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Monthly Bookbinding Workshop: Rebinding
Recycle, Reuse--Rebind! Everyone has an old paperback book they love, but its cover's are creased, ripped or have gone missing. Due to the ephemeral nature of a perfect binding (glued spine, thin paper covers), paperbacks don't withstand as much wear and tear as that of a hardcover binding. Now is…
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Exploring CutOuts: Techniques, History, and Modern Tools
Join Insiya Dhatt and the American Bookbinders Museum to discuss the intersection of cutouts and bookbinding in January’s virtual lecture. Dive into how cutouts can function both as a subject and medium within the realm of bookbinding. Learn about the rich history of cutouts across the globe, become familiar with…
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Speculum Mundi — The Book as Metaphysic & Instrument
Join founder of CODEX Peter Koch, in answering the question; “when is a book a work of art and not just a book made by an artist?” By looking at the book as a practical tool and as something deeper in meaning, can we see a third possibility? Do books…
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Monthly Bookbinding Workshop: Spinning Accordion
Present your loved one with a homemade gift this Valentine's Day. Create a spinning accordion book customized with your own ephemera. This variation of the accordion binding is a great introduction to bookbinding for those just starting out. Originally called orihon in Japanese, from the root words ori (fold) and…
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Monthly Bookbinding Workshop: Stab Binding
This beginner-friendly stab binding technique is a perfect project to start your bookbinding journey. It is generally called a Japanese stab binding, but was used throughout Asia. It’s a great option for binding pre-cut sheets of paper, no folding or gluing required. The simplicity of preparation and materials makes it…
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Embodied Books: Binding Together Illness, Art, and Learning
Dr. Darian Goldin Stahl will discuss her longstanding research project, “Embodied Books: Binding Together Illness, Art, and Learning.” This postdoctoral project, hosted by the UNBC Northern Medical Program, empowers intrepid bookmakers to create artists’ books about personal medical experiences. This collection is part of a traveling program as first-person illness…
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What is a Book?
Books are often viewed through a particular lens, reflecting our preconceived notions of what makes a book—a book. What if we looked at books differently? Join book artist Alan Sobrino of Errant Press to explore the endless possibilities of what could be a book's perfect form, binding,…
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Monthly Bookbinding Workshop: Buttonhole Binding
Button, button, who's got a buttonhole binding? Join our April workshop and create your own buttonhole-bound journal. Buttonhole bindings are a medieval binding dating back to the 16th century. Its decorative peek-a-boo opening on the spine exposes the book's signatures, adding a fun variation to your repertoire. Originally an adaptation…
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Monthly Bookbinding Workshop: Triangular Map
Join the American Bookbinders Museum in creating a unique Triangular Map Fold Book. Map folds come in many shapes and sizes and are found across the globe. Adding hardcovers to a folded map makes for a unique book: perfect for art, greetings, and special messages. In this workshop you will…
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Monthly Bookbinding Workshop: Easy Inlays
Inlays are a subtractive decorative element used on book covers using decorative paper, cloth or leather. They appear challenging, and many are, but can be easily accomplished using basic bookbinding techniques. You will construct a case binding, size your inlay, cutout the inlay, and add your own unique decorative element…
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Monthly Bookbinding Workshop: Chicago Screw Post Binding
Join the American Bookbinders Museum for a monthly workshop to create your own Chicago Screw Post binding. It is named after the manufacturer, the Chicago Screw Company est. 1872. This hinged binding uses screw posts to secure its pages in lieu of a spine. Screw post bindings are popular for…
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Monthly Bookbinding Workshop: Rebinding
Recycle, Reuse--Rebind! Everyone has an old paperback book they love, but its cover's are creased, ripped or have gone missing. Due to the ephemeral nature of a perfect binding (glued spine, thin paper covers), paperbacks don't withstand as much wear and tear as that of a hardcover binding. Now is…
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Monthly Bookbinding Workshop: Limp Wrapper
Limp Wrapper Coptic Sewn Binding: You will explore the Coptic binding style with a limp wrapper cover. This is a beginner to intermediate bookbinding workshop where you will fold, collate, trim and Coptic sew a text block—then cover it with a limp wrapper. Coptic stitching is one of the oldest…
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Monthly Bookbinding Workshop: Hardcover Coptic Journal
