THE BINDERY
Robert Riviere founded his bindery in Bath in 1829, and George Bayntun followed his example in 1894. Bayntun-Riviere is now the last of the great Victorian trade binderies still in family ownership and prides itself on continuing to bind entirely by hand.
We can claim to have the largest collection of hand tools and blocks in the world (over 15,000) - some dating back to the eighteenth century and all still usable. We insist on binding in the traditional manner, using the highest quality materials - for example, the edges of all of our bindings are gilded by hand using 23½ct gold (which we prefer to 24ct). We have a range of over 40 colours of premium quality goat and calf skins, and a vast selection of hand-marbled papers. Our designs range from historical to modern, as can be seen in our showcase of Bayntun-Riviere bindings below.
Besides binding books for sale in the shop, we undertake work for individuals and institutions throughout the world. We enjoy working closely with our clients and are always pleased to offer advice and provide quotations without obligation.
BINDINGS SHOWCASE
A gallery of some of our favourite bindings created in the last few years.
Except where otherwise acknowledged, all photographs and designs on this website are copyright George Bayntun, and may not be reproduced in any form without our permission.
The Great Gatsby - F. Scott Fitzgerald
A Brief History of Time - Stephen Hawking
Year In, Year Out - A.A. Milne
The History of the Church of Englande - Thomas Stapleton (translator)
The Railway Children - E. Nesbit
The Odyssey of Homer
Breakfast At Tiffany's - Truman Capote
The Natural History of Selborne - Gilbert White
Peter Pan In Kensington Gardens - J.M. Barrie
Desert Islands - Walter de la Mare
Memoirs of an Infantry Officer - Siegfried Sassoon
Tess of the D'Urbervilles - Thomas Hardy
