Sue Allen

B-90: Publishers’ Bookbindings 1830-1910

 

28 July -1 August 2008

 

1)    How useful were the pre-course readings?

 

1: Preparation for the course was useful, as it gave a running start and a better understanding and appreciation. 2: Very useful, and a reasonable amount to do ahead of time. They provided background that allowed me to more quickly grasp the ideas presented in class. 3: Very useful and pertinent. However, probably the list needs updating, since new titles are available in recent years. 4: The readings were quite useful, providing a solid foundation for the course lectures. 5: Very helpful. 6: Good background to understand subject matter. 7: Very useful, although SA’s book will be even better when it comes out, since nothing now is comprehensive. 8: Very useful. The readings gave a broad introduction to all aspects of binding. 9: Extremely valuable; they provided a sound basis for the week. I was able to access them all for free online, inter-library loan, university special collections reference rooms, and the public library. 11: Difficult to find many, but the ones I could find were excellent. 12: Very useful. 13: Very useful, though more than I could manage.

 

2)    Were the course syllabus and other materials distributed in class appropriate and useful (or will they be so in the future, after you return home)?

 

1: Yes. 2: Yes, I plan on putting the Library of Congress chart up on the wall in my cubicle. The bibliography is also very helpful, as was the overview of the items on the bibliography done in class. SA’s opinion on which books were most helpful, or well researched and written, helped to sort through the options. 3: Absolutely; the bibliography provides me with list of things I haven’t yet encountered or reviewed. 4: The materials distributed in class were useful. In particular, the bibliography of suggested future readings will be helpful in the future. 5: Yes. 6: Yes. 7: Useful; I plan to continue reading on the topic. 8: The handouts were useful in class, but will be invaluable in dating books when I return to my rare book library to catalog. 9: Very useful. I look forward to using the bibliography immediately. 10: An outline of the week’s topics would be helpful to aid recall. 11: Yes. 12: Very useful. 13: Yes.

 

3)    What aspects of the course content were of the greatest interest or relevance for your purposes? Was the intellectual level of the course appropriate?

 

1: All aspects were of interest, especially SA’s extensive experience, observations, and critique of all styles, even those that she personally disliked. 2: I felt that the entire scope was of interest and relevant for my job and the collection I catalog. 3: Having a wonderful instructor who has done so much research to lead a forum with a classmates who have other areas of expertise; and the wonderful sharing of information, discussions, questions, &c. 4: Being able to view, and in certain cases handle, cloth bindings from the various decades of the c19 has allowed me to get a strong handle on their design characteristics. This in turn will greatly improve the work that I do as a rare book librarian. 5: The intellectual level (enhanced by the participation of some very knowledgeable fellow students) was great. I learned the most about earlier stuff (about which I had known nothing) but learned plenty about later bindings, too. 6: Broadened understanding and visual interpretation of covers, marks, &c. 7: I was especially interested in designers and engravers; appropriate intellectual level. 8: The concentration on American binding was great; and touching on English and European binding was nice, as it gave the information about American binding some context. 9: Everything was relevant and of greatest interest; level appropriate. 10: The 1830's to 1850's gilt stamped books were of most interest. 11: I was anticipating an overview of the various styles of publishers’ bookbindings and I got exactly that. 12: Book cover design in an historical context; all of it really. 13: It was just what I was led to believe. The applications of dating, the publishers’ bindings, will be most useful for my work.

 

4)    If your course left its classroom to visit Special Collections (SC) or to make other field trips away from your classroom, was the time devoted to this purpose well spent?

 

1: Special Collections was very useful. However, I was disappointed with some of the conservation/preservation practices; two very fragile dust jackets were vulnerable and damaged from handling by the TA. Whereas, had they been encapsulated, they could have survived for many more classes. I do not want to suggest that these items be withheld from examination. They simply need some preservation consideration. Also, the Owen Jones [Grammar of Ornament] book needs some assistance. 2: Absolutely. I felt that the selection of books from the RBS collection was very generous and we had plenty of good examples during class. The SC session was icing on the cake! 3: Very much so. 4: Yes. 5: Extremely. 6: Definitely. 7: Extremely appreciated the visit to SC; seeing the store of Feely and Armstrong covers in the RBS basement, and the McGregor Room visit. 8: The trip to SC was good. I think the trip to the RBS collection of bindings was almost more useful. Seeing all of the Margaret Armstrong bindings together, and the John Feely bindings was unusual. 9: Loved the field trip to SC. 10: Yes. 11: Very much so. I wish we had more time at SC. 12: Yes, indeed. 13: Yes.

 

5)    What did you like best about the course?

 

1: SA; her charms and grace added immensely to the wonderful information. 2: SA’s passion for the materials, vast knowledge, and sense of humor. 3: After 12 years, when I first heard about SA’s class, I’m finally here: Dame Sue Allen, her wonderful and delightful self. 4: Again, being able to see multiple examples of cloth binding styles. 5: SA herself; excellent in both details and overview, her delight and deep knowledge came through. It was an honor to take the course! Vince Golden was also an able assistant, keeping books and slides cued up and moving smoothly. All ran like clockwork. 6: The sharing of information among all the class mates. 7: SA. She managed to impart her love of the books as well as a wealth of information. 8: SA’s infectious enthusiasm for all bindings, but especially for her special bindings. She makes us not just appreciate but love all of this. Her humor was great. As great as SA is, she could not do the course without VG, who was always there to help. 9: Learning from the most learned of people on this subject, using and seeing fine examples of each. 10: The course changed the way I look at books and increased my appreciation of the book as object. 11: SA! SA is a wonderful instructor, and her enthusiasm for the subject was contagious. I would see her face literally light up when she looked at a particular book cover, and I would get excited just watching her reactions. 12: The instructor, SA. (And VG is about as knowledgeable as they get in this business.) 13: SA.

