Fine & Hand Binding

For over a century we have specialized in the rebinding and repair of bibles and our staff is skilled in all areas of bible work. The bindery stocks both smooth and pebble grained morocco leathers, and we can create simple flexible leather covers on hand-held Bibles or magnificent bindings for pulpit bibles and Books of Common Prayer.

We take pride in the care we give to restoring older family table-top bibles from the 19th century. Books of Remembrance, Hymnals, Missals and other religious works are all rebound or restored to the highest level of workmanship. We also work with calligraphers for special presentation pages or dedications.

We offer a variety of options for producing presentation and limited edition bindings. Any variation of these styles can be done to meet your needs.

1. Title only with raised bands
2. Plain spine with leather label
3. Title only with gold lines by the raised bands
4. Title on label with fake band lines in gold
5. Title with gold lines by bands and gold center tools
6. Title with gilt single line panels and center tools
7. Full gilt panels and center tools in gold
8. Gilt panels and centers with a long panel and diaper design
9. Combination of gold and blind tooling with gold centers and blind strapping coming onto the covers; wide two line gold frame on upper and lower covers

Limited Edition Service

We also provide limited edition service for editions up to 500 copies.

Several of our staff members specialize in leather and cloth repair. We can reattach covers and repair cloth bindings on any kind of book, from children's books to cookbooks.

We also deacidify paper, which neutralizes destructive acids in older paper documents and books, and can undertake simple paper repair.

For rare and fragile materials, we offer all types of portfolios, slipcases and fall-back boxes in leather or cloth. These are used to hold letters and documents, first editions both early and modern ones, with dust jackets. The boxes can be made to be not only practical, but also to look just like a book. The two telescoping trays afford maximum protection with a neat and attractive appearance.

In our shop we have more than 3,000 brass finishing tools for gold work. These allow our finishers to match any binding style, from medieval to modern. We still use genuine gold leaf (not foil) which imparts a brilliance and vitality that is unsurpassed. We stock imported calfskins of excellent quality, along with top grades of Nigerian Moroccos. Our collection of hand marbled papers ranges from 18th century facsimiles to genuine 19th century papers; modern papers include batik, printed stock, and hand marbled papers from craftsmen representing seven countries.

Our staff is also skilled in antique sprinkling techniques, laced-in bindings, and other technical aspects of historical bindings.

We also specialize in creating unique or traditional Books of Remembrance, ledgers, guest books, blank books and diaries.

We are committed to the ideal of producing superior bindings using the best possible materials. We feel a responsibility to help provide such supplies to others who share our ideals. The contacts established during our 100 years in business, and new suppliers recently discovered, make us a clearing-house for quality items needed for quality work.

We sell only what we use. As a result, our catalog is ambitiously small and select. Knowing our stock so well, our staff can answer questions about any item with the authority of direct, hands-on experience.

We trust that our standards are held in common by you, whether professional or amateur, and that you will benefit from our sources of supply.

Resources

Catalog of Supplies

Special items including leather, hand-made papers, bookcloths, used tools and equipment.

Leather

Sharf-Fix Skiving Machine

Edge-Gilding Machine

Book Cloths

Hand-Made Paper

Order Form