Artisan Bindery
Unit 18, Suite 14
Barrowmore Estate
Great Barrow, Chester
Cheshire, CH3 7JA
Opening Hours: by appointment
Andrew Brown at Artisan Bindery (formerly The Cheshire Bindery) specializes in Book Restoration and Fine Bookbinding.
From student thesis, magazine work and cloth bindings through to leather work, conservation and limited edition fine design bindings, all types of bespoke work is undertaken.
Protection for books and documents can be provided in the form of boxes, slipcases and portfolios all individually designed to suit. Extreme care is always given, using the most appropriate and sympathetic materials to produce a well made product; handmade sketch books, notebooks and photograph albums are also available.
All books, however well made, will eventually require attention. Pages may become torn or marked and in need of expert repair and cleaning. The sewing of the text block may also have loose sections, become broken or cracked. Covers and spines can become faded, worn, scuffed, split or separated through regular use and handling over time. All these defects are repairable and can be overcome.
Andrew takes pride in presenting a style and integrity of craftsmanship, thought by many to be no longer available, though still taking great care to work efficiently. The Cheshire Bindery strives to provide an excellent service and a commitment to the traditional methods of the ancient art of bookbinding.
Andrew started a Bookbinding apprenticeship in April 1989, in Chester. He entered his first Design Binding - 'A History of England' - into the Bookbinding Competition, British Library, London July 1994. He attended London Road Art College, Northwich, 1999 - 2001; studying Art, Design and Photography establishing his own bindery - The Cheshire Bindery - in October 2001.
He became an Elected Licentiate of Designer Bookbinders in February 2004. Andrew has exhibited at the Bibliotheca Wittockiana, Brussels 2004-05, The Ashikaga Museum of Art, Koriyama City Museum of Art and the Chiba City Museum of Art in Japan, April – August 2006. Andrew has won numerous awards in the Annual National Bookbinding Competition and he has Fine Design Binding work in private collections in the UK and USA.
