The role of Conservation in the real world - thirty years in private practice – Rob Shepherd, Managing Director, Shepherds Bookbinders (United Kingdom)
The title of my talk, Conservation in the Real World, refers to my lifelong association with the commercial aspects of bookbinding and bookselling in central London, particularly our company’s three diverse roles in the trading of antiquarian books, the retailing of conservation and bookbinding materials, and lastly but not least, the running one of the last fine craft binderies in London.
In part, my talk seeks to explain how such a diverse business balances conservation criteria against the demands of a broad customer base with very different attitudes and requirements. I will also attempt to explain the changes that have occurred in the bookbinding and conservation industry during my time in running Shepherds, which now stretches over thirty years. It is against this background that I will challenge some commonly held assumptions about the role of conservation and its relevance in a commercial environment.
Lastly, I will illustrate my talk with images that demonstrate the varied nature of our work and how such a diverse group of activities relate and to a large extent depend on each other. My talk will feature a powerpoint presentation which will include photographs from the Sangorski & Sutcliffe archive, arguably the most famous fine trade bindery in the world and images that will help explain different aspects our work such as the importing of Japanese repair papers and the sale of antiquarian and fine bindings.