Luis Mínguez Serrano

Bookbinder

©Alfonso Gómez

Mastering the art of bookbinding

His work is like a secret passed on only through word of mouth
He binds the winning books of the literary prize Premio Cervantes
His dream is to one day open a bookbinding school

Luis A. Mínguez Serrano is a skilled artisan, but likes to describe himself as an artist. He restores book covers (the oldest dates back to the 12th century) bringing their original features back to life, as well as devising and making covers for contemporary novels, poems and art books. He is very discreet; you won't find him and his creations either on social media or in a physical store. So the only way his work is discovered is through word of mouth. Each of his covers is a unique work of art and the result of hours of painstaking effort that has gained him the appreciation of connoisseurs, historians and art collectors. Thirty years after taking over from his father, he carries on with passion and dedication.

Interview

©Alfonso Gómez

©Alfonso Gómez

What does a book mean to you?: A book has the power to take you beyond real life; it becomes your faithful companion. It is something fragile though, and when I bind a book, I feel I am protecting it and that I get to know it intimately. I don't always get the chance to read the books I bind, but at times I seek inspiration in them.
Where do craftsmanship and art meet?: The mission of the craftsman is to achieve excellence; art goes beyond that. The way I see it is that an artist has to be a craftsman, but a craftsman is not always an artist. I think of myself as a skilled craftsman who can artistically execute his own creation; it is a dual process.
What techniques does bookbinding require?: There are quite a few techniques that need to be mastered including gilding, etching, embossing and inlaying. For classic books I devise the covers following the style of the year of publication; for modern or art books I am more inspired by the content of the book itself.
How do you remain so dedicated to your craft after 30 years?: I am in love with my work; I learned it from my father and it is my life and passion. It requires a great deal of patience and devotion, there are no holidays and working days are long. The more it takes you to bind a book, the more attached you grow to it.

Luis Mínguez Serrano is a master artisan: he began his career in 1985 and he started teaching in 2003