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

Assessing a new consignment of books for restoration

Burner heats hand tools Heating tools for gold embossing Setting type for lettering Setting type for lettering Gilding book edges Gilding book edges

Sewing sections on a frame

Sewing sections on a frame Sharpening raised bands Sharpening the raised bands