 

6)    How could the course have been improved?

 

1: See no. 7. We were reminded to use pencils after the third session; could have been the first. 2: In SC session, a note in the basket with the book stating the date would have been helpful. There were so many coming around that I sometimes forgot what we were looking at by the time the book came around. 3: The first demonstration exercise in making cloth covers could have been organized better. I don’t think it was clear to those without binding experience. 4: N/A. 6: Excellent job. 7: Excellent as is. 8: I don’t know. 10: I would have appreciated more information on the commercial practices of the era, e.g., size of print runs, prices paid to binders/engravers, identification of major publishers and their characteristics, &c. 11: Nothing to improve. 12: I can’t imagine a better experience. 13: Sometimes there were long waits for the specimen books to get around the tables, but I cannot think how this might be improved.

 

7)    We are always concerned about the physical well-being both of the RBS teaching collections and of materials owned by UVa’s Special Collections. If relevant, what suggestions do you have for the improved classroom handling of such materials used in your course this week?

 

1: See comments in no. 4. The Allen baskets are wonderful! However, I feel they could be improved by using a better tray, without the toothpick supports; possibly corrugated cardboard with rigid edges and a lip. Also, the tray could be lined with VOLARA (a plastic material that is less abrasive than felt which can hook on the fragile edges). 2: I think the books were handled with care and respect. Yes, there is the wear and tear by bringing them out, but the instructor and students were cautious. 3: I think you do the best you can. Paul Banks said “use causes damage...” 4: N/A. 5: The baskets are very clever and worked well. 6: None. 7: Proper handling of books was stressed. 8: SA and VG were both instructive on how we should handle the books. 10: The Allen baskets are appropriate. 11: Everyone was very careful and respectful of the books. 12: None. 13: The Allen baskets provided excellent support and protection for our more fragile materials.

 

8)    If you attended the Sunday and/or other evening lectures, were they worth attending?

 

1: Good information. 2: I attended the Monday and Wednesday lecture, and both were worth the time. Very enjoyable and knowledgeable speakers. 3: Yes. 4: Yes, the lectures were interesting and well worth attending. 5: Yes. 6: Yes, to all extra courses. 7: Excellent lectures. I especially enjoyed Andrea Krupp [no. 512]. 8: Yes; and the Wednesday night lecture was fabulous also. 9: Attended Sunday, Monday, and Wednesday: all were wonderful. 10: Yes. 11: Yes. I always enjoy the guest lectures. I always learn something new! 12: Definitely, it was all part of the learning experience.

 

9)    Did you get your money’s worth? Any final or summary thoughts, or advice for other persons considering taking this course in a future year?

 

1: In my situation, it was very valuable. I am glad that I stayed in Brown for air-conditioning, but greatly appreciate the virtues of The Lawn – especially since it was a gathering place for all the class. I also appreciated the evening lectures, and the Paper Museum being open. 2: Absolutely. I think I will be able to apply information learned in this class to my daily work immediately. As a result, my institution will have better catalog records and researchers will have a better chance of finding beautiful c19 bindings. 3: More so; met lots of new friends and had a most wonderful experience! 4: Certainly got my money’s worth. As with any RBS course, be sure to do the preliminary readings before you arrive, as you will get much more out the course content. 5: Please put the correct number of conference services building in the travel services and housing guide! 6: More than money’s worth. 7: Definitely got my money’s worth. I will certainly recommend this class to others. 8: Absolutely. 9: Absolutely! Advice: complete the readings, then come ready for a special treat. 10: Yes. You should increase your advertising and PR efforts to create broad awareness among potential users; and put course on PowerPoint. 11: It has been a real privilege to attend SA’s class. Definitely got my money’s worth; and I paid my own way! 12: It was a bargain, by any measure of professional or educational experience. 13: Come early and often; a frequent flyer.

 

Number of respondents: 13

 

                                                                     PERCENTAGES

 

Leave                        Tuition                      Housing                    Travel

Institution                 Institution                 Institution                 Institution
gave me leave            paid tuition               paid housing              paid travel

54%                             46%                             46%                             31%

 

I took vaca-                I paid tui-                   I paid for my              I paid my own
tion time                    tion myself                 own housing              travel

15%                             38%                             46%                             62%

 

N/A: self-                    N/A: Self-                   N/A: stayed                N/A: lived
employed, re-            employed,                  with friends               nearby
tired, or had              retired, or                  or lived at
summers off               scholarship                home

31%                             15%                             7%                               7%

 

There were: 5 rare book librarians (38%); 2 antiquarian booksellers (15%), 2 conservators/preservation librarians (15%); 3 book collectors (23%); and 1 independent scholar/magazine editor (7%).