Special Projects
The Book: Art and Object by Philip Smith
Published 1982 in Merstham
small quarto (300x210x8mm), 68pages, stiff paper covers
Although the book is a paperback, it is sewn.
A collection of writings by Philip Smith including early articles from DBNL; texts of talks given to various institutions; essays on the development of contemporary binding, the economics of binding, the theory of design and much more. The book is profusely illustrated – not just with Philip’s bindings – in colour and black & white, and with diagrams.
Invitation to Associate Members to Exhibit
If you are an Associate member of Designer Bookbinders we would especially like to invite you to purchase and bind a copy of this book. We would then like to exhibit as many of the bindings as possible at the Designer Bookbinders AGM in London in 2023, so there is plenty of time to complete a binding! This is not a competition and there are no restrictions on approach, style or materials and it is open to Designer Bookbinders Associate members from anywhere. There are no entry fees and there are no prizes. All we ask is that you use your creativity and imagination to produce a binding you would be happy to show other members. You will be invited to offer your binding for sale if you wish and, in this instance, no commission will be taken by Designer Bookbinders.
Copies of the book are for sale at £5 + postage
Although we have a reasonable number of these books available, we expect there to be high demand, so please put in your request to Hannah as soon as possible.
** INFORMATION FOR CONTRIBUTORS **
Design Bindings by Associates of Designer Bookbinders on copies of The Book: Art & Object – Philip Smith, published 1982
An exhibition accompanying the AGM and Spring Meeting, 29th April 2023 at The Art Workers Guild, 6 Queen Square, London WC1N 3AT (Russell Square underground station)
If you are intending to participate in this exhibition please email Lester Capon before 1st April so that we can plan accordingly. Please include your name, the title of the book and, if you wish, a brief description of the binding (materials, structure and techniques used, inspiration for the design, etc). No more than 150 words please. Also please add an e-mail address or telephone number in case anyone would like to get in touch to discuss a possible purchase. We shall then prepare a display card to go alongside your binding.
Books may be sent to
Jeanette Koch
195 Victoria Park Road
London E9 7JN
The deadline for receipt of the books is 22nd April. Please email Jeanette prior to posting to check that she will be in to receive your book. Please ensure your binding is simply but securely packed in re-usable packaging for return postage if necessary, together with the appropriate value in stamps and a return address label. Insurance is the responsibility of the binder.
Alternatively, you can bring your book to the Art Workers Guild on the day of the meeting at about 12.00 so we have time to include them in the display. All Associates are invited and encouraged to attend the AGM and spring meeting if possible. Exhibitors can then take their bindings home with them at the end of the day. The books will be displayed in the front room of The Art Workers Guild. We do not have facilities for showcases at this venue but there will be a ‘No Handling’ notice and every care will be taken to ensure their safety.
As explained in previous announcements, this is not a competition. It is an opportunity for us all to see some interesting bindings and appreciate the design skills of our Associate membership. Any sales which result from the exhibition should be handled directly by the binder. DB will not be taking any commission.
Copies of the book are still available to purchase here.
If you are planning to bind a copy of this book – thank you for joining in. We look forward to seeing all the bindings!
Lester Capon
Glenn Malkin
(Curators)