A quintessential binding, the Coptic stitch gets its name from the Copts and was created in North Africa. This binding was originally sewn through slats of wood attaching a hardcover. Today many use this stitch as a base for unique designs along the spine or inside covered spine bindings. Join…
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Monthly Bookbinding Workshop: Rebinding Paperbacks
Recycle, Reuse--Rebind! Everyone has an old paperback book they love, but its cover's are creased, ripped or have gone missing. Due to the ephemeral nature of a perfect binding (glued spine, thin paper covers), paperbacks don't withstand as much wear and tear as that of a hardcover binding. Now is…
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Monthly Bookbinding Workshop:Binding Made Simple
Join the American Bookbinders Museum in creating not 1, not 2, not 3, but 4 journals in December’s bookbinding workshop. Learn how to make four different single and dual-signature bindings. Guided by instructor Alexandra Sarette you will make the: Double Pamphlet, Chain, Dos-i-Dos, and 5 Hole. For each of the…
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Twas the Night Before Christmas…
Special Virtual Event Join Pamela McColl in an in-depth look at a beloved Christmas tale: Twas The Night Before Christmas. She'll discuss the publishing history of the famous seasonal poem: Twas The Night Before Christmas, from 1823 to modern day. See illustrations of the poem and learn more a about…
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Monthly Bookbinding Workshop: Case Bindings
One of the most common forms of hardcover books and have been around since the 1450s. Their popularity is due in large part to the rise of printing presses and a demand for cheaper books. Case bindings are sturdy and long-lasting. They can be highly decorative using a multitude of…
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Rare Books: What Makes Them Rare & How to Care For Them
Join Rare Book Specialist Madeleine Moore for a virtual webinar with the American Bookbinders Museum. Learn what makes a book rare, how to assess and treat old books, areas of popular interest for collectors, and get an inside look at the Rare Book Room at Powell's Books. Madeleine Moore attended…
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Collecting and Preserving Pop-ups & Miniatures
Join the American Bookbinders Museum on Saturday November 23rd in conversation with Beatriz Haspo to discuss the history and management of miniatures and pop-up’s in book collecting. We think of pop-ups as children's books used to teach and entertain due to their visual and interactive nature. The precursor to the…
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Monthly Bookbinding Workshop: Carousel Binding
Life is a Carousel...and a Binding! Join the American Bookbinders Museum on Saturday, November 9, for a workshop on Carousel bindings. Stylistically it is an accordion pop-up binding devised of layers that when stretched and attached, cover-to-cover, create a “carousel” effect. While the exact origins of these books are not…
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Monthly Bookbinding Workshop: Centipede Stitch Journal
Join us for a creepy-crawly binding using embroidery techniques on the spine and cover. This centipede binding utilizes two needles and incorporates both Coptic stitch and embroidery techniques. The embroidery results in a decorative effect that looks like centipedes crawling across the book spine. Also known as the caterpillar stitch,…
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Cover to Cover: The Process and Technique of Screen Printing on Book Covers
The cover of a book is how we first judge it, whether we admit it or not. Covers can be designed with intricate finishing details, minimalist with only the titles, or, as in the case of artist Carolee Jakes, screen printed with unique designs. Join the American Bookbinders Museum in…
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Reception: The Magic of Marbling Exhibit
Meet the artist! Pietro Accardi will demonstrate and discuss marbling at a special reception celebrating The Magic of Marbling, Unique by Design. This special exhibit explores the patterns, history and magic of marbling. Celebrated marbler, Pietro Accardi, will share his passion for marbling, his love of teaching, and his comprehensive…
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Monthly Bookbinding Workshop: Long Stitch Binding
Join us and enjoy an in-depth beginners workshop. Learn one of the simplest binding stitches--the long stitch. Dating back to medieval Germany, it required little training while also being decorative. No experience necessary, but class-size is limited to 12 people per workshop. A great starting point for anyone new to…
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Marbling Around the World
The History, Materials, and Patterns of Marbling Across the Globe Join the American Bookbinders Museum in discussion with marbler: Pietro Accardi. Accardi will give a brief talk about the legendary origins of marbling, cover historical and modern marbling patterns, give a live demonstration of marbling, and discuss his exploration of…
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Monthly BookBinding Workshop: Rebinding
Recycle, Reuse--Rebind! Everyone has an old paperback book they love, but its cover's are creased, ripped or have gone missing. Due to the ephemeral nature of a perfect binding (glued spine, thin paper covers), paperbacks don't withstand as much wear and tear as that of a hardcover binding. Now is…
