Wheat

This archival, hand-sewn journal/sketchbook is made from 80 gsm Mohawk Superfine archival paper stitched with Irish linen thread in the linked pattern that was developed by 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 Belgian linen, and its boards are wrapped in paper that was hand silk-screened in Japan in a factory where kimono cloth is decorated.

 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 journal is a 1945 wheat penny.  The wheat penny was minted in the United States from 1909-1958; this coin marks the return to copper following wartime shortages and the temporary issuance of steel pennies.  The government withdrew the steel coins from the market because their rims rusted, making them very scarce.  Here’s to abundance.

This book is approximately 6 x 9” with a few more than 150 blank pages.