Sunday, February 12, 2017

Thomas James Cobden-Sanderson

Thomas James Cobden-Sanderson (1840 –1922) was an English artist and bookbinder associated with the Arts and Crafts movement.
Sanderson attended a number of schools including Owen's College (Manchester University) and then Trinity College, Cambridge to study law. He left without taking a degree, and entered Lincoln's Inn as a barrister. In 1882 he married (Julia Sarah) Anne Cobden, a socialist, and they both took the surname Cobden-Sanderson.
A wood engraved portrait of Thomas James Cobden-Sanderson by Barry Moser 

Persuaded to take up bookbinding, he opened a workshop in about 1884, abandoning his law practice. In 1887 Cobden-Sanderson suggested a new group be named the "Arts and Crafts Exhibition Society," and in so doing gave the movement its name. His wife was concerned that his interests were too abstract and she encouraged him to become a bookbinder. In 1893 he set up the Doves Bindery in Hammersmith, London, naming it after a nearby pub, The Dove. It was his wife who took credit for keeping the business running. By 1900 he had established the Doves Press. Emery Walker became a partner in 1900 and oversaw the creation of the Doves Type used for all of their books. They produced a number of letterpress books, including the famous five-volume Doves Bible.

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