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Topic: Historic, Custom Binding of The Silmarillion

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Being lies with Eru - Rank 1
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Posts: 6
Date: Apr 1, 2012
Historic, Custom Binding of The Silmarillion

Hi, folks.  New here, and wanted to begin my posts by sharing some work I was inspired to do.

I bind new and repair books in various historic styles, and as I was having a coffee last week, I looked over at my bookshelf and my eyes landed on a tattered copy of The Silmarillion, first American edition (1977) that I picked up in a used book store for $6.00.

The cover case was detached, but the pages were still in fine shape.  I decided to repair it in what spare time I had away from other books I was working on for clients.

As I began the work, I decided that the book deserved to be better bound.  So, I re-bound it in 18th C. style.  And here it is:


By casyis at 2012-03-31

Resewn on 5 hemp cords, laced into the covers.  Silk endbands, 22 carat gold leaf.  The dyes are 100% natural.

 

Now, I'm moving on to re-bind other copies.  Here's my copy of The Fellowship:


By casyis at 2012-03-15

 

In my humble opinion, these books ought to look the part.  Yes? 

 

Cheers!



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Samwise Gamgee - rank 9
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Posts: 2372
Date: Apr 1, 2012
They do look well done and authentic. Maybe you could start that up as a money-making hobby? I'm sure there must be some demand for it.

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My Master Sauron the Great bids thee Welcome....
Lord Elrond of Rivendell - Rank 9
Status: Offline
Posts: 2960
Date: Apr 1, 2012

Casyis,
First, Welcome to The Tolkien Forums.
I am just one of the members here but if I can help please don't hesitate to ask.


On the binding;
I really like what you have done.
I have a couple of books I need to have done.
Your post inspires me.


 

So again,
"Welcome to The Tolkien Forums"

Bear an Elf-Friend



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Being lies with Eru - Rank 1
Status: Offline
Posts: 6
Date: Apr 2, 2012
Thanks, folks. I am happy with this style. I think it suits Tolkien's work very well. @mouth of sauron: it would be an incredible niche market to produce fine historic bindings for these books. I already bind and re-bind books for a living, but having the opportunity to work on Tolkien books would be like winning the lottery. Most of the books I bind in this style are either of sentimental value to the client or are somewhat rare, but the content is sometimes mundane. The content is what inspires me as a bookbinder to choose a particular look, and appropriate style, such as a smooth spine or one with raised bands, gothic, medieval, French... In the spirit of these books I chose the pinnacle of English binding in the 18th century before the industrial revolution virtually killed it.

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Loremaster Elf of Mirkwood - Rank 4
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Posts: 265
Date: Apr 2, 2012

Welcome to the Tolkien Forum, Casyis. I love your work. Most impressive and awesome!

Anorlas

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Being lies with Eru - Rank 1
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Posts: 6
Date: Apr 2, 2012
Thanks, Anorlas. I'm happy to be here. I'm just getting back into the lore after a long time being in absentia.

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Loremaster Elf of Mirkwood - Rank 4
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Posts: 265
Date: Apr 4, 2012

Life happens, but we always seem to gravitate back to those things that mean the most to us. Welcome back.

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Guard of Armenelos - Rank 4
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Posts: 764
Date: Apr 4, 2012
Welcome Casyis,
What a way to make an entrance! Well met! That is some very fine work your doing there with these covers! Do you do this independently or through a company you work for? Either way that is inspiring as Bear has stated. I would like to know your rates if you've thought it through or even if you're in business at all?


Once again; Welcome and well met.

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Tom Bombadil
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Posts: 1886
Date: Apr 4, 2012
Casyis, welcome to Tolkien Forums. I am Lady Arwen and one of the Moderators of this forum. If you need any help with any technical issues or have questions regarding the boards, I would be glad to help.

Have you ever worked on Judaica? I have two rare pieces that need fixing. The chumash is so old, it doesn't even have a date, only an address and who published it, the front and back covers have become detached over the years, and the Shulchan Aruch, is 60 years old and the front cover is lose and the spine is peeling.

How much would you charge for that kind of work?

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Being lies with Eru - Rank 1
Status: Offline
Posts: 6
Date: Apr 6, 2012
@ Jaidoprism7: I bind independently out of a shop connected to my home. Mostly word-of-mouth business, and some pieces Ive sold on Etsy. Theres a handful of people who regularly send me work from the east coast, whereas most of the work I do is more local (in Kansas and Missouri). Rates are difficult to describe because each book I work on is different having different needs in terms of repair, or if the book is being made new it depends on its overall period style and level of effort that goes into it. Factors are whether Im using modern aniline dyed leather, or dyeing it myself. The latter makes it more expensive because I have to prepare each dye every time Im working on a different book once the mixture is prepared, it only has a shelf life of about five hours. The good part is that it means they can be safely disposed. Theyre all natural dyes that Ive spent years perfecting, re-creating in fact, based on the old manuals. I know of only one other binder in the world who does this.

All this to say, the prices depend on the book or project at hand. Ive made repairs for as little as $15, but performed re-bindings for as much as $1000 (and in those cases, that was still somewhat cheap). I work with each person on their individual needs and budget.

@ ArwenLegolas: Thank you for the welcome, and for your introduction. I have not yet worked on Judaica pieces, but if its 60 years old (or so), it should be fairly well uniformly bound with other books around that period of similar content. Bibles, for example, are all virtually alike in their binding (meaning how they are sewn and inside construction) around that time, the differences being the covering material and decoration. Ive done the kind of work you describe, though. Its difficult for me to say how much I would charge given the reasons I stated above, but if youre able to PM me some photos, or if you could email me some (I can supply my bookbinding email address), that would certainly help me make a determination.

Cheers!


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Being lies with Eru - Rank 1
Status: Offline
Posts: 6
Date: Apr 6, 2012
Somehow the apostrophes and such dropped out of my message. Apologies for that. I know it's difficult to read.

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Guard of Armenelos - Rank 4
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Posts: 764
Date: Apr 8, 2012
Casyis,

You are indeed a craftsman! Not to come-off sounding too ominous but: I may have need for someone of your talents. Not a repair or restoration but a new project. Keep up the fine work...and keep in touch with this forum for Tolkien's sake!

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Tower Guard of Minas Tirith - Rank 4
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Posts: 377
Date: Apr 8, 2012
Casyis, truely amazing! From someone who takes pride in his work; you can and most certainly should take pride in what you've done here! I hope to see more of your work, welcome to the tolkien forum!

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But no wizardry nor spell, neither fang nor venom,nor devil's art nor beast-strength, could overthrow Huan of Valinor;
Being lies with Eru - Rank 1
Status: Offline
Posts: 6
Date: Apr 11, 2012
Thanks, Huan. I do appreciate it. I'll certainly be around partaking in discussions just as soon as I'm a bit more caught up. @ Jaidoprism7: that sounds exciting! Keep me posted.

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