Making A Medieval Book By Hand - Part 1 - Folding Pages, Endpapers, Piercing & Sewing
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 17 ธ.ค. 2021
- Hello everyone, and welcome to my bindery!
In this new in-depth video series I'll be taking on the challenge of making a medieval-style book. Follow along while I use traditional bookbinding techniques and a combination of historic and modern materials to craft a unique artisan book. This film has no speaking and a minimal amount of music for those who want to enjoy the peaceful simplicity of quiet hand-work. For those seeking insights into my materials and techniques, you can turn on subtitles to read my full commentary on the process as you watch!
The style of book I'm making is properly called a 'Gothic' binding. This type of binding was characterized by raised cords, wooden boards, leather covering, blind tooling, and metal clasps and corners. It was in use as early as the 14th century, and remained the standard technique in Europe well into the 17th century. Much of my knowledge of this binding was drawn from 'The Archaeology of Medieval Bookbinding' by John Szirmai, which I recommend if you are interested in further reading.
It is not my purpose with this book to make a 100% accurate historic reproduction using authentic period materials. That being said, much of the craft of traditional hand-binding has remained virtually unchanged for centuries, and the medieval binder would have found many of the tools and techniques to be very familiar. The single biggest anachronism is my use of synthetic PVA glue rather than period-appropriate animal glue. The second historic anomaly is my use of marbled paper, though it could be argued that the earliest European marbled papers of the mid 17th century do overlap with this binding style. The 'nonpariel' pattern I have chosen for the endpapers, though, dates from the 1820's, and so is distinctly out of place. But apart from those, virtually all of the other materials in this book would have been available to the medieval bookbinder.
In the next video I will glue the spine, trim and round the book, smooth, sprinkle, wax and burnish the edges, line the spine, and weave the endbands. If you enjoyed the film do consider subscribing so you won't miss future installments. Thanks for watching!
List of Materials
Text Paper: Fabriano Accademia 120 gsm drawing paper, 65 x 50 cm, long grain
Endpapers: Four Keys Book Arts handmade marbled paper, Fabriano Accademia 120 gsm drawing paper, red handmade paper
Thread: Undyed Linen 25/3, unknown brand
Cords: Leather, unknown type, roughly 3 oz/ 1 mm
Wax: Natural Beeswax
Glue: Mix of Acid-Free PVA and Methyl Cellulose, 3:2 ratio.
List of Tools
Paper Knife (made from an old kitchen knife)
Bone Folder (handmade in-house)
Scrap book board, various sizes/thickness
Pressing Boards (1/2" maple plywood, made in house)
Cast-Iron Book Press (Patrick Ritchie, Edinburgh, circa 1850)
Stainless Steel rulers, various sizes
Small Stanley Knife
Maple Laying Press (handmade in-house)
Small Carpenter's Square, unknown brand
Pencil (Blackwing)
Steel dividers, unknown brand
Lithography Stone (circa 1925)
Cotton Rag
Agate Burnisher
Piercing Cradle (handmade in-house)
Awl
2" natural bristle brush, generic
parchment release paper
blotting paper
Acetate barrier sheets, .01 gauge
Dahle Vantage 12e Guillotine (found at a thrift store)
Scissors
Bookbinding Needles
Sewing Frame (handmade in-house)
Brass H-Keys (handmade in-house)
Linen sewing tapes, 12 mm
Pins
Selected list of Suppliers (Not affiliated)
Bookbinding Tools & Materials: George Hill & Co. - www.georgehillco.com
Paper: Wyndham Art Supplies - www.wyndhamartsupplies.com/
General Hand Tools: Lee Valley Tools - www.leevalley.com
Writing Materials: Wonder Pens - www.wonderpens.ca
Agate Burnisher: Vintage Paper Co. - vintagepaper.co/
________
You can now buy me a coffee here: www.buymeacoffee.com/fourkeys...
Or you can drop a tip in my PayPal account: paypal.me/FourKeysBooks?local...
Four Keys Book Arts marbled papers and handmade books are available for sale in my Etsy shop, with worldwide shipping available: etsy.me/2VGqhcr
Follow me on social media:
Instagram
/ four_keys_books
Facebook
/ fourkeysbookarts
All original works of art in this video are copyrighted exclusively by Four Keys Book Arts.
Music Credits:
'Yonder Hill And Dale' by Aaron Kenny - / @contactkennya
'A Song Without A Name' by Poor Inked Endings - Listen to and support Poor Inked Endings here: noisetrade.com/poorinkedendin...
