Art Practice Commons^™

A Brief History Of Book_Arts-L, Peter D. Verheyen

Librarian Publications

ON JUNE 1ST OF 2023 Book_Arts-L was migrated from Syracuse University’s servers to Emory University. This date is a month shy of the list's 29th anniversary, an eternity in the online world. But, what is Book_Arts-L, and why did the author create it? An expanded version of this article can be found at https://pressbengel.blogspot.com/2023/10/a-brief-history-of-bookarts-l-1994-2023.html

Fish Tales, Experiments With Fish Skin For Bookbinding, Peter D. Verheyen

Librarian Publications

Tanned fish skin has been used in binding for decorative elements such as inlays and onlays, but it has a much longer history of use for clothing, sword handles, objets d’art, and other applications across global cultures. This article describes the history of fish skin in bookbinding, how to prepare parchment, basic materials testing, and shows bindings works by the author and others.

Bookbindings By Peter D. Verheyen, An Exhibition At Maxwell Library, Bridgewater State University, 2019, Peter D. Verheyen

Librarian Publications

Checklist for the invitational solo exhibition of book bindings created by Peter D. Verheyen 2009 - 2018. The exhibition was held at the Maxwell Library Rare Book Room, Bridgewater State University (MA), February 1 - April 5, 2019. More bindings can be viewed at https://www.philobiblon.com/pdvgal/pdvgal.htm

Teaching Book Arts At Syracuse University Libraries, Peter D. Verheyen

Librarian Publications

Slides for presentation on teaching book arts to varying levels of students and community groups by the speaker at Syracuse University Libraries. 10 minute "shorts" presentation given at the Syracuse University Libraries’ Unconference: Identifying Our Role, Impacts, and Opportunities on our Campus!

The Bone Folder By Ernst Collin (2nd Ed.), Peter D. Verheyen, Ernst Collin

Librarian Publications

DER PRESSBENGEL / THE BONE FOLDER: A DIALOGUE BETWEEN AN AESTHETICALLY- INCLINED BIBLIOPHILE AND A WELL-VERSED-IN-ALL-ASPECTS-OF-THE- CRAFT BOOKBINDER By Ernst Collin, translated and introduced by Peter D. Verheyen Der Pressbengel, by Ernst Collin, was originally published in German in 1922. Conceived as a dialogue between a bibliophile and a master bookbinder on all aspects of the bookbinding craft as well as specific techniques, the text also addresses the conflicts between quality and cost and matters of good taste. The family and bindery of W. Collin were Court Bookbinders in Berlin from the mid 1800 until the "liquidation" of the …

Platten En Perkament, Peter D. Verheyen, Marlene Hoogeveen (Translator)

Librarian Publications

Translation into Dutch for Handboekbinden (Journal of the Stichting Handboekbinden) by Marlene Hoogeveen of: Peter D. Verheyen. "Vellum on Boards" The Guild of Book Workers Journal 39 (2004). Vellum is arguably one of the most beautiful binding materials in use, and at the same time one of the least used in modern design bindings. While it is often used in limp bindings, its use “over hard boards” has been much more limited. A study of the bookbinding literature reveals it being covered in-depth to a larger degree in German language trade manuals than in English. This could explain their seemingly …

"Tuxedo" Phase Box (3 Variants), David J. Stokoe, Department Of Preservation And Conservation

Librarian Publications

These diagrams depict 3 variants of the "tuxedo-style phase box,"a simple, low-cost, enclosure made from 20pt acid-free folder stock. It is designed to protect brittle, deteriorated, "low priority" items.

Paper Spine For Thin Volumes, Donia J. Conn, Department Of Preservation And Conservation

Librarian Publications

Similar in concept to the Molded Paper Spine, this treatment is intended for materials in the collection printed before 1800 in which the text block is less than 1cm thick. The technique comes from Frank Mowery at the Folger Shakespeare Library.

Conservation Re-Casing (Binding), Donia Conn, Peter D. Verheyen, Department Of Preservation And Conservation

Librarian Publications

Conservation recasing is a way to preserve our 19th and 20th century materials in which the bindings have failed and, in many cases, been lost over time. It is not intended to be used on valuable bindings or volumes printed before 1800. The structure used is based on the German (Bradel) case binding.

Mylar Phase Box, Donia J. Conn, Department Of Preservation And Conservation

Librarian Publications

The Mylar phased box is a simple, low-cost, enclosure made from 20pt acid-free folder stock and heavy weight Mylar to create a see through wrapper for higher end items. This box comes from the Folger Shakespeare Library and was designed by Linda Blaser.

