Spring Swap Meet a Success!

There were many reunions, lots of new introductions, and hopefully plenty of sales. The event was hosted by Judy Ivry on June 14th, 2014 in her bookbinding studio in Manhattan.  The first room one was occupied by Nelly Balloffet, Jenny Hille,  Carolyn Chadwick and Jerilyn Davis (who along with Judy sparked the whole idea).  Together they represented former Guild chairs, past teachers at the Center for Book Arts and private studios, and many years of bookbinding and conservation expertise.  They sold hand tools (including a set of Edith Diehl's very own), a sewing frame and lithography stones, linen cords and endband silks, books in sheets and books about the craft. The middle room had more tools for sale by Jean Stephenson, including a set of half circle gouges which I found to be quite unusual; paste papers by Nora Ligorano and Vin Buchan, the last of the Lost Link editions; a book shop set up by Sylvie Merian with some staple bookbinding manuals and many other books on books;  and decorative Japanese papers that Ruth Stein had in surplus supply.  In the last room Pergamena had piles of beautiful skins, a muted rainbow, and glowing parchments that had me wishing for a project to justify a purchase.  Talas brought a pleasing selection of older hand tools as well as newer tools per request and remnants of bookcloth.  Somewhere in the middle of it all was a swap table where anyone could leave an item and take an item, which became an entertaining point to return to as the stock continually rotated.

The crowd was very diverse and meandered in and out all day long...we soon lost count.  We had a pair of calligraphers from Canada, a book artist from "just around the corner," letterpress printers, bookbinders, and conservators.  Many times I would say good bye to someone only to see them again an hour later engaged in conversation with a new arrival.  A few visitors were new residents of New York, happy to make connections with fellow book workers. "I was amazed by how many people came who are not regular bookbinders or guild members!" --Nelly Ballofet, founder, Paper Star Associates. "We had an enjoyable time and met quite a few people new to us and ones we already know."  --Karl Meyer, owner, Pergamena.