Bookbinding Model Collection
                  University of Iowa Libraries

Where did the idea come from?

Bill Anthony, past Conservator of the University of Iowa Libraries, was known for his replicas or models of historical bindings. He used model making projects to teach skills of the bookbinding craft and many of his models and those of his apprentices were included in the 1985 exhibit - "The Art and Craft of Bookbinding". These models have been preserved in the Conservation lab of the UI Libraries Preservation department.

One good idea leads to another and the bookbinding models produced by Bill Anthony and his apprentices now provide the core for an important new teaching resource. This is the newly established collection of Bookbinding Models at University of Iowa. With bibliographical management and deliberate collection development we plan to build the model collection into a unique, international resource for students in book studies.

What are bookbinding models?

Bookbinding models are used to exemplify and demonstrate the various mechanisms of books. Some are highly specialized such as the production "dummy" for a hand bound edition. Others can be extremely experimental related more to concept than practical application such as models of non-adhesive structures or a mock-up of a sculptural assembly made by a book artist. Historical binding models, requiring traditional craft skills, exemplify binding of a historical type and historical period. They may also exemplify a particular craft context and a particular national tradition.

All binding models can be used for demonstration and examination of book action. Unlike real historical bindings, models can be freely manipulated to observe the mobility of the bound structure. Bookbinding models also permit direct visual and tactile inspection of combinations of materials and structures.

Bookbinding models are greatly appreciated by binders and by book art educators who know how influential these kinetic devices can be. Yet they are also of immediate appeal to anyone interested in books. Ultimately researchers will examine binding models for evidence of the recent history of book crafts and book conservation.

Bookbinding models deserve better documentation especially since they tend to be undocumented internally and typically include only blank leaves. Bookbinding models also lack advocacy from an institution with an appropriate interest and dedication to the progressive study of modern book crafts and art. The University of Iowa Libraries and the University of Iowa Center for the Book provide just the right home for these deserving artifacts.

What are the next steps?

• We are assembling the existing bibliographic information on the collection, and are providing an on-line retrieval system. We will make contact with potential binding model donors and coordinate development of the binding model collection with other strategic funding plans for the Libraries, and the Center for the Book.
  
  
• We are also commissioning new works for the collection.We are also integrating the use of the collection into the UIL/UICB credit course; "Structure of the Hand Made Book" and the Library's conservation staff is providing access and guidance to the collection for researchers, book arts educators and book craft students.
  

What can I do?

• Explore the web site on Bookbinding Models @ University of Iowa, <www.lib.uiowa.edu/conservation/models/index.html>. Also note that the "Structure of the Hand Made Book" class is offered every fall semester.
  
  
• Assist collection development. We hope that the Bookbinding Model Collection at University of Iowa will inspire donations from bookbinders and others who will seek out the opportunity to have such materials appreciated, used and preserved.

For further
information contact: 

Gary Frost,
University Conservator

• Collection Development
• gary-frost@uiowa.edu
  
  

Kristin Baum,
Assistant Conservator

• Librarian, Models Collection
• kristin-baum@uiowa.edu

detail, model 18

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