Image Source Bibliography:
'Fig. 21: Mediæval Book-Binding', from 'Gately's World's Progress', Edited by C. E. Beale. Édition de luxe, Boston : Gately & Co, 1886, p. 283.
'Fig. 8: 'Travail de la Reliure', from 'Procédés de la gravure (Nouv. éd)', Lostalot, Alfred de, A Quantin, Paris, 1882. p. 26
#bookbinding #fourkeysbookarts #handmadebooks #medievalbook - แนวปฏิบัติและการใช้ชีวิต
You know you are watching a true artisan and master of their craft when there are no wasted movements. Everything is so smooth, calculated and precise. It's one of those things that when you see it in action, you know from the very first step that the end result is going to be a masterpiece.
I'm glad you enjoyed the video!
The uploaded video is always edited, so everything is carefully chosen.
@@humanfirst11 🤣🤣🤣
@@humanfirst11
Yet the video shows his errors
@@chrisgriffith9252 chosen for content and an brevity and not to hide flaws. Everything is edited for quality purposes of course it’s not an insult to say it’s been edited.
I love how he shows the process of making the book instead of it being a time-lapse. not ashamed of watching the whole thing
The journey is as important as the destination. Perhaps moreso.
As a professional Artist and Binder, I ALWAYS have your vids playing on my studio monitors. I enjoy watching other professionals craft, create, design and work their magic... you sir are one or these artists. I got into binding long ago, because as a professional artist... I couldn't find a decent watercolor sketchbook with artist grade professional 100% cotton watercolor papers. I wanted a watercolor sketchbook with Arches, Saunders Waterford or Fabriano Artistico also Fabriano's handmade papers. Sure there are a few watercolor sketchbooks with cotton paper like Etchr, but their spines break, crack or split. They are made by machines and not reinforced for heavy water use. They throw an extremely thin layer of glue over cheap machine stitched sections and call it a day. Plus their paper is house brand and you can't find any info on it except " 100%, cotton paper " there are others that make the sketchbooks I wanted... but I wanted to make a piece of art in its self, I wanted the watercolor sketchbook to be a piece of art, for art lol. I make my books with grade 1, highest quality Goatskin leathers from Italy and France. I do leather tooling and alot of geometric Designs and patterns, gold tooling and gilding, I marbled my own papers as well. I learn, studied, researched and took classes on Finishing. I turned my art studio into a bindery as well, the passion only gets greater everyday. I usually like when there is talking in the videos more, iam NOT a fan of any asmr stuff.. its soooo played out on TH-cam. I can sit through your vids without talking because I do appreciate your style and eye As a Binder. Anyways, sorry for the rant lol, I can't help geeking out over art, supplies, binding and leather working. Have a wonderful day sir and thank you for your videos, cheers mate!
I'm glad my videos have inspired so much passion! My start in bookbinding was also largely motivated by the desire for something better than what was on the store shelves, and now of course I'm hooked! Thanks for watching.
Lol reading this is pretty much where I am right now- the part where you look all over for what you need and you can't find exactly what you want. I collect fountain pens, and love to journal. Started learning watercolor painting. Past hobbies include metal jewelry, beading, mosaics, sewing, was considering carpentry. Was looking for a hard-bound journal that had a medieval binding, with watercolor-friendly paper inside. NOWHERE to be found, like you mentioned. Either the papers would be great but the binding was terrible, OR, the binding was superb but the paper was a question mark in quality. I mean if it can't even handle india ink, what's the point? Wanted to make a sort of sketchbook/writing pirate journal/grimoire. Wanted to put in sketchings of sea monsters, witches' spells, treasure maps (designed with the rice method of throwing down grains of rice on the paper and tracing the perimeter), and Blackletter calligraphy. Wanted the outside to look ancient, with verdigris metal accents. (To make it look like it had been in a pirate ship out at sea for a long time). Maybe have some miniature nail chads with a fine brass chain in a netting motif to make it sort of look like a fishing net. Make that verdigris also. Giving it a nice brass latch that looks like it came from a box trunk. Now I'm watching these videos, and a flame has been ignited. I'm REALLY trying to bank this little fire -- I do have jewelry-making and mosaic tools, I'm afraid the cost would be prohibitive for the additional required for binding. Leathers, papers, presses, embossing instruments. But maybe if I start small, and slowly collect, I will be able to finally make my project come to life. Wish me luck.
For those who are unaware (like I was until part 3), turn on the captions for wonderful narration amd comments on the process! Also TONS of cool info in the description.
Thx man didn't knew hew had caps
THANK YOU!!
I didn't need an excuse to re-watch this, but now that I have one, I'll go make a big bowl of popcorn & do exactly that! Thank you, Friend!
