If I Survive You, Jonathan Escoffery, Booker Prize 2023... Finalist Binding.

 

My biblionautic chums and friends.

A short film to share glimpses/abstract views of my binding for 'If I Survive You' by Jonathan Escoffery. Design and design ethos, making and thoughts.

Please note.... there are other studios/binderies/ doing stuff, spelling and grammar. Please further note, the opinion of the author may change at any moment. This is due to having an open mind of sorts.

Booker Prize 2023. Meet the Binders

thebookerprizes.com/the-booker-library/features/meet-the-designers-behind-the-booker-prize-2023s-bespoke-bound-books

 

Booker Prize '23... What to wear.??

My biblionautic chums and friends.

With the Booker Prize award evening this Sunday a number of pressing matters. First I am tryting to decide what to wear. 2nd - I have been told that I can start to share glimpses/abstract views of my binding for 'If I Survive You' by Jonathan Escoffery.

There will be a short film out soon about the making of the binding.

Please note.... there are other studios/binderies/ doing stuff, spelling and grammar. Please further note, the opinion of the author may change at any moment. This is due to having an open mind of sorts.

 

Metamorphosis, a new commission.

 

My biblionautic chums and friends.

It would appear that I am having something of a print week.

Front and back end papers for a new commission. Metamorphasis. End papers only, the doublures will be printed later.

400mm x 300mm. Soft plate off-set in Deep Space Nova (black oil based ink).

Please note.... there are other studios/binderies/ doing stuff, spelling and grammar. Please further note, the opinion of the author may change at any moment. This is due to having an open mind of sorts.

 

 

Nope. First pull with ink.

My biblionautic chums and friends.

A little lino cutting, the first pulls using oil based ink. To speed things up I only did a little mixing of colours, most straight from the tubes. Also no extenders etc. This is to check the registration and to maybe tweak here and there. In the main I am okay with it.

Please note.... there are other studios/binderies/ doing stuff, spelling and grammar. Please further note, the opinion of the author may change at any moment. This is due to having an open mind of sorts.

 

Lino Wax Rubbing.

 

My biblionautic chums and friends.

A little lino cutting, first proof rubbing. I have flipped the images so they are seen as they would print.

Please note.... there are other studios/binderies/ doing stuff, spelling and grammar. Please further note, the opinion of the author may change at any moment. This is due to having an open mind of sorts.

 

If I Survive You. Booker '23

My biblionautic chums and friends.

After 3 days teaching a wonderful group of students at my old art college... Lincoln College of Art and Design.... It is back to the bench in Studio 5, and back to the Booker Binding 'If I Survive You' by Jonathan Escoffery.

With the forwarding nearing the end, much sanding of areas of the book to ensure a smooth as the structure will be a variation of the minimalist tight back style I have been working on. It is not often that what is under the skin (as it were) of a book. Now it is time to concentrate on the design, so the experimentation with colour, image and material use begins.

The image is from a very famous Jamaican Tourist Board poster of the 1970's with various colour applications using a variety of mediums.

The design is formulated but there will be a little bit of chaos thrown in as well.

Please note.... there are other studios/binderies/ doing stuff, spelling and grammar. Please further note, the opinion of the author may change at any moment. This is due to having an open mind of sorts.

 

 

The Telephone Call

 My biblionautic chums and friends.

Finally, 'The telephone Call' is finished, box and all.

Images include a selection of images and the doublures.

Binding. A Minimalist Flat Tight Back with goat skin to the spine and palimpsest parchment to front and back boards. Lino print to front board. In-set laminated board attachment.

Construction. A 2 section, secondary sewn text block to linen. Leather jointed made end papers to edge to edge doublures. Binder’s/Artist’s stamp to bottom right back doublure.

Text Block. Hahnemuhle Burga Butten paper with multiple hand cut and printed Lino Cuts. Hand set and printed title page and colophon. Spray/stencil work.

(H x W x D)  298mm x 276mm x 11mm
 

Please note.... there are other studios/binderies/ doing stuff, spelling and grammar. Please further note, the opinion of the author may change at any moment. This is due to having an open mind of sorts.

Not exactly last minute.....

My biblionautic chums and friends.
Not exactly last minute, but getting close.
Printing the doublures for an exhibition entry....
Please note.... there are other studios/binderies/ doing stuff, spelling and grammar. Please further note, the opinion of the author may change at any moment. This is due to having an open mind of sorts.

