Workshop on cloth case bindings

Cloth Case Bindings: Their History and Repair
Georgia Archives
Morrow, Georgia
October 24-28, 2016

Instructor: Jeff Peachey

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.

Workshop Fee: $650 which includes materials.

Application deadline: July 15, 2016

The application, and questions about the
facilities/housing/transportation should be sent to Kim Norman
<kim.norman<-at->usg<.>edu>

Morrow is close to Atlanta.  Atlanta is approxmately 20 miles north
of Morrow, a direct drive on I-75, which takes +/- 30 mins.

The Atlanta airport is 12 miles south of town, so it is between
Atlanta and Morrow.

Other questions about the class should be sent to Jeff Peachey
<jeffrey.peachey.gmail.com

Instructor Bio:  Jeffrey S. Peachey is an independent book
conservator and toolmaker.  For more than 25 years, he has
specialized in the conservation of books and paper artifacts for
institutions and individuals as the owner of a New York City-based
studio.  He is Professional Associate in the American Institute for
Conservation, has taught bookbinding history workshops
internationally, and was recently awarded a fellowships at the
Rockefeller Foundation Bellagio Center, Italy and Rochester
Institute of Technology's Cary Collection.  He is the inventor of
the Peachey Board Slotting Machine, which is used in conservation
labs around the world.  His most recent publication is  "Beating,
Rolling and Pressing: The Compression of Signatures in Bookbinding
Prior to Sewing" in Suave Mechanicals: Essays in the History of
Bookbinding, Volume 1.  More information at

    <URL:http://jeffpeachey.com>


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 30:5
                  Distributed: Saturday, June 18, 2016
                        Message Id: cdl-30-5-009
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