While the Paperblanks library of cover designs draws from diverse sources of visual art, antique book bindings in particular have long provided us with an abundance of inspiration. Many such book covers were originally made of leather but in the case of our Silver Filigree Collection, the focus is instead on the splendour of bindings decorated with filigree metalwork.

This manner of adorning books was particularly favoured in the 17th and 18th centuries, with nearly all bindings of this type manufactured in Holland, Switzerland, Germany and the Scandinavian countries. Over the years, craftsmen experimented with different methods of coaxing metal into ornaments of tender and elegant beauty.

One such design is the binding recreated on our Aubergine cover. Originally crafted for a book of religious hymns, a simple metal plate was used as a base for the ornament whose fancy curlicues were formed with metal wire and tiny beads. Dating to the early 1800s, the cover was made in Swabia, the southwestern part of Germany. At that time, Empire-style, as seen in this design, was the leading style in European decorative arts. The grandeur of the cover’s ornament reflects the period’s idealization of Imperial Rome and Ancient Egypt.

With its regal and ceremonial connotations, we found this vibrant purple hue to be a harmonious accompaniment to the rich style of the original ornament, and so we created this Aubergine design for our Silver Filigree Collection.

The Paperblanks tradition of reproducing vintage book covers showcases our appreciation of decorative bookbinding traditions. In this, our Nova Stella series, we wish to guide you back to the second half of the 18th century and its distinct manner of embellishing book covers.

The book whose cover is reproduced here is a 1768 publication of Missale Sacri Ordinis Praedicatorum, a volume containing instructions and texts for priests to use at mass throughout the year. It was published in Rome by Octavio Puccinelli, some of whose publications can still be found in major libraries around the world.

Certain elements of this design bring to light its origins. A major way in which 18th-century bindings differed from their 17th-century counterparts was how ornaments filled the space of the surface. Rather than creating ornate patterns that would fill out every available corner, binders would direct more of their efforts toward fashioning exquisite frames. The middle section would often remain blank or, as in this case, would feature a central object to complete the composition.

Upon a closer look at the shape in the middle of the design, you will discover that it encircles the monogram “IHS,” with a cross on top and a heart pierced with three nails just below. The monogram has been in use for many centuries, and over the years there have been many different interpretations of its meaning. Its true origin, however, is that it represents the first three letters of the name “Jesus” when written in Greek. This is a very subtle reference to the book’s contents, craftily worked into a design that otherwise impresses with its opulence of a secular kind.

With the help of the different colours that we used in combination with this design, we sought to reveal even more of its magnificence. For this Astra cover and its celestial theme, we chose a deep blue tone. In this shade you will find the sense of luxury of velvet and suede, and the grandeur of 18th-century cathedrals adorned with luxurious draperies and rich woods.

Whenever we introduce a new antique cover design, we touch upon the thread of bookbinding traditions that weaves its way through time and space. Our Turquoise Chronicles design was inspired by one such decorative book cover representing a key point in the evolution of the European branch of the craft.

The design reproduced on our Turquoise Chronicles cover originally hails from the Salel Binder in Paris. The book was published in the early 16th century, when Paris was a flourishing centre of the publishing trade. The city’s reputation was second only to that of Venice, which was spearheading the Renaissance movement and looked to by the rest of Europe for artistic ideas and influences. It was at this time that the gold tooling technique arrived in France from the Islamic realm, where it had originally developed. Combined with the French king’s generous patronage of the arts, this ushered in an age of superb French book binding.

Turquoise Chronicles features an especially fine example of early 16th-century French gold tooling. Formed in a graceful, flowing ornament of interlaced arabesques and delicate dots, it shows hints of its Eastern influences and of the decorative styles that would soon emerge in the ateliers of other French binders.

