Tolkien Forums

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.

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.

Thanks, Anorlas. I'm happy to be here. I'm just getting back into the lore after a long time being in absentia.

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.

@ 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!

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!