BOOKBINDER

In 18th-Century Williamsburg, bookbinders labored in the same shop complex where highly literate compositors set metal type for the Virginia Gazette newspaper and pressmen squeezed out the printed sheets beneath the platens of their presses. The first press in Williamsburg began operating in 1730 in the shop of resourceful tradesman William Parks. His establishment is re-created in the Historic Area today, offering reproductions of books, handbills and stationery that were sold in the original office.

One of the most complex skills in Parks’ shop was the time-consuming job of binding books. A binder had to arrange each set of printed or blank pages—called signatures—in proper order and pound them with a heavy hammer or press them to lie flat. He then sewed the sheets together on a frame using linen thread.

Next came the process that garnered the highest acclaim both in colonial times and today—applying the outer binding. With deft fingers, the tradesman stretched smooth leather onto boards and then pasted on endpapers that were often fashioned with elaborate hand-marbled decorations. Once the cover was applied, the binder might stamp or roll designs into the leather and finish it off with gilt borders. And what filled these spectacular volumes? Laws, maps, almanacs, histories and political opinions. Parks’ shop also filled many orders for blank books, to be used for recordkeeping or perhaps penning heartfelt thoughts.

For inquiries or purchases please contact Prentis Store at 757-229-1000, Extension 2117 or prentis@cwf.org.