To bring out the details of the original pattern on our cover design, we contrasted the gold with a jewel-like turquoise background. The many hues of the cover surface have a mesmerizing look of a never-still ocean, an ancient witness of all things past that invites you to contemplation. Echoing this idea of a record keeper is the title given to the series, Turquoise Chronicles, named so after the original contents of the binding, a book entitled Chroniques.

No idea is too small withThe Secret World of Arrietty Journal, featuring rarely seen concept art from the Studio Ghibli classic about a boy, a Borrower, and their unlikely friendshipthat blossoms into an extraordinary adventure. 

Complete with full-color artwork on the front and back covers, five interior spreads of concept art, and spot illustrations throughout, this journal is the perfect keepsake for Studio Ghibli fans and animation enthusiasts of all ages. 

© 2010 Mary Norton/Keiko Niwa/Studio Ghibli, NDHDMTW
 

RARELY SEEN CONCEPT ART: The journal contains spot illustrations throughout and five full-color spreads of rare concept art from the film.
 
DISTINCTIVE SCHOOL OR OFFICE SUPPLY: Bring some flair to your school or office supplies with this gorgeous journal.
 
GREAT GIFT:Part of an officially licensed line with Japanese animation giant Studio Ghibli, this journal celebrates the artistry behind The Secret World of Arrietty. It makes a great gift or self-purchase for animation fans, collectors, artists, and anyone who loves Japanese art, stationery, and pop culture.
 
BELOVED STUDIO WITH MASSIVE FAN BASE WORLDWIDE: The Ghibli Museum, Mitaka and Ghibli Park are popular destinations in Japan. The studio won the Academy Award® for Best Animated Feature for Spirited Away and The Boy and the Heron and earned Academy Award® nominations for Howl’s Moving Castle, The Wind Rises, The Tale of The Princess Kaguya, When Marnie Was There, and The Red Turtle.

Perfect for:

• Studio Ghibli fans of all ages
• The Secret World of Arrietty fans
• Animation enthusiasts
• Fans of Japanese art, stationery, and pop culture

Central Park. The Statue of Liberty. Times Square. New York City is home to a seemingly endless number of famed landmarks, bringing in tourists from all over the globe to witness the sights up close. Standing out among these urban monuments are the skyscrapers that punctuate the New York City skyline.

Described in an original brochure as the “mise en scene for the romantic drama of American business,” one such tower is the Chanin Building. This midtown Manhattan landmark was built by developer Irwin S. Chanin in the late 1920s. The building’s magnificent lobby, the result of a collaboration between designer René Chambellan and architect Jacques L. Delamarre, draws in architecture aficionados. Ornately adorned with bronze grilles representing some of the finest Art Deco in the city, the lobby was modernly styled around a “City of Opportunity” concept. One such ventilator grille, with loops, spirals and geometric lines used by the designers to symbolize human thought and emotion, is reproduced for our Chanin Rise design.

The Chanin Building’s exuberant craftsmanship led it to be designated as an official city landmark in 1978, and it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. It remains emblematic of the uniquely New York City take on the Art Deco style and one of many reasons to pay attention to the architectural achievements lining the city’s streets.

Take a piece of NYC history home with New York Deco!

This handy journal showcases rarely seen concept art from My Neighbor Totoro, Studio Ghibli’s classic fantasy film about a family and their adventures with the strange and delightful creatures who live in the neighboring forest.

Complete with full-color artwork on the front and back covers, five interior spreads of concept art, and spot illustrations throughout, this journal is the perfect keepsake for Studio Ghibli fans and animation enthusiasts of all ages. 

Pair it with other themed merchandise, including My Neighbor TotoroNotebook, Sketchbook, Pop-UpNotecards, Pencils, and Erasers, or Studio Ghibli 100 Collectible Postcards Volumes 1 and 2, to create an extra-special present.

© 1988 Hayao Miyazaki/Studio Ghibli

WRITING JOURNAL WITH FULL-COLOR ART: Perfectly sized to carry on your own adventures, this journaling notebook features lined pages, a ribbon marker, spot illustrations throughout, and five spreads of rare concept art from the film.

