In this video download Peter Goodwin, master book binder

shows in detail how to make and account book or  a Springback Ledger as it is known in the trade. It is a style of binding that allows a book to lie flat so you can write right up to the margins. In olden times this was the usual binding for stationery books.

Springback ledgers are the test of a bookbinder’s craft. This

 type of binding is considered challenging and is usually

 avoided by lesser mortals as too hard but being a master bookbinder Peter Goodwin is well up to the task. As a young apprentice in Nottingham, Peter Goodwin and his master Harry turned out 300 of this the of binding every week.  With his no nonsense attitude, Peter Goodwin demonstrates how to

make one of these difficult books and makes it easy. The secrets of the Springback are revealed for all to admire. The split boards, the stippling, the tab and the Springback tube are all tackled with skill and good humour.

Peter Goodwin bound books for over 64 years and was one of the last fully apprenticed journeyman bookbinders practicing his craft. Thanks to 'perfect binding' and the Brittle Book Syndrome traditional bookbinders are no longer needed. The craft slowly died and sadly Peter Goodwin too at the age of 84. This series of DVDs have left to posterity the way he practiced his craft thanks to Janette Miller who was able to film him binding a full bound leather book from start to gold finishing. It is only now that he is dead that one appreciates the brilliance of these bookbinding masters.