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London Strife: the Great Bookbinding Strike of 1786
Historically, bookbinders worked for longer hours and for less pay than most artisans. In the revolutionary unease of the late eighteenth century, the London bookbinders decided to strike for a reduction in their working day. This landed the binders in trouble, with some ending up in jail. The Great Bookbinding…
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Monthly Bookbinding Workshop: French Link Binding
Join us for a hand binding workshop to create a hardcover French Link journal. Also known as Journal de liens en Français, the French Link binding technique originated in 16th-century France and is a popular decorative binding. It is a variation of the Coptic binding with a series of looping…
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Binding Community: Bringing Together Diverse Peoples with the Art of Bookbinding
Have you ever wanted to create a community book-binding experience? Want to bring attention to local events through bookbinding? Don't know where to start? Please join community organizer and artist, Cynthia Marsh, in a virtual webinar with the American Bookbinders Museum on how to do just that. From exploring preliminary…
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SF in SF with ROBIN SLOAN, RUDY RUCKER & CLARA WARD
Please join SF in SF for an evening with Robin Sloan, Rudy Rucker and Clara Ward at the American Bookbinders Museum! The authors will read a selection from their work, participate in a Q and A, and then they will sign books. The event will be moderated by author Cliff…
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Nature as Muse
Join us for Nature as Muse, a panel discussion presented by The American Bookbinders Museum with panalists Elizabeth Curren, Sara Press (Deeply Game Publications), and Rebecca Chamlee (Pie in the Sky Press). We'll discuss nature's influence in practice and as model on Saturday, June 15th at 11:00 am PST. Whether…
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Monthly Bookbinding Workshop: Stab Binding
This beginner-friendly stab binding technique is a perfect project to start your bookbinding journey. It is generally called a Japanese stab binding, but was used throughout Asia. It’s a great option for binding pre-cut sheets of paper, no folding or gluing required. The simplicity of preparation and materials makes it…
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SF in SF with Samantha Mills and Hana Lee
Please join SF in SF for an evening with Samantha Mills and Hana Lee at the American Bookbinders Museum! The authors will read a selection from their work, participate in a Q and A, and then they will sign books. The event will be moderated by author Cliff Winnig. About…
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Stitches Through Time
The History, Significance, and Artistry of Book Embroidery Hosted by Erin Fletcher of Herringbone Bindery Join the American Bookbinders Museum on May 18th at 11 am PST in a discussion with book embroiderer Erin Fletcher. Fletcher will explore the history of embroidered bindings leading up to contemporary binders in the…
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Monthly Bookbinding Workshop
Limp Wrapper Coptic Sewn Binding: In May we will explore the Coptic binding style with a limp wrapper cover. This is a beginner to intermediate bookbinding workshop where you will fold, collate, trim and Coptic sew a text block, then cover it with a limp wrapper. Coptic stitching is one…
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Open Book: The Whimsy and Technique of Three-dimensional Book Construction
Join the American Bookbinders Museum in collaboration with Luz Marina Ruiz for a virtual webinar on the creative process behind tunnel books. She creates three-dimensional objects drawing inspiration from the beauty of nature and the ethereal realm of dreams, Luz Marina will guide you through inspiration and formatting, and designing…
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Monthly Bookbinding Workshop
The American Bookbinders Museum hosts monthly bookbinding workshops the second Saturday of each month from 1:00-3:00pm. Join us and enjoy an in-depth look at the history of bookbinding followed by the workshop. Create a reusable, hardcover exposed binding journal in this hands-on session. No experience necessary, but class-size is limited…
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Who Restores Books? How to Choose Wisely
Discover why not all book conservators are created equal and how to find the perfect match for your needs. Bogle will serve as a guide through the intricacies of selecting the right conservator, explain technical jargon, and equip you with essential questions to ask. Gain valuable insights into the advantages…
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SF in SF with Gail Carriger, Izzy Wasserstein, and Amy Sundberg
Please join SF in SF for a fabulous evening with GAIL CARRIGER, AMY SUNDBERG, and IZZY WASSERSTEIN! Each author will read a selection from their work, followed by question and answers with the authors; booksigning follows. Author Carter Scholz will be speaking at this event, as we continue to mourn…
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SF in SF with David Sandner and David D. Levine.
