I was fortunate to attend the 2023 Standards of Excellence Seminar (referred to as Standards) in San Francisco. This meeting draws upon book binders, conservators, artists, and others who work in this general area. It is a unique opportunity to meet, and hear from these individuals and learn from the demonstrations that are presented. I always come away from this conference inspired by what I see and learn and seeing many of my teachers and colleagues.

The first day of Standards were tours in the city, and San Francisco is a city that loves books. In the morning, I participated in paper making at Logos Graphics. John Sullivan led this workshop at his studio in the Project Artaud artists’ community, a factory building with a number of artists studios. There, we made paper out of kozo fibers. This was our experience in eastern papermaking. We also did western papermaking, using a mould and deckle, forming sheets from prepared abaca fiber. This was a great experience along with conversations with the instructor, John Sullivan and his assistants.

In the afternoon, I walked with a group to The Book Club of California. I had no idea! The Book Club of California is a non-profit, membership-based organization founded in 1912. The club supports book making, fine printing, design, typography, illustration, literature, and scholarship through a series of publications, public programs, and exhibitions related to the history and literature of California and the West. We entered a space much like a tiny reading room, with a quote across the top of the wall, and books everywhere. They had an exhibit of cloth bindings from the early 20th century, which was delightful. Following a welcome by the Book Club Director, we were taken through a history of binding and binders with Dominick Riley. Dominick is a respected binder and teacher in the Bay area and a Brit who is funny, with a terrific personality and teaching skills. What a treat!

In the evening, we had the absolute pleasure of traveling to The Arion Press in the Presidio. Arion Press is likely the most esteemed binder in the US, SCA has a standing order for their books-all are bespoke, letterpress printed, hand-bound books with original art and commentary. There was a nice reception at Arion with food and drink. There, we were able to see an exhibit of wonderful bound creations by The Hand Bookbinders of California.

The first session was given by Brien Beidler, who is a binder and finishing tool maker. Brien actually demonstrated making a finishing tool on stage. This involved making the tool, and the design it made on leather, and the handle. It was amazing to see someone who researched and devised a way to make leather finishing tools by filing brass rods into a proper shape, and transferring and carving a design into the brass.

The second session was given by Steph Rue. She is an artist working primarily with handmade paper and books as her medium. She received her MFA degree from the University of Iowa Center for the Book and BA degree from Stanford University. She is a 2015–2016 recipient of a Fulbright Research Grant to South Korea, where she studied traditional Korean bookbinding, papermaking, and printing. She spoke about learning to make Korean books on her Fullbright and making and using Korean paper, known as ‘hanji’.
One of her goals is to build community through papermaking in the Korean diaspora. Her work is moving on several levels. She created a film called “Daughter” which was inspired after the murders of Asian women in Atlanta. Steph Rue is someone who is a paper maker and binder, but so much more.

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Gabby Cooksey delivered the 3rd presentation entitled Tattooing On Leather. Gabby is a full-time bookbinder and book artist in Tacoma, WA. Her use of odd materials and mythical stories are the stories in her books. She went to American Academy of Bookbinding and graduated from North Bennet Street school in 2014. She gave a short history of tattooing from Otzi the Iceman to present day. She then demonstrated her process of tattooing on leather with several tattoo machines on leather. Her approach to tattooing on leather and using this in her books was fascinating.

The final presentation was given by conservator and toolmaker, Jeff Peachey. Peachey’s presentation focused on methods of attaching loose boards to books. He demonstrated several methods for reattachment, including using sewing extensions and tacketing, and slotting and splitting . Sewing extensions are a method where the board is reattached by sewing through the cover and into the edge of the spine of the book. Splitting and slotting is where a space is created at the break, and cloth is inserted to connect the cover to the book. Jeff is respected in the book community and everyone was hanging on his every word.

‘Standards’ is always fun, educational and inspiring. This event in San Francisco was all of that and more.