About Us
A world-class bookbinder who can meticulously restore your fine books and papers, and create exquisite covers and bindings for your projects.
Excellence
Quality
Accuracy
50+ Years' Experience
MULTI-AWARD WINNING AUSTRALIA-WIDE BOOKBINDER
Book Restorations. Book Conservations.
Bindings & Covers For Print & Artistic Media.
Meet Fred Pohlmann, Master Bookbinder
Drawing upon an extensive training ground throughout Europe and a Master Certificate in bookbinding, Fred Pohlmann’s work stimulates the mind with a variety of colours and textures. The applied artistry and skills are evident in each of his works. Over the years the work has been exhibited with great distinction nationally and internationally.
With more than 50 years’ experience Fred has studied as well as lectured and taught traditional binding styles around the world demonstrating his commitment to increasing his knowledge in this unique craft and his dedication to quality.
He sets the highest possible standard not only for the materials and techniques he is using but also in himself as well. His commitment to genuine quality is very much evident by the equipment and tools Fred is using in his Bindery.
Fred Pohlmann, founder of Pohlmann Bookbinders is part of a family of artisans.
Pohlmann Bookbinders is a husband and wife team, both qualified in the art of refined bookbinding.
Their purpose-build bindery is set amongst the forested hills of Camp Mountain, near Brisbane in Queensland. The bindery features a unique combination of state-of-the-art tools and centuries-old traditional bookbinding equipment to ensure you get the perfect result for your project.
Member of the Australian Institute for the Conservation of Cultural Material
Member of the Designer Bookbinders, England
The Journey to Master Craftsman
In the venerable European book binding tradition, the title Master Craftsman is awarded only to the crème de la crème. This lofty height is achieved only after a long journey, which starts as apprentice, progresses through journeyman, and ends with craftsman. The especially gifted craftsman who breaks new ground through outstanding skill forges new standards and stimulates new integrity in the craft. Thus emerges the Master Craftsman.
The Pohlmann Bindery is founded on the skills passed down through the centuries by Master Craftsmen who have established this noble craft. After his journeyman experiences in Europe, founder Fred Pohlmann developed an expertise now held in the highest regard, locally, nationally and internationally.
UNIQUE BINDING SKILLS
We use a wide variety of materials and binding styles, from modern to ancient binding techniques, to create unique and hand-crafted pieces to treasure.
Certification, Skills & Values
Pohlmann Bookbinders are German trained and certified Master Bookbinders, for over 50 years and were established in Germany in 1969.
Fred studied book design and fine binding in the 1980s with Professor Hugo Pellen at the Centre del bel Libro in Switzerland. In 1994 Fred was lecturer at the New Horizons Conference in Oxford, England.
We are a husband and wife team with high qualifications, demonstrating a commitment, knowledge and dedication to quality which does not allow room for shortcuts. We set the highest possible standards for our materials, techniques and for ourselves as well.
Exhibitions
International exhibitions of the works of Friedhelm Pohlmann stimulate the mind with a kaleidoscope of textures and colours. The artistry within the master craftsman’s hands is evident in each of his works. Over the years the work has been exhibited with great distinction globally.
1969 Essen, Germany
1984 National Conference, Canberra
1985 Prix Paul Bonet Competition, Switzerland
1985 RNA Show Brisbane - First Prize
1989 Exhibition of Contemporary Bindings, National Library Canberra
1992 RNA Show Sydney - First Prize
1992 Exhibition of Contemporary Bindings, Canberra
1992 International Fine Bindings Competition, Switzerland and Germany
1994 International Exhibition of Design Bindings, Oxford, England
Career
- 1945Born Senden, Germany
- 1961-63Bookbinder apprenticeship
- 1963-68Working as a qualified bookbinder
- 1969Master Certificate in Bookbinding
- 1970-80Workshop established in Muenster
- 1980Emigrated to Australia
- 1981Technical Teacher at the College of Graphic Arts and Printing, Brisbane
- 1982Brisbane workshop established
- 1985Studied book design and fine bindings in Switzerland
- 1985Studied and worked with Professor Hugo Peller in Switzerland
- 1994Lecturer at the New Horizons Conference in Oxford, England
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