This drum leaf book of six rigid, half-round pages + end sheets was created from images and texts from a family archive. The minimal text, which follows the outer curve of the pages, is hand-embroidered onto Japanese papers imaged with plant stain and ink. Window cut outs hold reproductions of family photographs from 1928 through 1964.

Botany Education presents an extracted text from a mid-20th century educator’s notes on using botany for youth education. Images are digital reproductions from my family’s photographic archive and date from 1928 – 1964.

The text is embroidered using 2 strand floss on linen backed kozo paper that has been handprinted using botanical specimens and relief plates. End pages are Nidiggen paper printed from shaped wood plates. Covers are botanical printed sheepskin over shaped boards with floss embroidery.

Housed in a custom, drop-spine box with a shaped, recessed tray. The tray bottom has an original colored pencil drawing protected with cast acrylic that becomes visible with a hinged platform is lifted to facilitate lifting the book from the tray.

Materials:

leather, paper, ink, thread, leather, laser toner, book board, book cloth, mica

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