Workshop on historic bookbindings

Workshops on historic bindings, Patmos 2009
Monastery of Saint John the Theologian
Patmos, Greece
31 August - 4 September 7, 2009
Nov 14-18, 2009 and
21-25 September, 2009

Deadline for applications:  31 July, 2009

The 11th century Greek Orthodox monastery of Saint John the
Theologian is situated on the island of the Apocalypse, Patmos. It
preserves one of the most important monastic libraries of the
Christian world, containing a wealth of Greek bound manuscripts,
scrolls, early documents and printed books.

Following the success of the program of workshops organized by the
conservation studio of the monastery over the last three years, we
are pleased to announce the workshops on historic bindings for 2009.

Week 1.

    Early Coptic Bookbindings (theory)
    Tutor: John Sharpe
    31 August - 4 September 2009
    Course fee: Euro530

        The course will cover the period of binding construction
        especially as evidenced in the archaeological finds
        especially from Egypt from the earliest wooden tablets,
        papyrus codices, finely constructed Coptic bindings from the
        third through the fifth centuries to the end of AD 1000.  We
        will examine the history of Coptic book making as seen in
        its various manifestations and transitions in the first
        millennium of the Common Era.

Week 2.

    Traditional Gold Tooling
    Tutor: Trevor Lloyd
    7-11 September 2009
    Course fee: Euro530

        During this 5-day course we will be  dealing with all
        aspects of traditional gold finishing on bookbindings, from
        preparation of the leather to the correct use of a polishing
        iron, and everything in between.  Participants can expect to
        complete several different  projects during the week, from
        practice spines and boards to a full binding.

        This course will be a unique opportunity to learn lots of
        tricks of the trade, many of which are rapidly disappearing
        and should result in participants being able to go away from
        the course with the confidence to tool bindings competently
        and quickly.

Week 3.

    A practical introduction to Byzantine Binding (Practical
    workshop)
    Tutor: John Mumford
    14-18 September 2009
    Course fee: Euro530

        This 5-day course is an introduction to Byzantine
        bookbinding. The model that will be made is based on a 15th
        c. manuscript Byzantine binding currently housed at the
        British Library, (Royal.1.A.xv - Bible, St.Nilos
        commentaries). The workshop will include all the stages for
        the completion of the model. Through a series of practical
        demonstrations the student will gain an understanding of the
        construction of a Byzantine binding which will include
        sewing, board preparation, endbands, and covering with
        leather. They will then embellish their bindings with blind
        tooled decoration, drawing on the classic motifs used on
        historical Byzantine bindings, with finishing tools copied
        from original impressions. Finally, they will construct the
        edge pins and laced leather straps.

Week 4.

    Conservation and Repair of Parchment
    Tutors: Mariluz Beltran de Guevara and Flavio Marzo
    21-25 September 2009
    Course fee: Euro530

        This course investigates the properties and history of
        parchment as a material in relation to manuscript and
        binding conservation. An overview of past and current
        techniques and materials used to treat parchment is
        provided. There will be an emphasis on practical sessions on
        the different techniques and the evaluation of old and
        modern adhesives and materials used for repairs, in view of
        current research and the long term preservation of
        parchment.

The courses will be given in English. The classes are open to 12
individuals (theoretical course) or 8 (practical workshops) from the
fields of book conservation, bookbinding, librarianship or
palaeography and those interested in the history and the making of
the book. Since these are not beginner-level courses, the
participants are expected to be familiar with bookbinding
terminology and have a basic knowledge of the history of book
production in the periods under discussion. Good bookbinding skills
are essential for the relevant practical workshops.

Applications for the courses should be made by email to Nikolas
Sarris <info<-at->patmosworkshop<.>com> with the subject "Patmos
Bookbinding Workshops 2009". The applicant must state the course/s
he/she is interested in attending as well as a short biography,
showing relevant experience with the subjects of the courses.

For more information please visit:

    <URL:http://www.patmosworkshop.com>

or contact:

    Nikolas Sarris
    Supervisor of Book Conservation Studio,
    St. John Theologian Monastery, Patmos Greece
    info<-at->patmosworkshop<.>com


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 22:53
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