Leatherwork

by IP Roseaman

The Dryad Press, 1943

Readability		This is an excellent instruction manual for its time and audience (it's primarily aimed at students).
Content		It is, however, only very peripherally useful to a bookbinder.

I bought this book in Ballater one year while travelling with Martin's Grandma McLean. It seemed like a good idea at the time.

The book is primarily aimed at the school market, for teachers and students in craft courses. It covers the majority of common, easy leatherwork techniques, though it doesn't go into much detail about options and variations.

The Good Stuff

The instructions are clear and comprehensive, and although the book is project-oriented, the chapters are organised by technique.

Could Do Better

For what it is, it is excellent. My only quibbles really stem from the fact that I am neither a student (with a teacher to keep me right) nor an aspiring leatherworker. I think I ended up referring to three of the book's 72 pages.

Best Bit

The chapter on "leather and tools" is particularly well explained and illustrated. The author includes explanations of the tanning processes and how they affect the materials to be worked with. There is also a clear illustration of leatherworking tools, backed up by clear descriptions for all of the items.