"Molded" Paper Spine Binding, Donia J. Conn, Department Of Preservation And Conservation

Librarian Publications

The molded paper spine is a rebacking/recasing structure intended for leather-bound books for which the covers have deteriorated too much to be salvageable. The new molded paper spine looks very much like leather and is very strong.

Polyester Encapsulation Using An Edge Welder, Donia J. Conn, Peter D. Verheyen, Department Of Preservation And Conservation

Librarian Publications

Step-by-step instructions for encapsulating documents and other flat paper-based items in polyester film (mylar) using an edge welder.

Exhibition Cradles For Books, Donia J. Conn, Department Of Preservation And Conservation

Librarian Publications

Instructions for making cradles to properly support books while on exhibit. Materials used include Vivak (a bendable plastic) and mat board.

Drop Spine Box, Donia J. Conn, Peter D. Verheyen, Department Of Preservation And Conservation

Librarian Publications

Step-by-step instructions for measuring and assembling a drop-spine box for the housing or rare books and other materials.

Corrugated Drop Spine Box, David J. Stokoe, Department Of Preservation And Conservation

Librarian Publications

Step-by-step instructions for measuring and assembling a drop-spine box made from a single sheet of corrugated board for the housing or rare books and other materials.

Windowed Drop Spine Box, Donia J. Conn, Department Of Preservation And Conservation

Librarian Publications

Step-by-step instructions for measuring and assembling a drop-spine box for the housing or rare books and other materials. This variant of box features a clear spine area allowing the contents to be seen when the box is closed.

Phase Box, Donia J. Conn, Peter D. Verheyen, Department Of Preservation And Conservation

Librarian Publications

The "phase box" is a simple, low-cost, enclosure made from 20pt acid-free folder stock. It is designed to protect brittle, deteriorated, "low priority" items.

Where Book Art And Technology Mingle, Peter D. Verheyen, Richard Minsky

Librarian Publications

Interview of Peter D. Verheyen by Richard Minsky. Peter Verheyen, conservator, bookbinder, and creator of the Books Arts Web, discusses the current state of book arts. Although he creates impeccable fine bindings that have won international awards, Peter Verheyen's huge contribution to the field of book art has little to do with making or conserving physical books. His magum opus is the Book Arts Web (philobiblon.com), the main location on the Internet for book art information and resources, from online exhibitions to tutorials, opportunities, blogs, and reference materials.

Bookbinding & Conservation: A Sixty-Year Odyssey Of Art And Craft By Don Etherington, Peter D. Verheyen

Librarian Publications

For those involved with bookbinding, book conservation, or with the Guild of Book Workers, Don Etherington needs no introduction – he has served as a teacher, mentor, and friend. Now, with Bookbinding & Conservation: A Sixty-year Odyssey of Art and Craft we can read about how he came to enter this field, was influenced by his teachers and mentors, and how he helped shape the world of bookbinding and conservation. "Bookbinding & Conservation: A Sixty-year Odyssey of Art and Craft" contains a forward by Bernard Middleton, another leader in the field, and one who needs little introduction himself. It is …

Bookbinding & Conservation: A Sixty-Year Odyssey Of Art And Craft By Don Etherington, Peter D. Verheyen

Librarian Publications

For those involved with bookbinding, book conservation, or with the Guild of Book Workers, Don Etherington needs no introduction – he has served as a teacher, mentor, and friend. Now, with Bookbinding & Conservation: A Sixty-year Odyssey of Art and Craft we can read about how he came to enter this field, was influenced by his teachers and mentors, and how he helped shape the world of bookbinding and conservation.

"Bookbinding & Conservation: A Sixty-year Odyssey of Art and Craft" contains a forward by Bernard Middleton, another leader in the field, and one who needs little introduction himself. It is …

Der Gebrochene Rücken: A Variation Of The German Case Binding, Peter D. Verheyen

Librarian Publications

The “gebrochene rücken” is variant of the German case “Bradel” binding, something often described as the quintessential German binding structure. It is precise and adaptive to a variety of needs and aesthetic considerations can be worked “in boards” or as a case. Its closest modern relative is the simplified binding (reliure simplifée) as demonstrated by Sün Evrard and Laura Wait. While there are structural differences (that are not as great as one would think given that one is German and the other French), what both these bindings have in common is that they allow for the use of different covering …

The Bone Folder By Ernst Collin, Peter D. Verheyen

Librarian Publications

DER PRESSBENGEL/THE BONE FOLDER: A DIALOGUE BETWEEN AN AESTHETICALLY- INCLINED BIBLIOPHILE AND A WELL-VERSED-IN-ALL-ASPECTS-OF-THE- CRAFT BOOKBINDER By Ernst Collin, translated and introduced by Peter D. Verheyen Der Pressbengel, by Ernst Collin, was originally published in German in 1922. This is its first translation into English. Conceived as a dialogue between a bibliophile and a master bookbinder on all aspects of the bookbinding craft as well as specific techniques, the text also addresses the conflicts between quality and cost and matters of good taste. An introduction by the translator discusses the historical context of the decline of formal training, a trend …

