Last Saturday I was biking home along Harrison when I saw a peculiar sandwich board, “Bookbinders Museum open today 12-4″ Having nothing better to do and a natural affinity towards books and the book making process I decided to take some time out of my day to find out about this oddity.
Tim James is a commercial bookbinder who is fascinated by the bookbinder and the bookbinding process. This process has undergone a complete transformation since the mid 1800’s when every step in the process was done by hand and only the rich could afford books.
Tim James talks about the transition in the bookbinding process.Now at a time where the question of the future of books is being discussed… somehow the people who made them need to have a little monument to them.
It is the goal of the American Bookbinders Museum to amass a collection of working machines used for each part of the printing process. However, the focus of the museum is on commemorating bookbinders: the skilled artisans who crafted books before the industrial revolution streamlined the process.
Sample Books and how buying a bible is like buying a '62 chevyPlease help support the American Bookbinders Museum by visiting them. Group visits are encouraged. So gather all your bookworm friends and go learn something. They are also still on the lookout for several pieces of early bookbinding equipment.
American Bookbinders Museum | 2736 16th Street | San Francisco, CA 94103
(415) 671-2233 | (415) 710-9369
Tours are free to the public and given Saturday 12-4 or by request.
Simply call Tim James and if he can he will run over from his print shop to give a tour.
Bookbinder opens working museum in S.F.
-SF Chronicle
