Julie B. Stackpole, Merlicorn Bindery

Thomaston, Maine

Bret Harte, Tales of the Gold Rush, Heritage Press, 1972

The very distinctive illustrations by Fletcher Martin were used as the inspiration for the binding treatment. Traditional full leather binding in medium brown Niger goat skin, with areas of induced wrinkles across both covers and spine. Pared, feathered, wrinkled, and torn onlays of yellow and saffron goat skins on the front cover. Spine title tooled blind on an onlay, with areas of rough gold leafing there and on the front cover. Endpapers of a saffron printed paper with leather hinges. Book sewn on flattened hemp, hollow spine. Top edge has sienna sprinkles and traces of gold. Sewn silk endbands in coordinating colors. 26.5 x 17.5 x 3.5 centimeters. Created 2006.

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After getting a BA at Kirkland College, Julie Beinecke Stackpole studied bookbinding with Kathryn Gerlach in Vermont, in Ascona Switzerland, at the Camberwell School of Arts & Crafts in London, and with Roger Powell in England. She established her studio, the Merlicorn Bindery, on Nantucket in 1975, which she moved to Maine in 1985. She specializes in one-of-a-kind creative fine binding, all aspects of rare book restoration, and general hand bookbinding.