Casablanca
This archival, hand-sewn journal/sketchbook is made from 100 gsm, rose Hahnemühle Ingres mouldmade paper from Germany, sewn with Irish linen thread in the linked stitch pattern that dates back at least to the Ancient Copts. It allows the book to lay open easily to any page.
This book’s endbands are navy and gold silk, and its bookmark is blue satin ribbon. Its spine is covered split French goatskin, and its boards are wrapped in a 1950 aeronautical chart of Morocco, specifically Casablanca.
Treasure binding began with monks in the 6th Century who would encrust volumes with jewels. During the Renaissance, there was a resurgence in treasure binding. This is a contemporary revival of the treasure binding in which a lucky charm has been embedded in the cover of this book.
The talisman in this book is a 1945 Vichy-era French 5 Franc coin. As Rick says to Captain Renault in the film Casablanca, “I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.” Let this book stay beside you.
This book is approximately 6.5 x 10” with a few more than 150 blank pages.