SF in SF is back! Another year of great Science Fiction & Fantasy nights starting with a fabulous evening of Frankenstein and his Monster, an exciting space caper story, and science fiction fun with authors David D. Levine and David M. Sandner. Both authors will read a selection from their…
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Disappearing Art—the History and Craftsmanship of the Vanishing Fore-edge
Immerse yourself in the magic of the vanishing fore-edge, where paintings fade into gold. Join acclaimed artist Martin Frost in a virtual webinar discussing the history of the vanishing fore-edge. Benefit from valuable insights and techniques derived from the artist's extensive 57 years of expertise in this revered craft. Martin…
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Bound to be Different Reception
Opening Reception We are celebrating Private Presses and handbound books. Join us for food, drinks and great conversations. Meet some of the press owners and mingle with like-minded collectors and book lovers. Saturday February 3 4:30pm RSVP
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Marbling Fine Bindings
Deborah V. Thomson, Echo Art Bindery Join bookbinder–and marbler–Deborah V. Thomson of Echo Art Bindery for a look at marbling techniques on fine bindings. Deborah has a diploma in fine binding from the American Academy of Bookbinding where she studied with Don Glaister, Peter Geraty and…
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A Beginner’s Bindery in a Hide-Away Box
“When I started bookbinding, I always felt limited by the tools I had. 30 years later I have all the best tools imaginable. Yet the bench where I make DAS Bookbinding videos is tiny and 90% of what I do is done with the tools hanging on a small wall…
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Collector’s Talk and Tour for Stenciling in Book & Applied Arts
Join us on Saturday, December 9th at 2pm at the American Bookbinders Museum, for a talk and tour of ABM's newest exhibition, Stenciling in Book & Applied Arts. Collector Alex Angell with share his immense store of knowledge regarding the art, history and technique of stenciling in Japanese Katazome, French…
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Marbling Fine Bindings
Deborah V. Thomson, Echo Art Bindery Join bookbinder--and marbler--Deborah V. Thomson of Echo Art Bindery for a look at marbling techniques on fine bindings. Deborah has a diploma in fine binding from the American Academy of Bookbinding where she studied with Don Glaister, Peter Geraty and…
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The Poison Book Project:
Toxic Heavy Metals in Mass-Produced 19th-C. Euro-American Bookbinding Dr. Melissa Tedone will discuss the discovery of arsenic in Victorian-era bookcloth and how this discovery influences our understanding of Euro-American bookbinding materials and manufacture. The Poison Book Project investigates the use of toxic heavy metals (including arsenic, chromium, lead, and…
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SF in SF with Rick Wilbur, E. Lily Yu, and Chaz Brenchley
Join us on November 12 for SF in SF, when writers Rick Wilbur, E. Lily Yu, and Chaz Brenchley come to read and talk with Bay Area writer and moderator Cliff Winnig. Rick Wilber is an award-winning writer, editor, poet, and professor; the author of four novels, four short-story collections,…
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Designing with Typography
Join us on Saturday, October 21 for the second of two virtual lectures with design binder Brenda Gallagher. "As a graphic designer, I enjoy making designs for books using letterforms in my designs. I'll show you several ways to use letters as objects of design and discuss several ways of…
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SF in SF with Nancy Kress and Jack Skillingstead
Join us on October 14 for a special Saturday SF in SF, when writers Nancy Kress and Jack Skillingstead come to read and talk with Bay Area writer and moderator Cliff Winnig. Nancy Kress is the author of thirty-three books, including twenty-six novels, four collections of short stories, and three books…
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Tips & Tricks for Developing Design Ideas
Join us on Saturday, October 7, for the first of two virtual lectures with designer and book artist Brenda Gallagher. This first will cover generating design ideas for bookbinding. A basic how-to for bookbinders looking for ways to create design ideas for bookbinding, the talk will begin with the content…
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SF in SF with John Scalzi
Join us for a special mid-week SF in SF when SF author and raconteur John Scalzi comes to the American Bookbinders Museum, reading and in conversation with writer, gamer, and futurist Kimberly Unger. John Scalzi is probably best known for his Old Man's War series, three novels of which have been…
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Special Exhibit Opening Reception
Celebrate the opening of a new exhibit: Stenciling in Book & Applied Arts Saturday, September 16, 2023 4:30pm View the Exhibit Meet the Collector: Alex Angell Enjoy Food & Fine Beverages Meet up with Friends Partake in conversation and Scholarship Please RSVP
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SF in SF with Marie Brennan and Alyc Helms
Join us on Sunday, July 30, when writers Marie Brennan and Alyc Helms meet for an evening of readings and conversation with Bay Area writer Cliff Winig. Marie Brennan is a former anthropologist and folklorist who shamelessly pillages her academic fields for inspiration. She recently misapplied her professors’ hard work…
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August 6, Join Us at Makers Market at Yerba Buena Gardens
The Yerba Buena Community Benefit District's Makers Market has returned! The first Sunday of each month from June to November, Yerba Buena Gardens will feature one-of-a-kind vendors selling unique jewelry, original art, brilliant prints, and other exquisite pieces made from ceramics and macrame, as well as live music and general…
