About Pete Wiltshire
Pete Wiltshire is a Dorset based Bookbinder who specialises in restoration, but undertakes all types of hand bookbinding work from family bibles to theses and dissertations.
Pete started learning bookbinding in the late 1990's, working for his father Tim Wiltshire at the Winchester Bindery (see below). During this period he worked part time for Richard Harshers Trade Bindery in Romsey, and also spent a day a week with Paper Conservator Jo Surridge in 2001.
In 2007 Pete opened The Petersfield Bindery (located at Petersfield Bookshop), which he ran successfully before going into partnership with Tim Wiltshire at The Winchester Bindery in 2012.
Having relocated to Dorset in 2021, Pete is now based in Maiden Newton, near Dorchester (see contact details below).
Examples of Work
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The Winchester Bindery
The Winchester Bindery was located in P & G Wells Ltd, situated at 11 College Street, Winchester in close proximity to Winchester Cathedral and Winchester College, and next door but one from the house where Jane Austen spent the last days of her life. It was the oldest working Bookshop Bindery in the UK, run by Tim Wiltshire for 42 years until his retirement in 2022.
Contact
By Phone
Telephone: 01300 321785
Mobile: 07786 493915
By appointment Monday - Saturday in Maiden Newton, Dorset
Maiden Newton,
Dorchester,
Dorset,
DT2 0BG,
Pete Wiltshire is available by appointment during normal working hours, Monday to Friday, at his Bindery, located in Maiden Newton, Dorset.
Parking is available outside the Bindery.
Links
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Rebacking is the process of rebinding a book with a new spine, re-using the original boards, and re-laying the original spine if possible. These are a some examples of books I've rebacked. Read more... | |
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The majority of my page repairs are done using Japanese repairing tissue and ironed on by hand, or using a laminating press. I also do more traditional page repairs with paste when required, and can have books and plates washed and re-sized. Read more... | |
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These are a few examples of boxes, slip cases, and display cases I've made. Wherever possible I use archivally sound materials in my work, and all my boxes are made with acid free board, and lined with acid free paper. Read more... |
Work Undertaken
Pete Wiltshire undertakes a wide range of binding and restoration work, including:
- Restoration and Conservation (including rebacks and page repairs).
- Bespoke traditional half and full leather bindings (view examples)
- Case binding including albums
- Thesis and dissertation binding (to suit all budgets)
- Boxes, slipcases and display cases made to order (view examples)
- Short runs (under 500 copies)
Click here for more information or feel free to get in contact either by phone on 01300 321785 or email (see Contact section below).
Case Studies
Case studies showing interesting work and book binding techniques. Please click on any of the pictures for more information.
Case Study 1 - Russian Bible Restoration
Restoration of an large early 19th century Russian Bible, originally bound in full leather on wooden boards with brass clasps. Read more...
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Case Study 2 - A Tudor Binding
A vellum manuscript bound in full leather on oak boards in the style of a tudor binding. Read more...
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Case Study 3 - Cary's English Atlas Rebound
This was an 18th century atlas in a very poor state that I restored and rebound into a half leather binding in a style contemporary to the book. Read more...
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Book of 1702 rebound in full leather. Read more...
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Restoration of an 18th century quarter leather binding in very perished condition. Read more...
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Decorative Papers by J & J Jeffery
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These are a selection of hand cut, printed, and coloured block and paste papers by J & J Jeffery . As well as traditional marble papers, Pete uses these papers on his bindings. Some examples of papers can be found in the gallery here. For more information please get in touch. |
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Gallery
Please click here for an index of all galleries and case studies on this website.