Ink on a Saturday morning.

 

My biblionautic chums and friends.

Studio 5 going live yet again!

Saturday morning finds me with printing onto parchment, and why not? I mean... what could possibly go wrong?

Please note.... there are other studios/binderies/ doing stuff, spelling and grammar. Please further note, the opinion of the author may change at any moment. This is due to having an open mind of sorts.

Sunday Printing in Studio 5.

My biblionautic chums and friends.

Studio 5 going live!

 

Sunday morning, the smell of ink and one of the studio Adana 8x5. Bliss.

 

Please note.... there are other studios/binderies/ doing stuff, spelling and grammar. Please further note, the opinion of the author may change at any moment. This is due to having an open mind of sorts.

 

It is Time For Booker 2023.

 

My biblionautic chums and friends.

Studio 5 going live!Again! Again!

It is Booker time..........

https://thebookerprizes.com/the-booker.../prize-years/2023

Please note.... there are other studios/binderies/ doing stuff, spelling and grammar. Please further note, the opinion of the author may change at any moment. This is due to having an open mind of sorts.

 

Paper Covered Slip Cases

Studio 5 going live!Again!

Round entry slip case in full paper....

Please note.... there are other studios/binderies/ doing stuff, spelling and grammar. Please further note, the opinion of the author may change at any moment. This is due to having an open mind of sorts.

A Backing Hack.

 

My biblionautic chums and friends.

Studio 5 going live!Again!

Not everyone has a backing/laying press, so a little hack to help keep backing boards in place when using a finishing press for backing.

 

Please note.... there are other studios/binderies/ doing stuff, spelling and grammar. Please further note, the opinion of the author may change at any moment. This is due to having an open mind of sorts.

 

The Proofing Press.

My biblionautic chums and friends.

Studio 5 going live!Again!

The proofing press.

Please note.... there are other studios/binderies/ doing stuff, spelling and grammar. Please further note, the opinion of the author may change at any moment. This is due to having an open mind of sorts.

 

Print, Ink and Lino.

 

My biblionautic chums and friends.

Studio 5 going live!

Print, ink and lino.

Please note.... there are other studios/binderies/ doing stuff, spelling and grammar. Please further note, the opinion of the author may change at any moment. This is due to having an open mind of sorts.

The Print.... The Book and So On.

 

My biblionautic chums and friends.

The last week or so I have been lino cutting for a new book. 

 

Inspired by the life and work of Morris Cox (1903-1998) and his private press - GOGMAGOG and the work of Max Ernst (1891-1976) I have decided to re-awaken the sleeping printer in me. Now, before we go any further it has to be said that in no way would I consider myself to be a printer, competent or otherwise. I consider myself to the an entusiast (with much to learn) at best.

The last time I did any serious printing was a number of years ago, my adanas, type, lino, proofing press etc have gathered dust. So I am going to print a single book. 'Why just the single book?" I hear you ask. Well, yes printing is about editions, multiples and so forth but I just want to get the old engine working, to have a little fun, to try stuff, you know..... to just do it.

First is the lino cutting. Images derived from Victorian (perhaps others) originals, enlarged or distorted. There is something magical about lino, I know that there will be some who say that wood cuts are better and perhaps they are... but I have to be honest. I feel that I am not good enough to use wood and the speed that one can work with lino is something I enjoy.

 

Below, some of the first pulls from my proofing press.

 

 Please note.... there are other studios/binderies/ doing stuff, spelling and grammar. Please further note, the opinion of the author may change at any moment. This is due to having an open mind of sorts.

 

 

A little bit of this and that.

 

My biblionautic chums and friends.

A little bit of type set and lino printing. Just a quick pull to see what is what.

Please note.... there are other studios/binderies/ doing stuff, spelling and grammar. Please further note, the opinion of the author may change at any moment. This is due to having an open mind of sorts.

Teaching/sharing at Flatford Mill.

My biblionautic chums and friends.

I thought I would share a few images of the Bookbinding for Beginners and Improvers at Flatford Mill. Though we have fun I share, with the beginners, how to make a multi sectional flat back, a slip case with time for them to repeat or work on an individual project. The Improvers work on their own projects. A busy week!

Please note.... there are other studios/binderies/ doing stuff, spelling and grammar. Please further note, the opinion of the author may change at any moment. This is due to having an open mind of sorts.