PHOTO BY DENNIS MECHAM, COPYRIGHT 2008.
Michael LeRoy Chrisman with "The First Five Gutenberg's"

In the over 15,000 visitors (and literally countless wonderful comments) we've had to this blog just since January '09, a great many folks have asked me where I studied bookbinding, and many have asked more about my life and experiences, etc. So I thought it might be a good idea to post here a short background sketch of myself, and my career.

- Born 1963, Homer, Ohio (Burlington Township / Licking County).
- Authored the First published history of Burlington Township in 1979. Second Edition/1981.
- Received gift of the Holwick Historical Ohio Photographs Collection, 1980.
- Began text-book study in bookbinding in 1980 to repair books from my grandfathers collection, who was a Justice. My first text-book was: Rebinding & Repairing Books By Hand, by David Muir.
- Founded the Homer, Ohio Historical Society 1981. Served as President  from 1981 to 1989.
- Presented with the Henry Howe Family Award by the Granville, Ohio Historical Society, 1981.
- Conducted lengthy historical research on Ohio Indian Tribes and their hieroglyphics, and Ohio Grist Mills, as well as continued research in local and personal family histories, 1981-1987.
- Joined the Old Order Amish Church in NE Ohio, 1987.
- Took up bookbinding  as a full-time profession, 1987. But also doubled one year as an Amish School Teacher.
- I have worked full-time as a bookbinder/book restorer ever since.
- In 1981, I acquired and began to study, in great depth, The Restoration of Leather Bindings, by Bernard C. Middleton.
- In 1994, I made my first journey to England to visit Mr. Middleton in London, England. Following is a run-down of only a small portion of that experience;

  Between 1994 and 1999 I was fortunate to receive some very kind and personal teaching, guidance and mentoring from Mr. Bernard C. Middleton, MBE, FSA, London, England. The personal (one-on-one) teaching was received both at his home in London, and mine in Ohio.
  On one particular teaching session at Bernard's home in 1996, he demonstrated for me the following;
- His (period-style) re-backing and spine label technique on a mid-18th century Philadelphia printing of Barclay's Apology.
- His (period-style) outer hinge repair technique on Offenbarung Johannis, Stuttgart, 1857. (This book is in my personal collection).
- His (period-style) Full Gilt Back on Essai Sur L'Origine De La Gravure, Paris, 1808. (This book is in my personal collection). NOTE: Bernard & I actually re-backed this book prior to he doing the full-gilt-back. It was originally a smooth spine, so false bands were pasted onto the back, creating spine compartments, then the new lather applied. It wasn't until after the gilt work was all done that we noticed the book had been re-backed and tooled UPSIDE DOWN! All I can say is, I wasn't the one who pasted on the false bands! I received the book in the mail from Bernard a few weeks later. It takes a proud place in my personal library, where it has now been for 13 years!
  Also on this same visit a very important and honorable gentleman called on Mr. Middleton. This was Lord Robert Crawford, The Right Honorable 29th Earl of Crawford, of Balcarres Castle, Scotland. I was humbled that Bernard liked my period-style reverse calf binding on a 1777 printing of Taylor & Skinners Maps of Ireland so well that (standing in his den) he picked it up and handed it to Lord Crawford. He was equally pleased, and invited me to visit him at Balcarres Castle on my next trip to England, and when I did that the following year, I was astounded by the beauty as Lord Crawford gave me a tour of their home...Balcarres (a 16th century Scottish castle). Balcarres is also home of the largest private library in all Scotland, The Bibliotech Lindsiana. I have a photograph of myself in the library with one of his [many] original Nuremberg Chronicles. It was a time I will never forget! Lord Crawford was Lord Chamberlain to the Queen Mother, and also Britain's Minister of Defense during the cold war. Here's a fabulous link to more more information about Earl Crawford: 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Lindsay,_29th_Earl_of_Crawford

  Before returning to America, Bernard presented me with the gift of probably his most famous period-style Cambridge binding ever, the one that is illustrated in the back of Restoration book, Kennet's Antiquities of Rome (a 17th century book). On the inside front fly-leaf he wrote: For Leroy, from Bernard, June 1996. Bernard made great "kippers and bread" for lunch.
  The experience of life thus far has been amazing! However, the best thing that has ever happened to me is my wonderful wife, Chongmin (Minnie). There's a picture of her & I on this BLOG under the "Lost Gutenbergs" category. She has been my rock. The way she cares for me and our home and business is super-human! I thank God for her every day of my life.
  As I'm writing all of this I'm ever more aware just how much there is to write. So very much! Therefore, I'll add more later, as well as some photo's of work that I have done over the years, and many other unique photo's of interest.
 
