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Tim Moore Delivers Maple Plow and Press, November 2002

On November 11 Tim Moore delivered a traditional lying press, tub, and plow to the UI Libraries Conservation Lab. This bookbinding equipment, in use since the 16th century, is still considered best for book edge trimming and pasteboard cutting.

Tim Moore demonstrates the vertical plough while Nancy Kraft, Head of the Preservation Department, looks on.
Tim Moore demonstrates the vertical plough while Nancy Kraft, Head of the Preservation Department, looks on.

The press and plow builder, Tim Moore, is a master crafts-man internationally recognized as one of the few remaining experts in the manufacture of traditional papermaking and bookbinding equipment. He may be the last remaining maker of traditional western paper making molds, which involves the operation of his own handmade loom for weaving the wires of mold covers.  His work in bookbinding equipment is equally important to that field. Tim has provided many innovations as well as his reproductions of traditional equipment. The innovations include his famous piercing jig, which produces accurate, saddle piercing of the sewing holes in the folds of gathered pages. The Moore piercing jig is both elegant and practical and is now a standard requirement for fine limited edition and book conservation work. Other Moore innovations include an improved tying-up press, an elevated, bench-top repair press, and his all-new vertical plow.

The traditional Moore lying press and plow will be used in the UIL/UICB course, “The Structure of the Handmade Book.” During the class on the 11th, Tim provided a comparative demonstration of both the traditional horizontal plow and the prototype for his new vertical plow.

Moore's traditional lying press, plough, and tub--the UI Conservation's Department latest addition.
Moore's traditional lying press, plough, and tub--the UI Conservation's Department latest addition.