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Introduction to Bookbinding for Adults / Introducción a la Encuadernación para Adultos
August 5, 10:00 - 2:00 Back by popular demand--last chance to take Introduction to Bookbinding with master binder Dulce Maria Luna! Adults 18 and up will learn the elements that make up a book. Bookbinding is a traditional craft still practiced today. In this 4-hour session you will produce a…
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SF in SF with Charlie Jane Anders and Kate Maruyama
Join us on Sunday, July 30, when writers Charlie Jane Anders and Kate Maruyama meet for an evening of readings and conversation with Bay Area writer Cliff Winig. Charlie Jane Anders Most recently, she wrote the young adult Unstoppable trilogy: Victories Greater Than Death, Dreams Bigger Than Heartbreak, and Promises…
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Introduction to Bookbinding for Adults | Introducción a la Encuadernación para Adultos
July 29, 12:30 - 4:30 ABM is delighted to have Mexican bookbinder and teacher Dulce Maria Luna, offer this four-hour workshop for adults 18 and up. Students will learn about the elements that make up a book, and the materials and tools used in its construction and care. Bookbinding is…
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Introduction to Bookbinding for Kids | Introducción a la Encuadernación para Niños
July 28, 1:30 - 4:30 pm ABM is delighted to have Mexican bookbinder and teacher Dulce Maria Luna offer this three-hour workshop for kids from 7-17. Students will learn about the elements that make up a book, and the materials and tools used in its construction and care. Bookbinding is…
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SF in SF with Fran Wilde and Henry Lien
Join us on Sunday, June 25, when writers Fran Wilde and Henry Lien meet for an evening of readings and conversation with Bay Area writer Cliff Winnig. Fran Wilde's first novel, Updraft, won the Nebula and Compton Crook awards; it was followed by Cloudbound and Horizon, completing the Bone trilogy.…
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Hosting Word For Word
The American Bookbinders Museum is proud to be hosting: Off the Page Staged readings that are the first step in Word for Word's production process—taking a short story from the page to the stage. Join us for the first of many steps in bringing stories to the stage. "The Secret…
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Introduction to Bookbinding for Adults
June 10, 12:30 - 4:30 ABM is delighted to have Mexican bookbinder and teacher Dulce Maria Luna, offer this four-hour workshop for adults 18 and up. Students will learn about the elements that make up a book, and the materials and tools used in its construction and care. Bookbinding is…
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June 4th, Join Us at Makers’ Market at Yerba Buena Gardens
The Yerba Buena Community Benefit District's Makers Market has returned! The first Sunday of each month from June to November, Yerba Buena Gardens will feature one-of-a-kind vendors selling unique jewelry, original art, brilliant prints, and other exquisite pieces made from ceramics and macrame, as well as live music and general…
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The Opening of Poetic Journey/Travesía Poética
Celebrating the Opening of Poetic Journey/Travesía Poética Join us Saturday, June 3, from 4:30-6:30 pm, for a reception to celebrate Mexican book artist, Dulce Maria Luna. Browse the gallery, meet the artist, and enjoy a 50-year retrospective of her work. Light snacks and refreshment swill be served. Please RSVP, free…
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Book Conservators in Private Practice – a Virtual Event
Join us for a look behind the covers, with an in-person event marking the closing of The Many Lives of Books: Exploring the Work of Book Conservators. Local private practice conservators Juliayn Coleman and Karen Zukor will share a peek into their work conserving books from personal collections—the rare, the…
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Hosting Word For Word
The American Bookbinders Museum is proud to be hosting: Off the Page Staged readings that are the first step in Word for Word's production process—taking a short story from the page to the stage. Join us for the first of many steps in bringing stories to the stage. Two…
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SF in SF with Mia Tsai and Becca Gomez Farrell
Join us on Sunday, March 26th for SF in SF when authors Mia Tsai and Becca Gomez Farrell join at the American Bookbinders Museum for an evening of reading and conversation with Bay Area writer Cliff Winnig. Mia Tsai is a Taiwanese American author of speculative fiction. She lives in Atlanta…
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SF in SF with Annalee Newitz and Naseem Jamnia
Join us on Sunday, January 29th for SF in SF’s first event of the new year, when authors Annalee Newitz and Naseem Jamnia return to the American Bookbinders Museum for an evening of reading and conversation with Bay Area writer, editor, and raconteur Terry Bisson. ANNALEE NEWITZ writes science fiction…
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Linking the Past, Forging the Future: Conservation of a Medieval Chained Binding
In our digital age, it's hard to remember (or even believe) that books were once so rare and costly that they were kept chained to the shelves. But even chains cannot protect a centuries-old book from the wear of time--and many hands. When a chained medieval book in Stanford Libraries'…
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SF in SF with Kim Stanley Robinson and Cecelia Holland
Join us on Sunday, January 29th for SF in SF's first event of the new year, when authors Kim Stanley Robinson and Cecelia Holland return to the American Bookbinders Museum for an evening of reading and conversation with Bay Area writer, editor, and raconteur Terry Bisson. KIM STANLEY ROBINSON is an American writer of…
