Heinke Pensky-Adam

Englewood, Florida

Claudia Cassidy, Lyric Opera of Chicago, 1979

Bound in full taupe goat skin in French style; sewn on frayed out cords; black paper endleaves; graphite top edge; black, blue, and white silk endband; décor of multicolored leather onlays with blind and gold tooling. The design was derived from an original stage setting for the Tales of Hoffmann. 31 x 26 x 4 centimeters. Created 1981.

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Heinke Pensky-Adam was educated and trained in Germany. After one-and-a-half years as an apprentice, four years as a journeyman, and one year preparation for the master in fine bookbinding, she was awarded the title of master with a concentration in fine hand bookbinding and paper design. Five of her instructors had also trained under Ignatz Wiemeler. After coming to the United States, she worked for four years with Carolyn Horton in New York, for six years as a paper conservator at R.R. Donnelley, eight years as head conservator at Monastery Hill Bindery (both in Chicago). Since 1990 she has worked in private practice. Her work has been exhibited widely with the Guild of Book Workers, Chicago Hand Bookbinders, and internationally in Germany, Yugoslavia, and Denmark. She has been a member of the Guild since 1971, of Chicago Hand Bookbinders since its founding in 1979, and a Fellow of the American Institute of Conservation since 1975.