December 2011 Luncheon Meeting

Speaker: Sam Ellenport

“Harcourt Bindery Stories”

Caxtonian Sam Ellenport, proprietor of the Harcourt Bindery for the past 40 years. It is the last large book bindery in America still working in a 19th century tradition, on par with Bayntun's in Bath, England. Through spectaular images, Sam will uncover a rare aspect in bookbinding; the use of spines of books as a canvas on which binders create designs that span several volumes. He'll also talk about the history of the bindery (including some early racy stories) - special commissions include a slipcase to hold Charles' Dickens sleeping cap - and a bit about his finishing department's 2,500 hand tools, and much more. Sam contributed a piece to Other People's Books and his leather bound hide-your-valuables books have been popular auction items.

 Luncheon buffet (in the main dining room on
six) opens at 11:30 am.  Program (in a different room, to be announced) from 12:30-1:30