Let me know if this gets boring!

I'LL OUTLINE MY WORK AT THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS (1999-2000), AND OTHER INTERESTING TID-BITS, IN MY NEXT POST!

Michael

        

Here is yet another collection of photo's of my bindings on our BBWS "Lost Gutenberg's".

I hope you enjoy them!

Michael.



PHOTO BY ELLIOTT YANCEY, 2009
This is the {already famous} BBWS reproduction 15th century brass boss. Each two volume set has 20 of these hand turned bosses. They are aged with a special solution. They measure 1-3/4 inch in diameter by 7/8th inch tall. Each boss is attached with a solid brass machine screw from the inside cover. These bosses begin their life as shiny as crystal, and then I age them with a three step process. Notice the [harmless] residue at the points where the different design elements meet. The style is derived from known original 15th century examples.







PHOTO BY MICHAEL L. CHRISMAN
Here is a demanding stack of Lost Gutenbergs in varying stages of binding. Notice the light reflecting on the blind tooling in the middle of the stack.







PHOTO BY ELLIOTT YANCEY, 2009
A close-up of some recent blind tooling on the alum-tawed pigskin leather. I age the leather much the same way as Bernard Middleton taught me fifteen years ago, giving it a genuine antique patina. I have deviated only slightly from his recipe, but in a way that I believe creates an even greater authentic look.







PHOTO BY ELLIOTT YANCEY, 2009

Here's a photo of a bottom back cover board of a G.B. Volume II. Notice the harmless {new} residue around the elements of the brass bosses. Our {new} BBWS Alum-Tawed Pigskin is a joy to work with, and there is no other alum-tawed pigskin in the world that even comes close to the BBWS quality.






PHOTO BY ELLIOTT YANCEY, 2009

I have been making brass clasps and catches now since 1987. My Pennsylvania German-Dutch Book Clasps have been sold in the past by Shepherds in England, and throughout Europe. These Lost Gutenberg clasps and catches are some of the most rewarding I've ever done!



         
PHOTO BY THOMAS SCHMIDT, STUTTGART, DE 2007               PHOTO BY THOMAS SCHMIDT, STUTTGART, DE 2007




PHOTO BY THOMAS SCHMIDT, STUTTGART, DE, 2007

The three photo's above are of some friends at FRANZ HOFFMANN FINE LEATHERS, STUTTGART, GERMANY. They depict three (of the many) stages in making our BBWS ALUM-TAWED PIGSKIN.





PHOTO BY CHONGMIN CHRISMAN, 2008

Here is a photo of a Lost Gutenberg Bible end-cap with it's German-Primary End-band and the alum-tawed pigskin tab (cut flush with the top of German Primary), now ready to receive the German Braided Endband.





PHOTO BY ELLIOTT YANCEY, 2009

Herringbone, packed-sewn volume of a Lost Gutenberg Bible.

        

HOOLE MACHINE & ENGRAVING WORKS, INC.
SALT LAKE CITY, UT

BBWS is very happy to announce to the world that the 177 year old firm of HOOLE MACHINE & ENGRAVING WORKS is in FULL production of the finest brass bookbinders tools in the world. Hoole is the oldest continually operating bookbinders tool maker world-wide, and boasts of the finest quality and reasonable pricing available.

Below are only a few examples of Hoole's impeccable quality. See their website for much more (  www.hooleworks.com  ) and contact them for more information....

THESE ARE THE FINEST AND MOST REASONABLY PRICED TOOLS IN THE WORLD!

www.hooleworks.com

        

BBWS IS VERY PROUD TO  BE THE EXCLUSIVE WORLD-WIDE DISTRIBUTOR FOR FRANZ HOFFMANN FINE LEATHERS - STUTTGART, GERMANY. HOFFMANN'S IS NOW CELEBRATING  OUR 84TH YEAR IN SUPPLYING "THE WORLDS FINEST LEATHERS."

HAVE A LOOK THROUGH THE AWESOME HOFFMANN'S WEBSITE (  WWW.FEINLEDER-HOFFMANN.COM  ) WHERE YOU'LL FIND THE WORLDS LARGEST SELECTION OF FINE BOOKBINDING LEATHERS, VELLUMS, PARCHMENTS, ETC.

STAY TUNED FOR A BRAND NEW AMAZING PRODUCT COMING FROM HOFFMANN'S & BBWS SOON! SOMETHING LIKE THE WORLD HAS NEVER SEEN!


http://www.feinleder-hoffmann.com/


CALL US WITH ANY QUESTIONS, OR TO REQUEST OUR 30+ PAGE SAMPLE BOOK, WHICH IS $50.00 AND REFUNDED ON YOUR FIRST ORDER OF $500 OR MORE LEATHER.

