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Three additional binding models produced by Bill Anthony have been donated to Bookbinding Models @ University of Iowa. These come from Bernadette Dowling, the former Mrs. Anthony. This donation is another example of Bernadette's enthusiasm for the University of Iowa Libraries and her involvment with the Bill Anthony legacy here.
The three models are #39, #41 and #42. The first is "A Replica of the Stonyhurst Gospel, 7th Century". Both of the others are titled "Early Medieval Binding" and represent uncovered, wooden board structures.
The Stonyhurst replica is the second in the collection. This signed replica is one of the finest of this frequently modeled book which was buried with St. Cuthbert. Another fine model (not in the collection) was done by Martha Little while working with Roger Powell and it replicates the physical condition of the surviving binding. Bill's model represents the binding in intact condition. It is particularly remarkable for its reproduction of the delicate scriber tooling enriched by shell gold.
We all did another double take on the first glimpse of #42. At first it appeared to be a perfect duplicate of #4 already in the collection. What these two models actually represent is a tandum project of teacher and apprentice. Mark Esser produced the #4 model. Because the two are so exactly alike it is fun to closely observe the details of difference between the work of a very skilled apprentice and his, never the less, more skilled teacher. One distinction apparent in Bill's model is in the inner board channels that accommodate the braided slips of the sewing support thongs. Here one can observe the finer accuracy, strength, sense of proportion and clean handling of materials that demonstrate the skill of a master bookbinder.
