History

Following discussions in 1974, Terry Walker, John Coleman and a small group of colleagues formed The Society of Bookbinders in Manchester, England, the following year. They were concerned at the closing of National Bookbinding Apprenticeship schemes and recognized the need for a society devoted to the appropriate training and education required to fill this void. They also saw the organisation as representing the interests of bookbinders, conservators, librarians and book collectors, and acting as a forum for the exchange of information.

A further aim was the promotion of the highest standards of bookbinding, preservation and conservation of our written and printed heritage. From its inception, the Society has successfully striven to ensure these aims are met. From those early beginnings, the Society has grown both in numbers and in influence. It now has members in all parts of the world and includes amongst that membership some of the most highly regarded names in the profession. It became The Society of Bookbinders and Restorers circa 1980 but reverted to its original name in 1990.

In 1987, the first edition of the Society’s annual journal, ‘BOOKBINDER’ was published. A copy is sent to all members, as is a National Newsletter which is published three times a year. The history of the Society is described in an article by Frank Hippman (late editor of the National Newsletter) in Vol. 9 of BOOKBINDER (1995). Another, more personal account of our history, by Mike Duckworth, appears in Vol. 13 (1999).

The Society of Bookbinders : a 50 year timeline

The following timeline was published in the National Newsletter Autumn 2024 edition.

• 1974: formation

• 1977: first Conference, then biennial

• 1978: becomes Society of Bookbinders and Book Restorers

• 1979: first Competition, Ratchford Trophy

• 1979: regions emerge, North West. then Wales and West,  London and South East . . . .

• 1987: annual Bookbinder journal launched

• 1990: name reverts to Society of Bookbinders

• 1995: 21st Anniversary, Conference in Manchester

• 1997: first website goes live

• 1998: new version of now familiar logo appears

• 2002: first Seminar, alternates thereafter with Conference

• 2004: joint national workshops with Designer Bookbinders launched

• 2023: reconstituted as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation

• 2024: 50th Anniversary Day (Kelsall) and 50th Anniversary Conference (York)