BIO
Peter first came to binding half a lifetime ago when he joined an evening class at Brighton Polytechnic. He soon enrolled on the Certificate Course which was gained, with commendation, in 1991. In the same year he became a Licentiate of Designer Bookbinders. He holds a number of certificates and awards including Silver Medals from the Designer Bookbinders’ Annual Competition in 1991 and 1994. He was elected Fellow of DB in 1995 and served as President from 2005 to 2007. He has been a member of the Tomorrow’s Past group since 2003.
Peter taught extensively including at the University of Brighton (formerly Brighton Polytechnic) and The University of Surrey, Roehampton (formerly the Roehampton Institute). He has given numerous presentations, furnished articles for journals, and exhibited around the world. His work is represented in many private and public collections including The British Library, The V&A and The National Library of Wales.
He is slipping into his retirement years but continues to pursue his bookbinding interests, particularly structure and the use of materials, from his home studio in East Sussex.
On Chesil Beach by Ian McEwan
Jonathan Cape 2007
First Edition
208 x 141 x 29 mm
Bound in 2007
Private collection
A Booker Binding presented to the author. Full multi-coloured leather binding built up with scarf jointing across the spine and inlay or onlay work on the boards. Solid oak strips inlaid into each board divide the binding into three panels with each representing a particularly significant episode in the narrative.
Down the River and Through the Woods (1 of 2 bindings) by H.E. Bates
Illustrated by Agnes Miller Parker
Victor Gollancz, London, 1937 and 1936
First Edition
269 x 205 x 29 and 28 mm
Bound in 2021
For sale: £3300.00 each or £6000.00 for the pair
Each volume is structured identically, being sewn on vellum slips with a 3 layer hollow vellum spine piece. The shoulders of this hollow hold carbon fibre rods around which turn the ends of the sewing slips and vellum knuckles for board attachment. Hand cut brass washers allow for friction-free board opening. Boards are of clear acrylic with various timbers screwed to their surfaces as a reference to trees between which can be seen the outline of a river, tooled in gold onto the endpapers This meanders from a distant horizon on Down the River then into the near foreground of Through the Woods. The overall scene is completed with both books standing together, boards and endpapers open, though each book is also a stand-alone design.
Down the River and Through the Woods (1 of 2 bindings) by H.E. Bates
Illustrated by Agnes Miller Parker
Victor Gollancz, London, 1937 and 1936
First Edition
269 x 205 x 29 and 28 mm
Bound in 2021
For sale: £3300.00 each or £6000.00 for the pair
Each volume is structured identically, being sewn on vellum slips with a 3 layer hollow vellum spine piece. The shoulders of this hollow hold carbon fibre rods around which turn the ends of the sewing slips and vellum knuckles for board attachment. Hand cut brass washers allow for friction-free board opening. Boards are of clear acrylic with various timbers screwed to their surfaces as a reference to trees between which can be seen the outline of a river, tooled in gold onto the endpapers This meanders from a distant horizon on Down the River then into the near foreground of Through the Woods. The overall scene is completed with both books standing together, boards and endpapers open, though each book is also a stand-alone design.
The Sisters Brothers by Patrick deWitt
Granta Publications, London 2011
First Edition
224 x 148 x 39 mm
Bound in 2011
Private collection
Man Booker Binding presented to the author. Various leathers mainly inlaid or onlaid and backpared. Deep wood inlay into back board and recess in front board. Gold and palladium tooling using handmade tools with concave faces. Further blind tooling. The design features whimsical references to episodes from the text.
Henry VI Part 1 by William Shakespeare
Knickerbocker Leather and Novelty Co. New York
78 x 57 x 14 mm
Bound in 2007
A miniature binding in scarf jointed leathers and wood veneers with additional inlays into the veneers. The design references England and France, separated by The Channel, with crossed spears and blood red inlays to suggest conflict between them.
Kyffin. A Celebration by Kyffin Williams
Gwasg Gregynog 2007
Limited Edition of 360
270 x 180 x 24 mm
Bound in 2007
National Library of Wales Collection
One of two bindings of the same book, each referencing a particular image which I carry from my school days (which coincided with years in which Kyffin was active in the same corner of Wales). The boards and spine are covered in scarf jointed leather. Significant areas of the boards are cut away and replaced with solid timbers built up with tongue and grooved jointing.
A large format, traditionally structured binding. Matched oak boards were prepared, then cut and reassembled with numerous crosses set through their full thickness. These crosses all appear black with the book closed, many being ebony, but as each board is opened light shines through some which are acrylic, allowing the outline of a larger cross to emerge.
Inwards where all the battle is: A selection from the writings of Alun Lewis by Jeremy Hooker
Illustrated by David Gentleman
Gwasg Gregynog 1997
Edition 1 of 300
268 x 172 x 25 mm
Bound in 2012
Private collection
A three panel binding of imaginings abstracted from the text, based on a journey through time and place. Top edge black, others original deckle. Overwidth leather joints with paper doublures to match adjacent endpaper. Covering variously scarf jointed, onlaid and backpared, or inlaid depending on situation.
GET IN TOUCH
Email: peter.rjones@tiscali.co.uk
Accepts Commissions: No
