Columbus

This archival, hand-sewn journal/sketchbook is made from 85 gsm, hand-laid Arches 100% cotton rag archival paper stitched with Irish linen thread in the linked pattern that was used as early as the ancient Copts. This stitch allows the book to lay open easily at any page.

This book’s endbands are blue and white cotton, and its bookmark is goatskin.  Its spine is covered in goatskin from Rocky Mountain Leather Supply in Utah, and its boards are wrapped in a 1953 blueprint showing the air duct and hanger design for the Babcock and Wilcox Kyger Creek Ohio Valley Electricity Corporation plant.

 Treasure binding began with monks in the 6^th 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 1971 souvenir of the Bartholomew County and Columbus, Indiana sesquicentennial, featuring landmark buildings (clockwise from center) Bartholomew County courthouse, (architect: Isaac Hodgson, 1921); Richards Elementary School (architect: Edward Larabee Barnes, 1965); Hamilton Center and Ice Arena (architect: Harry Weese, 1958); North Christian Church (architect: Eero Saarinen, 1964), and Cleo Rogers Memorial Library (architect: I. M. Pei, 1969). 

 J. Irwin Miller, who spearheaded Columbus’ architectural boom, is on record as having said, Whatever you do in this world, you’ve got a responsibility and a privilege of doing it the very best way you can.  And whether it is architecture or cooking or drama or music, the best is none too good for any of us.” These are my best materials and workmanship, just waiting for yours.

This book is approximately 6.5 x 10” with a few more than 150 blank pages.