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Handsewing The Lettered Edition of The Road by Cormac McCarthy

August 1, 2019

When I am asked what I do, I say “I’m a publisher.” That may be true, but another way I like to put it is, “I make books.” One of the main reasons I got into publishing limited editions was because I wanted to begin with a blank canvas. To take a beloved novel, and build an edition around that great expanse of words. The conceptualization, the creative energy, the crafting of an edition that will be a source of joy to book lovers, a treasure in their libraries, and one that will offer a unique reading experience.

In doing this, we have the pleasure of collaborating with some of the finest craftspeople in the book arts. When it came to creating an edition of Cormac McCarthy’s masterpiece, The Road we settled on an ancient bookbinding technique known as a Coptic binding.

To create the handsewn Lettered edition, we went to master book artist Anne Covell; a book artisan whose work has been exhibited internationally and can be seen in over 40 special collections libraries and museums worldwide. Anne took on the painstaking task of sewing each copy of the edition by hand, one signature section at a time.

The Lettered edition of The Road is sewn as a six needle Coptic binding. It is comprised of sixteen signatures of four folios each that are collated, folded, and trimmed to size. The cover boards are cut to fit flush with the text block. The covers are drilled at 45 degree angles through the board edge along the spine side to achieve a flush connection between the covers and the text block.

The signatures are punched individually using a Timothy Moore signature punch for accuracy. The book is then sewn front to back by first attaching the front cover to the first signature. Additional signatures are added on one at a time by crossing threads at each paired station, linking one section down (Coptic) and climbing to the next section.

There are a total of six stations (three pairs) and six needles on three lengths of thread that are sewn in conjunction to complete the binding. Finally, the back cover is attached by channeling through the board edge and back into the last signature to tie off.

We put together this short video to show you part of the sewing process.

  1. Suntup Editions logomark

    Marc Goldfinger

    The Lettered Edition will be a true work of art. I’m only getting the Numbered Edition but I’m sure it will be gorgeous! Thanks so much for the updates.

    Reply to this comment
  2. Suntup Editions logomark

    Randall Flagg

    Truly fascinating, and obviously a labor of love.

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  3. Suntup Editions logomark

    michael doukas

    That… Is so cool.

    Reply to this comment
  4. Suntup Editions logomark

    Hanes Susan

    Really stunning book. Loved the video.

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