The world has scarcely known a more robust, permanent style of bookbinding than the heavy leather-over-wooden board bindings produced in Europe,en masse, during medieval and renaissance times. Arguably, Germany has the strongest history of this style of bookbinding. The master bookbinders of medieval and renaissance Germany were a special breed of people. One has only to gaze upon a collection of the works of these binders to be convinced that the task was unspeakably hard. The knowledge, skill, dexterity, and determination that it took to bind this style of book in leather-over-wooden board bindings (not to mention the craftsmanship in the metal hardware) is something that is today nearly as rare as the rarest book.

As a master bookbinder, I have enjoyed creating bindings reflective of many historical periods over the last few decades, but it has been in the creating of bindings mimicking the Medieval & Renaissance periods (not only of German style, but, also, all of Europe, as well as early American) that I have, without question, found the pearl of my life's work. I believe the ability to create bindings such as these is divinely given and divinely guided, throughout every step, and I am eternally grateful to God for this.

My wife & I have this day [Nov. 14, 2011] made the gift of two, two volume sets of my Gutenberg Bible bindings in Mainz, Germany. One set to the Gutenberg Museum, and one set to the German Bookbinding Museum. These gifts are made to these outstanding, internationally important institution knowing that these works of art will be viewed, loved and appreciated by many generations to come, from all around the world. It is also my hope that these bindings will inspire future bookbinders from around the world who visit these museums - to explore the mysteries of this style of work, and to not be hindered by thinking that this type of work, in this degree, has left our time and presence. It has not! The true, old German bookbinding tradition still lives!

My life has been firmly dedicated to the art and craft of fine hand-bookbinding for over thirty years. And for as long as I shall live, I will labor in the vineyard of this art, constantly seeking to demystify it - for those just entering it, and building it up - for those of us who have made it our lifes work for so long.

I am immensely honored to have been given a permanent, large [7 feet long, 2.5 feet deep, and 6.5 feet high] exhibtion showcase in the Gutenberg Museum in Mainz. This is the only such case in the entire museum, and, for me, one of the greatest gifts of my career as a bookbinder. I shall endeavor to always remain worthy of this grand gift.

Michael L. Chrisman