This hands-on studio class was taught by Jeff Peachey for a month in June 2019. All LACE students from Buffalo, WUDPAC, NYU, and Queens gathered at Buffalo State to take the workshop.

The workshop focused on developing two essential skills for a book conservator: understanding the history and structure of historic bookbindings by making models of them and gaining competency in fundamental bookbinding craft skills. We made seven book models, working backward in time:

1. 1830’s Cloth Case Hollow Back Binding

2. 1830’s Cloth Case Tight Back Binding

3. 19th-Century Adhered Boards Bindings

4. 19th-Century Laced Boards Bindings

5. Mid 19th-Century Half-Leather Binding

6. 18th-Century French Trade Binding

7. 16th-Century German Binding

Learning about bookbinding required a solid understanding of the tools used to make books. We made, sharpened, and purchased tools. Using a jeweler’s saw and sandpaper, I made a lifting tool out of Delrin bars and strips. We also dedicated a full day to sharpening a Swiss paring knife. Over the weekends, we visited antique markets in search of useful tools for bookbinding and treatment.