mystery mnemonic hand

Further to the pics of the 16th C Antiphonal that I published a few weeks ago this diagram was salvaged from the ruins of the binding. It is apparently a mnemonic device for use with the choral music that was in the Antiphonal.  If anyone knows how it worked I would love to know.  Until then I all I can do is "talk to The Hand".

stamping press for sale

 Time to let my great big stamping press back out into the world.   It saw service for many years in the passport office in Ottawa -your Grannie's passport was probably made with this beast back when they were setting up type by hand and passports were little hardbound books.  It was retired nearly 30 years ago and I was able to acquire it before the scrap heap claimed it. We have used it here for the last 20 odd years for  magnesium stamping dies  up to 11''x11''.  It has a working temperature control, and 3 chases including a 5" self-centring one for titling.  Hand operated with a very powerful lever and cam which lift the bed up to the upper platen.
Comes with a type chest containing 11 drawers of brass and lead type along with an assortment of dingbats.  Useful for hot stamping book covers and/or any other kind of pressing operation where a lot of pressure is needed.  Think of the atmosphere it will provide!                $500 or best offer

studio portraits by Manu

A surprise gift from our lovely friend Manu.  Portraits of all of us here at the studio including a very flattering one of me I have to say.  She's taken about 30 years off my mug. Thanks Manu.  Wunderbar at least.

a new batch of Pointyhead Travel Postcards now available

A new issue of this popular collection of 8 postcards is now available from Pointyhead.

  Impress your friends with a postcard from Mesopotamia, Greenland or even Tlon. Collect them all and watch for new additions to the collection in the near future.

last word on the Wartime Log and the ultimate in Moleskines

 A special copy of The Wartime Log for a friend.  This one features goatskin spine and fore edge strips with sides in a one of my paste papers that I thought had a slight flavour of barbed wire. Suitable for a memoir about life in Stalag Luft III.

 And the last word in fancy Moleskine style bindings - complete with cloth gusseted pocket.  The text block is a special thin but very opaque Japanese machine made paper very successful for use with a fountain pen. Yes, there still such stalwarts out in the world who know the satisfaction of keeping a hand written journal and the unique feel of a good pen.  I should know. I'm one of them.  These were for a customer with good taste.  Now I want one.

Wartime Log Update, a Spitfire Log and Edventures in Fredricton

You may recall from a post here in June that I was working on a Wartime Log. Here's a photo of the new binding. We scanned the original cover art and printed cloth for the new cover. If you missed it and want to know more, here's the link: 

http://www.dontaylorbookbinder.blogspot.ca/2013/06/a-wartime-log-part-i.html

Since then a Pilot's Log has come in from the family of a former Spitfire pilot. It needs to be scanned, and a few copies made. Entries range from "Yippee!!!" to "Excellent Bombing" to the brief poignant recording of a friend's death. 

A week in Fredericton, NB teaching a bookbinding sampler. Projects ranged from a package of Japanese bindings, a Medieval style binding, a box and a Moleskine.

The photo below is from a one day workshop creating a Medieval style journal with a flexible leather cover.

Medieval Journal Workshop in Haliburton, July 6, 2013

Here are some of the results of the Medieval Journal class I taught for the Haliburton School of the Arts last weekend. Paper by Papeterie Saint Armand of Montreal. The book featured exposed, long and link stitch sewing and a closure which employed a purpose built button made from leather and vellum.