Re: [GBW] GBW Digest - 7 Jul 2003 to 8 Jul 2003 (#2003-94)

[Lehmann Bindery <lehmann@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

On 7/8/03 9:02 PM, "Automatic digest processor" <LISTSERV@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
wrote:

> There is one message totalling 84 lines in this issue.
>
> Topics of the day:
>
> 1. Fw: "rant"
>
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> Date:    Tue, 8 Jul 2003 10:04:33 -0400
> From:    "sam ellenport (by way of Peter Verheyen <verheyen@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>)"
>        <sam@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Subject: Fw: "rant"
>
> Dear Fellow Bookworkers, After an absence from this list, I returned to
> find Steve Hales accusing the Harcourt Bindery of having done "hack work,"
> claiming that our staff is comprised of "barbarians who
> committed...libricide."  As the owner of the company since 1970,  this
> alleged libricide occurred on my watch and I feel compelled to respond.
>
> For over a century, The Harcourt Bindery has been concentrating on
> producing fine leather bindings and restorations.  We enjoy a well-earned
> international reputation, and are noted for our commitment to quality.  I
> have never had a claim such as this laid at my feet before, nor have I seen
> similar charges thrown at other binders.  It is one thing for Steve Hales
> to take on the role of becoming the Guild's own Rush Limbaugh, with a
> pointed public blast based on misguided information; it is another to
> publish and punish without checking his facts.
>
> The membership of the Guild is made up of many generous, sharing craftsmen
> of goodwill.  It is rare that public charges like these of Steve Hales come
> up, and they should be dealt with quickly.  While the work on the book is
> probably as described, the target is totally wrong.  While I do not know
> Steve Hales, I do know that he could easily have contacted me before his
> public attack.  A quick phone call or email to me or any staff, past or
> present, would have immediately established that The Harcourt Bindery has
> never owned, rented or leased an over-sewing machine.  Since 1900, all
> sewing was (and is) done by hand and, in 1980, that meant hand-sewing by
> Julia Grazulis.  I don't doubt that Steve Hales' book was oversewn
> (probably before 1980).  I can say that it was not done at The Harcourt
> Bindery.
>
> Steve Hales may be a younger man who sees the past through the
> present.  Yet the odd note at the back of the book referring to $47 should
> have been a brake to Steve Hales' rush to print.  That price is certainly
> strange and worth an inquiry.  I put a quick question to a former President
> of the Library Binding Institute who confirmed for me that the cost of an
> oversewn library binding in 1980 was between $5.50 - $7.00.  $47 represents
> a binding cost, seven times the average, that would be paid by no library,
> bookdealer, or private client.  Harcourt has always done cloth binding but,
> because our work is by hand, we are not competitive with library
> binders.  The cloth work we do usually requires some special attention,
> repair or restoration, that cannot be done by machine.  Perhaps Steve Hales
> was a bit too eager to rush to print than to find this pricing curious,
> though I cannot hazard a guess to what it refers.
>
> Also, the fact that Steve Hales paid 4 figures for this book in 2003 gives
> little sense of its value in 1980.  It may have been worth only a few
> hundred dollars at that time; it probably was oversewn elsewhere; it
> possibly was part of a ....well who knows?  There is only a pencil note in
> the back.  All I can confirm is that we never had an oversewing machine,
> and the book was not machine sewn at Harcourt Bindery.
>
> There is another serious point to be made.  That point is that we, as a
> group, have no stated code of ethics and only grope towards that code
> developed and written by the AIC.  The GBW New England Chapter has tried to
> deal with this issue.  It has held talks and seminar discussions about
> ethics, and has held discussions panels of different binders offering
> options on "problem" books.  There have also been talks about how budgets
> and usage determine the decision making process, often far from the
> influence and input of the binder (I have participated in most of
> these).  May I suggest that at each Standards Meeting, aside from the
> demonstrations and workshops, there be at least 1 time slot devoted to a
> discussion about ethics and/or a panel offering suggestions about a series
> of "problem" books.  This would go a long way to helping all members deal
> with the problem (among others) which Steve Hales decries.
>
> Finally, I would like to thank the following for their considered and
> thoughtful input regarding the postings subsequent to that of Steve Hales:
> Don Rash, Don Glaister, Karl Eberth, Mel Kavin and Mary Brown.
>
> With warm wishes to all,
> Sam Ellenport
> Harcourt Bindery
> 51 Melcher St.
> Boston, MA 02210
> 617-542-5858 (fax: 617-451-9058)
> sam@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>
> ------------------------------
>
> End of GBW Digest - 7 Jul 2003 to 8 Jul 2003 (#2003-94)
> *******************************************************
>
I would like to put in my two cents worth, supporting what Sam Ellenport has
said. In all my dealings with Harcourt Bindery, I have found them to be
honest, punctual and very generous in sharing information. They are one of
the few companies that I do not request prepayment for the items I sell.

I think it is unfortunate that this was made public before the facts were
verified. It is impossible to objectively criticize work, without knowing
the book's original condition. I shudder to think what some people would say
about some of my own work, if they hadn't seen the book when I got it.

I think the Guild would benefit if a set of standards could be set. Right
now, anyone can call themselves a professional bookbinder. I can't say that
I would always follow the standards, but at least I could let my clients
know why not.

I hope this exchange does not prevent Sam from contributing his often useful
information to this list. We would all be the losers then.

Sincerely,
Frank Lehmann
Lehmann Bindery

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     In Flight exhibit entries due by July 18!
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     Do you teach in the Book Arts? Then put your name on the
     GBW Study Opportunities List!  Electronic sign up at
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