Lavish Bookbinding by Monique Lallier

While browsing my usual online book haunts, I came across this 1931 Metropolitan Museum publication that had been re-bound "in full black morocco with tan morocco onlays on front and rear cut in the silhouette of a city skyline" by one Monique Lallier.  I hadn't come across her work yet so I thought I'd better do a little further investigation.

Metropolitan Museum

I was thrilled to discover she is a contemporary artist that is still creating and teaching.  From her website:  "Monique Lallier is an internationally recognized book binder & book artist. She began her studies in the 1960s in Montreal at Cotnoir Cappone School of Fashion & L'Art de la Reliure book binding school with Simone B. Roy. She continuued on to Paris, with Roger Arnoult, Centro Del Bel Libro in Ascona, with Edwin Heim and Solothurn, Switzerland with Hugo Peller. Moniques' work may be found in the collections of: McGill University, Montreal, St. Joseph Oratory in Montreal for the Pope Jean- Paul II, Louisiana State University, University of North Carolina, as well as many private collections in USA, Canada, Europe and Japan."

Femme Revee. Box with hand fabricated silver corners and center piece. UNCG, Jackson Library special collection.

The sampling of book bindings available for view at her website is incredible.  I've selected a few to display but there are so many more!  Two images on the first page honor the beautiful Jacqueline Kennedy, both the book pictured below and a box designed to reflect a dress of her fashion:

Jacqueline Kennedy

Below:  "The Knell of Cock Robin. Full leather black morocco French technique binding with an agath inlaid in a relief pattern. The front cover opens to reveal a forest made with Japanese papers. Embroidered endbands. Gold titling on the spine. Full leather pull-up box with red leather onlay. Bound in 1994."

The Knell of Cock Robin

"Antony and Cleopatra by William Shakespeare, designed and produced by Ronald King. Circle Press Publications 1979. Copy A.P. XXXI/XL. Full purple goat skin with hinged flap on the front board with silver leather inside, held closed by a snake clasp. Graphite top edge. Edge to edge doublures and fly leaves. Bound in 1988."

Antony and Cleopatra

Monique Lallier is currently still teaching, both privately and for the American Academy of Bookbinding. You can view more of her creations at her website, Monique Lallier.

*All images and quotations above are property of Monique Lallier's website, all rights reserved..

Interpretive Book Bindings: Mia Leijonstedt

Finnish-born Mia Leijonstedt is an award-winning book artist currently residing in the United Kingdorm.  From her Artist's Statement:  "The book as an object is symbolically a very rich and independent format. Its history and cultural significance provide endless scope for artistic discoveries and interpretation, not only being a container for stories but being a story in itself, its whole life and existence in time being read from its tactile details and structural function. "

I will begin with her custom book bindings, which are designed to represent objects that could be pulled from the books themselves.  These bindings are rich, multidimensional, and thematically linked to the stories they hold.  Her interpretations are reflect a deep understanding of the texts.

Gulliver's Travels by Jonathan Swift

For example, the binding above for Gulliver's Travels:  "The book is illustrated by Arthur Rackham and is bound in black goat skin. Inner covers are lined with dyed reindeer parchment. Five strands of black and dyed tan leather cord are couched onto the covers. The strands extend from the fore-edge and have cast pewter beads on the ends – as though the book itself was Gulliver and the cords used to tie him down as in the story." ~Artist's Description

Sinuhe egyptiläinen by Mika Waltari

And another:  "This classic Finnish novel is inspired by the ancient Pharaohs’ Egypt. Edges are gilt with underlying edge paintings of Egyptian gods and the leather work echoes mummy-wrappings. The inner covers are lined with papyrus." ~ Artist's Description

Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens by J.M. Barrie

Finally, this lovely binding of a 100-year old edition of Peter Pan is just incredible.  The appearance of the edges is the natural result of aging and was left intact.

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Aside from bindings, Leijonstedt also creates book sculptures.  The one that first captured my attention, and led me to research this artist further, is this tribute to the imaginary Spells of Merlin:

Lost Spells of Merlin

 And below is a piece inspired by an ancient Tibeton monastery book:

Mandala Book

I encourage you to visit the artist's website (Mia Leijonstedt) and view these and many more images in greater detail. Leijonstedt's work is beautiful, intricate, and respectful of literary works and their authors.  You can also find links there to her blogs and to her Bookbinding Courses for Beginners (in the UK).