Suppliers
These are the suppliers that I use for most of my materials and services. They are all extremely helpful and welcome enquiries from professional binders, amateurs and students.
Hewit and Sons Ltd.
12 Nettlehill Road, Livingston, West Lothian, EH54 5DL
Tel: 01506 444160 Fax: 01506 437749
www.hewit.com
Originally leather tanners, they can supply virtually all you need for bookbinding by mail order and online from their excellent website
Russell Bookcrafts
Unit 1, Bluntswood Hall, Throcking, Buntingford, Herts SG9 9RN
Tel 01763 281430 Fax 01763 281431
www.russels.com
Long established supplier of tools and materials
Harmatan Leather
Westfields Avenue, Higham, Ferrers, Northamptonshire NN10 8AX
Tel 01933 412151/312471 Fax 01933 412242
www.harmatan.co.uk
Suppliers of an excellent range of leather. Easy to use and nice to handle.
Ratchfords
Kennedy Way, Green Lane, Stockport, SK4 2JX,
Tel 0161 480 8484 Fax 0161 480 3679
www.fjratchford.co.uk
Makers of a wide range of bookcloth and buckram and other related materials.
G.F.Smith
2 Leathermarket, Weston Street, London SE1 3ET,
Tel 020 7407 6174 Fax 020 7403 1037
www.gfsmith.com
Makers of a good range of machine-made papers. Minimum order 25 sheets
Barry McKay Rare Books
Kingstone House, Battlebarrow, Appleby-in-Westmorland, Cumbria CA16 6XT
Tel 0l7683 52282 Fax 017683 52706
www.barrymckayrarebooks.org
Need books about books? Barry is one of the best dealers in the trade. He is an old friend and I had the honour to be his best man a (good) few years ago!
Charnwood Books
Charnwood View, Broad Lane, Markfield, Leicestershire, LE67 9TB
Tel: 01530 245996 Fax: 02071173315
www.charnwoodbooks.co.uk
A good supplier for most binding requirements. They sell a really useful electric gold tooling device, thermostatically controlled and with multiple heads.
Jemma Lewis Marbling and Design
14 Belvedere Road, Bowerhill, Melksham, Witshire, SN12 6AJ
Tel: 01225 790560 Mob: 07837 467 938
www.jemmamarbling.com
Jemma produces a superb range of traditional and modern marble papers.
Societies
There are two binding societies in Britain and it is well worth belonging to one or both of these to keep in touch with the latest news and events. Each issues an annual journal and a newsletter two or three times year.
Designer Bookbinders
6 Queen Square, London WC1N 3AR
www.designerbookbinders.org.uk
As the name suggests this society is primarily aimed at the fine design binding aspects of the craft but its compass is much wider. Runs an annual competition.
Society of Bookbinders
www.societyofbookbinders.com
Has a wider membership than DB. Organises a bi-annual conference and competition.