Age and patina on beautiful Van Der Spek binder

This binder is probably my favourite of all time – and I have lots of binders! It was in the office at the Van Der Spek factory when Steve Morton and I visited a couple of years ago. I fell in love with the well-worn leather and the beautiful design and commented that I thought it was beautiful. As Steve and I were leaving, Mr Van Der Spek gave it to me. I have been using it almost exclusively since then.

So many people are afraid of their binder being scuffed, marked, or looking used. They sometimes prefer to buy leather that does not patina. And, for everyone, that first mark or scratch is always hard to bear, and it tends to stand out. As time passes and the leather picks up more stains, dents, and oils from your hands, the leather deepens in colour and all the marks blend into a gorgeous story of your daily life. It’s kind of like us – our bodies are not perfect. They show the marks of time, and life. And we are all the more beautiful for it.

I have taken photographs of the details of the binder showing the scratches, stains, patina, marks, dark spots and blotches. The leather feels glorious – thick and luscious and smooshy. Not a stitch is out of place. The rings are tight. Both testament to great workmanship.