Paul Delrue

1944 - 2024

We are saddened to announce the passing of founding member and Patron of the Society of Bookbinders and Fellow of Designer Bookbinder, Paul Delrue. He was a superb and unique bookbinder with a huge catalogue of work behind him. He will be sadly missed by his extensive network of bookbinding friends and colleagues, and especially the many binders whom he taught and who went on to achieve success in their own right. He was irreverent, empathetic, loveably eccentric, and hugely talented. He leaves a significant hole in the world of bookbinding.

Prepared Paste

Both our Rex Prepared and Rex Special Pastes are back in stock.

Our range of adhesives may be purchased online by clicking here

Jemma Lewis Printed Marble Papers

We have just added 6 beautiful new designs to this range of papers, bringing the total range to 20 designs. The papers are printed on 100gsm Munken, known for is tactile and excellent handling qualities. The Munken is FSC Certified and Acid Free. Printed with UV ink the colours are sharper and brighter and better reflect the look and detail of real marbled papers. Paper size is 50 x 70cm (long-grain).

These lovely papers may be purchased online by clicking here

Faithfull Spokeshaves

New to our range, the Faithfull flat-bottomed spokeshaves have virtually unbreakable malleable iron bodies, with the cutting blade held securely in place by a lever cap, and two retaining screws. The cutter is fully adjustable and can be finely set for delicate work. The spokeshave is supplied with a blade, but will need to be modified for leather paring before use.

These lovely papers may be purchased online by clicking here

The Designer Bookbinders Competition, 2023

Photo: Maggs Bros/Ivo Karaivanov

The J. Hewit & Sons Award for The Interesting Treatment of Leather

Winner - Thomas Hosking

Book - Love Poems
Illustrated by Mikki Lee
Selected and introduced by Imtiaz Dharker
Published by the Folio Society

Full leather binding in fair Goat, with exposed core endbands and leather-jointed doublures. The board and spin covering panels are developed using a variant of David Sellars'."'".' mud technique. In this application, leather shavings are adhered, shaped and sanded into a single kaleidoscopic sheet, with the aim of bringing together disparate threads to create something more richly textured than their individual parts. This theme is echoed in the flottage doublures and fly leaves, which are embellished with progressive fading human forms.

Our warm congratulations go to Thomas.