Bookcraft ~ Bookmaking ~ Bookbinding

Is there a difference?

Yes and no. That needs elaboration. As always on these pages it is just me talking ~ I may have got things wrong. By way of explaining my use of the words ~ here is my opinion and belief. I prefer to use the two terms with separate meanings.

Bookbinding is a trade that has developed over the last dozen centuries. A hand bookbinder has mastered the techniques required to make ~ sensibly, beautifully, bound books ~ in a great many ways. Experience shows that the best and quickest way to become a bookbinder is to sign on as an apprentice to a master binder. Over the years the skills of the master are shared ~ and a wide experience is developed. Such apprenticeships are few and far between ~ as are the master bookbinders with the necessary skills.

The Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education suggests two years for initial training [IATE]. I always thought it was more like five years to get anywhere near being a reliable bookbinder. A century ago a good bookbinder might rise to become a Fine Binder or Extra Binder ~ the term reserved for the craftsman (rarely females) who reliably mastered everything including the use of jewels and real gold to permanently decorate parts of the book. Zaehnsdorf lists the rates of pay his staff were receiving. The traditions of his firm live on ~ nowadays with a talented staff of half a dozen men and women.

The Queen's Royal Bindery at Windsor Castle offers occasional apprenticeships ~ think in terms of one or two every few years. Several very interesting binding projects are available for browsing [124761]. Expect to have to search around to find such an opening ~ try using search-words such as 'Heritage'. There are several colleges offering suitable courses of study ~ an excellent way-in to the trade.

I have been at length to explain my definition of a bookbinder, and I would like to reserve the term for those who have really earned their colours. Just as a joiner ~ plumber ~ electrician ~ or bricklayer earns their title ~ which should not be confused with the d-i-y expert who can make a bookshelf ~ mend a fuse ~ or change the washer on a tap.

The descriptor of my choice for those without the time-served qualifications is bookcrafter. It is not meant be a denigrating term ~ there is tremendous talent provided by bookcrafters around the World ~ they also have my full respect. The WWW has thousands of tutors offering to share their skills ~ give them a try. Be prepared to spend several happy hours browsing and watching fascinating bookcraft videos.

That leaves bookmaker. Anyone can make a book ~ most people can make very well designed and serviceable books. It takes a bookbinder to make a Fine Binding which is another trade term ~ to be reserved for the output from the true masters of their craft. Bookmaker is a term nowdays widely accepted to mean a person who arranges gambling facilities for those who wish to make bets ~ on sports or any other matter. Bookmaking is unlikely to be understood to have any relevance to bookbinding.

The previous paragraph opens another can of worms. What is a book? It makes me sad when I hear the comment (as I often have done) 'That's not a book'. I have stuck my neck out far enough for today ~ more anon ~ perhaps [113556]. For now you will have to stick by ~ or modify ~ your opinion as to which features define a book.

I have mentioned historical bindings several times. Some of these old masterpieces have been carefully preserved ~ but still require attention. Museum curators frequently have to acknowledge that properties of ancient items cannot be studied because of ill-advised 'repairs'. Some books exist in a fragile ~ but original state ~ and are not on display nor even to be touched for fear of doing further damage. Career opportunities for conservators exist ~ possibly an even more fascinating subject than bookbinding! A bookbinder will need to undertake several further years of training before become a book conservator. I have just taken a glimpse on the WWW and see that the entry level requirement for training as an archive conservator quoted as being a master's degree (five year's university study).



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