cbl-Newsletter 5/2025
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The centro del bel libro - as its beautiful name suggests - lives and breathes beautiful books. Or perhaps you know other "book people"—why not suggest they become a member of the centro del bel libro? Members receive a 5% discount on course fees. |
Summer Time
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Even the centro del bel libro is taking a short summer break- an opportunity to share some impressions of what’s been happening in our workshops over the past few weeks. And since photos speak louder than words, here are a few snapshots from various recent courses. |
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In the second half of the year, the centro del bel libro will again offer a diverse course program, with a strong focus on bookbinding techniques. |
| No. 23 |
Hinged binding in parchment after Edgard Claes
Course location Ascona
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Using Edgard Claes' method, we will make a full vellum binding with hinges. In contrast to his other techniques, with hinged bindings the covers are mechanically connected to the book block and spine via metal rods and can be removed at any time. The parchment tapes upon which the book block is sewn, are reshaped and form the supporting element of the hinge structure, which does not require a visible, deeper joint. The separately made spine is connected to the book block via strips and remains flexible at the joints, which guarantees that the binding will open well. The parchment of the covered boards can be decorated with onlays. Certificates and diplomas do not need to be uploaded when registering. |
| Instructor: | Rahel Scheufele |
| Date: | From Monday, 1st September until Friday, 5th september 2025 |
| Duration: | 5 days, Friday until 12:00 |
| Course location: | centro del bel libro, Via Collegio 17, CH-6612 Ascona |
| Language: | German and explanations in English |
| Costs: | CHF 1'150.- |
| Material costs: | special material depending on use |
| Participants: | bookbinders and interested persons with previous experience |
| Registration: | register now - click here |
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| No. 24 |
Leather Dyeing
Course location Ascona
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Dying your own leather can be an extremely creative process and it can enable the binder to produce beautiful and unique covers for their design bindings. Certificates and diplomas do not need to be uploaded when registering. |
| Instructor: | Nicky Oliver |
| Date: | From Monday, 8th September until Thursday, 11th September 2025 |
| Duration: | 4 days |
| Course location: | centro del bel libro, Via Collegio 17, CH-6612 Ascona |
| Language: | English |
| Costs: | CHF 920.- |
| Material costs: | special material depending on use |
| Participants: | bookbinders with or without previous knowledge, anyone within the Leatherwork industry and artists |
| Registration: | register now - click here |
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| No. 25 |
Double or Triple board binding
Course location Ascona
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The „Double or Triple board binding", invented by the Czech master bookbinder Jan Sobota, utilises a new binding form without shoulders. This method involves covering the two/three boards with leather separately, starting with the inner doublure board surface and finishing with the outer board, and then gradually gluing them together as a laminate. It is possible to create very interesting designs using this process. Certificates and diplomas do not need to be uploaded when registering. |
| Instructor: | Jacek Tylkowski |
| Date: | From Monday, 15th September until Friday, 19th September 2025 |
| Duration: | 5 days, Friday until 12:00 |
| Course location: | centro del bel libro, Via Collegio 17, CH-6612 Ascona |
| Language: | English |
| Costs: | CHF 1'150.- |
| Material costs: | special material depending on use |
| Participants: | bookbinders and interested persons with previous experience |
| Registration: | register now - click here |
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| No. 26 |
5 days, 5 techniques
Course location Ascona
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The Plastic Panel Binding, the Stretchbook, The Loop and the Limp Binding 3.0, the Self-binder, the Saddler Binding Bernhard Sanders demonstrates binding styles that come from his forays into innovative techniques using plastic, board, paper and saddlery leather. During the workshop we will explore the function and the opening characteristics of binding techniques, their limits, and the synergy of material, format and proportion. We will produce 5 non-adhesive contemporary bindings whose roots are anchored in the classical book, yet are freed from the strictness of the tradition. The “easy book” on the difficult road to open thinking ;) Certificates and diplomas do not need to be uploaded when registering. |
| Instructor: | Bernhard Sanders |
| Date: | From Monday, 22nd September until Friday, 26th September 2025 |
| Duration: | 5 days, Friday until 17:00 |
| Course location: | centro del bel libro, Via Collegio 17, CH-6612 Ascona |
| Language: | German or English and explanations in a second language |
| Costs: | CHF 1'199.- |
| Material costs: | special material depending on use |
| Participants: | bookbinders, graphic designers, interested persons |
| Registration: | register now - click here |
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And here’s an overview of further courses that will be described in more detail in the next newsletter: |
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You’ll find information about these and other courses, as always, on our website:
Editorial: Katharina Meier, Sandra Merten |
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www.cbl-ascona.ch |
