Downey, James T.

Legacy Bookbindery Collection

This collection contains bookbinding models created by James Downey, a bookbinder and conservator who used to run the Legacy Bookbindery in Columbia, Missouri.

Legacy Bookbindery Collection finding aid

Series One – Labels contains labels mounted on cardboard, prepared by James Downey describing individual items.

Series Two – Paper Marbling contains a portfolio of paper marbling patterns produced by Downey in 1992.

Series Three – Long Stitches and Chain-stitches contains examples of long stitch bindings as well as a chain-stitch binding. Both are forms of all-along sewing without sewing supports.

Series Four – Asian Binding Styles contains examples of binding styles commonly practiced in China and Japan: accordion folds, four-hole binding, and butterfly binding.

Series Five – European Binding Styles contains codices as they were bound in Europe during the Middle Ages and early modern period.

Series Six – Bookbinding Materials contains sample wooden book boards as well as papermaking materials.

Series Seven – Tackets and Pamphlets contains examples of tacket binding, possibly the earliest form of bookbinding, as well as pamphlet stitches.

Series Eight – Coptic Binding contains examples of Coptic binding, a form of northern African binding that may represent the first form of the codex as it is generally made in the West.

Series Nine – Casing In contains examples of casing-in, the method of making books that succeeded bookbinding in the West. It contains finished books as well as partially prepared bindings.

Bookbinding.

Downey donated his collection of binding models, artists’ books, and fine press books to Special Collections in the spring of 2023.

The University of Missouri Libraries do not hold copyright on most collection materials, and therefore we do not charge usage fees or require permission to publish scanned images. The libraries encourage use of reproductions of Special Collections materials in publications, broadcasts, public displays and on web pages. However, please be aware that the user is responsible for determining copyright status and applying for permission to copyright holders.

Materials do not circulate but are available to users in the Special Collections Reading Room during service hours or by appointment.