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©Walter Gstettenhofer
©Walter Gstettenhofer
©Walter Gstettenhofer
©Walter Gstettenhofer

Walter Gstettenhofer

  • Bookbinder
  • Böhlerwerk, Austria
  • Master Artisan
Walter Gstettenhofer Bookbinder
Contact
German, English
Hours:
Monday to Friday 09:00 - 12:00/14:00 - 18:00, Saturday 09:00 - 12:00
Phone:
+43 6641543630
©Walter Gstettenhofer

Bookbinding beyond the book

  • • Walter is a master of artistic bookbinding
  • • The first bookbinding he ever did sits on his shelf as a cautionary tale
  • • Tranquillity and rural life inspire him

Walter Gstettenhofer was very clear that he wanted to start working at a young age, so he started a bookbinder apprenticeship in a small printing shop where he worked for 25 years until opening his own workshop in 1993. Ironically, because the shop was mainly printing, he did not have many opportunities to use his theoretical knowledge of bookbinding, so he had to educate himself. This approach of studying reference books of different fields to learn about the history, techniques and the link to other bookbinders, remains central to Walter’s approach. With his unique use of technical skills from various crafts and for artistic bookbinding, he perfectly oscillates between tradition and contemporary.

Read the full interview

Works

  • ©Walter Gstettenhofer
  • ©Walter Gstettenhofer
  • ©Walter Gstettenhofer
  • ©Walter Gstettenhofer
  • ©Walter Gstettenhofer
Photo: ©Walter Gstettenhofer
Company chronicle

This hand-bound book is a company chronicle of 1998 made by Walter Gstettenhofer upon request. It is made out of handmade paper and cow leather; the laser cut stainless steel make for a nice finish in the corners of the front cover.

Length 50 cm
Height 42 cm

Photo: ©Walter Gstettenhofer
Guestbook

This guestbook was hand-bound with a Coptic binding, the cohesion of the individual book layers based on a special binding technique without glue, by Walter Gstettenhofer. It is made out of cow leather, artificial silk and handmade paper. The forged metal buttons give a nice finish to the red and black colours.

Length 21 cm
Height 28 cm

Photo: ©Walter Gstettenhofer
Inscription book

This Walter Gstettenhofer inscription book is made with the Coptic binding technique. The beige suede cow leather as well as the gold embossing in every corner of the cover gives this book an elegant and classic look.

Length 14.5 cm
Height 20 cm

Photo: ©Walter Gstettenhofer
Inscription book

The inscription books are hand-made by Walter Gstettenhofer out of a shimmery green silk fabric. A floral motif in gold embossing create a playful yet elegant finish and complement the fabric perfectly.

Length 28 cm
Height 21 cm

Photo: ©Walter Gstettenhofer
Diary

This luxurious Walter Gstettenhofer diary is made out of leather, paper and an inlay of pyrite fool’s gold looking like an emblem. Elegant leaf elements in gold contrast the dark blue colour of the cover.

Length 21 cm
Height 15 cm

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