Protea Wood Book, crafted 17March2026
This book is a quarter bound leather book using hardwood covers made from protea wood and a flat spine. The binding is performed by sewing the signatures onto hemp cords, which are then inserted into the covers.
The paper for the fly leaves and pastedowns is Japanese washi that has been hand printed with a pattern. The book features a marking ribbon that extends from the bottom to the top for ease of access and easier page location. The last page of the text block features my personal artist’s seal, hand carved and stamped with red ink. The end bands are hand sewn using a hemp core and indigo-dyed silk embroidery thread.
The seal is also on the back, inner cover. Finally, there is a copper tear inserted into the back cover as my maker’s mark.
This particular book was an experimental binding to see if I like flat spines. I think I much prefer the aesthetic of rounded spine, but the flat spine does allow for an increase in functionality since it does not have to work as hard to open up and show the full page. It depends on your preference for which you like more!
LACRIMEDIA 