Bookbinding Workshop

bookbinding

THIS WORKSHOP IS FULL.

Led by Ramon Townsend of Colonial Bindery, Exton, Pa, participants will take home a blank book they create in the workshop, using the methods that were employed from about the first century through the mid 19th century. They will hand sew the book sections (called signatures); secure the hard covers; add a leather or cloth spine, and decorative paper, to the covers; and lay down the endpapers. Students will also be provided step-by-step written instructions they can take home.

Workshop instructor Ramon Townsend studied paper marbling and hand bookbinding under the Master and Journeymen bookbinders at Colonial Williamsburg. Colonial Williamsburg has an apprenticeship program where it passes on traditional handcrafts. Part of the training was to demonstrate and teach the crafts to visitors and Ramon learned paper marbling, paper making and printing, and bookbinding. After his work at the Bindery for a few years, he continued to perform bookbinding and marbling, including rebinding/restoring used and rare books. In 2012, Ramon and his daughter Danielle started Colonial Bindery which offers repairing and rebinding book services.

Participants can also enjoy the exhibit “Calligraphy and Bookbinding: Twentieth Century Artists: Fritz and Trudi Eberhardt” that is on display until April 16, 2016 at the Heritage Center. The exhibit showcases their fine artistry with examples of their bookbinding work.

Preregistration is necessary as the workshop size is limited to only six participants to allow for individualized instruction. The Bookbinding Workshop fee is $55 ($50 member) plus a $10 materials fee.