American Academy of Bookbinding Founders

American Academy of Bookbinding Founders

Daniel Tucker, a visionary and artist, was an apprentice under master bookbinders Fritz and Trudi Eberhard in Philadelphia in the 1980’s. He happened upon Telluride while mountaineering some 20 years prior and made it his mission to open the Ah Haa School for the Book and Story arts in 1991. As the programming and school grew, Tucker eagerly sought out the top binder in the field, Tini Miura. Regarded internationally as “One of our time’s great artists,” (Los Angeles Times, 1983), she agreed to teach a bookbinding course to six students in 1992.

Daniel, Tini and her husband Einen a shared vision: high-level courses on fine leather binding so that the craft would remain vital and accessible, intensive courses taught by the best binders in the world to engage students for a few weeks and after the completion of their courses, their work would be shown in front of a jury of professionals unaffiliated with the academy. In the following summer of 1993, the American Academy of Bookbinding was officially home in Telluride, Colorado. Judy Kohin, an artist and athlete working at a local print shop, assisted Daniel with program planning and administration, and ultimately guided the young school toward maturity and stability.

The Fountain in Moonlight – Daniel Tucker designed textblock and Tini Miura design binding.

Old Stone Building History

The historic Old Stone Building in downtown Telluride houses the bookbinding studio. Built in 1909 and constructed of native stone and indigenous red limestone mortar, the building was first used as a livery stable and assay office, and then by old Step-and-a-Half Adams, the local undertaker, for his trade. The building experienced many business incarnations over the decades. Completely gutted and remodeled in 2009 and 2010, the beautifully renovated facility consists of a well-lit, 1,400 square foot bookbinding studio and a comfortable student lounge, where books are available for further study, and students may relax before and after class. Students have access to the building 24 hours a day.