ACME and HARCOURT
“BIND” TOGETHER

…Change is the nursery

Of musicke, joy, life, and eternity.

                                                John Donne, Elegy III: Change

     Paul and John Parisi of Acme Bookbinding and Sam Ellenport of The Harcourt Bindery run companies which enjoy a venerable presence and respect in New England.  Indeed, the reputation of each is nationwide: Acme for its superlative work in library binding, edition binding and now digital printing; Harcourt for its stature among hand binderies working in areas of limited editions, box-making, restoration and repair.  Effective in September, Acme will purchase the Harcourt name and assets, and oversee the company as a division within its Charlestown premises.

     The Harcourt Bindery was founded in Copley Square, Boston in 1900 and immediately began producing fine leather bindings, including sets of popular “Deluxe” editions.  In 1910 the business was purchased by Oakes and William Ames, wealthy patrons of the arts who wished to support the bindery in the best tradition of the day.  Awards were given to the bindery in 1927 by Boston’s esteemed Society of Arts and Crafts.  In 1917, Fred Young joined the firm.  When the company struggled during the Depression, he and a fellow employee, Walter Johnson, bought the company.  Together they worked at Harcourt for a combined period of over 100 years.  Fred Young, the surviving partner, sold the business to Sam Ellenport in 1971.

     During its history, Harcourt Bindery established a reputation as a pre-eminent hand bindery specializing in leather bindings.  Their collection of finishing tools and stamping dies made possible the replication of almost any style of binding decoration.  While the company has been creating modern art bindings, the mainstay of its work is within historical traditions of style and materials.  Examples of current workmanship can be seen on the website www.harcourtbindery.com .

     Paul, John and Sam have known each other for over three decades, acknowledging each other’s expertise and commitment to quality, and enjoying each other’s friendship.  It became apparent to them that there could be clear advantages in combining the firms.  Acme will be able to offer special leather bindings to its large base of customers, while the Harcourt division can concentrate on expanding its leather and boxmaking work.

     After its move to Charlestown, Harcourt Bindery will remain intact, a division of Acme Bookbinding.  Harcourt will have the same staff, with the same dedication to quality and performance.  By combining, Paul, John and Sam aim to maintain and improve upon the services each company has provided for over 100 years.

     As Donne suggests, change can be uplifting, energizing and enlightening.  With this in mind, Paul, John and Sam and the Acme / Harcourt staff anticipate a new synergy resulting in quality, performance, and new possibilities.

   By September 1^st Harcourt will be set-up in Charlestown, looking ahead to an active fall and holiday season.  Several projects are already in hand, making use of the skills of each company.  More information is available at www.harcourtbindery.com, and www.acmebook.com

Journeys of the Imagination, published by the Boston Public Library
won an award for Professional, Illustrated books.