One of the best kept secrets in recent years has been the Helen Warren DeGolyer Triennial & American Bookbinding Competition and Conference, held at the Bridwell Library, Southern Methodist University, Dallas. I say this because I am always surprised at the small number of participants.



The fine binders who have previously taken part in the DeGolyer Triennials have had the opportunity to be in a first class exhibition, only on view for a short time period, that has been documented in a full color catalog. They have enjoyed an intimate conference with great speakers and presenters, a banquet, and all for a bargain registration fee. The book selected for the proposed binding commission is Jorge Luis Borges’s Ficciones, printed by the Argentine fine press Ediciones Dos Amigos.



This competition was established due to the generosity of the late Helen DeGolyer, a charter member of the Guild of Book Workers’ Lone Star Chapter, who had a passion for fine binding. It is the only fine binding competition in the United States that offers cash prizes.



The 4th DeGolyer Triennial Exhibition & Conference will take place June 1-3, 2006.
There is quite a line up of demonstrators for the conference in a small setting, including an impressive group of vendors with bookbinding supplies. Details can be found at the SMU Bridwell website along with DeGolyer Bookbinding Conference Registration form.

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