Volume 9, Number 1
Feb 1985

Supplies &c.

A Note From the Column Editor

It seems appropriate at this juncture to make a statement about the guidelines used in selecting information for this column. The following criteria are used to select, condense, or solicit communications from suppliers.

A) News. Businesses starting up, changing location or ownership, closing down, merging. New dealerships, lines of goods, catalogs, hours, mode of operation, partnerships; even new employees, if they are known outside the immediate area.

B) Summaries or background articles relating to current trends or issues. This can include explanations of longstanding shortages, discussions of whole new types of supplies made possible by recent research, and so on.

C) Background information, test data, comparative studies, and any scientific or consumer-oriented information about the products.

D) Replies to questions raised by other readers in the "Letters" or "Queries" columns, or to comments on the supplier or his products and field of expertise.

In addition, the column editor is very interested in reporting on sources of supplies brought to his attention through the experience of the readership or through his own experience. In these cases emphasis is placed on supply sources (including equipment and materials) according to the following criteria:

A) Items of demonstrated quality and value.

B) Items which are not widely known but potentially significant.

C) Items which are provided through prompt, reliable, and attentive service.

D) Items which are economically competitive.

There is no attempt to be comprehensive, but rather we are interested in providing a selective list of supplies and suppliers judged to be of the greatest value to the readership.

For Sale by Owner

Martini Book Sewer, additionally set for four tapes, little used; nipping press, 15" x 12" by 12" daylight; laying press and plough, 21" between wooden screws, 36" total length; laying press much restored, 24" between wooden screws, 40" total length; Farley proofing press, 18" x 20" with metal table; assorted brass finishing tools. Contact Mr. Alan Winstanley, 213 Devizes Rd., Salisbury, Wiltshire, 5P2 9LT England.

Assorted used brass finishing tools, including numerous gouges of different sizes, a few very marrow palettes, a few decorative stamps, a dotted-line fillet, and a decorative roll. Also several small fonts of used lead type. Contact Irene Mitkus, 7211 5. Whipple St., Chicago, IL 60629, (312) 778-7919.

Suppliers

• The Cannabis Press of Asao Shimura, 431 Fukuhara Kasamashi, Ibaraki-ken 309-15, Japan, handles some Japanese handmade paper (washi) and shifu (paper fabric) for conservation and bookmaking. The stock of 1000 sheets of Sekishu kozo paper will be made in January or February, 1985 by Japanese National Treasure papermaker Mr. Kubota. Other papers available are: Honmino, 65 x 98.5 cm, $7.50/sht; Usumino, 63.5 x 93 cm, $3.30 per sht; Sekishu, 62 x 98 cm, $5.25/sht; Tengujo, 54 x 79 cm, $3.00/sht; Suruga torinoko (gampi), 42 x 54 cm, $2.5O/sht. Air mail postage and shipping are extra, minimum order is $75.
• Andrews/Nelson/Whitehead is marketing a new Japanese paper for backing prints, maps and drawings. Hosokawa Ohban, a natural colored sheet, is made by hand from 100% Kozo, and is of a slightly heavier weight than most Japanese papers presently used. Free samples available from A/N/W, 31-10 58th Ave., Long Island City, NY 11101.
• Aiko's will supply a sample booklet of 149 Japanese handmade papers, 3f½" x 7", including a supplementary booklet featuring more of their unusually patterned and designed papers, 3" x 5", both for $15.00. They also have a catalog of Oriental Art Supply, Books on Oriental Art and Culture, Fabric Dyes and Supply, and Folk Art Calendar, all from Japan, for $15.00. Contact Aiko's Art Materials Import, Inc., 714 N. Wabash, Chicago, IL 60611.
• Bookmakers announces they are now stocking buckram strips for the simple repair of book spines. The strips are cut from Holliston Record Buckram, Group U, in burgundy, blue, olive green, and gray and come in 3" and 4" widths, priced at 30�/ 36" length in 3" widths, and 40�/36" length in 4" widths, with a minimum order of 100 yds., alone or in combination. They have also reduced the price on their first quality Harmatan leathers to $8.95/sq. ft. Contact Bookmakers, 2025 Eye St., NW, Rm. 502, Washington, DC 20006, (202) 296-6613.
• Harcourt Bindery will have a new swatch book with a very extensive selection of marbled papers for sale, available Feb. 15 for $5, all of which will be in inventory. They continue to have firsts of the Harmatan leathers in all colors. They also carry the Van Heek book cloths, with no price increase since 1983. Sample books are available on request. Contact Harcourt Bindery, 9 and 11 Harcourt St., Boston, MA 02116, (617) 536-5755.
• Bridgeport National Bindery offers custom-made phase boxes made to measurements supplied by the customer, in two versions: 1) CONSERpHASE, which is a four-flapped enclosure of blue-gray .058" barrier board, with buttons and ties, $6.95, and 2) CONSERpHASE II, which is the box described above, mounted into a buckram-covered case, at $9.95. Both are available on special order with tan lignin-free stock in place of the barrier beard. They also offer a measuring device, MEASURE pHASE, to accurately measure the length, width and height of the books, at $29.95. Contact Bridgeport National Bindery, Inc., P0 Box 289, 104 Ranch Circle South, Agawam, MA 01001, (413) 789-1987.
• Fine-Cut Precision, manufacturers of engraved brass tools and type, announces a move to larger promises at Marborough Road, Churchill Industrial Estate, Lancing BN15 8UF, Sussex, England, tel. (0903) 750888, Telex 877872 Styro C. Their range of brass engraved type fonts includes CENTAUR, ARABIC, HEBREW, OLD ENGLISH (GOTHIC) and SCRIPT. Catalogs available on request.
• Hand engraved brass stamps and type are also available from Ditta Cosimo Tassinari, Piazza S. Maria, Novella 2r, Florence, Italy. A catalog of designs and type fonts is available on request.
• Maroc Ltd. imports and distributes modern Egyptian papyrus which has been made according to traditional techniques. Sheets are 12" x 16" at $18/sht. A discount price schedule is available for quantity orders over 10 sheets. For brochure and further information contact David Katzenstein, President, Maroc Ltd., 99 Commercial St., Brooklyn, NY 11222, (212) 383-8528.