I’ve been a traditional bookbinder for more than 50 years and founded my business PERIOD FINE BINDINGS in 1983.
I am privileged to have restored some of the rarest books ever printed and more than privileged to have given hundreds of years of life to the more sentimental heirlooms that have been passed down through generations.
* This is a preview page showcasing what I do, please click on the link at the bottom of the page to enter the main site.
This is my shop on Oak Bay Avenue Victoria BC.
Quoted (but not by me) as being “A unique emporium of delights from Objet d’Art, fine jewelry, antiques and rare books from the 1500’s upwards as well as a fully operative working bindery”.
I also sell rare books, fine jewelry and antiques in the shop. A little something for everyone.
Click on the pictures to enlarge
The bindery is at the rear of the shop and is open plan so people walking through the door see a sight not often seen.
Books come in all shapes and sizes with varying degrees of damage. This pair of rare 17thC folios had been rebound in the 18thC and re-backed in the 19thC so much deserving of a longer lasting Cambridge panelled calf.
This first edition of Treasure Island was missing 3 engravings and many pages taped together
with masking tape. it was missing the rear board, so the front illustrated board was lifted, restored and mounted and incorporated into the binding as a stiffened leaf. The missing engravings were located and reproduced on matching paper. The client requested a fine binding to be passed down through generations as it was purchased new by the family.
This first edition of Mrs Beeton’s Household Management had some very serious issues.
So many Bibles, so much damage, so little time.
But also so rare! The last Genevan Bible (Breeches) 1644.
A Special In Memoriam dedicated to the tragic death of the family’s child, with the child’s details handlettered in the centre of both boards.
2 and 3 colour with gilt spines.
This rare variant 2nd edition of A Christmas Carol looks as if it was well loved but needs a helping hand. I lifted the cover, restored, mounted and incorporated it into the binding. All pages restored and flexibly sewn on sunken cords as original and bound in a raw veg calf.
2 veg dyes applied, blind tooled borders with fully gilt boards, gilt panelled spine handlettered and dated, these are for a 1st edition Dickens library I am building and restoring.
The very rare 3 volume 1st issue of Great Expectations and the genuine Bradbury and Evans 1st issue of David Copperfield.
Another scarcity, the 1st issue Oliver Twist 3 volume set with the cancelled list of illustrations. Dickens cancelled the list, this is one of 3 recorded copies with the list.
Sketches By Boz series 1 first issue 2 volumes and Sketches By Boz series 2, 1st issue. One of them on the tooling bench showing the tools that were applied using 24 carat gold leaf.
I practice many different style of binding including Victorian half calf with hand marbled sides.
Magickal Grimoires for the serious occultist.
Esoteric books printed and bound at the shop
Precious family Bibles and first edition Jane Austen’s
I have also lectured extensively on the art of conservation, restoration and traditional bookbinding
For more information email: periodfinebindings@gmail.com
Click HERE to see the art of royal bookbinding
Follow the progress pictures of restoration and rebinding on some pages.
Paul regularly puts completed commissions on facebook
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Period-Fine-Bindings/237653069641955?ref=hl
A couple of very kind words from clients I found very humbling:
“I took my family bible to several bookbinders who told me to take it to Paul as he is the miracle worker!”
Janet T……. Canada
“Every book that leaves Paul’s workshop is a masterpiece”
Richard B…..USA
“I bought a book from his shop and asked him to rebind it for me just to own a piece of his work”
Maggie S……Victoria BC.
Paul has been building and restoring my investment library for 15 years and every book is a stunning work of art, not just to look at, but to hold, feel and enjoy the experience of the quality of the work and materials by the Master, whilst enjoying the author’s words also.
Roger S……London UK.
I have no words, I cried when I saw my late father’s treasure restored to it’s former glory. I am astonished by his work and so will my relatives, hundreds of years from now, also be.
James M……USA
A master craftsman beyond compare!! I have had valuable books bound by other bookbinders for my library before I met Paul, and their work looks complete amateurish in comparison.
Mike L…… UK
Unbelievable attention to detail and tradition. Your work is an inspiration!
S.L……..USA
All content and copyright are the property of Paul Tronson
Period Fine Bindings 1983 to Infinity All rights reserved.
(Website migrated from Typepad to WordPress in Sept, 2025 by Timothy RJ Eveland)
Period Fine Bindings 