(347) 556-7133
M-F, 8-5 EDT

        

MICHAEL L. CHRISMAN (Left), TIM YANCEY (Right).
Photo taken by Elliott Yancey, in the 'Great Room' of the Chrisman's Long Island, NY Home.

Over the last 20+ years I have had a number of students. Most of which have continued in the art of bookbinding. But few have been what I would also call a close friend. A true friend that cares is an extreme rarity in life.

The above photo is of myself with just such a friend, who happens to also be one of the finest students I've ever had, Tim Yancey, of Atlanta, Georgia. Tim & I first met in the summer of 2005 after he had taken a class at the American Academy of Bookbinding in Colorado. His only exposure to me prior to studying with me was my first bookbinding video, BOOK RESTORATION FOR BEGINNERS, VOL I (Walnut Creek, Ohio, 1996).  A video that still remains on the market today. Tim & I joined forces in creating Bookbinders Workshop in 2006, [then] a Limited Liability Corporation in Salt Lake City, Utah. We also purchased Hoole Machine & Engraving Works (Est. 1832, NY, NY), which we later sold, with my wife and I retaining thirty-five percent ownership of the Hoole Company. Today, Bookbinders Workshop, Inc. is a New York State Corporation based in Long Island, New York.

In Spring 2007 Tim & I embarked on our wonderful "Lost Gutenbergs" project, which is described throughout this blog. The "Lost Gutenbergs" project is an equal monetary investment for both of us, but one that I know we're both happy to be involved in. Though there are many miles between Long Island and Atlanta, I'm grateful that Tim gets up here to Long Island to work with me a few days every three or four months.

Tim's lengthy experience in the corporate world and finance has been, and remains, an unwavering asset to all of our business interests. His passion for "real" bookbinding, and the embodiment of this in our "Lost Gutenbergs" project has been tireless. All through the development of each aspect, Tim and I have shared what I believe to be the most astounding experience in the entire history of bookbinding.

Many of the first bindings I restored very many years ago were wooden board bindings within the Amish and Mennonite communities of Ohio & Pennsylvania. I am thankful to God for having taught me the mysteries of this ancient style. In the course developing the wooden boards, hand shaping the profiles, and all the other aspects of these bindings, I draw on that experience daily. Tim often remarks that he believes that God has prepared me my entire life for this Lost Gutenbergs project. I didn't immediately think so, but now I must admit, I believe its true.

I often reflect on the time I spent studying with Bernard Middleton in London, England, and the times he spent teaching me at my bindery [then] in Ohio. Though my study under Bernard was not a part or full time "position", it consisted of years of helpful correspondence, visits to each others binderies, etc. All in a one-on-one situation. I have a desire (and I believe a responsibility) to teach the mysteries I've received from God (and from Bernard) in art and craft of bookbinding.

Michael L. Chrisman
"The Gutenberg Binder", as someone recently addressed me.

        

Greetings!
Since January of this year, this blog has received many, many THOUSANDS of visitors. These are visitors that have roamed around the blog and enjoyed what's here. We've already received a multitude of comments as well, but time has just not allowed us answer them all. The few that we have posted here are very representative of the nice compliments we receive daily about my bindings on the Cooper-Square 1961 facsimile of the Gutenberg Bible, the first fac. of this great book in America, and only the second ever produced in the world. Minnie & I are very grateful for these comments, and that so many people recognize what a vast undertaking this is.

BOOKBINDERS WORKSHOP, INC and BBWS WORLDWIDE has not yet revived their website since relocating to Long Island, New York, but is in the process of doing so. For now, we ask our visitors who are looking for any of many great products (such as leathers, cloths, papers, threads, etc) to go to the HOME PAGE OF THIS BLOG and click on BBWS LEATHERS or BBWS INSTRUCTIONAL DVD'S, and so forth, UNDER THE CATEGORY ARCHIVES TAB. There you will find photo's of products, descriptions, and pricing.

We'll do our best to keep this blog interesting with bookbinding, book conservation, book restoration information, as well as other great BBWS products and services!

Subscribe to the BLOG at lower right, and stay tuned in!