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Opening Reception for The Many Lives of Books
Click here to RSVP Join us on Saturday, January 28 from 4:30 - 6:30 for an in-person reception celebrating the opening of ABM's latest exhibition: The Many Lives of Books: Exploring the Work of Book Conservators. Meet curators Kimberly Kwan, Elizabeth Ryan, and Michelle C. Smith, and take a dive…
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Jeff Peachey: The Craft of Hand-Paring Leather
Join us for a virtual lecture and demonstration! For at least fifteen centuries, tanned leather has provided a durable, attractive, and pleasing tactile sensation for the covering of books. The leather must be selectively pared – reduced in thickness — to achieve proper functioning and meet aesthetic expectations. Book Conservator…
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SF in SF with Mary Robinette Kowal and Adam Savage
Please join us for an evening of reading and conversation with author Mary Robinette Kowal and Adam Savage, in conversation with Bay Area writer Cliff Winnig. Nebula and Hugo Award-winning author Mary Robinette Kowal is a novelist, voice actor, and professional puppeteer. The first book in her Lady Astronaut series The Calculating…
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Megan Rosenbloom: Anthropodermic Bindings: Books Bound in Human Skin
The macabre practice of binding books in human skin sounds like the stuff of horror movies, but was actually perpetrated by well-respected doctors in the 19th century, a practice now known as anthropodermic bibliopegy. Would you know a human skin book if you held one in your hand? Join librarian…
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SF in SF with Laura Anne Gilman, Dana Fredsti, and Meg Elison
Please join us for an evening of reading and conversation with authors Laura Anne Gilman, Dana Fredsti, and Meg Elison, in conversation with Bay Area writer, editor, and raconteur Terry Bisson. Laura Anne Gilman's most recent book, Uncanny Times, is being lauded as a "lush, atmospheric historical fantasy" (Publishers Weekly) that…
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Yerba Buena Night at ABM Presents
A Word for Word Reading of: HOME by George Saunders Directed by Sheila Balter "Home" by George Saunders was first published in The New Yorker, June 13 & 20, 2011. The story of a vet, returning from the war only to discover family trouble at home. Of "Home", George Saunders…
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SF in SF with Authors Scott Nicolay & Anya Martin
Join us as SF in SF returns for the Fall. Authors Scott Nicolay and Anya Martin will read and discuss their work, followed by a Q&A with the audience, moderated by author Terry Bisson. Scott Nicolay is the World Fantasy Award-winning author of "Do You Like to Look at Monsters?"…
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Special Lecture
Marco Birnholz: A Life in Bookplates This multimedia presentation will look at Marco Birnholz and his ex libris collection. Marco encountered an ex libris as a young student and was transfixed, “gripped by my collector’s passion.” He commissioned his first ex libris in 1913, and his 264th in 1964. As a…
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Opening Reception for Ex Libris
Please join us Tuesday, September 13th, from 1pm - 4pm for an in-person reception celebrating the opening of Ex Libris: The Art of Contemporary World Bookplates. Meet exhibit curator James Keenan, as well as collectors and exhibitors. Experience the beauty of bookplate art from 33 countries and more than 100…
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Sunday Streets in SOMA
On Sunday, August 21 from 11am - 4pm, Folsom Street will be closed to traffic and open for fun! From Spear to 9th Streets, find performers, vendors, food--and The American Bookbinders Museum! To celebrate our SOMA neighborhood we'll be open that day from 11-4. If you haven't visited ABM lately, now's…
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Alice Vaughan: The Way is Narrow – Some Spine-Titling Options for the Hand Bookbinders
What's in a name? Or more aptly, what's in a title? In spine titling there are a range of different issues, aesthetics, and techniques the hand bookbinder considers before beginning work. Is the spine flat or rounded? Paneled? Will the titling work be done on or off-book? A range of…
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Yerba Buena Art & Makers Market
Sunday, July 17, 11am - 4:00pm Yerba Buena Gardens, Mission Street between 3rd and 4th Streets The Yerba Buena Community Benefit District is hosting its first Art & Makers Market. Find one-of-a-kind vendors selling unique jewelry, original art, brilliant prints, and other exquisite pieces made from ceramics and macrame.…
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SF in SF: Sam J. Miller and Kimberly Unger
After a 2-year hiatus, ABM welcomes back SF in SF! San Francisco’s science fiction reading program has presented a host of established and debut writers in its 20+ year history. The return program features Sam J. Miller and Kimberly Unger reading and in conversation with writer Cliff Winnig. Sam J.…
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The Life and Times of Jo Mora: Iconic Artist of the American West
The Life and Times of Jo Mora provides an in-depth portrait of this gifted illustrator, painter, writer, cartographer, and sculptor (1876-1947). Mora was one of the first American artists to elevate the cultural importance of the Western frontier, presaging broad shifts in twentieth-century thought and expression. Through his celebration of…
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Mallette Dean, A Printmaker and His Art
A Talk by John Hawk John Hawk will give an illustrated talk on the career of Mallette Dean (1907-1975). A major figure in the history of the fine press book in California, Dean was a prolific artist whose career as a printmaker, painter, muralist, illustrator, and letterpress printer spanned several…
