At the book binding shop

Well, I went to have my dissertation bound today (finally finished - hurrah!) at a little shop on campus that I barely knew existed. The man who worked there was lovely, and he has a massive, traditional workshop. I asked if I could take a few pictures and the lovely man spent 45mins showing me how everything worked, and he made me have a go on this machine in the shot, and I embossed my name onto a piece of cloth which he made into a keyring for me. Apparently for embossing you have to use 24 carat gold foil, as anything else will wear off with age. He told me it's a 7 year apprenticeship to become a book binder, and he did an extra 2 years to learn how to do repairs and conservation on some seriously old books. He had a family bible that he was stitching back together that was hundreds of years old!

It's so nice to find someone so passionate about their trade, and I learnt an awful lot. I hope you think it's as interesting as I do! - Lucy

[Lizzy Bean]

this is awesome, Lucy! love the shot, and the life lesson that goes along with it. may we all be as passionate fav

[Graham Thresher]

Great shot and commentary. Love the B & W, it really adds to the quality of the shot.

[CabinFest]

It's sometimes difficult nowadays to find real craftsmen. It's a wonderful thing when you do. Great shot.

[Bob]

Great photo and story. I had a county history book needing re-binding from about 1920. I found a shop like that in Denver, family run, and the grandmother did all of the old restorations. Cool place and excellent work..

[Marg Jorgensen]

B/W is so apt and congrats on getting your dissertation finished

[Padlock]

Great shot and opportunity

[Pyrrhula]

Love to be with and see old handcrafts and the people who`s know all about it . They always so nicely proud and willing to tell.
(That`s why I teach young children technique myself )
Great shot and lovely tale

[Jacqui Paterson]

What an interesting time you had. Sounds like a lovely man. Nice shot.

[Hazel A]

Interesting shot and information

[Lee]

Really nice shot, and interesting information.

[Molly]

Good shot and very interesting commentary. Well done for getting your dissertation finished - a great achievement.

[Malc Bird]

A lovely story and an interesting shot - works well in B&W

[Ann Jones]

Cool capture, ideal for B&W

[bkb in the city]

Cool shot and what a very interesting time you must have had

[Maria Swaisland]

A great shot and sounds like you had a fascinating visit. :)

[Ross]

An truly wonderful shot Lucy and the tale that goes with it. Also well done for finishing your dissertation. Hope it all goes well for you :-)

[Fisher Family]

@lizzybean thanks Lizzy! Glad you like it! -Lucy

[Fisher Family]

@thresheg thank you, I've never posted a black and white one before I don't think so it makes a nice change! -Lucy

[Fisher Family]

@cabinfest thank you. And they're all so willing to tell you about what they do, it's really lovely to see -Lucy

[Fisher Family]

@bobhuegel thanks Bob, it is nice to come across these kinds of places -Lucy

[Fisher Family]

@pukeko thank you Marg, I did enjoy it but I'm glad it's over! -Lucy

[Fisher Family]

@padlock thank you -Lucy

[Fisher Family]

@pyrrhula Thank you. It's so important to pass these skills on, or at least the stories of them - Lucy

[Fisher Family]

@witchyjacq Thank you. He was really lovely, and it's a busy time of year with deadlines coming up so I was expecting him to just leave me to guess what everything was! - Lucy

[Fisher Family]

@purplehaze12 Thank you Hazel - Lucy

[Fisher Family]

@gamelee Thank you for your comment Lee - Lucy

[Fisher Family]

@dolphin Thank you Molly, I'm glad it's gone now, you can work on the thing forever! - Lucy

[Fisher Family]

@malc Thanks Malc, it's my first shot posted in black and white but I like it! - Lucy

[Fisher Family]

@rhos Thank you Ann - Lucy

[Fisher Family]

@bkbinthecity Thanks, it was so interesting! I feel I should be writing down everything he told me! - Lucy

[Fisher Family]

@mariaswaisland THank you, it was really wonderful - Lucy

[Fisher Family]

@rossevs Thanks for the kind comment and the well wishes! Fingers crossed my tutor likes my work! - Lucy

[Kristin]

Wow! What a fabulous capture to commemorate your dissertation! Yay - Congrats!

[Debra Hall]

I've always wanted my own book binder. Lovely in b/w Lucy

[Fisher Family]

@kph129 Thank you Kristin! - Lucy

[Fisher Family]

@doodlerdeb Thanks Debra. It must be amazing to see your own work made into a book - I only had 30 pages made into one and it looked brilliant! - Lucy

[Fisher Family]

@lizzybean Thanks so much too for putting this on the B&W discussion thread Lizzy! Glad you like it so much :) - Lucy