{"product_id":"paperblanks-mystique-mini-softback-flexi-journal-plain-176-pages-fb5339-2","title":"Paperblanks Mystique Mini Softback Flexi Journal – Plain, 176 Pages","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCapture your ideas, plans and memories in this Mystique mini softback flexi journal from Paperblanks, with 176 plain pages of 100 gsm acid-free paper.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eOur Paperblanks Mystique journal is inspired by a cover said to have been designed by Le Gascon, a legendary but little-known 17th-century bookbinder. The original cover was made of red Moroccan leather embossed and gilded with rosettes, spirals and dotted lines.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eThe Story Behind the Design\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eOur Mystique cover is inspired by an original binding said to be the work of a legendary but unidentified 17th-century bookbinder known only as Le Gascon. Revered among his peers and successors, including Marius-Michel and Paul Gruel, Le Gascon is credited with innovating (if not inventing) the “pointillé” and “fanfare” styles. Despite these monumental achievements securing his place in bookbinding history, the true identity of Le Gascon remains a mystery to this day.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eOver the years there have been numerous theories attempting to identify the real Le Gascon. Some believe he was a gilder in the bindery of Nicolas Eve (or perhaps even Eve’s son, Clovis), while others argue he was in fact employed by Gaston, Duke of Orleans. Mysterious identity aside, Le Gascon is held up alongside Jean Grolier as one of the foremost personalities in the history of bookbinding.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eLe Gascon–style bindings first appeared near the end of the reign of Charles IX and were revered for the sophistication and intricacy of their ornamentation. His bindings featured gilt decoration that spread out in repeated fanfare patterns and pointillé tooling bordered by bands. If this cover was not created by Le Gascon himself it is certainly in his style and is the work of another French master. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe original binding was made of red morocco leather embossed and gilded with rosettes, spirals and dotted lines. It also featured Le Gascon’s emblematic small compartments which were created by carving ridges into the leather. No matter who truly was the creator of the original binding, our cover pays homage to its consummate artistry and visionary design.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOriginal artwork:\u003c\/strong\u003e Red Moroccan leather book binding\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEra:\u003c\/strong\u003e First half of the 17th century\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRegion:\u003c\/strong\u003e La Rochelle, France\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003eProduct Details\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSize:\u003c\/strong\u003e Mini – 95 × 140 × 13 mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eInterior:\u003c\/strong\u003e Plain\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePages:\u003c\/strong\u003e 176 (88 sheets)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePaper:\u003c\/strong\u003e 100 gsm acid-free smooth paper\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCover:\u003c\/strong\u003e Softback flexi (flexible cover)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBinding:\u003c\/strong\u003e Smyth sewn – lies flat and stays durable\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEdge printing:\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCorners:\u003c\/strong\u003e Rounded\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePouch:\u003c\/strong\u003e Back cover pouch\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDesign:\u003c\/strong\u003e Mystique\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSeries:\u003c\/strong\u003e Le Gascon\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSatin ribbon marker\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDecorative printed cover paper\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEndpaper with credit and copyright information as well as historical background for the original artwork\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThreaded stitching and glue, as needed\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAcid-free paper\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMemento pouch\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWeight:\u003c\/strong\u003e 141 g\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eProduct code:\u003c\/strong\u003e FB5339-2 | \u003cstrong\u003eISBN:\u003c\/strong\u003e 9781439753392\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003eAbout Paperblanks\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003ePaperblanks works with museums, libraries, galleries and artists around the world to faithfully reproduce remarkable artwork, historic bindings and treasured manuscripts, and every notebook is crafted with the same attention to detail, from the paper inside to the finish of the cover.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Paperblanks","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54386108825928,"sku":"FB5339-2","price":13.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0920\/5114\/5032\/files\/9781439753392_FrontHighRes.png?v=1792778572","url":"https:\/\/shop.penandpaper.co.uk\/products\/paperblanks-mystique-mini-softback-flexi-journal-plain-176-pages-fb5339-2","provider":"The Pen and Paper Stationery Company","version":"1.0","type":"link"}