The next SoB E&T Seminar will be held once again at The University of Chester from Thursday 12th to Saturday 14th April 2012 (www.chester.ac.uk).

SPEAKERS

• Dominic Riley
  Tooling without Gold Leaf
  
  
• Pamela Birch
  Introduction to Paper Repair
  
  
• Angela Sutton
  Repairing and Reattching Damaged Boards
  
  
• Dieter Rader
  Edelpappband: a Classic German Binding
  
  
• Barry McKay (after-dinner talk)
  Books in My Life
  
  
• Lester Capon
  Leather Paring and Covering
  
  
• Tom McEwan
  Creative Edge Decoration Techniques
  
  
• Janine Pope
  Screen Printing for Endpapers and Book Covers
  
  
• Hélène Jolis
  Contemporary Decorative Leather Techniques
  
  

The Seminar will start on Thursday night beginning with the AGM, followed by Dinner and informal ‘show and tell’ events. Delegates will be able to see all of the lectures/demonstrations for the day(s) committed.

All the lectures will be projected onto large screens so that close-up work can be clearly seen.

Accommodation will be in ensuite single study bedrooms. Delegates will not have to walk long distances on campus as all facilities are in close proximity.

Download booking form (PDF)

PROGRAMME

Thursday Evening

• National AGM
• Promenade: informal ‘show-and-tell’ events
  
  

Friday Morning

• Dominic Riley
  Tooling without Gold Leaf
  Dominic’s presentation will cover all aspects of hand tooling without gold leaf — in blind, with carbon and with real gold foil. These include: freestyle carbon tooling on cloth using the one line wheel; tooling titles using a template to ensure accuracy; tooling straight gold lines on leather using a fool-proof guide, and creative gold tooling using Dominic’s adapted finishing tool. All these techniques have been developed or learnt by Dominic over the years in various binderies where, for reasons of expediency, finishing with gold leaf was not practised.
  
  
• Pamela Birch
  Introduction to Paper Repair
  Paper conservation is a complex field requiring much training and experience. However, some basic repairs can, with care, be carried out by practiced bookbinders. In her presentation, Pamela will show some techniques for minor paper repairs that can be made in situ to a text block. As an archive conservator used to working on manuscripts rather than on printed material, she will also discuss some of the problems posed by inks and pencil, and demonstrate how the different types of paper used may affect the choice of repair method.
  
  

Friday Afternoon

• Angela Sutton
  Repairing and Reattching Damaged Boards
  Many old bindings suffer from minor damage or wear and tear, which calls for remedial repair rather than full rebacking or rebinding. In her presentation Angela will focus on a range of treatments suitable for such repairs. She will show ways of repairing and rebuilding damaged boards, removing endpapers and labels where necessary, and reattaching the boards where required. She will also look at ways that books can be cleaned and patched up with minimal interference, and the factors that should be considered in deciding on the treatment needed.
  
  
• Dieter Rader
  Edelpappband: a Classic German Binding
  The Edelpappband is a traditional German structure suitable for smaller, thinner books. Inspired by the better-known Bradel binding, it is different in that cloth, leather, or vellum trim is added at the head, tail, foredges and corners for greater durability and elegance. Dieter will demonstrate the construction of the classic pappband, from the construction of the case to the finer details of covering the corner tips and the head and tail. With its handsome proportions, small squares and thin boards, it makes for an extremely elegant and precise binding.
  
  

Friday Evening

• Barry McKay ( After-dinner Talk)
  Books in My Life
  Reminiscences of a Bookseller, Book Collector and Bookbinder
  
  
• Auction
  Please bring contributions!
  
  

Saturday Morning

• Lester Capon
  Leather Paring and Covering
  In his presentation Lester will show the covering of a traditional binding with raised bands in full leather. He will explain the forwarding processes used before covering, the selection of the appropriate skin to be used, and how to choose the most suitable area of the skin. He will then show how to pare the turn-ins, spine, and headcap areas with a spokeshave and paring knife, followed by the process of covering, emphasizing the good working practice needed for making accurate corners, headcaps, joints and turn-ins.
  
  
• Tom McEwan
  Creative Edge Decoration Techniques
  Every surface of a binding is a palette for the creative bookbinder, and this includes the edges of the pages. In a contemporary context, edge decoration is routinely applied to fine and design bindings as an integral element of a design concept. In his presentation Tom will take a creative approach to the technique, first describing how a book block is forwarded prior to treatment. He will then demonstrate some traditional and contemporary edge decoration techniques, including solid colour, graphite, freehand, sprinkled gold, transfer print, mixed media and gauphering.
  
  

Saturday Afternoon

• Janine Pope
  Screen Printing for Endpapers and Book Covers
  The Thermofax Screen Printing process is an easy way of applying images onto paper, fabric and other surfaces. In her presentation, Janine will show how to create individual designs for the use in a book arts and bookbinding context, from creating a design, having the screen made and executing the design onto the surface material. Drawing on her experience using this process in her own work, she will demonstrate how these easy-to-use screens can help you create quick, easy, original and exciting papers endpapers, decorative bookcloth and text.
  
  
• Hélène Jolis
  Contemporary Decorative Leather Techniques
  In her presentation Hélène will share her unique approach to decorating leather covers, including onlay, inlay, relief and juxtaposition. Using a variety of materials such as wood, metal, leather and small objects, she will show how to take a new look at the art and design of contemporary bindings. Hélène has developed these techniques over many years of creating unique bindings for collections worldwide. They challenge traditional ideas of onlay and inlay, and are adapted to the needs of most designer bookbinders, without requiring costly tools or equipment.

Download booking form (PDF)

In addition to our speakers…

SUPPLIERS' FAIR
As in previous years, companies offering materials, tools and other equipment for bookbinding and related crafts will be an attraction to delegates. The Fair will be held in a building next to the Conference Hall, where tea and coffee will also be served.

Download booking form (PDF)

Chester is linked directly to the national motorway system via the M53. London and all the major regions of the UK are easily accessible from the City. It has frequent fast rail links to London and major cities in the UK and regular National Express Coach services. Manchester airport is 30 miles away and Liverpool airport is 25 miles from Chester.

More detailed travel information will be provided with the joining instructions.

Download booking form (PDF)

Full Delegate from Thursday:

•  Members: £230
•  Non-members: £250

Full Delegate from Friday am: 

•  Members: £190
•  Non-members: £210

Day Delegate (Friday):

•  Members: £90
•  Non-members: £110

Day Delegate (Saturday):

•  Members: £90
•  Non-members: £110

Dinner for day delegates:

•  £15

Download booking form (PDF)