Signature Bindery

A wonderful 2000 pound haul from a bindery auction just arrived. It will take a few days to go through but now we have material for a long, long time! Leather to board to tools to cloth to marbled paper and everything in between!

Happy Holidays, all! I wanted to let everyone know that we will be CLOSED to the public during the entirety of 2024 and will not accept new work during that year. We are trying to complete a large private collection on which we have been working for nearly 15 years. I hope to offer some workshops during the year, and we will also stamp names on books if needed. I will post the names of a couple other binders you can use if you have something that you need done before 2025. We will be available by appointment for those of you who have items here to pick up when the are ready. Apologies for the inconvenience. We hope you all have wonderful holidays and a great 2024. We will see you again in 2025!

Apologies for using my business site to promote my personal venture, but I wanted to let you know that your bookbinder actually has a few other interests! Almost five years ago, my buddies and I unexpectedly lost a good friend who inspired us all into the world of board games. We always affectionately referred to him as the "Dragonmaster." After he left us, we decide to create our own board game of sorts as an homage to our friend. So now, these years later, we have put up our game on Kickstarter! DragonMaster is not a stand alone game; rather, it is an expansion you can add to any other board games you play. I hope you will take a look and consider your support on our Kickstarter page. If you are not a board game fan, perhaps you know friends or family with whom you can share this post. Thank you for indulging me! I must get back to paring some leather....

DragonMaster A Latch-on Game is a universal expansion you incorporate into many tabletop board games. Add a little chaos into your games!

Our senior employee. Millton hasn’t missed a day of work in nearly12 years, except for that little incident with the ear.

Millton just made himself comfortable on the sewing frame after his lunch. Now if he could just sew this 15th century vellum Missal instead of lounging , then I could take a nap instead…

Apparuti “He restored ancient books from collections and museums around the world” passed away Apparuti “He restored ancient books from collections and museums around the world” passed away Gianfranco Apparuti, one of the most profound connoisseurs of the art of binding ancient books, has passed away at the age of 81. An invaluable heritage of knowledge goes with him: “He was able to re...

This adorable calf will live long in history, as it’s hide will become the spine and corners of nearly a hundred 19th century volumes of “Philosophical Magazine and Journal of Science.”

Millton says, “stay home! (but come give me a little treat first)”

Bah, Humbug!

Sometimes you just need to stop and admire the old sewing.

Ribbons for Equality.

That’s a lotta Lorax!

Here’s how you can win one of the books we helped produce!

When you wake up Friday morning to work and you think… not just yet.

Some familiar hands… excited to be a part of this with porridge papers! More to come today!

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UNLESS someone like you cares a whole awful lot…

Are you one of the ones who cares a whole awful lot? If so, we have a special announcement this Friday, Earth Day, that you won’t want to miss.

Its the end of the road for these nine goats.

A very incunabular kitty.

If you wandered by the bindery today you may have seen our Sally sewing a 15th century vellum Antiphonary. This volume came out of Spain and would have been used by a liturgical choir to sing the chants used during Mass. Once sewn, we will attach the original boards and reback in aged leather.

Late night cuddle session with our shop cat Millton. He’s protecting me from the bug scary booms outside…

Love when a new shipment of calfskin arrives! So many books!!!

Like the ancient Pharaoh reposing in his palanquin, Millton wonders, “when is this thing going to move already???”

It is time for this old friend to find a fresh home. This has served me well for almost 25 years. This is a 40” board shear with rolling and locking guide and clamp. This is for the serious bookbinder with room in their shop. It has cut tens of thousands of boards just in the time I had it. It was made by George H. Sanborn and Sons in the late 1800s. The original wooden box was deteriorated and I discarded it and never needed one again. If you prefer one to catch the cuttings I can make one to fit upon purchase. This is a local pickup only but if you want to arrange pickup and shipping I can get it on a pallet and secure it. I’m asking $2500 for it. I recently purchased a smaller one for my use from now on.

Old, large-format sewing frame. 36” between the posts. Well used but in very nice condition. This one spent much of its life in an old print shop and was used for large ledgers and newspapers. Very useful or just a great showpiece. $200 firm. Shipping available.

I have a couple sewing frames that will be wanting new homes. 27” between the posts. Shipping available. $125.00 each or best offer.