New bindings

About our new bindings

The Bayntun-Riviere bindery specialises in fine leather bindings and continues to use traditional techniques and materials. We offer an extensive choice of styles, materials, and finishing; some examples of these are provided below.

If you wish to have a book rebound or would like any further information and advice then please don't hesitate to contact us.

Binding STYLES

Quarter leather

Half leather

Full leather

FINISHING STYLES

“Finishing” is the term used for the lettering, tooling, and any other decoration of a book. The Bayntun-Riviere bindery is blessed with the largest collection of handtools, rolls, and blocks in the world – over 15,000. They date back to the 18th century, and nearly all were cut by hand.

 
 

The spine

  • Lettered, otherwise plain

  • Gilt centre tools

  • Tooled bands

  • One or two lined panels

  • Gilt centres & panels

  • Contrasting leather labels

  • Blind tooling

  • Full gilt

 

 The Covers

  • Plain covers

  • 1 or 2 line gilt panels

  • Decorative gilt panels

  • Blind tooling

  • Blocked in gilt

    Blocks can be custom-made to your chosen design.

 

MATERIALS

We stock a wide range of fine Nigerian and East Indian goatskin (morocco) in a large variety of colours. Calf, vellum and book cloth are also used where appropriate.

Endpapers are chosen from our wide range of hand-made papers. In addition to our hand-marbled paper (available in traditional or contemporary designs) we also stock a selection of Japanese and other decorative papers.

Pages are gilded by hand using 23½ carat gold leaf. Full leather bindings are usually gilded on all edges, whilst half or quarter bindings are more likely to be gilded on the top edge only.

 

Inside our shop

Antiquarian Books for sale

Our New Bindings for sale

The bindery

Our Catalogues