DISTINCTIVE SCHOOL OR OFFICE ACCESSORY: Bring some flair to your school or office supplies with this gorgeous journal. Measures 5 x 7 in, 192 lined pages, and a ribbon marker.
 
GREAT GIFT: Part of an officially licensed line with Japanese animation giant Studio Ghibli, this journal celebrates the artistry behind My Neighbor Totoro. It makes a great gift or self-purchase for animation fans, collectors, artists, and anyone who loves Japanese art, stationery, and pop culture.

BELOVED STUDIO WITH MASSIVE FAN BASE WORLDWIDE: The Ghibli Museum, Mitaka and Ghibli Park are popular destinations in Japan. The studio won the Academy Award® for Best Animated Feature for Spirited Away and The Boy and the Heron and earned Academy Award® nominations for Howl’s Moving Castle, The Wind Rises, The Tale of The Princess Kaguya, When Marnie Was There, and The Red Turtle.

Perfect for:

• My Neighbor Totoro, Studio Ghibli, and animation fans
• Collectors and journalers
• Anyone who loves Japanese art, stationery, and pop culture

Celebrate the captivating worlds of Japanese animation giant Studio Ghibli with volume 2 of the bestselling 100-collectible-postcards series.

This extensive collection showcases final frames from Studio Ghibli’s feature-length films, from Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind(1984) to The Boy and the Heron(2023). Housed in a luxe keepsake box, these full-color, gorgeously detailed images of beloved characters and iconic scenes are perfect for keeping or sending—and are sure to delight Studio Ghibli and animation fans of every age.

© 1984 Hayao Miyazaki/Studio Ghibli, H; © 1986 Hayao Miyazaki/Studio Ghibli; © 1988 Hayao Miyazaki/Studio Ghibli; © 1989 Eiko Kadono/Hayao Miyazaki/Studio Ghibli, N; © 1991 Hotaru Okamoto, Yuko Tone/Isao Takahata/Studio Ghibli, NH; © 1992 Hayao Miyazaki/Studio Ghibli, NN; © 1994 Isao Takahata/Studio Ghibli, NH; © 1995 Aoi Hiiragi, Shueisha/Hayao Miyazaki/Studio Ghibli, NH; © 1997 Hayao Miyazaki/Studio Ghibli, ND; © 1999 Hisaichi Ishii/Isao Takahata/Studio Ghibli, NHD; © 2001 Hayao Miyazaki/Studio Ghibli, NDDTM; © 2002 Aoi Hiiragi/Reiko Yoshida/Studio Ghibli, NDHMT; © 2004 Diana Wynne Jones/Hayao Miyazaki/Studio Ghibli, NDDMT; © 2006 Ursula K. Le Guin/Keiko Niwa/Studio Ghibli, NDHDMT; © 2008 Hayao Miyazaki/Studio Ghibli, NDHDMT; © 2010 Mary Norton/Keiko Niwa/Studio Ghibli, NDHDMTW; © 2011 Chizuru Takahashi, Tetsuro Sayama/Keiko Niwa/Studio Ghibli, NDHDMT; © 2013 Hayao Miyazaki/Studio Ghibli, NDHDMTK; © 2013 Isao Takahata, Riko Sakaguchi/Studio Ghibli, NDHDMTK; © 2014 Joan G. Robinson/Keiko Niwa/Studio Ghibli, NDHDMTK; © 2020 NHK, NEP, Studio Ghibli; © 2023 Hayao Miyazaki/Studio Ghibli

LUXE & COLLECTIBLE PACKAGE: This postcard set includes 100 different full-color images printed on quality cardstock, housed in a sturdy keepsake box with a lifting ribbon. Cards feature a range of key scenes and characters from the Studio’s feature-length films through 2023.

