Collection: Fine Bindings and Small Press

Beautiful, unique and, most of the times, limited books bound in fine materials and gilt-tooled illustrated tomes of cherished works of literature by Charles Dickens, Miguel de Cervantes, Jane Austen and other of the world’s greatest authors, our Fine Binding and Small Press collection boasts several limited and numbered editions displaying the finest craftsmanship and decorative techniques, such as hand-marbled papers, letterpress printing, intricate tooling and high-grade goatskin leathers, silk or cloth, or unique art. From Folio Society limited editions that are bound by skilled artisans like Smith Settle or Ludlow Bookbinders, and contemporary bindings of true first editions bound by the greats, to high-quality, limited and signed editions of contemporary, classic, and occasionally obscure writers from around the world, we are certain there will be a book here for you. ...

What do we mean by fine bindings?

True beauty, rarity and durability; this is what a skilled artisan and experienced bookbinder can add to an ordinary volume, and this is really what we mean today by fine binding. In other words, a book that stands out from others and showcases unique, one-of-a-kind features, and one that is built to withstand many reading sessions. The concept of bound books, however, is not something new at all; it actually dates back to the 1st Century ancient manuscripts known as codices created by the Romans who were inspired by the library rivalry between Pergamom and Alexandria some centuries before. Early Christians then adopted this format for their own works and writings, and with the spread of Christianity across Europe, this popularised bound books even further. Not limited to Western traditions only, fine bindings can be found in many other cultures and time periods; such is the case for Japanese bookbinding that can be traced back to the 8th Century A.D., when the accordion- or folding-style books (known as Japanese orihon) led to the later development of hand-sewn books (known as Japanese retchoso). There are many books that trace back the fascinating history of bookbinding and the various style of bookbinding, but two we would wholeheartedly recommend are Philippa Marks’ The British Library Guide to Bookbinding: History and Techniques and Henry Petroski’s The Book on the Bookshelf; this latter one explores the evolution of bookbinding from parchment scrolls all the way to today.

Regardless of whether you are on the lookout for a beautifully-bound first edition of John Steinbeck’s East of Eden, Fyodor Dostoevsky’s Limited Editions Club signed and illustrated edition of The Idiot, Ian Fleming’s Folio Society Limited Edition of Casino Royale, or a highly limited edition from a small, independent press like Ash Tree Press or Swan River Press, we hope you will find something to grace your shelves or that constitutes the perfect gift.

Read more