Harmatan/Bookmarc News

This page contains information for Harmatan and Bookmarc customers on our activities and will be updated regularly

Price Increase 2008

There will be a small price increase on Harmatan Leathers from the 1st May 2008.
More details to follow once prices have been established with our office in Kano, Nigeria. Increases in price of UK delivery, utilities etc make this unavoidable.
Increases will be kept to a minimum.

Delivery Times

Please allow up to 28 days from date of placing order for delivery.

A good amount of stock is kept at the tannery, but for larger orders/quantities please allow sufficient time!
Many of our leathers are made to order, - especially upholstery skins, Kaduna, Morocco grain and Katsina.

Harmatan and bookmarc leathers Representation at the followingTrade Fairs (Vendors area)

The Netherlands - Leiden. Organised by the Dutch Foundation for Private Presses and the Dutch Craft Bookbinding Society.
22/23 November 2008
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Holidays 2007-2008

The tannery will be closed between the following dates:

We are closed for all UK Bank/Public holidays.

Spring:
Close: Friday 23rd May
Open: Monday 2nd June

Summer:
Close: Friday 25th July
Open: Monday 11th August

Autumn:
Close: Friday 24th October
Open: Monday 4th November

Christmas:
Close: Tuesday 23rd December
Open: Monday 5th January 2009

The 3 Grades of Fine Leather!

All of the goatskins in the Harmatan Fine Leather range are selected, tanned in Sumac and dyed in to our vast range of colours. When 'finished' the skins are then sorted/selected into the 3 selling grades.

Grade 1. Every single part of the skin is usable with no marks. These skins are now virtually impossible to find in Northern Nigeria due to the increased use of barbed wire (the animals sratch/itch themselves against wire,tree stumps anything !).

Grade 11. Small number of naturally occuring marks mainly towards the outside edges of the skins. They are suitable for full binding work etc.

Grade 111. An even greater number of natural marks and scratches but still very usable for small full binding, half or quarter style bindings.
If you wish to give us a cut size or provide us with a template we will probably be able to find a skin from this selection and save yourself some money......


Please do remember that all our skins bought via 'Fair Trade' in Northern Nigeria are all free range!

The animals do roam freely most of the time (except when fields are planted, or not harvested).

Leather is a natural product, therefore it bears natural characteristics such as grain variation, growth and bush marks and when seen on the finished product indicate that it is a totally natural grain and not a machine embossed one!

Leather thinning/splitting services.

USA.
Hohenforst Splitting Co
152-4 W.Fulton Street
Gloversville
NY-12078
tel:518 725 0012

Belgium.
Yves Orbach
132, rue R.Vandeveldestraat
B-1030 Brussels
Belgium
tel: 02 242 5789.

UK.
Shepherds Bookbindery Ltd
Units 107/108
30,Great Guildford Street
London
SE1 0HS
tel: 0207 620 0060

Leather Thickness Conversion Chart

Millimeters / Ounces
0.4 mm / 1 oz
0.5 mm / 1 1/4 oz
0.6 mm / 1 1/2 oz
0.8 mm / 2 oz
1.0 mm / 2 1/2 oz
1.2 mm / 3 oz

Opening Hours

Opening hours:

Monday to Thursday 8.00 AM to 5.00 PM

Friday 8.00 AM to 4.00 PM.

Please refer to another section detailing Holiday dates.