About

 

I am Rosy Gray, founder of the ‘Black Cat Bindery’,  I have been a bookbinder for over 35 years!

Following art school and then completion of a bookbinding apprenticeship, I enrolled at the London College of Printing to formally study bookbinding and letterpress printing.  Here I learned and honed skills and gained experience essential both to fine binding and the restoration of antiquarian books.  In addition, I developed a knowledge of book structure through the Ages, as well as the history of book design.

After graduating from the London College of Printing I established my first bindery, the ‘Wyvern Bindery’ with two associates in the heart of the old printers’ quarters, in Clerkenwell just a stone’s throw from St. Brides and Farringdon. 

Following 10 successful years growing The Wyvern Bindery, I sold my holding to my business partners and moved back to Somerset.  Here I established the ‘Black Cat Bindery’ as a sole enterprise.  Twenty-five years later I am still enjoying country life and, of course, bookbinding!

I look forward to working with you

Rosy Gray – Bookbinder

 

Assessing a new consignment of books for restoration

Heating tools for gold embossing Setting type for lettering Gilding book edges

Sewing sections on a frame Sharpening the raised bands