This intensive master class will introduce students to this classic (and luxurious) English leather binding, which was a popular style throughout the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, and is very useful for creating handsome ‘period’ bindings.

The sections will be sewn on raised cords, using the sewing frame, traditional ‘made’ endpapers will be sewn on, after which the book will be trimmed, rounded and backed. The edges will be sprinkled and polished, two-color headbands sewn on, and the cords frayed out and laced into boards.

The book will be covered in a smooth calfskin, and particular attention will be given to careful and accurate paring using the English knife and spoke shave, ensuring a neat fit over the binding. The leather will be pasted out and applied to the book, taking care shaping it over the raised bands, forming the headcaps, and making neat, simple corners. 

The binding will be decorated in the Cambridge Panel style, which first involves sprinkling with leather dye using an ingenious template to create the classic paneled effect. Then, using a few tools and working to a traditional formula, the covers will be enhanced by some very handsome blind tooling. The endpapers are then put down, and the binding polished and waxed.

Materials to Bring: Scalpel and blades, cobbler’s knife, paring knife, old tooth brush, natural sponge, ace bandage.

Bring if you have: paring machine, spoke shave, finishing tools — two line wheel, decorative wheel, lozenge, one line palette, finishing stove.

Optional and available at SFCB for student use during workshop: metal ruler, dividers, bone folder, scissors

Workshop + Materials Fee: $680.00

Date & Time: Monday-Friday, June 26-30, 2016 :: 9:30am-5:30pm

Location: 375 Rhode Island St, San Francisco, CA 94103

Note: Please read over the SFCB Registration Policies before signing up for a class

REGISTRATION WILL CLOSE 3 DAYS PRIOR TO THE START DATE OF THIS WORKSHOP.

About the Instructor | Michael Burke

Michael Burke studied bookbinding with Dominic Riley and paper conservation with Karen Zukor. He lives in the Lake District, where he teaches bookbinding. In recent years he has taught and lectured at Society of Bookbinders conferences and seminars, and at Guild of Bookworkers meetings in the USA, as well as teaching tours in Australia, New Zealand and Brazil. Each year he teaches summer school at the San Francisco Center for the Book and across the USA. Michael researches the structures of ancient and medieval bindings, and has a Masters degree in the History of the Book from the University of London.

Past Student Reviews: 

“Michael is always totally prepared for the class. Materials and handouts are well organized.”

“Michael is one of the reasons I take classes at SFCB.” 

"“LOVE Michael Burke! Thanks for a great class."