‘Hands-on’ Early Bookmaking Techniques Featured at Texas A&M University Libraries
By Marketing and Communications | 06-28-2023
Experts who study and teach the history of early books and printing have an even deeper understanding of their field after attending a Book History Workshop June 4-9 at Texas A&M University Libraries. A conference room at Evans Library & Annex transformed into an early bookmaking shop with the clattering and hammering sounds associated with the early printing process.
The unique workshop teaches every facet of making an early, hand-pressed book.
“Everything from making type, making the paper, inking the type, creating a page, pressing it, binding it, we learn everything,” said Kim Nichols, director of conservation at Chicago’s Newberry Library and one of the annual event’s 19 participants.
Nichols is one of many who traveled from across the nation for the Book History Workshop.
“Right now, I’m setting out type and laying out a line of text,” said Nichols. “Then we bring all of our type together to create a page. I’ve especially enjoyed operating the English hand press.”
As an administrator of a library that holds a collection of rare and historical materials, Nichols said that learning historical technology and processes informs her approach to conservation.
The workshop is a unique opportunity for participants to learn about early books from the “ground up,” said instructor Scott Samuelson, retired professor of English at Brigham Young University-Idaho.
“It teaches them a whole new angle,” said Samuelson. “It’s not something they just look at or think about. They actually set the type and print it on a replica of a medieval press.”
In addition to the bookmaking sessions, workshop director Kevin O’Sullivan, Texas A&M assistant professor of English, presented early book history lectures with examples from the extensive collection of Texas A&M University Libraries’ Cushing Memorial Library & Archives.
“Cushing has all these beautiful holdings of medieval woodblocks, Japanese woodcuts, they’re just world-class,” said Samuelson.
TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES
Written by: Richard Nira, rnira@tamu.edu | Media Contact: Matthew Kennedy, matthew.kennedy@tamu.edu.
To sign up for next year’s Book History Workshop, please contact Kevin O’Sullivan at kmosullivan@tamu.edu.
About Texas A&M University Libraries
Comprising five unique libraries, the Texas A&M University Libraries are a hub of resources, spaces and professionals supporting the success of research, learning and teaching at Texas A&M University. The Libraries’ priorities are to advance student success and to be a partner in innovative research while providing a respectful physical and digital home to all students, staff, faculty and researchers. To learn more visit library.tamu.edu.