Jeff Peachey
214 FOLLOWERS
Peachey is a independent book conservator and bookbinder. He also invents, makes, and sells bookbinding and conservation tools.
Jeff Peachey
4M ago
“Keep Dark. Can’t Tell” With these four words, 19th century NYC bookbinder John Bradford begins an extraordinary book of bookbinding related poetry and imaginative parody. Written records from craftsmen during this time are very uncommon. Writings from bookbinders are very, very uncommon. Bradford’s well-known poem, The Binder’s Curse, contains an introduction which places it in ..read more
Jeff Peachey
6M ago
By Tom Conroy The very way to gain a taste For eating glue and spoiled paste… Then back to live in grimy rooms, As cold as eyes, as small as tombs, And, writhing, die before you oughter Like Wright and Wickwar, of Broad Street water. —–Struwwelbinder PRELUDE In late August 1854, cholera again visited London ..read more
Jeff Peachey
1y ago
Are you leather curious? Interested in larger issues of hand craft? Then you will enjoy this zoom presentation on the craft of hand paring leather. Both practical and theoretical aspects of hand and tool interaction will be explored. Leather is a three dimensional material, and selectively reducing the thickness is essential for making a well ..read more
Jeff Peachey
1y ago
I’m very pleased to see my article, “On Tool Embodiment” published in the online Journal Decorating Dissidence. I’ve been refining these ideas for a while now, since I began exploring them in the inaugural issue of The Bonefolder back in 2004. Using leather paring as an example, I explore some of the complexities and often ..read more
Jeff Peachey
2y ago
Though this is not the first photograph of books, which according to Larry J Schaff of the Talbot Catalogue Raisonne is Talbot’s “Bookcase” in Lacock Abbey, 26 November 1839, or the first photograph in a book, which was Anna Atkins’ Photographs of British Algae from 1843, I’m pretty sure it is the first photograph of books ..read more
Jeff Peachey
2y ago
I get asked this question quite frequently, and fortunately, Evan Knight gave a great answer on the AIC Membership Forum. He agreed to republish an expanded version of his original post here. Lots of solid advice. Thanks Evan! I can relate to this question. Been there. It may seem possible to become a conservator based ..read more
Jeff Peachey
2y ago
Trindles are used for flattening the spine of in-boards bindings after the boards are laced on, and prior to cutting the foreedge in a plough. This gives a smooth foreedge, without “stepping” of the signatures, which can result when rounding and backing after cutting. I recently designed some modern trindles in stainless steel. Essential for ..read more
Jeff Peachey
2y ago
Leszek Knyrek, a Polish bookbinder for 25 years and currently a student in Book and Paper conservation at West Dean (England), has a kickstarter for his really beautiful calendar featuring some of his 60+ nipping press collection. He calls it his “a bit late” calendar. The photography is really well done, and his collection amazing ..read more
Jeff Peachey
2y ago
I am thrilled to be teaching at Monte again this summer. I’ve only taught once in person for the past two years. I really miss it. Zoom workshops are better than nothing, but still…. If you haven’t been to Monte, I can vouch for what a great experience it is. In addition to the classroom ..read more
Jeff Peachey
2y ago
Actual medieval bookbinding tools are almost nonexistent. Apart from a few finishing tools, there really aren’t many documented, extant examples. That’s why a knife that John Nove brought to my attention is extraordinary. Could it really be a medieval bookbinder’s knife? At first glance it looks similar to a typical “gift set” carving knife given ..read more