I owe you a beer.
No idea how this landed in my TH-cam recommendations, but I'm glad it did. It's so relaxing, minimal music and no narration, just a video of a master artist slowly and methodically making a book. Are you self taught, or did you take classes in this remarkable skill? Who makes all the materials and equipment? Even those little brass things that secure the binding cords look specially made for that purpose.
I can understand why books were so precious back then. Paper wasn't mass produced in factories, it had to be handmade by master craftsmen, and each book meticulously constructed and then lettered by skilled calligraphers. I've seen pictures of Medieval illuminated books, and they are works of art.
I'm so glad you found the channel! I am in fact self-taught, and I make many of my own tools, including the little brass things (which are called sewing keys). Thanks so much for watching!
Earliest books were written on “vellum”, prepared , dehaired animal skins, usually lamb skin.
... IT'S JUST LANDED UNEXPECTEDLY IN MY THINGY.. GONNA WATCH AND LEARN..ANY HOO.. LATERS.. 🖖🤩
⅙
What w
This is the third time I've watched this playlist. I love it.
Love your vid's...When I watch them, I have to watch them at least 5 times. I watch, I read, I watch again, then I explain to myself what I'm watching and finally I watch and know what I'm watching...🖖👍🐝💪
That is some serious commitment to understanding! Thanks for watching (and re-watching)!
Bought an english 10 x 12 cast iron book press recently..no makers mark sadly but I bought it for embossing vegtan leather .. Now I made a journal many years ago for a loved one as a gift, hand sititched signitures, tooled leather cover etc and it came out pretty nicely, but I only ever made one ...came across your video's after my book press purchase and its honestly got me wanting to make some books again, I found it a very peaceful almost medative passtime Fantastic videos thankyou !
Man, and I thought I was patient... So labor intensive. Kudos.
Bless your hands. What a privilege to see this process. Thank you for sharing.
Craftsman in 40 BC: “boy oh boy I’m almost finished with that order from Alexandria, my life’s work! I can’t wait for my works to be home in there for thousands of years!”
#toosoon😔
i watch this only for the sounds, its so relaxing...
Even the background music is period correct. Well done!
honored to watch such a marvelous work
I'm so inspired to create books of my own.
I love watching skilled people do things that I cannot do.
Truly a grand master at work !!!
Yes.👍.
I do fair job of repair to my old books; spines especially. A most profound profession!
This has inspired me to create my own homemade paper, make a small tome and paint my wedding vows and wishes for the future in it.
Absolutely fascinating! I'm doing my MA in Medieval Literatures and Languages right now, so I spend a ridiculous amount of time focusing on what was written in manuscripts, but never really considered how those books were made. It was lovely to see the wonderful craftsmenship
Both are fascinating, glad you liked the video!
I don't want to sound like a prick, but I'm asking out of genuine curiosity, what can you do with such a degree?
Restoring and enjoying ancient literature seems to be Gob Sauce's answer.
@@thomasewing2656 is that an actual answer? If it is, then that's awesome.
medieval manuscripts were written on parchment or vellum though...
I loved this! It’s time-consuming and meticulous, which means it’s the sort of thing I would enjoy doing myself.
Thank you sir for sharing your craftmanship. I is a long time ago that something fasinate me so much. Thank you
You are very welcome
Stunned! Really FANTASTIC. Thank you for sharing your craft and talent!
You can see why old books were so expensive, and why they were robust enough to last for so long. Beautiful work. Would have loved some textual comments briefly explaining a few of the steps.
There is a full commentary if you turn on closed captions. (Sorry for not putting up an on-screen note, lesson learned!) Thanks for watching!
@@FourKeysBookArts Thanks for the reply. Re-watched with captions on. Explanations spot on👍
Wonderful video
Thank you! Cheers!
No annoying music, no pointless rambling. Just a master of his craft, at work.
The work..the material, the sound, the light....perfect!!!!
Perfect. No voice just natural sound 👍very relaxing
OOOOhhhh. That big knife just slices paper so beautifully, I love the sound of it.
Yes! I could cut and fold paper all day.
So wonderfully peacful! Thank you for that glimpse into an ancient profession!
I really appreciate the camera work in this
thanks!
Fascinating to see and I know most are watching the books but as someone that loves woodworking those are beautifully made vises and tools
One word to describe this video. Lovely!
This brought me back to my childhood, I had an old friend of the family who would watch over me and my sister while my mom was at work who is a bookbinder out at Scarborough Faire in Texas. I remember spending many summer days in hit workshop while he was blind books in this method, though his workshop was a bit more disorganized.
