe's book for today. The attachment of each signature is similar to a tacket binding. The original book had a parchment cover, with parchment reinforcement on the spine and inside each signature and the cover was closed with a hook and eye. I have used a sturdy handmade paper rather than parchment, but otherwise I have tried to duplicate the structure - including the hook and eye which I fashioned crudely from a bit of wire.

Book #272

Tegumentum Rubrum

The book that I made for today is a binding that Monica Langwe examined in her book, Limp Bindings from Tallin. It is a tacket binding and a cover of two layers of leather with a toggle closure.

Book #164

Tegumentum subflavum

Today's book is a copy of the structure of Tegumentum subflavum, a limp binding at the Tallinn City Archives. It is an interwoven longstitch sewing. This is one of the limp binding structures explored by Monica Langwe in her book Limp bindgins from Tallinn.

Limp bindings from Tallinn

I recently received Limp bindings from Tallinn by Monica Langwe Berg. Oh my goodness, what a wonderful book. She has examined a set of limp leather bindings at the Tallinn City Archives in Estonia and in this book she reveals them to us with photos, diagrams, and terrific descriptions. In addition, she juxtaposes a series of contemporary interpretive bindings by professional bookbinders from Sweden and Estonia. The book itself is lovely too, with medieval style illustrations, offset print, gorgeous paper... and I just found out that there was a limited edition of 100 bound using a limp leather structure - how perfect!

Check out the last issue of The Bonefolder to read her teaser article about this book.

Monica Langwe's website: www.langwe.se