A local practitioner in the ancient art of traditional bookbinding from local book bindery TBB will showcase the trade during an exhibition day at Shepparton Library.
Hosting the session will be bookbinder and restorer Chi Chi Wang, who has offered to advise and assess people’s heirloom books and historical documents during her visit.
Chi Chi said she would answer questions about bookbinding, assess books in need of repair and provide advice on how to care and store books to ensure their safety.
“Traditional bookbinding is a specialised field where books are made and restored all by hand using the methods and techniques of the ancient artisans,” she said.
“Most bookbinding over the past few decades has changed to mechanical binding, leaving traditional bookbinders scarce, which is why they are now classed as a lost trade.”
One of Chi Chi’s most recent projects has been the restoration of a family Bible for local identity Margot Colson, who appreciated not having to send her precious book to Sydney.
It has also been placed in a special archival box to ensure its safety for the next 150 years.
“It gave me great satisfaction,” Chi Chi said.
“The 1850 Bible contained the Hughes’ family history dating back six generations and it was Margot’s wish to pass it on to her son, Jeffrey, and his family.”
Chi Chi has also restored a book that was a cultural treasure; remembering a local pioneer’s life, written as a stanza poem, which recounted his experiences and hardships during settlement.
She said the pages were old and in disarray, with copious amounts of sticky tape holding the torn pages together.
“My work can be so rewarding — saving such an historic document from certain ruin and collapse, which sees many destined for the rubbish bin,” Chi Chi said.
“Too many of our books, journals, family Bibles and records are being discarded or left to rot when they can be saved for future generations and our collective history.
“My passion is to save these books before it is too late.”
TBB will exhibit rare bookbinding tools and old books at Shepparton Library.
In order to keep alive the history of many families and the nation itself, TBB will be providing free book care advice at the library; at the same time, if anyone's family books or any books are in need of repair, the book restorers from TBB will be providing a free book inspection service and quote at the exhibition.
If you are interested in creating your own book, TBB bookbinders would be happy to make your first project a lot easier by providing suitable suggestions. Some materials will be on display at the library.
The exhibition will be held on Tuesday, September 27 from 10am to 2:30pm at Shepparton Library, 41-43 Marungi St, Shepparton.