The art of bookbinding appeared long before the invention of publishing.  The ancient country of Rus (Ukraine as we know it today) was born out of Byzantium.  The Byzantium traditions of bookbinding and design were inherited, and are still used to this very day.  During the early stages of binding evolution (eleventh to fourteenth centuries), books were handwritten and very expensive, so the binders’ priority was to assure preservation over hundreds of years.  External beauty was not their priority. 
      Despite today’s continued use of ancient Byzantium traditions, a book’s modern-day appearance has changed and external beauty is abundant.  Construction materials have also changed and today’s covers are made from wood, leather and fabrics, whilst synthetic binding materials are also used.  Today’s master bookbinders decorate books with stamping (indented or gold), precious metals (gold and silver), jewels, ivory, a variation of leather types and colours, velvet, embroidery, decorative paper and many other customised styles.  As ever, the artist devotes considerable attention to the book’s aesthetic qualities (its feeling, energy and soul).
      By the end of the nineteenth century, a unique style had developed in Western Europe, commonly referred to as ‘livre d’art’ (the art book) and ‘livre de luxe’ (the magnificent book).  The renowned masters’ imagination and talent transformed books into a work of art; being masterpieces decorated in numerous styles of emphasised beauty.  The masters adhered to one style and never combined different styles together.  Such standards still apply today. 
      Some books have existed for many hundreds of years.  They carry the masters’ energy, creativity, soul, originality and eternity.  The same ‘feeling’ continues in today’s designs, and will be felt for hundreds of years to come, throughout the book’s life.  Ancient books can also be easily restored - it’s ‘clothes’ are merely changed, giving a second life.