The Changing Book: Transitions In Design, Production, And Preservation, Peter D. Verheyen

Librarian Publications

This book review was originally published in the Guild of Book Workers' Newsletter, Vol 181, December, 2008. "The Changing Book: Transitions in Design Production, and Preservation publishes the proceedings of the conference of the same name organized by and held at the University of Iowa July 22-25,2005. This conference tied together many threads, from an exhibition honoring the life's work of William (Bill) Anthony, the first conservator at the University of Iowa and teacher to some of today's best, to a "tent show" which gave the public the opportunity to learn about the book arts hands-on, to 19 formal presentations …

Member Profiles: Karen Hanmer And Peter Verheyen, Peter D. Verheyen, Karen H. Hanmer

Librarian Publications

This is the second in a continuing series of interviews of Guild members. Current and former Exhibitions Chairs Karen Hanmer and Peter Verheyen met at Standards in Chicago in 1999. She never dreamed his subliminal messages would entice her from making “freaky-foldies” to become a binder. He never suspected she would attempt to seduce him to the other side with odd examples of vaguely book-like ephemera. They share an appreciation of fine craft, spare design, and excessively robust (read Teutonic) endsheets.

William Anthony Fine Binder, Peter D. Verheyen

Librarian Publications

William “Bill” Anthony (1926-1989) was arguably one of the most influential bookbinders and conservators in the US. His impact cannot be measured by his work alone but also by his legacy as demonstrated by all those he trained, many of whom are now leaders in the field in their own right. Lawrence Yerkes’ forward and Helen Ryan’s introduction to the catalog describe not only Anthony’s life and work, but also the emotional bond they had with him and his spirit that touched so many.

The German Case Binding, Peter D. Verheyen

Librarian Publications

The case (Bradel) binding is the most common, general purpose binding structure in use by binders in Germany. What sets it apart from other case bindings is that the cover boards and spine stiffener are joined together with a strip of sturdy paper before covering. This allows the covers to be fit precisely to the textblock, especially at the joint and fore-edge. For this reason the structure is also very well suited to beginners. Books using this structure are generally covered in full cloth, paper, or a combination of the two. The structure is not well suited to leather binding …

Springback Ledger Bindings, Peter D. Verheyen

Librarian Publications

During his introduction, Richard Baker described how, while Deputy Head of the Conservation Bindery of the Johns Hopkins University Library'he was introduced to the springback binding. The historical development of the springback, originally patented in Great Britain in 1799 by John and Joseph Williams, is described in Bernard Middleton's History of English Craft Bookbinding, but Middleton does not detail the steps required to complete a binding. The springbackalso has a long history in the German binding tradition, where it continues to see regular use, especially for guestbooks. As a style, the springback is firmly rooted in the "trade" binding tradition. …

Millimeter Binding / Edelpappband, Peter D. Verheyen

Librarian Publications

What we call the “millimeter” binding in North America is a “nobler” version of the German “pappband,” or paper binding, hence the name “edelpappband.” The technique is based on the German case (Bradel) binding which is covered in paper. What distinguishes the technique is that cloth, leather, or vellum trim is added to the head and tail, foredges, and/or corners for greater durability, making the book more elegant at the same time. This article describes how to complete a binding using this technique.

Vellum On Boards, Peter D. Verheyen

Librarian Publications

Vellum is arguably one of the most beautiful binding materials in use, and at the same time one of the least used in modern design bindings. While it is often used in limp bindings, its use “over hard boards” has been much more limited. A study of the bookbinding literature reveals it being covered in-depth to a larger degree in German language trade manuals than in English. This could explain their seemingly greater popularity in Germany, as evidenced by reproductions in exhibition catalogs and other publications. With a decline in traditional training opportunities, it is becoming increasing difficult to find …

The Springback: Account Book Binding, Peter D. Verheyen, Donia Conn

Librarian Publications

These instructions for making a springback account book are derived from my notes as an apprentice at the Kunstbuchbinderei Klein, with adaptations over time. While my training is in the German tradition, the steps outlined should not be radically different from the English tradition. Although the technique was originally patented in Great Britain in 1799 by John and Joseph Williams,) the authors have found very few descriptions of this method in contemporary English language texts. Alex J. Vaughan describes the technique with great detail in Section II, 'Stationery Binding' of Modern Bookbinding. There is also an historical mention in Bernard …