Dragon Press Bindery

About us

Philippa Räder
Dieter Räder
The Studio
Accommodation
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Philippa Räder specialises in books, manuscripts and archives conservation (including preservation and collections care consultancy) as well as letterpress printing commissions. She is an Accredited Conservator-Restorer member of the Institute of Conservation (Icon) and a Professional Associate of the American Institute for Conservation (AIC).

A graduate in English from Cambridge University, Philippa trained in book and paper conservation at the Getty Research Institute in California. She subsequently held positions at the Huntington Library in California, The National Archives (UK) in Kew, and the Royal Collection Trust, where she was Head of the Royal Bindery in Windsor Castle until leaving for private practice at Dragon Press Bindery in 2019.

Introduced to letterpress printing while living in Los Angeles, Philippa established her first private press in 1995 and has maintained one on-and-off ever since.

Philippa volunteers with Icon as a trustee with specific remit to represent conservators in Wales, a specialist advisor on accreditation applications, a mentor to those on the accreditation pathway, a continuing professional development review assessor, and a member of its conferences organising committee. She is a conference abstract submissions reviewer for the International Association of Book & Paper Conservators (IADA). Philippa also provides work experience placements for conservation students.

Dieter Räder has been binding books for over 40 years. Traditionally apprentice-trained in Germany, he specialises in fine binding commissions and the restoration of antiquarian books as well as leather-covered objects.

After serving his apprenticeship then teaching for a year, Dieter began travelling further afield to gain wider and more varied experience. Following employment in binderies in Marseilles and Vienna, he went to London in 1983, where he worked for two years under the guidance of master book restorer Robert Green. He subsequently ran his own bindery in Somerset for some 20 years before moving back to London and establishing and managing a new fine binding and restoration department within a west London commercial bindery.

Dieter returned to private practice and opened Dragon Press Bindery in 2017. With a strong commitment to passing on skills and knowledge to future generations, he is an enthusiastic teacher, leading workshops and giving demonstrations both nationally and internationally.

Our studio is fully equipped and easily
accommodates up to ten students for practical sessions; more for demonstrations or presentations.
It is available to hire by individuals or groups for training events and project work.

Please enquire through our contact page.

Residential accommodation during workshops can be booked on a first-come/first-served basis come to enjoy a focussed learning experience:
Rooms in the house are available as well as pre-erected, furnished tents. All meals are included in the cost.
Alternatively, you may bring your own gear to camp free of charge and just pay a catering fee.
Please contact us for details.