Ljubljana 8-19 November 2010 Workshop.

Ljubljana 8-19 November 2010 Workshop.

Title: 'AN EXEMPLAR FOR STIFF-BOARD BINDING'

Tutor: Prof. Christopher CLARKSON, Oxford, UK

Organizer: Prof. Dr. Jedert Vodopivec

Place: National Archives, Ljubljana, Slovenia

The purpose of this Workshop is not one of recreating an historical bookbinding model but of extracting the best techniques from the finest periods of Western bookbinding, seen from an engineering/mechanical perspective. In producing this model prof. C. Clarkson wants participants, through discussion, lectures & practical work, to appreciate how interrelated each part is to movements within the whole three-dimensional object.

From this model prof. Clerkson also wish to supply participants with a wide pool of information & techniques, in fact to gain a greater understanding on which to plan conservation & repair of later period stiff-board bindings. During the last day we will be studying a selection of 16 ­ 19th century damaged bindings & discussing the options we have for stabilization & repair of their structures.

An introductory lecture will cover the following:

* From where did many of the features of modern European binding derive?
* Features such as the convex spine, backing shoulders, overlapping boards?

During this session we are going to concentrate upon a binding type that Prof. Clarkson thinks of as a milestone on the way to perceiving answers to these questions. In doing this he hopes an understanding may be gained of not only historical techniques, but also of the asthetic, and qualities in techniques surrounding certain of his modern stiff-board hand binding practices.

Further background.

The manuscript period developed very diverse codex constructions that did not begin to be reduced to a few basic types of binding until the latter part of the 14th century, or even later. When the individual craftsman produced the whole bookbinding, the materials and techniques used were

usually of a high standard. In fact the object not only displayed a wholeness but a natural vitality, a spontaneity, which at first carried on into the printed book period. By 1500 A.D. we begin to see features that suggest greater division of labour, economies in quality of materials used and abbreviations in techniques.

The Workshop will concentrate on making a binding based upon the later laced board binding, which will encompass good features of construction from various types of stiff-board binding. Success will rely on well-judged sewing, board shaping, endbanding and covering, and not on artificial spine

shaping, adhesives or pressing. Care and concentration are required, because in this binding there are few of the in-built tolerances so necessary for the post c.1550 binding trade, or for that matter for today1s average bookbinder. To achieve this will be hard work but by the end of the session Prof. Clarkson hopes you will have understood some of his basic constructional philosophy and some essential techniques that will greatly help you in your future studies."