Duce

This archival, hand-sewn journal/sketchbook is made from 100 gsm, custard-toned 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 blue and white cotton, and its bookmark is pigskin.  Its spine is covered pigskin, and its boards are wrapped in a 1942 map of colonial war-time Africa, showing European claims on Sommalia and Ethopia.

 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 war-time, 10 Lira, 1948 aluminum Italian coin.  This book is resplendent with history, but it is archival so also ready for the future.  Onward.

This book is roughly 6.5 x 10” with more than 150 custard-colored pages.