Bookbinders Workshop

This was the FIRST professionally produced bookbinding instructional video in the world. Made in 1997, the tips and techniques contained in this 86Min video are timeless. Filmed in [then] Mr. Chrisman's Amish Country bookbindery, he demonstrates his proven techniques for beginning to restore books, such as repairing broken/loose sections, consolidating dry leather, tools needed, etc.

In this nearly three hour video, Mr. Chrisman demonstrates the complete and historically correct re-backing and restoration of an early 18th century book, London, 1728. The project begins with the cover boards detached, paste-downs that had floated off over time (but still present), loose turn-ins, a broken end-band, and so on. Mr. Chrisman transforms this once life-less book into a beautifully restored tome that has the look and feel of a superbly preserved original binding. Every aspect of the work is fully demonstrated and explained on camera.

Fine Leather "In-lay" and "On-lay" Design Binding (in the French tradition Fine Leather Full-Leather Biniding With Raided Bands In this Volume Seven of the Bookbinders Workshop Instructional Series, the well-known 'husband and wife' team of Don Etherington & Monique Lallier present in complete 'step-by-step' detail: Fine Full-Leather Binding With Raised Bands, and Design Binding With Leather "Inlays" and "Onlays" in the French Tradition. Don begins with a book that is ready to be covered, and he takes you through every step of the process to achieve a fine, full-leather binding. He shares all of his special nuances, including his own technique for achieving smooth, beautiful leather corners! Monique fully demonstrates and explains her well-known "French-Style" leather inlay's & onlay's for design binding. Many mysteries are revealed as she demonstrates each and every step of how to achieve truly beautiful designs in leather! This bookbinding instructional DVD is unlike any ever made

In this video of the Bookbinders Workshop Instructional Series, Mr. Chrisman teaches many long proven 'Tips' from his book restoration bench that will greatly aid both the practicing and beginning bookbinder and book restorer. This DVD includes tips that will beautifully enhance any book restoration project. In addition, Mr. Chrisman teaches how to pare leather and to sharpen leather paring knives, two items that have often been a stumbling block to many bookbinders. All the 'tips' demonstrated here on camera are taught in a concise forthright manner.

This "4 hour / two disc set" video (made in 2006) demonstrates EVERY step of authentically restoring a typical 19th Century Family Bible. No short-cuts. The select leather carving technique used by Mr. Chrisman for over 30 years is detailed 'close-up', as well as every other facet of this fine work. Countless people have used this video [alone] to begin a bookbinding business. FOUR hours of concise, forthright instruction. The entire process is captured here on camera, leaving no technique unexplained and demonstrated.

"The Restoration of Books" film made by Roger Hill for the Royal College of Art, London. The late Peter Waters was the script consultant and he is shown here making a leather binding, among other operations in the film. Also shown (toward the end) is the making of a limp vellum binding. This very interesting video was made in 1968 about the ongoing book restoration effort at the National Library in Florence, Italy. In 1966, the River Arno flooded the area to a depth of about 15 feet, severely damaging hundreds of thousands of books. It can be safely said that hardly was there another individual that took this restoration effort to heart as much as did the late Peter Waters, whose long and important career (largely influenced by working with Roger Powell in the early days) did much for making the world of bookbinding great, wonderful, and respected. Enjoy the video, and, more importantly, reflect on the LOVE that it took to do this work! Global society is the better for it! ~ Michael L