Traditional Ethiopian Bookbinding with Bill Hanscom

Traditional Ethiopian Bookbinding
or “What’s the difference between Coptic and Ethiopian bookbinding anyway?” with Bill Hanscom
October 25-26th
9am to 4:30pm
The Library Company of Philadelphia

This two-day workshop will begin with a short presentation highlighting the traditional methods and materials used by Ethiopian scribes and bookbinders for the past 1500 years. Using these techniques (and as many of the materials as possible), participants will construct two historical binding models: a basic binding with bare wooden boards protected by a cloth chemise called a l bas, and a full-leather binding with patterned cloth board linings and traditional leather endbands. Common blind tooling designs, motifs, and techniques will be discussed and demonstrated, and participants will be given the opportunity to decorate their bindings as time allows.