Case 5

Accordion Book

An accordion book consists of a long strip of paper folded in a zig-zag pattern. Originating in China, this structure endures today because of its adaptability and function. The book can be stretched out in one long piece, or it can be held in the hands and read page-by-page. In this example, the long accordion of paper is adhered to boards at each end and secured with a detachable spine piece.

Caterpillar Binding

This whimsical bookbinding was created by conservator Betsy Palmer Eldridge and was featured in Keith Smith’s Exposed Spine Sewings. Boards are first covered with decorative paper. The sewing occurs at paired holes that are pierced through both the folded sections of paper but also across the covers. Sewing starts on one board, proceeds across the folded paper sections, and ends on the second cover board. Hence the blue thread is structural where it holds the folded sections together but becomes decorative on the board covers. This book took a very long time to create.

Dos-à-dos binding

This book is really two volumes in one, in what is called a dos-à-dos binding, from the French “back to back.” As the name implies, these two books share the same back covers, so that no matter how it is held, the reader opens to a front page of text. Geoffrey Glaister, in The Encyclopedia of the Book, notes that this style was particularly popular in England in the period from 1600-1640, and often two companion texts were bound together.

Dyed Tyvek Book

Sometimes bookbinders are inspired to use everyday materials in new ways. This book is covered with Tyvek®, a plastic material often used as a moisture barrier in home construction. Here the Tyvek has been crumpled and dyed with acrylics to create an unusual, decorative effect.

Icicle Binding

Book artist Keith Smith created the icicle binding, as described in his book Exposed Spine Sewings. This style combines raised cord sewing with spine stiches along the spine. One cover board is sewn on at the beginning of the process and the other added at the end, using waxed Irish linen thread.

Secret Belgian Binding

This fancifully-named structure was created in the 1980s by Belgian bookbinder Anne Goy. She wanted to create a book with hard covers that would lie flat. The pages are first sewn together without a cover. The outside of the book is comprised of three separate pieces of board: two for the covers and one for the spine. The cover is laced onto the text block in a decorative, yet functional, pattern.

Tunnel Book

Dating back to the 18^th century, tunnel books, or “peep shows,” create a three-dimensional effect with successive “window” images that you look through. The window panels are adhered into the folds of paper or cloth accordions at both sides. Tunnel books were often created to commemorate tourist attractions or historical events. For example, Spencer Library holds a 19^th-century tunnel book celebrating the opening of London’s Great Exhibition of 1851.

Twined Binding

In 2007 book artist Roberta Lavadour was invited to present at the Guild of Bookworkers Standards of Excellence national meeting. She was inspired to create a new book structure honoring craftwork native to her eastern Oregon home: rawhide braiding and Plateau basket weaving. Twining is a technique that has been used by many cultures in North and Central America, the Middle East and New Zealand to create basketry, tapestries, and footwear, but this is the first documented use in bookbinding. Strips of paper are wrapped with colored waxed linen thread to create abstract patterns. Heavy paper is used for the covers.