GREAT GIFT: Part of an officially licensed line with Japanese animation giant Studio Ghibli, these cards make a great gift or self-purchase for creatives, animation enthusiasts, collectors, and fans of Japanese art, stationery, and pop culture. Fans of Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli will love this unique collection of postcards, which are great to send to friends and are deluxe enough for any collector to keep and display.

MUST-HAVE COMPLEMENT TO VOLUME 1: This new edition includes a different selection of final frames from the films also included in Volume 1—plus all-new final frames from the latest two films from the Studio, Earwig and the Witch (2021) and The Boy and the Heron (2023).
 
BELOVED STUDIO WITH MASSIVE FAN BASE WORLDWIDE: The Ghibli Museum, Mitaka and Ghibli Park are popular destinations in Japan. The studio won the Academy Award® for Best Animated Feature for Spirited Away and The Boy and the Heron and earned Academy Award® nominations for Howl’s Moving Castle, The Wind Rises, The Tale of The Princess Kaguya, When Marnie Was There, and The Red Turtle.

PERFECT FOR: Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli fans of all ages; animation enthusiasts and collectors; artists and designers; fans of Japanese art, stationery, and pop culture; anyone looking for collectible, one-of-a-kind stationery.

This novelty plush embroidered journal features No Face, the mysterious spirit from the award-winning masterpiece Spirited Away from legendary animation studio Studio Ghibli in Japan.

With lined interiors and full-color artwork on the front and back pages, this collectible, irresistible notebook is sure to cast a spell on Studio Ghibli fans and animation lovers of all ages!

• DISTINCTIVE FORMAT: A plush-wrapped hardcover with embroidered details, full-color artwork on the front and back pages, plus 1-color spot illustrations throughout the lined interior.
• GREAT GIFT: Fans of Spirited Away, Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli will love this soft plush journal. A unique present for animation enthusiasts, collectors, and fans of Japanese art, stationery, and pop culture.
• BELOVED STUDIO WITH MASSIVE FAN BASE WORLDWIDE: Miyazaki is often called the "Walt Disney of Japan." The Ghibli Museum is a popular destination in Tokyo, seeing about 650,000 visitors a year. Six of Studio Ghibli's films received Academy Award® nominations in the United States.
• AWARD-WINNING FILM: Spirited Away has received universal critical acclaim, winning the Academy Award® for Best Animated Feature in 2003. Lauded as a masterpiece, the movie continues to appear on "best film" lists including in Rolling Stone, The New York Times, Time Out, and more.

• LUXE POSTCARD FORMAT: 30 different full-color images printed on quality cardstock and bound in a portfolio cover. Cards are easy to remove to send or frame. Features a range of key scenes and characters from the film!
• GREAT GIFT: Fans of Spirited Away, Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli will love this collection of postcards. A unique present for animation enthusiasts, collectors, and fans of Japanese art, stationery, and pop culture.
• BELOVED STUDIO WITH MASSIVE FAN BASE WORLDWIDE: Miyazaki is often called the "Walt Disney of Japan." The Ghibli Museum is a popular destination in Tokyo, seeing about 650,000 visitors a year. Six of Studio Ghibli's films received Academy Award® nominations in the United States.
• AWARD-WINNING FILM: Spirited Away has received universal critical acclaim, winning the Academy Award® for Best Animated Feature in 2003. Lauded as a masterpiece, the movie continues to appear on "best film" lists including in Rolling Stone, The New York Times, Time Out, and more.

