Leijonstedt » Books: Work Archive 95-07

‘Ajattele elämäsi hyväksi’ by Annastina Vrethammar

admin — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 05:05:58 +0000

Full-leather binding with sculptured boards and etched copper onlays.

This was my first full-leather binding ever, completed in early 1995 as part of my degree studies in bookbinding. I have made very few design bindings with bright colours but this certainly is one of them. It is not a finely printed book, but of great importance to myself in terms of content. Only later have I realised how the colour symbology and indeed the whole design corresponds aptly to the theme of the book in quite an esoteric level. The content, in short, deals with similar issues as the well-known works of author Joseph Murphy. The design of the binding features sculptured cover boards in Harmatan goat skin, with reversed etched copper onlays.

Not for sale

‘Paradise Found’

admin — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 23:09:49 +0000

Book sculpture.

Here’s a playful book, once again stretching the notion a bit. All the parts of a ‘book’ can be found in this one: there are pages, writing on the pages, the pages are all bound together, the pages can be closed within covers… Why wouldn’t it be a book?

‘Ole Kissa Jos Osaat’ by Frans Toikkanen & Jaana Janhila

admin — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 23:09:49 +0000

Full-leather binding with feathered onlays and silver leaf inlays.

This is a book of artful prints and poetry with a cat theme. The fantastic black cats are by artist Frans Toikkanen and the related poems by Jaana Janhila. The Finnish title means ‘Be a Cat If You Can’. Keeping with the blackness of the prints, the book is bound in full black, with silvery inlays depicting cat’s sratches. There are also black feather onlays that almost blend into the black cover, and black ink tooling.

‘The Natural History and Antiquities of Selborne’ by Gilbert White

admin — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 05:33:12 +0000

Suede covered binding with inlaid agate stone.

This binding covered in reddish brown suede echoes the subject of nature. Edges are burnt and the front cover features an in-set agate stone. What’s special about this binding is that it was the very first of my bindings that won an award. That was in 1995, the Designer Bookbinders’ annual competition which I had entered for the first time and which was exhibited at The British Library in London. Another binding of mine also got a Highly Commended certificate at the same event.

In private collection

‘Anteckningar från en ö’ by Tove Jansson

admin — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 23:09:51 +0000

Full-leather binding with blind and gold tooling and raised leather onlays.

This Swedish title, ‘Notes from an island’, features paintings and fine prints by Tuulikki Pietilä that inspired the look and feel of the binding. The blind & gold tooling lining of the inner covers and the rough gilt edges are combined with subtle burnt markings. This binding won the ‘Finishing Award’ (for tooling) in the Designer Bookbinders annual competition in 1997.

‘The Book of the Heart’ by Louisa Young

admin — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 23:09:50 +0000

Full-leather binding in soft reindeer covers with decorative stitching.

The book details the history of the heart in areas such as religion, art, anatomy and love. The binding is sewn on leather thongs that are laced in soft reindeer leather covers, echoing a medieval feel. Edges are decorated with fragmented drawings from the book’s illustrations.
In private collection

‘Journey to the Centre of the Earth’ by Jules Verne

admin — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 23:09:49 +0000

Long-stitch binding in dyed suede with mosaic onlays in the same material.

This classic book is covered in dyed and painted suede in tones of white, with mosaic details in orange and black – together referring to ice and fire. The book is housed in a decorative box that features a frame of suede mosaics and a split door lid. The title was published by Folio Society and was the set book in the Designer Bookbinders’ annual competition a few years back.

‘Kisses’ by Lena Tabori

admin — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 23:09:49 +0000

Long-stitch binding in reindeer skin and wood veneer covers.

The soft and tactile materials of this binding, which include reindeer leather, cherry veneer and silk stitching, are inspired by the photographs and script excerpts from romantic Hollywood films. This book was the first title I bought when I moved to London in 1993, found it in a small bookshop in Putney. It has a really playful, nostalgic feel to it. At the time, although the signs were there, I had no inkling that in a few years’ time, I’d return to it to make a unique binding for it.

‘Fifty Folio Epigrams’ by selected authors

admin — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 23:09:48 +0000

Long-stitch binding in paper covers with tin onlays.

This small book is covered in parchment paper with tiny pewter onlays and burnt markings. The binding is housed in a matching box that has a split door lid, held close by the weight of the pewter onlay.

‘Graduale Aboense’ edited by Ilkka Taitto

admin — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 23:09:48 +0000

Full-leather binding with goat skin spine and parchment boards and copper onlays.

This book is a facsimile of a medieval Finnish song book in Latin. The modern binding visually echoes the rich liturgical heritage of medieval times. Materials used are red goat skin, dyed parchment and etched copper.