Vladimir Nabokov, Bend Sinister (Redwood Press, 1972). Bound by Stuart Brockman, 2025.
Bookbinder's Statement
Book collated and taken down; leaves repaired as necessary; specially marbled Louise Brockman endleaves made up; edges of leaves gilt; book sewn on linen tapes; spine glued and shaped; laminated cushioned boards laced on (with voids for glass panels cut out); double multicoloured endbands sewn; spine lined with unbleached cotton and acid free paper hollow; book covered in black Harmatan goatskin; boards trimmed out and stabilised; covering leather cut through for glass panels; inside of holes edged with black goatskin; design applied with gold tooling and lettering with goatskin onlays; glass panels added to inside of boards; boards filled in with acid free card; book pasted down. Book housed in velvet lined cloth box with recessed gold lettering label to spine.
The book is covered in black goatskin - there are many references to black within the book - hats, suits, uniforms, limos, black shapes from Poplar trees as well as the theme of death. The design takes the form of two shield shapes - each with a Bend Sinister across (diagonal line form top left to bottom right). These bands are surrounded by even squares or diamonds representing the "Ekwilsm" philosophy - everyone the same.
The diagonal Bend Sinister, represents the "bastardy" of the Paduk regime. Within each diagonal band there is a red glass panel, representing Krug. These glass panels, when the boards are opened provide light into the book. The red has been chosen due to the numerous references - Olga wearing cherry red velvet, red cheeks, ruby red balloon, glossy red tulip, scarlet robes, bright red mouth, red cherry etc. I liked the idea of using glass as the book references windows, "glass gadgets with bright balls inside", "bright robed lady on stained glass", mirrors etc. The glass also plays with the book’s materiality and the idea that it is dark and unknown inside unless opened. The final scene references two open windows, one of which is crossed by the slanting black trunk of a poplar, akin to the bend sinister.