• DISTINCTIVE AND LUXE FORMAT: Durable cloth-bound hardcover with foil stamping, full-color endsheets, and unlined/blank sketchbook pages. Measures 7 x 9 inches, 128 pages, 140 GSM wood-free FSC-certified paper, great for most art mediums, including pencils, pens, inks, pastels, markers, and more.
• LAY-FLAT BINDING: This sketchbook lays flat for ease of writing, sketching, and drawing.
• GREAT GIFT: Fans of Spirited Away, Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli will love this high-quality sketchbook. A unique present for creatives, animation enthusiasts, collectors, and fans of Japanese art, stationery, and pop culture.
• BELOVED STUDIO WITH MASSIVE FAN BASE WORLDWIDE: Miyazaki is often called the "Walt Disney of Japan." The Ghibli Museum is a popular destination in Tokyo, seeing about 650,000 visitors a year. Six of Studio Ghibli's films received Academy Award® nominations in the United States.
• AWARD-WINNING FILM: Spirited Away has received universal critical acclaim, winning the Academy Award® for Best Animated Feature in 2003. Lauded as a masterpiece, the movie continues to appear on "best film" lists including in Rolling Stone, The New York Times, Time Out, and more.

This paperback journal features beautiful, rarely seen concept art from Spirited Away, Studio Ghibli's award-winning film about a young girl's journey through a supernatural realm. With full-color artwork on the front and back covers, spot illustrations throughout, and four full spreads of concept art, it's perfect for capturing all your notes and bright ideas.

• GREAT FOR STUDIO GHIBLI FANS: This journal, part of a continuing official partnership with Japanese animation giant Studio Ghibli, captures the nostalgia and magic of the classic Ghibli film Spirited Away. It's a great gift or self-purchase for animation fans, collectors, artists, and anyone who loves cute Japanese art, stationery, and pop culture.
• OWN A PIECE OF THIS CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED FILM: Spirited Away is the highest-grossing film in Japan's history. It won the Academy Award® for Best Animated Feature, and has appeared on many critics' lists of the best films of all time.
• RARELY SEEN CONCEPT ART: The journal contains full-color spot illustrations throughout, as well as four full spreads of rare concept art from the film.
• DISTINCTIVE SCHOOL OR OFFICE SUPPLY: Bring some flair to your school or office supplies with this gorgeous journal.
• INCLUDES: Flexi-bound paperback journal, 5 x 7 inches, 192 lined pages, full-color illustrations throughout, ribbon page marker

A pioneer of the Art Nouveau movement, Gustav Klimt (1862–1918) was one of the most significant artists of modern times. To pay tribute to his daring artistic vision, we’ve reproduced Klimt’s Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I (1907), one of the most iconic paintings from his “golden phase.” During that period between 1901 to 1909, he painted groundbreaking pieces, destined to elicit instant recognition in both serious art lovers and those who simply have an appreciation for beautiful artifacts.

Klimt attended the Vienna School of Arts and Crafts where he trained as an architectural painter. As he painted interior murals and ceilings in public buildings, his technical ability endeared him to Vienna’s conservative haute society. But soon, his inner boundary-pushing style came through, causing too much of a stir for the culturally reactionary class who had initially welcomed him so openly. Three paintings he created for the University of Vienna were rejected – deemed “pornographic” – and so he took his talents elsewhere.

Klimt’s response to the scorn was to found the Vienna Secession, an avant-garde movement that treated art as a space for exploring possibilities rather than following the academic tradition. From then on, he was an artistic renegade contributing to the cultural fermentation of turn-of-the-century Vienna. He painted mostly portraits of the progressive society ladies who were his patrons. His works were often erotically charged, exotic, mystical representations, marking him as a Symbolist painter.

Klimt was firmly convinced that there should be no separation between so-called “low” and “high” forms of art. His canvasses were filled with organic forms reminiscent of the earlier Arts and Crafts movement as well as decorative patterns suggestive of Art Nouveau, both styles that were oriented towards this principle of universal art.

Although clearly unique to Klimt’s original style, his Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I, reproduced here, still fits within the currents of Art Nouveau and Symbolism. The rich patterns are an example of the former style, while the suggestive symbols, such as triangles, eggs and eyes, remind us that Klimt was receptive to the newest ideas circulating in Vienna’s salons – the “Meetups” and “TED Talks” of the early 20th century. The liberal amounts of gold leaf that he used to fill the background and depict the armchair and woman’s gown were inspired by Klimt’s fascination with traditional Japanese art and the look of Byzantine religious mosaics that he saw during his travels to Venice and Ravenna.

