In just a few hours, I learned quite a bit about the book arts, paper, and bookbinding, from Andrew Huot of Big River Bindery in Scarborough, Ontario. Visiting Andrew’s studio in person was a treat in itself, as it contains vintage printing presses and heavy metal bookbinding equipment, including the biggest paper cutter (guillotine) I’d …
I haven’t been able to stop thinking about Robert Hooke’s (copper-plate engraving of a) flea. The other day I was fortunate to be part of a small group at the University of Toronto Thomas Fisher Rare Books Library’s public workshop “Introduction to Scientific Book Illustration,” presented by Alexandra Carter, History of Science and Medicine Librarian. …
I’m excited to learn about Iceland’s sagas in advance of a trip in 2026. What are they? As Ben Myers notes in his 2008 Guardian article “The Icelandic Sagas: Europe’s Most Important Book?,” “The Sagas remain an intrinsic part of Icelanders’ identity to this day, their presence around the country unavoidable. Here is a physical …
As I read, sometimes I’ve been struck by descriptive lists (series, catalogs, rosters…) which are so delightful or impactful that I’ve started a collection (a collection of collections). As Christmas approaches, here are two evocative excerpts featuring lists of edible bounties from Ebenezer Scrooge’s encounter with the Ghost of Christmas Present in… A Christmas Carol …