The Art and Craft of Fine Book Binding

The Folio Society, an English publisher and reprinter of classic works of literature, old and modern, uses The Fine Book Bindery in Wellingborough, England, for some (all?) of their fine binding projects. For instance, this Folio Society centenary edition of Kenneth Grahame's classic, The Wind in the Willows, was recently published in a limited run of 1,000 copies at $1,195.00 each. And there are none remaining.

Bookbinding and illustration is hopefully not a dying craft. Paying for such works of art begs the same question of priorities as does any non-necessary expenditure. But perhaps fine art and craft are necessary for the soul to flourish. At any rate, though I can't afford to participate in such luxuries, I enjoy knowing that the fine art of bookbinding is still being pursued—not surprisingly, in England.

For those interested, there is a series of brief slide shows on The Fine Book Bindery web site showing the steps that go into the production of a volume such as the above—the volume illustrated in the slide shows is The Rubáiyát of Omar Khayyám.