Thanks for sharing such a nice memory! And I keep the bench tidy in front of the camera, but what's behind it is another story!
Thankyou, Thankyou THANKYOU for not drowning this beautiful, soothing video with hideous TH-cam music.The ambient sounds of the manuscript being made just adds to my appreciation of your skill.
Incredible skill and patience, a joy to watch.
This is great video, reminds me when in my country, at age 13 we have a workshop at school. I learned the skill, after school never use it. It's good to know somewhere in the world still exists. I will keep looking for your videos. Thanks!
Wow! Just, wow! Such a beautiful thing. The book AND the artistry... I am truly humbled.
Spectacular work and tutorial! Love it! Thks so much for sharing.
Your work is beautiful, and your videography no less masterful. The hands and eyes of a true artisan. In every way. Thank you!
Thank you so much 😀
Thank you so much for a wonderful series of videos in your gorgeous bindery. Look forward to seeing more. Thanks, Robin
As a trained bookbinder and a product manager in a modern printing house, I'm happy I can see something so nice moves. Not like the "sleeves on my hand, but I have handmade nothebook business" girls. Those videos, like a turning knife in my eyes. But this, and the others, like made in heaven. A bookbinders heaven.
This would be a great hobby for me to keep my brain active and fingers nimble. Beautiful work!
Remember a old book from the late 1800's that had the same colorful cover on it.
Thanks for sharing friend.
Fantastic,I watched in awe what a true craftsman.
Brilliant 👏 I'd loved to have heard you talking us through each step . Thank you for sharing an almost lost skill.
Such a privilege to watch such beautiful craftsmanship, thank you for sharing and god bless you 🙏
What a complete privilege it is to watch you work. This was so interesting and entertaining. Thank you for posting 😁
So glad you liked it!
Very enjoyable. Thanks for sharing this.
I love this. Thank you for sharing this.
What an amazing skill to have. Thank you for sharing this craft with us. Sincerely These are subjects/skills/crafts that children should be required to learn in school these days, in my humble opinion.
I adore your craftsmanship, patience and creativity. Wonderful work!
So wonderful that skills like this are preserved.
I can't wait for the next one. I really, really enjoy your videos. Thank you so much for sharing. Many Blessings!
Thank you! You too!
Those 35 minutes went by so fast, I'm so fascinated by book binding. I made two sketchbooks for my own use with Coptic stitch but now crave to learn more about all kinds of bindings, especially ones with fancier designs for spines and covers :)
Glad you enjoyed it! There are so many types of bindings to explore, so have fun!
Really enjoyed the video and the ambiance. The video of the train going by, I know exactly where that is. If this is where you are at in real life, I'm proud to say that someone of this skill is so close by!
I love the tools you work with.
Oh kitty!! That was a nice surprise 🥰🥰🥰
Lovely
This is wonderful. I’m new to bookbinding and I aspire to keep traditional methods like this in use too! Love that binding method.
I'm so glad to have given some inspiration. Happy binding!
I've watched the whole series and I'm deeply impressed. The beauty of your work is astounding.
It's a process of beauty!!!
Honzuky no Gekokujou inspired me to see this video
Great stuff and I love to be able to appreciate this craft, thank you
I have been collecting old books for 30 yrs now not for the age of them only but because they are masterly crafted and have amazing stories. I always know I have good quality when the coloured paper appears and they’re bound in leather.
What an amazing video to watch. I love bookbinding, and this was a real treat.
This looks so comforting. If I wasn’t already committed to starting woodworking as a hobby I would have done this. Just focusing, taking my time…pure bliss and stress relieving.
As a dabbler in just about every art and handicraft, I second this idea.
@@darcyperkins7041 Money and space or lack there of. That is my biggest set back. I did just get a nice Stanley No.4 plane that I'm fixing up at the moment though.
I have watched each of these videos twice and absolutely love them. The expertise of your work is a pleasure to see. I would love to see more of the same.
This was wonderful to watch. You sir are a master of book making. Thank you for sharing
My father rebound bibles as a hobby for over 60 years, using the same technic in these videos before he passed away. He had a shop set up just for rebinding old bibles and had two gold stamping machines to hot stamp the new covers using gold foil.
Thank you for showing the “mistake” with the endpapers. It makes the video more authentic.
Wow, excelent job. I will continue with part N°2. Congrats!
One of the most relaxing videos I’ve ever watched! Thanks zzz
You’re welcome 😊
Absolutely amazing process! Definitely a labor of love, and it is glorious! Thank you for sharing your talent :)
As beautiful as this book will be I cannot help thinking that a handmade book like this with all the time, skill, and materials that go into it must cost a small fortune.
