Muir’s New School Atlas of Universal History Inkpot Coptic Bound Junk Journal with Handtorn Paper in Antique Canvas Book Cover with Brass Edges
This is a HUGE journal. I bought this antique book in South Africa. I love the color of the canvas and of course the maps. I added the inkpot on the spine fitting in with the schoolgirl theme. I blew it out here and used tons of found paper from Shanghai, China where we lived for 3 years. There’s a Chanel couture bag in there and a Tory Burch page that’s just wonderful. I sewed one of the original maps into the book. There is also a cool soybean bag that is plastic that I found and ran through my washing machine so that I knew it was clean. There’s a wonderful Chinese Starbucks bag and tons of gorgeous handmade paper and then thick lovely bought papers too. Really rich history in this journal.
There are pieces of ephemera: I included the original spine from this book which you can use as you like. I also made a little dangle with a real dried flower and a replicated key and a 100% genuine silk ribbon. I also included an original piece of art where I overlaid an antique tobacco advertisement on an antique Cyrillic dictionary page.
I LOVE handmade stuff, real folkart that’s actually, truly, from scratch. I collect stuff that’s human and full of the heart of whomever made it. All my journals are this way – I mean to make treasures. I’m not making a product, I’m building something beautiful because it’s worth doing.
In every case there is only 1 of these; you are buying the only one there will ever be. This book has a kind of cool, old smell. It belonged to a set – I bought them all, carted them all halfway across the globe. I want some person to use it and use it and use it!
VIDEO: If you want to see every page of this product, please use the link that is a sort of mustard color right at the base of this listing. In the video, I take you through the entire journal.
DETAILS OF THIS BOOK
SIZE: This journal measures about 9 inches wide (about 23 cm) by 11 inches tall (about 30 cm) and is about 5+ inches thick (about 13 cm)
# of PAGES: 918 pages (I count the back and front of every page.)
# of SIGNATURES: Approx. 52 Signatures
BINDING: This is a coptic bound book. The spine is quite flexible meaning that even though it is exceptionally sturdy there is play in it and can be lain flat for use.  I sew with doubled cotton crochet thread.
HARVESTING USED PAPER: I employ actual used paper, with rips, spots, stains, glues; I glue pages together, overlay them if they’re not big enough, and repair pages with little patches. I prep each piece by washing it with a bleaching wipe. Then I iron each piece four times. I usually remove excess glue with acetone – I’m always thinking, “This is how to take something worth negative money and utilize all kinds of commodities to modify it…” But I do it anyway!
I handcut or rip each page to size for each project. I collect all kinds of papers, some are handmade cotton, many are from commercial bags from my travels or from home. I’m always rummaging.
SIGNATURES: I design each book so that the colors work, and I usually keep a kind of idea of the entire feel as I put it together. I normally do a very thin page at the center of each signature.
EDGES: This book has brass edges added to the top and bottom of the leather cover in front and back. These have been hammered on by hand – they’re there to keep the edges crisp.
ALL SHIPPING IS FREE.* Once purchased I will ship within 48 hours unless the weather interferes. We live on an island off the coast of northern Maine. In winter we get loads of storms and on rare occasions mail isn’t able to come or go off island, though never for more than a few hours or one day.
After I ship I’ll email you the tracking.
**If you live outside of the United States, please email me directly (aimee_steiner@yahoo.com) about shipping and tell me the exact name of the item and I will tell you the cost.
Weight: |
16 oz |
|---|---|
Dimensions: |
6.5 × 2.75 × 5 in |
$596.00
1 in stock
