DER PRESSBENGEL / THE BONE FOLDER: A DIALOGUE BETWEEN AN AESTHETICALLY-INCLINED BIBLIOPHILE AND A WELL-VERSED-IN-ALL-ASPECTS-OF-THE-CRAFT BOOKBINDER, originally published in German in 1922, presents a dialogue between a bibliophile and a master bookbinder, exploring the intricacies of bookbinding techniques, quality versus cost, and matters of taste. The legacy of the W. Collin family, Court Bookbinders in Berlin from the mid-1800s until their firm’s dissolution under the Nazis, informs Ernst Collin's work. This second edition includes a corrected and expanded biographical introduction by the translator, addressing the historical decline of formal training in the craft, a trend that persists today. The text is designed for double-sided printing on 8.5" x 11" paper, suitable for workshops and demonstrations related to book history and arts. Readers are advised to discard the first two sheets after printing. Additional insights into the Collins and the evolution of German bookbinding during the 19th and 20th centuries can be found on the author's Pressbengel Project Blog. For further information and binding ideas, the publisher can be contacted, and Karen Hanmer's Contemporary Paper Bindings, which covers various techniques and materials, is available for order.
