Book lovers will enjoy the latest exhibition at Rare Books and Special Collections featuring bookbinding tools from the Dorothy Burnett Bookbinding tools collection.
Dorothy Burnett became one of the first independent artisan bookbinders in Vancouver in 1939, opening up a shop dedicated solely to bookbinding. After the closure of her studio, she continued to operate as a bookbinder, giving interviews, contributing to exhibitions and speaking to professional organizations.
Used to polish and smooth out wrinkles after leather is glued to a spine (Burnett 9-9)
The exhibition focuses on the art of bookbinding and Burnett’s art in particular, and is arranged according to the steps in the bookbinding process.
In addition to tools used in the process, the exhibition also features samples of fine binding, and a rare book about Burnett’s life, produced by the Alcuin Society in Vancouver.
Visit the exhibition in UBC Library’s Rare Books and Special Collections, Level One in the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre. The exhibition will be on display until April 2015.
*Cover image courtesy of Laura West, “Bookbinding tools.”