ZAEHNSDORF ARCHIVE. A small archive of material relating to the Zaehnsdorf Company, used by Frank Broomhead (excluding item A) in compiling his history of the firm 'The Zaehnsdorfs (1842-1947) Craft Bookbinders. 1986.' ,

A. Photocopy of "MINUTE BOOK" of Zaehnsdorf Limited, recording detailed minutes, business and decisions from the first meeting of the limited company on 7 May 1913 until 17 November 1947, the entries in a variety of secretarial hands and each generally signed by Joseph William Zaehnsdorf (1853-1930) or Ernest Zaehnsdorf (1879-1970), with some related printed or typed insertions, 4to, 110 pages, with a typed note by Broomhead "This photocopy was given to me by Tony Rainbird after the book on Zaehnsdorfs had been published. Hence it was not used as a source of information for that book. Frank Broomhead.", the whole contained in a ring-binder. The minute book records in detail the process by which the business established itself as a private limited company in 1913 and a series of business decisions over a period of thirty-four years, including the vagaries of two world wars ("It was regretfully noticed that very little work was being sent in by our customers who appeared to consider that the present Time of War did not warrant spending money of such luxury as we catered for..."). Revealing entries include records of the bindery's profits in 1912 (£2,825 against £9,226 gross sales), various wages, expenses and balance sheets, the progress of their showroom, stocktaking, good customers ("Mr N. J.. Barlett of Boston has arrived... Messrs McClung of Chicago have sent work..."), various business arrangements, board appointments and resignations, and the company's wartime nervousousness about Germanic origins. Entries conclude in 1947, when the company left the control of the Zaehnsdorf family itself. B. Early typescript proof copy of Broomhead's history of the firm, bound in red portfolio. C. A presentation copy of 'The Zaehnsdorfs (1842-1947) Craft Bookbinders' from Tony Rainbird (Chairman of Zaehnsdorf Ltd.), "Frank, Many thanks for such an excellent book. Wishing you a very happy Christmas and prosperous 1987. Yours Tony Rainbird 19.XII. 86. P.S. A special leather copy will follow in due course", view of a seventheenth-century bookbinder at work stamp in green on upper cover along with Broomhead's name stamped in gilt. D. Several letters of congratulations regarding Broomhead's book on the Zaehnsdorfs, and an article he wrote on Patience Cockerell which appeared in 'The Private Library'. Sender's include: Bernard Middleton, V&A Museum, John Freyfus, Mirjam Foot, The Royal Society of Arts, William Le Fanu, John Collins (Maggs Bros), Brian Cron, etc. E. Four editions of Zaehnsdorfs classic practical instruction manual, all are illustrated and in the original bindings, each signed and dated by Broomhead. ZAEHNSDORF (J. W.) The Art of Bookbinding. A Practical Treatise. Four editions of this classic practical instruction manual, all are illustrated and in the original bindings, each signed and dated by Broomhead. Second edition, revised and enlarged. George Bell, 1890. Third edition. George Bell, 1897. George Bell, 1900. Tenth impressions. George Bell, 1925. F. Eight bookbinding publications issued by Zaehnsdorfs: (i). The Binding of a Book. Zaehnsdorf, [1890]. Small 8vo, 15,[16]pp., 7 illustrs., orig. printed wrappers. "Issued to coincide with their move to Shaftesbury Avenue. In addition to a short introduction mentioning the new premises and several pages of advertising matter, there is a description of the various processes involved in binding a book, eleven rules for prolonging the life of a book and its binding, and seven wood-engraved illustrations of binding operatives and a short definition of their work."—Broomhead. (ii). A Short History of Bookbinding and a Glossary of Styles and Terms used in Binding. With a Brief Account of the Celebrated Binders and Patrons of Bookbinding from whom the Various Styles are Named, Description of Leathers, etc. The Chiswick Press. 1895. Coloured frontis., 40pp., illustrs., throughout, orig. printed wrappers, new spine. Extended version of the previous item. (iii). SKETCHLEY (R. E. D.) Book-Bindings. Joseph Zaehnsdorf, 1907. 8pp., one of 600 copies, frontis., 8 plates, orig. printed wrappers. Brief outline of the development of bookbinding in England and extols the work of the firm. (iv). A History of Bookbinding... Zaehnsdorf Ltd., 1913. 40pp., illustrs., orig. printed wrappers. A reprint of item ii, issued following the registration of the company. (v). A New Outlook on the Cleaning and Restoration of Books, Colour Prints and Drawings. The Results of a Scientific Investigation. Zaehnsdorf, Ltd. 1932. Small 8vo, 4pp. (vi). A Catalogue of Books Old and Rare, Modern and Beautiful, in Choice Leather Bindings. Offered for Sale by : Zaehnsdorf, Ltd. 16pp., orig. printed wrappers, 106 items. (vii). Notes on the Art of Bookbinding. Hatchards and its Associated Bindery Zaehnsdorf Ltd. 1952. 16pp., illustrs., orig. printed wrappers. (viii). Choice Books for all Occasions. Bound by Zaehnsdorf. Belmaglen Ltd., 1979. 16pp., 8 plates, orig. printed wrappers. The bookbinding company of Zaehnsdorf was founded in London by the Austro-Hungarian binder Joseph Zaehnsdorf (1816-1886) in 1842. It became one of the most successful bookbinding businesses and remained so until recent years (for a full account see Frank Broomhead, 'The Zaehnsdorfs 1842-1947', 1986). From the library of the bookbinding historian, Frank Broomhead. (Book ref. 28265)  £808.00

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