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Oak Knoll Press 17
The Henry Davis Gift
A Collection of Bookbindings
Volume III: A Catalogue of South European Bindings
by Mirjam M. Foot
This much anticipated third and final volume of The Henry Davis Gift focuses on
South and East European fine bindings, with additional sections on Oriental and
American bindings. It includes many new identifications, and owners and binders are
discussed comprehensively. Not only have the decorative features of every binding
been described and illustrated, details of structure have also been described, and consequently,
it is now possible to compare and contrast bookbinders’ practices in the
various countries, as evident from this splendid collection of fine bindings. Although
this volume focuses on Southern Europe, it also includes bindings from the Middle
East, Mexico, and the United States. Two bindings overlooked in Volume II are also
included. As in Volume II, this volume has been arranged according to country, and
then further organized chronologically. In the introduction, Foot explains how her
views and methods have changed and how, as a result, she has altered specific descriptions
and structural elements. The text also contains indices of binders and of owners.
This is an invaluable book for all academic libraries, for antiquarian booksellers,
for collectors, and for all interested in the history of the book.
2010, hardcover, 8.5 x 10.75 inches, 528 pages Volume II: 1983, hardcover, 8.5 x 10.75 inches, 368 pages
ISBN 9781584562726, Order No. 102273, $125.00 ISBN 9780904654738, Order No. 104824, $140.00
Available outside North America from our co-publisher The British Library
2009, paperback, 9 x 9.75 inches, 216 pages
ISBN 9781584562689, Order No. 102152, $59.95
Available outside North and South America from our co-publisher The British Library
Fine Bookbinding
A Technical Guide
by Jen Lindsay
The purpose of this book is to guide the reader through the sequence
of operations involved in creating a book bound in leather, or a “fine binding.”
The author defines a fine binding as a book fully covered in leather, with
leather-jointed endpapers, gilt edges, and leather doublures. Although a basic
knowledge of bookbinding terms and techniques is assumed, this book is
meant for both novice and experienced bookmakers. The book is intended to
be used as an active guide during the process of fine binding. It is arranged into
sixteen sections, in the order of how they are to be undertaken (or a “sequence
of operations”), beginning with preliminary work and ending with preparing
and putting in leather doublures. Each section includes appropriately numbered
instructions so that the user can find his or her place in the sequence of
operations and have a reference for what step is next. There are also numbered
explanatory sections that include a rationale (why you do it) and technique
(how you do it). The work includes close to 300 black-and-white illustrations,
four appendices, and a bibliography.
“An outstanding, detailed, step-by-step manual that ...
has set the bar high for future fine binding manuals.”
- Frank Lehmann, Guild of Bookworkers
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