For all the ostentatious quality of the painting, this portrait of one of Klimt’s patrons is a beguiling image projecting the strength and sovereignty of Vienna’s society women. As a symbol of its vibrant time, it is an essential addition to the Paperblanks archive of artistic and cultural heritage.

New York Times bestselling authors Iris Johansen and Roy Johansen team up for another electrifying thriller that pits a serial killer against Kendra Michaels’ heightened powers of deduction.

 After scoring a plea deal in a high-profile murder trial, serial killer James Michael Barrett leads a grim parade of law enforcement officers to the body of his last victim. At the alleged burial site, the officers swing their shovels down and are met with a strange metallic sound they weren’t expecting. In a blink, a terrific explosion rocks the woods, killing Barrett and most of the officers instantly.
 The detonation is only the beginning of a shocking case for FBI consultant Kendra Michaels—a string of heinous murders in the style of the very-dead Barrett mysteriously continue, and it becomes clear that he may not have been working alone. As the crimes accelerate, Kendra reluctantly accepts help from college student Tricia Walton, the only survivor of Barrett’s attacks. But the killer has a terrifying plan that Kendra and her team are only beginning to understand.

Celebrate the art of Studio Ghibli, the beloved Japanese animation film studio, with this extensive collection of 100 full-color postcards showcasing final frames from all their feature-length films—from Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind (1984) to When Marnie Was There (2014).

Housed in a keepsake box with a lifting ribbon, these gorgeously detailed images will delight Studio Ghibli and animation fans of every age.

© 1984 Hayao Miyazaki/Studio Ghibli, H; © 1986 Hayao Miyazaki/Studio Ghibli; © 1988 Hayao Miyazaki/Studio Ghibli; © 1989 Eiko Kadono/Hayao Miyazaki/Studio Ghibli, N; © 1991 Hotaru Okamoto, Yuko Tone/Isao Takahata/Studio Ghibli, NH; © 1992 Hayao Miyazaki/Studio Ghibli, NN; © 1994 Isao Takahata/Studio Ghibli, NH; © 1995 Aoi Hiiragi, Shueisha/Hayao Miyazaki/Studio Ghibli, NH; © 1997 Hayao Miyazaki/Studio Ghibli, ND; © 1999 Hisaichi Ishii/Isao Takahata/Studio Ghibli, NHD; © 2001 Hayao Miyazaki/Studio Ghibli, NDDTM; © 2002 Aoi Hiiragi/Reiko Yoshida/Studio Ghibli, NDHMT; © 2004 Diana Wynne Jones/Hayao Miyazaki/Studio Ghibli, NDDMT; © 2006 Ursula K. Le Guin/Keiko Niwa/Studio Ghibli, NDHDMT; © 2008 Hayao Miyazaki/Studio Ghibli, NDHDMT; © 2010 Mary Norton/Keiko Niwa/Studio Ghibli, NDHDMTW; © 2011 Chizuru Takahashi, Tetsuro Sayama/Keiko Niwa/Studio Ghibli, NDHDMT; © 2013 Hayao Miyazaki/Studio Ghibli, NDHDMTK; © 2013 Isao Takahata, Riko Sakaguchi/Studio Ghibli, NDHDMTK; © 2014 Joan G. Robinson/Keiko Niwa/Studio Ghibli, NDHDMTK

LUXE & COLLECTIBLE PACKAGE: This postcard set includes 100 different full-color images printed on quality cardstock, housed in a sturdy keepsake box with a lifting ribbon. Cards feature a range of key scenes and characters from the Studio’s feature-length films through 2014.