Michael & Minnie
Bookbinders Workshop, Inc.
BBWS Worldwide
(347) 556-7133

        

        

1537 Binding on an edition of Euclides.                                       BBWS "Cathedral Calf/ Antique Ochre"

BBWS (TOGETHER WITH FRANZ HOFFMAN FINE LEATHERS, STUTTGART, GERMANY) HAS DEVELOPED THE FINEST LINE OF CALFSKIN LEATHERS EVER. THESE CALFSKINS ARE SUITABLE FOR RESTORATION / CONSERVATION, AND FINE BINDING. THEY ARE MAJESTIC IN THEIR LOOK, FEEL AND QUALITY. HENCE THE NAME "BBWS CATHEDRAL."  PICTURED ABOVE IS OUR "ANTIQUE OCHRE" SHADE. BBWS CATHEDRAL CALF IS ALSO STOCKED IN A TRUE MEDIUM BROWN, NATURAL, AND BORDEAUX. FIVE ADDITIONAL COLOURS ARE CURRENTLY BEING MADE FOR US.

PRICE: $21.00 PER SQUARE FOOT / AVG SKIN SIZE IS 15-18 SQUARE FEET.

BBWS GREATLY PRIDES ITSELF IN OFFERING THE "WORLDS FINEST LEATHERS" AND IS BULLISH ON THE STANCE THAT WE HAVE NO COMPETITION WHEN IT COMES TO THE QUALITY AND PRICE OF OUR FINE FRANZ HOFFMANN LEATHERS. THEY ARE MADE ACCORDING TO STRICT GERMAN STANDARDS, AND HAVE NO EQUAL. THEY ARE, QUITE SIMPLY, THE BEST.

HERE ARE THUMB-NAILS OF FOUR ADDITIONAL COLOURS OF

BBWS "CATHEDRAL CALF."

     
BBWS CATHEDRAL CALF/ Caramel Tan              BBWS CATHEDRAL CALF/ Bordeaux


 
BBWS CATHEDRAL CALF/ Natural                   

HERE ARE THE FIRST FOUR COLORS, AND SHOWING THE SIZE OF THE YEARLING CALVES, WHICH ARE 6 TO 7 MONTHS OLD. THESE SKINS ARE TYPICALLY THINNED TO 0.68MM THICKNESS / 1.2 OZ., BUT CAN BE ORDERED IN THICKNESSES ANYWHERE FROM 1.2OZ UP TO 1.5 OZ (0.80MM).

TO ORDER, CALL BBWS DIRECTLY AT:

(347) 556-7133, M-F 8AM-5PM / EST.

        

Here's a photo taken on the east side of the 'great room' in our Long Island home. We usually call it our "Gutenberg Library Room." The illuminations in these rare Gutenberg Bibles are truly amazing. Minnie & I have spent many Sunday evenings sitting in this room looking at every page. When I was on staff as a rare book conservator at the Library of Congress, Rare Book Conservation Division, Washington, D.C., I was fortunate to have the honor (on 09 September 1999) of assisting in changing out the Gutenberg (Volume III) on display, with Gutenberg (Volume I), which was opened to the first chapter of Ruth. Two of us then spending some time back in the lab with G-III.

Is there any ONE word to appropriately describe this beauty?

In 1990, Marcia Preston from OSU Friends of the Library commissioned me to create a design binding on a Tern Press edition of the Book of Matthew. Some weeks after the order I received a lovely card in the mail (in her amazing calligraphic hand) with a quote from John Ruskin: "When skill and love work together, expect a masterpiece." She signed the card "I'm expecting a masterpiece, Michael!" The point is this.... I hope these Gutenberg Bible masterpieces are loved as much as I love creating them! Michael L. Chrisman, Bookbinder.

        

THE MOST RECENT LOST GUTENBERG BINDINGS. EACH NEW SET THAT I BIND BRINGS ME JOY, AND CONTINUAL OPPORTUNITY TO DELVE INTO THE MINDS OF BINDERS OF CENTURIES PAST.

Developing this alum-tawed pigskin leather was practically a miracle! Our A.T.Pigskin is hand-made in Germany, following the ancient recipe which requires the hand-dipping of each skin once a day, for three consecutive days, in addition to all of the other labor intensive processes involved in it's manufacture. BBWS Alum-Tawed Pigskins are AMAZINGLY SOFT & SUPPLE, and they tool and patina beautifully. Notice how nicely they form around the large raised cords on the spine. Creating the finest alum-tawed pigskin the world has EVER seen is something BBWS is very proud of.

        

A NEW VIDEO FROM BBWS!

In this DVD I share my techniques in rebacking and restoring an early (1728) London, England binding. Including the successful lifting of a VERY tight spine, loose turn-ins, and so forth. THIS VOLUME HAS BEEN PARTICULARLY HELPFUL TO MANY PEOPLE.

$99.00 plus $5.00 postage. CALL BBWS TO ORDER THIS OR ANY OF THE OTHER FIVE VOLUMES IN THE SERIES!

(347) 556-7133  MON-FRI, 8AM TO 5PM, EST/ LONG ISLAND, NY.