Which was entirely the case for books in the middle ages.
@@FourKeysBookArts How true.
Everyting in the video, from binding the book down to the lighting and the camera angles, was so beautiful to watch. Thank you for sharing your work!
I’m sure it was kinda frustrating the first few times, but you do it with grace. It seems pretty peaceful
fascinating and very relaxing to watch
This is so inspiring! Thank you for sharing your craft!
I could totally do that for a living and never get bored
This is such a peaceful video, thank you for sharing your incredible talent with us! I can't wait to watch the rest of this series. So happy to have found you!
Oh, happy day discovering you! It's delightful to watch you work on the book binding. I do particularly enjoy your voice-over commentary in your most recent video. It adds so much more to my understanding of the process.
Thank you for watching and for the feedback!
I watched all five issues about the medieval binding of the book. I am a bookbinder of the late 20th century. For me, this film was a discovery! It's not just a book, it's a complex structure. An abundance of nuances. I was struck by the creation of the End ribbon by embroidery. It was from this film that I understood its purpose. Thank you for the beautiful and instructive film . I liked the episodes with the view from the window and the cat and the music.
Fascinating to watch this process. Looking forward to the next steps 😊
Your binding is so beautiful that it puts tears of joy in my eyes. I have been journaling since I was ten and have been binding my own journals only for a few years now. It is very amateur, and I hope to get better with practice. It is very inspiring that you are self-taught as well. Thank you for these videos because it really shows me where I can improve in my own binding 😁
What a fascinating process, really enjoyed the video. Also thank you for not including unnecessary music, was relaxing listening to the sounds of the tools and the paper.
Thanks for the feedback!
@@FourKeysBookArts what will you do with the book, will you use it yourself, keep it protected on a shelf or will you sell it? I would be to nervous to use it, given how elaborate it is.
@@stuartmacaulay962 I'll be keeping it, probably more as a showpiece than as an actual journal.
11:40 Crazy how that simple slash on the fold side of the stack of pages solves the issue of mixing up the pieces and helps keep everything uniform
Beautiful and fascinating
Like others, showed up in reqs.
Nice to watch something being done I've heard about many times, but never actually seen done!
This looks beautiful! The text block itself is a WORK OF ART! Thank you for sharing!
Glad you like it!
I found you not long ago and I feel you make other artists look bad. Love how your so meticulous, patient and kind and that makes me excited for the end result. Watching everything is neat too I never knew how books where made until I found this channel. I looked at one of my books to see if it was done by thread or glued on I think I saw thread
I'm a retired master pressman who used to work in a book plant; I find hand folding of signatures fascinating
This is really enjoyable. And while the thought of handmaking a book still seems daunting to me, I really want to try. Will have to binge your videos to find a beginner style 😊
Thanks for watching! Have fun!😄
I cant stop watching even though i go blind with boredom! It is fascinating, but its watching paint dry at the same time. Perhaps double the speed might set me free! Because i love the skills involved, the dedication, the perfectionist approach, the love for the material and the love for both the craft and the art. But my brain just shuts down!! Damn man!! Love your work! Liked and subscribed
Oh lord this is transfixing and such a joy to behold - thank you so much. As a photographer (large format film), woodworker and aspiring calligrapher, I can just imagine how deeply satisfying this must be for you. Makes me want for another 24 hours in a day so I can add Mediaeval book binding to my dubious attempts at artisanship! Thank you for the countless additional hours it must take to film and produce this. Warm regards and all smiles from Sydney - Dave
I always enjoy it when people see beyond the subject matter and can appreciate the time that goes into the production itself! And as a man with more hobbies than time, I can truly empathize with your plight. Thanks so much for watching and commenting!
Un Libro, No sólo tiene palabras... También, mucho tiempo en su "elaboración" ....
Tiempo, paciencia, técnica, tradición, materia prima, manos y precisión... Historia !.... ❤️
Truly a thing of exquisite beauty!❤️ Every tool, beautiful. Every movement, essential. The materials, quality. An artist’s and craftsman’s ballet. ❤️
Wow, thank you!
❤
I like your work. And your Palomino Blackwing is pretty cool too 😉🤓
Thanks! They are great pencils, and they smell sooo nice when you sharpen them!
Superb video! Loved seeing Willow and the few shots out the window. Nicely done. Subscribed.
Fantástico. He visto muchas veces el proceso, pero siempre resumido, nunca al detalle como se lbserva en este magnífico vídeo. Gracias...
I came here from "Ascendence of a bookworm", and Ms Urano would be proud.