Non-traditional Binding:

Ballet for Opening Day

This is Nelson Algren’s story of the 1919 ‘Black Sox’ scandal, so naturally, my major league aspirations, along with Twinrocker’s beautiful handmade paper inspired the binding.

The paper-case binding and slipcase speak baseball in every detail. The creamy white leather of a brand new ball is reflected in the color and texture of the Abaca cover paper. Artist Tony Fitzpatrick’s eight ‘baseball card’ etchings, each depicting a figure from the story, are individually sewn into the book with red linen thread in that baseball classic herringbone stitch. Calfskin, the tanned color of a catcher’s mit, bears the blind embossed titling on the spine. Leather also trims the slipcase with its pinstripe fabric and its v-neck, baseball jersey profile.

The binding was designed and executed for Sherwin Beach Press. Published in 2002, the edition is sold out.