Friday, November 26, 2010

Medievals

These are probably my favorite three books I've made so far. I think they represents a step forward in my bookbinding practice - they are books with memories, that tell stories even before being written.  


I found this wonderful quote while writing on the endpages of a book:

"The labour of the writer is the refreshment of the reader. The one depletes the body, the other advances the mind. Whoever you are, therefore, do not scorn but rather be mindful of the work of the one labouring to bring you profit... If you do not know how to write you will consider it no hardship, but if you want a detailed account of it let me tell you that the work is heavy: it makes the eyes misty, bows the back, crushes the ribs and belly, brings pain to the kidneys and makes the body ache all over. Therefore, O reader, turn the leaves gently and keep your fingers away from the letters, for as the hailstorm ruins the harvest of the land so does the unserviceable reader destroy the book and the writing. As the sailor finds welcome the final harbour, so does the scribe the final line. Deo gratias semper." 

Colophon, from the "Silos Beatus" (12th century).

   The endpages
  

8 comments:

Louise said...

Teo these are absolutely exquisite. You are very talented and have an eye for true quality in bookbinding methods, a respect for the history of it - which glows in your work. I am thinking you might have had a certain past life...

p said...

i can get why, they have so much character! i agree with louise!

Adeline said...

Oh Teo, I am speechless! forgive me for bragging on your blog, but soon TWO of these beautiful works of art will be mine, I can hardly believe my good fortune, I'm the happiest person in the whole world! Thank you so much for sharing your talents with us!!

Teo said...

Thank you thank you thank you!! The feedback coming from my friends means the most to me. I'm really happy when you like my works!

Louise, I love your idea, sometimes I do feel like a scribe after hours and hours of sitting at my work bench :)

Paula, that's exactly what I think about them too!

Adeline, haha, please brag away!! I'm the one who's lucky to have you as a great friend AND customer! And thanks a lot for spotting them so quickly :)

Louise said...

Lucky Adeline!!!

Joei Rhode Island said...

Teo....they are treasures for sure.

Gize bookbinding said...

Teo,
These are my favourite books!
I love how you put so much love and life to your creations.
It is always so nice to read your blog!
Thanks for sharing your beautiful work of art!
:0)))))

Alexi said...

Beautiful books! - and quote!