Book Models
This page includes bookbinding models crafted through in-person and virtual workshops with Flavio Marzo, Giovani Pagani, Jeff Peachey, Karen Hanmer, Katherine Kelly, and Tamara Ohanya, in addiyion to auto-didactical projects from the comfort of my home.
This page is periodically updated
“Nag Hammadi” Style Single-Quire Coptic Binding
(4th-Century C.E.)
The Nag Hammadi codices are (mostly) single-quire papyrus codices produced in Egypt in the 4th century. Discovered in Nag Hammadi, Egypt, the ten surviving codices (originally eleven) currently are housed at the Coptic Musem in Cairo. They are considered the oldest surviving complete texts in the Christian tradition and contain the only known complete copy of the Gospel of Thomas, in addition to prayers, and apocryphal writings.
Features:
Single-quire papyrus textblock secured to the leather wrapper by parchment strips laced through two leather stubs.
Model crafted in 2021, WUDPAC
Unsupported Eastern Style Binding Type II
(5th to 18th-Century C.E.)
Used typically from the Early Middle Ages to the 18th century in the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East, commonly with book block in paper. Type II is the most common type of codex configuration found in the Islamic tradition. This codex has a flap attached to the lower cover that folds over the fore-edge when the book is closed. The textblock is sewn separately from the case, which is assembled at a different step and then is attached to the textblock by means of doublure hinges which perform the board-to-textblock attachment.
Features:
The text block was sewn on two sewing stations.
A spine lining of linen was applied to secure and stabilize the book-block.
Islamic end bands (primary and secondary sewing) were executed at head and tail.
The cover was made in one piece with front flap.
Model crafted in 2017, SGPS
Type III Leather-framed with paper sides
(19th century C.E. )
The Nag Hammadi codices are (mostly) single-quire papyrus codices produced in Egypt in the 4th century. Discovered in Nag Hammadi, Egypt, the ten surviving codices (originally eleven) currently are housed at the Coptic Musem in Cairo. They are considered the oldest surviving complete texts in the Christian tradition and contain the only known complete copy of the Gospel of Thomas, in addition to prayers, and apocryphal writings.
Features:
Single-quire papyrus textblock secured to the leather wrapper by parchment strips laced through two leather stubs.
Model crafted in 2021, WUDPAC
Medieval Girdle Book on Blue Suede Leather
(13th - 16th-Century C.E.)
Small portable codex with a one-piece suede leather cover extending over the length of the book’s wooden boards in a long tampered-tail consolidated with a Turkish knot at the end which could be tucked under one’s belt.
Features:
The text block was sewn all-along on two cord double sewing supports.
A spine lining of linen was applied to secure and stabilize the book-block.
Bead on the edge and bead on the spine primary and secondary endbands were executed at head and tail.
Boards were shaped with rasps and files and the supports were laced on.
A one-piece suede leather covering was adhered to the wooden boards and consolidated at the tail in a Turkish knot.
Model crafted in 2020, Hanmer
Italian Tacketed Stationery Bindings, San Gemini Archives
(14th to 19th-Century)
From the 14th through the 19th centuries, tacketed stationery books were used for day, letter, and account books and were therefore intended for daily use and excessive handling.
Features:
A limp vellum binding and leather binding with laced overbands and a fore edge flap.
The textblock was sewn over three split leather thongs, which were laced through the front cover and be secured under the overbands.
The cover was be reinforced with stiff leather overbands, secured to the cover with decorative alum tawed lacings.
Model crafted in 2017, SGPS
Limp Parchment (Laced Case) Binding
(15th to 18th-Century C.E.)
Sewing structure commonly found in Southwestern Europe from the 15th to 18th centuries with book blocks in parchment and paper.
Features:
The book block was sewn on two single alum tawed support with all-along packed sewing.
A spine lining of Japanese paper was applied to the spine to secure the book block.
End bands with primary sewing on alum tawed cores were made.
A soft laced cover was created to protect the book block.
Model crafted in 2017, SGPS
Gothic German Binding
(16th-Century)
Features:
These codices were bound in smooth alum tawed skin over oak wooden boards, in this case pis skin was used instead.
Traditionally, the alum tawed skin was heavily hand tooled.
The oak wooden boards are shaped with files and rasps in different configurations, the bevel edge profile configuration is the one we applied to our model.
The textblock is sewn all-along on raised double cord sewing supports which elegantly transfer through the leather spine as we can see here.
These books have functional brass clasps.
Model crafted in 2021, HBSP
French Leather Binding
(18th-Century )
This style of binding was extremely common in France during the 18th century. and they are easily recognized today by their marbled leather, blue and white endbands, French curled marbled endpapers and vermilion-sprinkled edges.
Model crafted in 2021, HBSP
English Half Leather Bindings
(Mid-19th-Century)
Features:
It’s sewn on recessed cords and the spine has straps of leather or cord stuck to it, which once covered with leather, imitate traditional raised cords found on medieval codices.
These books also have bead on the edge endbands.
Have marbled papers decorating its sides and pastedowns.
Model crafted in 2021, HBSP
Publisher’s Binding
(19th-Century)
An inexpensive retail style of binding that emerged in England in the mid-eighteenth century. They are most often bound on paper and described as temporary bindings because they were meant to be rebound, in a fine binding material such as leather, by the purchaser. In reality, these modest books were also intended to help meet the growing demand for books at an affordable cost for the common people.
Features:
It consists of a sewn textblock with a smooth spine - it was sewn on recessed cords.
The textblock does not have endbands.
Additionally, the covers were made of very thin pasteboard covered in olive, brown or blue paper with the spine covered in tan paper.
Model crafted in 2021, HBSP
Photo Credits:
“Header”: Jim Schneck