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Standard | Deluxe | Design Opening Reception
Join the American Bookbinders Museum and the Book Club of California for an in-person reception celebrating our joint exhibition: Standard | Deluxe | Design Bindings of the Book Club of California View the exhibit and meet BCC's Executive Director Kevin Kosik with Librarian and exhibit curator Elizabeth Newsom. Join…
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Manufacture of Leather
The second of two lectures as part of the 49th Annual Members Exhibition for the Hand Bookbinders of California. The American Bookbinders Museum is pleased to present The Manufacture of Leather, led by David Lanning, of J. Hewit and Sons, UK. David will present a virtual tour of the J…
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EX UNO MULTIS: Out of One Many
A Conservator’s Challenge: the repair and preservation of objects which have complex structures & materials. Books may appear as single objects but they are actually composite items. Particularly with older works, the materials used in a book may include paper, leather, parchment, board, cloth, wood, thread, and all sorts of…
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Content to Cover
In conversation with Juliayn Coleman A virtual lecture discussing the convergence of traditional bookbinding and book arts, exemplified by the books in the 49th Annual Members’ Exhibition of the Hand Bookbinders of California. Juliayn is president of the Hand Bookbinders of California. She has a diploma in bookbinding and book…
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A Journey into “Wild/LIFE” Lecture Series: Suzanne Moore
Part Two: Poetic Imagery Suzanne Moore is a lettering artist, painter, and printmaker whose eclectic interests meld in the diversity of her artists' books. Her books blend abstract and representational imagery, rich color and surface treatments with textual content and contemporary lettering to create work that obscures the line between…
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A Journey into “Wild/LIFE” Lecture Series: Graham Patten
Part One: Binding in the Third Dimension Graham Patten is a bookbinder who applies his interests in origami, movement, and bookbinding to create unusual pieces that merge books and sculpture. The decorative and design elements of his work tend to arise from mechanical, structural, and kinetic ideas rather than from…
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Making Their Mark Lecture Series: Lecture 2
Going for the Gold, with Samuel Feinstein Missed the Lecture? No problem, you can access a recording of the lecture. Click Here Samuel Feinstein is a bookbinder and finisher working in Chicago. While the basic tenets of gold finishing have not changed much over the years, approach in terms of…
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Making Their Mark Lecture Series: Lecture 1
Tools of the Trade, with Brien Beidler Missed the Lecture? No problem, you can access a recording of the lecture. Click Here Brien is a toolmaker and bookbinder. In his work, he draws inspiration from the tooled decorations found on leather bindings of the 17th and 18th centuries. For Brien,…
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Making Their Mark Virtual Reception
Missed the reception? Watch a recording of this lively conversation with our special guest panelists. Hosted by Kristine Connelly, moderated by Madeleine Robins, and with guest panelists: Brien Beidler, Paul Brubaker, Sameul Feinstein and Anita Engles. Find out why practitioners and exhibit curators love decorating and finishing! Recorded on April…
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San Francisco History Days, Sept. 25-27, 2020
A important part of San Francisco history, national history, and women's history. Celebrating the 19th Amendment, Suffragists in Print. Tour the eighty-plus years of the struggle for women's suffrage. By women-ing the press, suffragists took control of the narrative and their future. Meet some of the courageous women who demanded…
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A Virtual Party to Celebrate the 19th Amendment
WE'RE CELEBRATING THE CENTENARY OF THE 19TH AMENDMENT August 26th marks the 100th anniversary of women's suffrage, and we would like to share this historic day with you. Join the American Bookbinders Museum in a virtual celebration of the 19th amendment's centenary. We are hosting a virtual reception at…
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CANCELED: The Art and Social History of 19th Century Book Cover Design
Due to unforeseen circumstances we have to cancel this lecture. If we are able to reschedule it for a later date, we will update this event and send out an announcement. Please check back with us. Bound for Beauty Exhibit Lecture An Illustrated Talk by ABM Donor, Kathleen Roberts Adapted…
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SF in SF with Juliette Wade, Tiffany Trent, and Mike Chen
Please join us for an evening of reading and conversation with authors Juliette Wade, Tiffany Trent, and Mike Chen, in conversation with Bay Area writer, editor, and raconteur Terry Bisson. Juliette Wade's first novel, Mazes of Power, is just out from Daw; a work of sociological science fiction, it follows…
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Collector’s Tour Led by ABM Donor Kathleen Roberts
Bound for Beauty Highlights of the Kathleen V. Roberts Collection of Decorated Publishers’ Bindings The American Bookbinders Museum proudly presents the Bound for Beauty Collector’s Tour. Collector Kathleen V. Roberts, will lead two 60-minute tours of the Bound for Beauty Exhibit, featuring Decorated Publishers’ Bindings from 1840-1920. The Collectors Tours…
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Bound for Beauty Reception
Saturday, January 18th, 3:30-5:30 Please join us for a reception in celebration of ABM's new exhibition, Bound for Beauty: Highlights of the Kathleen V. Roberts Collection of Decorated Publishers Bindings. The reception will follow Kathy Roberts’s 2pm lecture: The Art and Social History of 19th Century Book Cover Design. Come…
