The SoB International Bookbinding Competition is held every two years in conjunction with the Society's biennial conference. Like the conference it has grown over the years and now attracts entries from all over the world. Last year there were over 120 entries, from 17 different countries.
Winning entries are announced at the Society's Conference which this year will be held at Warwick University. Awards will be presented at the Conference dinner on the evening of 27th August, to which all winners will be invited. Entries will be exhibited at the Conference for the duration, after which the winning books will form a touring exhibition to Birmingham Library, George Bayntun's of Bath and one other venue, yet to be confirmed. Dates for these venues will be advertised here at a later date.
Anyone wishing to enter the 2011 Competition should register by the 16th May 2011 by completing and returning the entry form. The deadline for submission of bindings is 3rd June 2011.
There have been some changes to the categories so please do take time to look through the new definitions before registering to enter. There is also a new £500 award for best newcomer, so please check the rules to see if you are eligible.
Entrants submitting work to the competition do so in the knowledge that if their work is selected for an award, it will be retained by the Society for the duration of the touring exhibition. Full entry details and instructions for posting in your books will be sent out with the acknowledgment of registration.
For all enquiries please contact competition organisers Hannah Brown
and Arthur Green at:
comp.organiser @ societyofbookbinders.com
Category A: Fine
Binding
This category encompasses any skilled binding of a contemporary
nature in a codex form. The binding must display a high
standard of craftsmanship along with excellent overall concept and design.
Entries will be judged on the quality of the overall concept and design, the forwarding, finishing, craft skills, and suitability of materials used.
Category B: The
Complete Book
This is the broadest of all the categories. Entries in this
category will have both the contents of the book and the
binding itself designed and executed by the entrant. This category encompasses
both artist's books and traditional bindings. Work in this category need
not be in codex format.
Entries will be judged on the quality of the overall concept and design,
the contents of the book, the binding, craft skills, and suitability of
materials used.
Category C: Case
Binding
Entries in this category must be of a case-bound structure,
i.e. the binding made in two parts; the cover made separately from the
book block and joined by attaching the end papers to the cover boards.
Entries will be judged on the quality of the overall concept and design,
the forwarding, finishing, craft skills, and suitability of materials
used.
Category D: Restoration
Entries in this category can be any binding that is repaired
in a way that returns the book to something of a former or original condition.
Work in this category will be judged on the suitability of any repairs,
the aesthetic of the restored book, craft skills, documentation, and materials
used. Books in this category must be submitted with written and photographic
documentation of the book prior to restoration, along with a full record
of all the work that was undertaken.
Category E: Historic
Binding
This category encompasses any skilled or 'fine binding'
of a traditional nature. The binding must display a high standard of
craftsmanship along with excellent re‑creation of a period of binding
or historical structure. Books in this category can display an element
of creativity but will directly refer to traditional binding styles.
Entries will be judged on the quality of the forwarding, finishing, craft skills, reproduction of style, and suitability of materials used.
Estimated prize fund of over £6000
• Best Book Submitted by a Professional Binder: £1000
• Best Book Submitted by a Non‑Professional Binder: £1000
• Best Book Submitted by a Newcomer: £500 ‑ The
Farthing Press Award (new award)
• Fine Binding First Prize Value: £500 ‑ Charnwood Books
‑ The John Coleman Trophy
• Fine Binding Second Prize Value: £250
• Fine Binding Third Prize Value: £125
• The Complete Book First Prize Value: £500 ‑ The Portnall
Award
• The Complete Book Second Prize Value: £250
• Case Binding First Prize Value: £500 ‑ The F.J. Ratchford
Trophy
• Restoration First Prize Value: £500 ‑ The Bernard Middleton
Trophy
• Historic Binding First Prize Value: £500
• Fine Cut International Award for finishing
• Harmatan Leather Award for forwarding
• J Hewit & Sons ‑ three Awards for Excellence in Design, Craftsmanship
and Innovation
Competition Rules
And finally... The Society will take every precaution to keep all entries safe. However, all work is submitted at the entrant's own risk. It is recommended that entrants take out full insurance on their bindings. The Society of Bookbinders cannot accept responsibility for loss or damage during any procedures necessary for the competition or subsequent exhibitions.
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Sponsorship gratefully
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