PAIR WITH STUDIO GHIBLI 100 POSTCARDS, VOLUME 2: Each edition includes a different selection of final frames from the films that overlap both sets. Volume 2 also includes all-new final frames from the latest two films from the Studio, Earwig and the Witch (2021) and The Boy and the Heron (2023). Collect both to create a complete set.
 
BELOVED STUDIO WITH MASSIVE FAN BASE WORLDWIDE: Miyazaki is often called the "Walt Disney of Japan." Six of Studio Ghibli's films received Academy Award nominations in the United States. The Ghibli Museum and Ghibli Park are popular destinations in Japan.

GREAT GIFT: Part of an officially licensed line with Japanese animation giant Studio Ghibli, these cards make a great gift or self-purchase for creatives, animation enthusiasts, collectors, and fans of Japanese art, stationery, and pop culture. Fans of Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli will love this unique collection of postcards, which are great to send to friends and are deluxe enough for any collector to keep and display.
 
PERFECT FOR: Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli fans of all ages; animation enthusiasts and collectors; artists and designers; fans of Japanese art, stationery, and pop culture; anyone looking for collectible, one-of-a-kind stationery.

This gorgeous deluxe notebook features beloved characters from Studio Ghibli’s award-winning film Spirited Away.

With a cloth-bound, foil-stamped case, lined pages, and lay-flat binding, this notebook invites you to bring Hayao Miyazaki’s spirit world with you wherever you go! Perfect for writers, notetakers, collectors, and animation fans alike.

© 2001 Hayao Miyazaki/Studio Ghibli, NDDTM

DISTINCTIVE AND LUXE FORMAT: Durable cloth-bound hardcover with foil stamping, full-color endsheets, and lined pages. Measures 6 x 8 inches, 128 pages, 140 GSM woodfree FSC-certified paper—nicely sized for all types of work and for carrying along in a backpack or tote.

LAY-FLAT BINDING: This notebook lays flat for ease of writing.
 
GREAT GIFT: Part of an officially licensed line with Japanese animation giant Studio Ghibli, this notebook makes a great gift or self-purchase for writers, animation enthusiasts, collectors, and fans of Japanese art, stationery, and pop culture.
 
BELOVED STUDIO WITH MASSIVE FAN BASE WORLDWIDE: The Ghibli Museum, Mitaka and Ghibli Park are popular destinations in Japan. The studio won the Academy Award® for Best Animated Feature for Spirited Away and The Boy and the Heron and earned Academy Award® nominations for Howl’s Moving Castle, The Wind Rises, The Tale of The Princess Kaguya, When Marnie Was There, and The Red Turtle.

AWARD-WINNING FILM: Spirited Away has received universal critical acclaim, winning the Academy Award® for Best Animated Feature in 2003. Lauded as a masterpiece, the movie continues to appear on "best film" lists, including in Rolling Stone, The New York Times, Time Out, and more.

Perfect for:

• A great gift or self-purchase for Studio Ghibli and animation fans
• Perfect for collectors and journalers
• For anyone who loves cute Japanese art, stationery, and pop culture
• Pair with other Spirited Away merchandise, including Spirited Away Journal, Sketchbook, Pencils, Eraser Set, or Studio Ghibli 100 Collectible Postcards Volumes 1 and 2, to create an outstanding gift

Our Safavid Indigo design reproduces a leather filigree pattern incorporating handtooled motifs, retaining the elegance and style of the Islamic Golden Age even in our modern context. Originally released in a classic brown leather look, this new deep blue colour scheme pays tribute to the darkest tone of Persian Blue. This indigo hue was a popular colour used in the art and architecture of the artistic period.

Associated with this era of artistic excellence, Persian Safavid-style designs represented a high point in the art of the book. These bindings often feature centralized designs of medallions, quadrants, plant and animal motifs, pentagonal flap closures and elaborately decorated “doublures” (interior covers), along with exquisite creations in cut-out leather, coloured papers and gilding. Above all, symmetry is the hallmark of this style. The original binder of this particular design used reddish-brown goatskin, real gold, lacquer and paint to achieve balance in his creation.

