[Leica] Leather Binding

[dpost at triad.rr.com (Dan Post)]

Buzz Hausner wrote:

>Among other endeavors, I am trained as a hand bookbinder.  I can assure
>you that to have a proper leather binding done for "This Is Our Work,"
>with a minimum of decoration, would cost in excess of four hundred
>dollars.  There are many things that masquerade as "fine" bindings which
>are not and cost a good deal less.  If you wish to have extensive gold
>tooling done on the binding or to have colored leather on-lays applied,
>the cost can soar to astronomical levels.  If you want the binding
>designed and executed by one of the better known binders at work today,
>you can expect to pay in the low five figures (to the left of the
>decimal point).
>
>       Buzz Hausner
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: lug-bounces+buzz.hausner=verizon.net@leica-users.org
>[mailto:lug-bounces+buzz.hausner=verizon.net@leica-users.org] On Behalf
>Of Ted Grant
>Sent: Sunday, November 14, 2004 12:10 PM
>To: Leica Users Group
>Subject: Re: [Leica] Book Price! Like WOW! :-)
>
>Dan asked:
>Subject: [Leica] Book Price! Like WOW! :-)
>
>
>  
>
>>Ted, Is this leather bound production the latest issue in your book?
>>    
>>
>The 
>  
>
>>one I have
>>is hard cover but not leather bound.<<
>>    
>>
>
>Hi Dan,
>No the only book done in hand bound leather was the first book, "This is
>Our 
>Work. The Legacy of Sir William Osler." There were 250 special editions.
>
>It's not something to produce for new books, as they cost a fortune and 
>longer to produce.
>
>But the leather was incredible because it gave the book a whole new
>meaning 
>of feel and that incredible beautifully scent of new leather. :-)  It
>was 
>great.
>
>However, not great enough to pop over $400 US for . ;-)
>
>ted 
>
>
>_______________________________________________
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>
>
>_______________________________________________
>Leica Users Group.
>See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information
>
>  
>
Buzz-
Sheesh! I am in the wrong line of work! :o)
Is there that much of a demand for that sort of thing? I had figured 
that the quest for quality like that was even less prevalent than that 
looked for by the LUG!
It gives me a healthy respect for my old leather bound volume (It seems 
a lot of old books were thusly covered!)  from 1817- "La Baume's 
Definitive Narrative of Napoleon's Campaign in Russia" . The inscription 
declares it was bought originally for 14 shillings, New York money.... I 
wonder what that would be in todays currency?
Dan