Unusual to Unique: Custom Bindings

Bookbinding's history is rooted in craftsmanship and devotion to the written word. While hand-binding is less common now, there is happily a creative minority dedicated to its preservation. These skilled artisans create custom bindings for clients, for exhibition and for pleasure. Sometimes more than one copy is produced, but no two will ever be identical. From inlaid morocco to linen thread, delicate designs to bold geometrics, we've scoured the site for the most glorious custom bookbindings available.

Fantastic Mr. Fox by Roald Dahl Inlaid morocco design binding by Temple Bookbinders		Histoire d'un Grand Coquin Nomme Don Pablo by F. De Quevedo Brilliant blue calf binding with gilt decoration by Bayard of Lyon		The Hobbit or There and Back Again by J.R.R. Tolkien Inlaid binding with elaborate front and back scenes by The Chelsea Bindery

Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand Charcoal leather binding with various coloured inlays by James Tapley		The Ballad of Reading Gaol by Oscar Wilde Decorated grey and burgundy goatskin binding by Derek Hood		Mythologie Asiatic Illustree Author Unlisted Folio, superb custom Art Deco binding by Paul Bonet

The Day of the Jackal by Frederick Forsyth Specially constructed binding by Jan Sobota with various soft-surfaced leathers		Engraved in the Wood by George Mackley Bound by Chris Hicks in green Chieftan morocco with four falling leaves		Ethelrude et Wolframm by Pascal Quignard Unusual binding with violet calf leather and aluminium rods by Jean Knoll

In Pursuit: An Autobiography by William Russell Flint Multiple leather onlays with cloud design binding by Elizabeth Greenhill		L'Effort by Edmond Haraucourt Art Nouveau master binding by turn-of-the-century binder Paul-Romain Raparlier		La Maison de la Petite Livia by Pierre Querlon Art-deco influenced, inlaid binding by Max Fonseque

A Rapture by Thomas Carew Natural morocco binding with inlaid entwined figures by Simeon Jones		The Famous Boating Party and Other Poems in Prose by Kenneth Patchen Bound by Rick Tuttle in metallic blue leather, with a sculpted wood boat attached		As I Lay Dying by William Faulkner Two-tone leather binding with vulture silhouette by unspecified artist

Meanwhile Life Went On by John Crombie Decorative binding of black calf over vellum with linen thread by Angela James		Life of William Shakespeare by Sidney Lee Bound by Rivière & Son, with inlaid miniature portrait on ivory by Miss C.B. Currie		A Rude Book by Albert Buhrer Tell Handbound in black and maroon morocco by by Jarmilla Sobota

Something About a Soldier by Mark Harris Highly decorated full brown morocco binding by Anthony Gardner

The Valentine Elegies by Tess Gallagher Gilt-tooled goatskin with inlays binding by Dominic Riley

A Writer's Notebook by W. Somerset Maugham Intriguing black morocco with geometric gilt design binding by unspecified artist