RHM: Robert Hunter Middleton, Unique Fine Leather Binding by Scott Kellar

Binding Details:  RHM: Robert Hunter Middleton: The Man and His Letters is a unique fine binding designed and executed by Scott Kellar in 1988. The binding is a sewn on stranded cords style binding covered in full white alum-tawed goatskin with the front board featuring the embossed initial RHM in the Stellar Bold typeface that he created. There are black silk endbands and grey Fabriano endsheets with leather joints.  The book is housed in a custom made cloth covered clamshell box with the title embossed on the spine label. The book measures 10” x 6.5”.

The binding was exhibited at the Caxton Club, Chicago in 1988.

Book Details:  Published by the Caxton Club, Chicago in 1985 with a limitation of 1000 copies, the book is a celebration of the life and accomplishments of one of the most influential graphic designers of the twentieth century, Robert Hunter Middleton. Bruce Beck in his preface writes, Robert Hunter Middleton was a modest man … In looking back over the long calendar of his life, I am struck by the fact that he has been involved in almost every major event, every new idea, that has affected the practice of graphic design during the past fifty years.” Illustrated with a portrait of Middleton, reproductions of his typefaces, and photographs of his work, the book features essays by Greer Allen, Carolyn Reading Hammer, R. Russell Maylone, Rhodes Patterson, Herbert Pinzke, John Schappler, James M. Wells, and Gordon Williams that highlight his remarkable career.

About the Artist: A master of traditional fine bookbinding, Scott Kellar has been working intimately with books for over 40 years. Introduced to bookbinding as a hobby in 1972, his commitment to the craft was immediate. While pursuing a career in book conservation, Scott’s love of books expanded into the realm of design binding, where the art of the binder becomes integral to the book, adding yet another layer of imagery and interpretation to the work of the author. As a result, his artistic works have been featured in book art exhibition venues local, national and international. Awards won include the ‘Coup De Coeur’ award at the Biennale Mondiale de la Reliure D’Art, The Society of Bookbinders Award for Forwarding and the Fine Binding J. Hewit & Sons Ltd. Award. His studio in located in Chicago where he also teaches to share both his skills and vision.

Condition Report: The binding, internals, and clamshell box are in FINE condition.

Photographs of the binding and clamshell box as well as an example of the illustrations appear in the photo section of the listing.