Membership Events Exhibitions Workshops About HBC

HBC53: The Hand Bookbinders of California 53rd Annual Members' Exhibition was included in the June/July edition of SF/Arts. The exhibition is in its final weeks—don’t miss it! The exhibit will be open until August 23 at the American Bookbinders Museum located at 355 Clementina St, San Francisco, CA.

• HBC53 will close with an in-person event, Between the Covers, an opportunity to view selected books outside the cases, on Saturday, August 23, 4:30 – 6:00 pm. Beth Redmond and Insiya Dhatt will lead attendees on a close-up inspection of selected books, highlighting things not visible in the exhibition. There will be ample opportunity for questions.  

HBC54 Set Book: Slaughterhouse-Five

An American classic, named by Modern Library as one of the top 20 best novels of all time, Slaughterhouse-Five is Kurt Vonnegut’s semi-autobiographical, science fiction infused anti-war masterpiece that defies genre. This letterpress printed edition of Slaughterhouse-Five is illustrated by Julian De Narvaez with an introduction by Jess Walter and frontispiece by Edith Vonnegut from Suntup Editions. At 6x9” with about 240 pages and 6 color illustrations, it will be so much fun to bind! This will be a striking set book for next year. The cost will be $200 and there will be at least one scholarship book available. Order at the link below, and contact Beth Redmond if you have questions: exhibitions@handbookbinders.org

HBC’s 2025 Membership Roster

We are currently working on compiling and printing our 2025 membership roster, and we’d love to include you! If you are not already a member, please become one by August 15th to be sure that your name and contact information is listed for this year.

This is more than just a list—it’s a valuable resource for individuals, collectors, libraries, and institutions seeking skilled bookbinders. Whether you specialize in restoration, fine bindings, or practical repairs, being listed makes it easier for clients to find and hire you.

It's also about community. The roster helps connect us as craftspeople—sharing knowledge, celebrating our work, and strengthening the bonds that keep our tradition alive.

Please contact Michelle if you have any questions: membership@handbookbinders.org

HBC Bindery Rentals at SFCB

The San Francisco Center for the Book has been granting HBC members free access to their Bindery rentals for the last year, but unfortunately this program will be retired effective August 15. So if you’ve been taking advantage of this member perk, please note that the free rental code will no longer work on SFCB’s website starting 8/15!

HBC SUMMER PICNIC AUGUST 24th

Our annual HBC members picnic is coming up on Sunday, August 24. It will be held at a member’s home in San Anselmo, which is about 45 minutes north of San Francisco. There will be a paste paper-making activity, so bring your aprons!

When: Sunday, August 24, 2:00 - 6:00 pm
Where: San Anselmo, California

This event is for members only, so if you’d like to attend, please sign up for membership. Once you fill out the RSVP, you’ll be given the location address on the confirmation screen. Hope to see you there!

Although it’s still the middle of summer, the HBC Board is getting ready to plan our 2025 Holiday Party, and we’d like to hear from all of you. Please let us know what kind of HBC gathering you’d like to have this year by filling out this survey. It will help us a great deal as we move forward with the planning, and if you’re interested in volunteering for the planning committee, let us know that too!

~ Leather Skins For Sale ~
Dominic and Michael have brought a few skins of Harmatan leather with them (about twenty skins) from the UK. If you are interested, please drop by SFCB to check it out. Please check the calendar before you come to make sure we are there. We accept cash or check only.

~ SFCB Has Bookbinding Equipment for Sale ~
SFCB currently has a selection of used bookbinding equipment for sale on their website. Quantities are limited, and only available for pickup from SFCB.

Do you have something you’d like to advertise? Please email us at editor@handbookbinders.org!

Upcoming events from around the Bay Area and beyond!

• Collections Tour: A for Akshar. India through its Letterforms! with Tanya George, Sidharth Jaishankar, presented virtually by Letterform Archive on Thursday, August 7th at 5:30am. Tickets are $7.18.

• From the Bench of Patricia Wakida is presented by SFCB virtually on Thursday, August 7 at 12:30pm. Free to register!

• Mystery Poems Opening Ceremony on Friday, August 15 at 6pm in person at SFCB. Tickets are $10.

• Webinar: Making Books POP, presented by the American Bookbinders Museum, Saturday, August 23 at 11am. Tickets are $15.

If you would like to add events to our website, please fill out the event submission form.