About the Competition
Since the International Bookbinding Competition started in 1999 it has developed into one the most successful regular exhibitions of the craft. Its success has been in the variety of work which is represented, with fine binding sitting happily alongside restoration and book-arts.
The Competition runs in conjunction with the Society’s biennial Conference, and attracts entries from countries all around the world. This year there will be fourteen prizes awarded over five categories as well as prizes for forwarding, finishing and design. 2015 saw the introduction of the exhibition catalogue which includes colour images of every book entered. This was a great success so catalogues will be available again in 2019 and each entrant will receive a copy.
The winning entries will be announced at the Society’s Conference held at Bath University on 29th Aug - 1st Sep 2019. All entries will be exhibited at the Conference for the duration, after which the winning bindings will be exhibited at George Bayntun’s Bookshop, Bath and Shepherds in London. Dates for these venues will be advertised here at a later date.
Entrants should register before 25th May 2019 by completing an online registration form which will be posted here shortly, or by contacting the organisers. The period for submission of bindings is
10-15th June 2019.
Entrants submitting work to the competition do so in the knowledge that if their work is selected for an award, it will be retained by the Society for the touring exhibition and will only be returned following the final venue. Photographs of winning books and all entries will be taken for use on Competition promotional material. Full entry details and instructions for delivering your books will be sent out with acknowledgement of registration.
Please do not send books until you have registered!
For all enquiries please contact competition organisers Mylyn McColl and Marie Doinne.
Category A: Fine Binding
Entries in this category should be a binding of a contemporary nature in a codex form displaying an excellent standard of craftsmanship, along with an outstanding overall concept and design. Entries will be judged on the quality of the concept and design; the forwarding; finishing; craft skills; and use of materials.
Category B: The Complete Book
Both the content and the binding should be designed and executed by the entrant. Entries need not be in codex format. Entries will be judged on the quality of the concept and design; the content of the book; the binding; craft skills; and use of materials.
Category C: Case Binding
Entries in this category must incorporate book cloth and be of a case bound structure, i.e. the book made in two parts; the cover made separately from the text-block and joined by attaching the end papers to the cover boards. Entries will be judged on the quality of the concept and design; the forwarding; finishing; craft skills; and use of materials.
Category D: Restoration
Any binding repaired in a way that returns the book to a former or original condition. Entries will be judged on the suitability of the repairs; the aesthetic of the restored book; craft skills; documentation; and materials used. Entries must be submitted with photographic documentation prior to restoration, along with a full written record of all work undertaken.
Category E: Historic Binding
Entries should be a high quality binding of a traditional nature. Bindings can display an element of creativity, but must show excellent re-creation of a period of binding or historical structure, as well as a high standard of craftsmanship. Entries will be judged on the faithfulness of reproduction; the forwarding; finishing; craft skills and suitability of materials.
Estimated prize fund of over £5000
Fine Binding
First Prize - Shepherds Bookbinders Ltd (The John Coleman Trophy) Value: £700
Second Prize Value: £275
The Complete Book
First Prize - The Portnall Award Value: £700
Second Prize Value: £270
Case Binding
First Prize - The F.J. Ratchford Trophy Value: £700
Restoration
First Prize - George Bayntun (The Bernard Middleton Trophy) Value: £700
Historic Binding
First Prize - The ABA Educational Trust Value: £700
The Wyvern Bindery Award for Best Newcomer Value: £325
People’s Choice Award Value: £175
Fine Cut International Award for Finishing Value: £150
Harmatan Leather Award for Forwarding Value: £175
Incline Press - Dave Godin Memorial Award for Animal Free Binding Value: £250
J Hewit & Sons Award for Excellence in Design Value: £175
J Hewit & Sons Award for Excellence in Craftsmanship Value: £175
Competition Rules
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Sponsorship gratefully received to date: The ABA Educational Trust |
Leather Conservation Centre |