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The Art and Social History of 19th Century Book Cover Design
Bound for Beauty Exhibit Lecture An illustrated talk by ABM Donor, Kathleen Roberts The American Bookbinders Museum proudly presents an illustrated lecture by Kathleen Roberts. Kathy is the collector and co-curator of the Bound for Beauty exhibit. This special 60-minute talk focuses on the social and art history of Decorated…
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SF in SF with Kim Stanley Robinson and Cecelia Holland
Please join us when perennial Bay Area favorites Cecelia Holland and Kim Stanley Robinson return to the American Bookbinders Museum, reading and in conversation with Bay Area writer, editor, and raconteur Terry Bisson. Cecelia Holland is a grande dame of historical fiction who began writing at age twelve. Her first published work, The Firedrake, arrived in…
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SF in SF with Annalee Newitz and Charlie Jane Anders
Please join us for an evening of reading and conversation with authors Hannu Rajaniemi and Christopher Brown, in conversation with Bay Area writer, editor, and raconteur Terry Bisson. Charlie Jane Anders is the author of The City in the Middle of the Night and the Nebula Award-winning All the Birds…
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SF in SF with Garth Nix
Please join us on a special night for an evening of reading and conversation with author Garth Nix in conversation with Bay Area writer, editor, and raconteur Terry Bisson. A chance to hang out with one of the most popular young adult novelists in the field! Garth will read and…
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ABM at the Creativity Festival
Join us us to find your spark at the Children's Creativity Museum's Creativity Festival! Want to bind a book to take home? Create something under the sea? Experiment with Newton’s “musical” laws of motion and design vehicles powered by pushing, pulling, spinning, or the drop of gravity. Use the energy…
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Smithonian Museum Day at ABM
Saturday, September 21, join the American Bookbinders Museum and other cultural institutions around the country for Smithsonian magazine's Museum Day. Download a ticket that provides free admission for two to the museum of your choice. But choose wisely! You can get one two-person admission ticket per email address (check out…
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Culture for Community
Mark your calendars! Thursday, Sep 19: free access to Yerba Buena neighborhood arts & culture institutions, including the American Bookbinders Museum, as well as an opportunity to celebrate the importance of intergenerational connections and stories. #CultureforGenerations #CultureforCommunity Participating Organizations 111 Minna American Bookbinders Museum California Historical Society Children's Creativity Museum…
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SF in SF with Hannu Rajaniemi and Christopher Brown
Please join us for an evening of reading and conversation with authors Hannu Rajaniemi and Christopher Brown, in conversation with Bay Area writer, editor, and raconteur Terry Bisson. Hannu Rajaniemi was born in Finland and obtained his PhD in string theory from the University of Edinburgh. He is the author…
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Opening Reception for Book Smart: Learning to Break the Rules
Join the American Bookbinders Museum in celebrating the opening of Book Smart: Learning to Break the Rules, a joint exhibition of works by instructors and students at San Francisco Art Institute, Mills College, and Oregon College of Art and Craft. In addition to the opportunity to see the works on…
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He to She: The Challenge of Gender Change in Lurid 1950s to ’60s Pulp Cover Art
Queer Voices Lecture Series He to She: The Challenge of Gender Change in Lurid 1950s to '60s Pulp Cover Art A conversation with Natasha Dennerstein, a local trans author, who will talk about "transvestite" and early trans pulp novels and their cover art. Natasha will explore the power of these…
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SF in SF with Vylar Kaftan and Megan O’Keefe
Please join us for an evening of reading and conversation with authors Vylar Kaftan and Megan O'Keefe, in conversation with Bay Area writer, editor, and raconteur Terry Bisson. Vylar Kaftan writes speculative fiction of all genres, including science fiction, fantasy, horror, and slipstream. She won a 2013 Nebula Award for…
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SF LGBTQ+ Journalism in the Early Days of HIV/AIDS
Queer Voices Lecture Series SF LGBTQ+ Journalism in the Early Days of HIV/AIDS A conversation with Randy Alfred, gay journalist who covered the early years of the HIV/AIDS epidemic and co-founder of the San Francisco Bay Times. Randy will discuss reportage of the terrifying and yet-to-be-named “gay plague” in 1981.…
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When the Bar was the Only Place in Town
Queer Voices Lecture Series When the Bar was the Only Place in Town Every city has its meeting places, where like-minded people go to socialize. For nearly a century in pre-Stonewall, pre-liberation San Francisco, bars were the only public places where gays and lesbians could meet openly. Those storefronts created…
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Art Walk
Join the American Bookbinders Museum and the Yerba Buena Alliance in celebrating the 12th Annual Yerba Buena Art Walk! Start at 1pm with the Yerba Buena Gardens Festival. At 2pm come to the ABM where we'll host the pre-Art Walk reception. And from 3-6pm sample some of SOMA's most fascinating…
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Queer Voices Opening Happy Hour
Join us and the GLBT Historical Society for a special Happy Hour to celebrate the opening of ABM's new exhibit.