The book collection of the Kowie Museum recently received a magnificent addition when the  author of A River Runs Through it, Dr Mike Erasmus,  kindly donated a copy, beautifully bound by Mario Rionda of MR Bookbinders in Grahamstown, to the museum.

Mario is one of that rare breed, a master craftsman. His bindery is well equipped and he obviously loves his craft and the books he deals with.  He photographs each book when it comes to him, and at various stages throughout the process.  By the time he is finished, the transformation is amazing.  He was working on several restoration projects, one of which was a large family bible, when Chairman of the Museum Board of Trustees, Rob Crothall, was given a tour of the bindery and was privileged to see some of Mario’s work.

He returned amazed at the artistry, attention to detail and beauty of Mario’s book restoration, and says he would recommend him to anyone requiring work done on valuable books.

Mario also binds journal collections and theses, among other things, and though these are simpler and plainer, they are still beautifully done. Thank you, Mario!