Soldiers and Sailors

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 red and yellow cotton, and its bookmark is goatskin.  The spine of this book is covered in top grain French goatskin, and its boards are wrapped in paper that was hand-marbled by Betty Caponi in San Monte Giusto, Italy.

 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 medallion from the sesquicentennial celebration for the city of Indianapolis, Indiana.

The talisman in this book is a 1971 medallion from the sesquicentennial celebration for the city of Indianapolis, Indiana.

The Soldiers and Sailors monument that adorns the circle at the center of the Alexander Ralston design for the city is 15 feet shorter than the Statue of Liberty.  Aim high; if you fall short, you’ll still be soaring.

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