Dating back to the 17th century, this artwork comes from the rich handicraft tradition that Shah Abbas the Great, the Fifth Shah of the Safavid Dynasty, inspired during what has become known as the Islamic Golden Age of Art (750 through the 16th century). He recognized the commercial benefits of promoting the arts and, thus, the crafts of tilework, pottery and textiles thrived. Illuminated manuscripts also became a flourishing industry and great attention was brought to the craft of bookbinding and design.

Though the rule of the Safavids came to an end in 1736, they left a great and lasting legacy by reviving and establishing Persia as both an economic and artistic stronghold. Amid the many jewels of this ancient period and culture, decorative bookbinding shines particularly bright and we are honoured to bring it back to everyday life in our Safavid series.

Our Safavid design portrays a leather filigree pattern incorporating handtooled motifs, retaining the elegance and style of the Islamic Golden Age even in our modern context.

Associated with this era of artistic excellence, Persian Safavid-style designs represented a high point in the art of the book. These bindings often feature centralized designs of medallions, quadrants, plant and animal motifs, pentagonal flap closures and elaborately decorated “doublures” (interior covers), along with exquisite creations in cut-out leather, coloured papers and gilding. Above all, symmetry is the hallmark of this style. The original binder of this particular design used reddish-brown goatskin, real gold, lacquer and paint to achieve balance in his creation.

Dating back to the 17th century, this artwork comes from the rich handicraft tradition that Shah Abbas the Great, the Fifth Shah of the Safavid Dynasty, inspired during what has become known as the Islamic Golden Age of Art (750 through the 16th century). He recognized the commercial benefits of promoting the arts and, thus, the crafts of tilework, pottery and textiles thrived. Illuminated manuscripts also became a flourishing industry and great attention was brought to the craft of bookbinding and design.

Though the rule of the Safavids came to an end in 1736, they left a great and lasting legacy by reviving and establishing Persia as both an economic and artistic stronghold. Amid the many jewels of this ancient period and culture, decorative bookbinding shines particularly bright and we are honoured to bring it back to everyday life in our Safavid series.

​From legendary animation house Studio Ghibli, this paperback journal celebrates the magnificent artistry behind Ponyo, a film about a friendship between a boy and a magical goldfish—and their adventures to stay together.

Complete with full-color artwork on the front and back covers, five interior spreads of concept art, and spot illustrations throughout, this journal is the perfect keepsake for Studio Ghibli fans and animation enthusiasts of all ages.  

GREAT FOR STUDIO GHIBLI FANS: Part of an ongoing official partnership with Japanese animation giant Studio Ghibli, this journal captures the nostalgia and magic of the beloved Ghibli film Ponyo. It's a great gift or self-purchase for animation fans, collectors, artists, and anyone who loves Japanese art, stationery, and pop culture.

RARELY-SEEN CONCEPT ART: The journal contains spot illustrations throughout, as well as five full-color spreads of rare concept art from the film.

DISTINCTIVE SCHOOL OR OFFICE SUPPLY: Bring some flair to your school or office supplies with this gorgeous journal.

ADD TO YOUR COLLECTION: Display your love for all things Studio Ghibli by collecting all the concept art journals!

INCLUDES: Flexi-bound paperback journal, 5 x 7 inches, 192 lined pages, full-color illustrations throughout, ribbon page marker.

© 2008 Hayao Miyazaki/Studio Ghibli, NDHDMT

Perfect for:

• Studio Ghibli and Miyazaki fans of all ages
• Animation enthusiasts and collectors 
• Artists and designers
• Fans of Japanese art, stationery, and pop culture 
• Those looking for collectible, one-of-a-kind stationery 
• Fans of Ponyo

The beauty of Chinese embroidery is exquisitely represented on our Blue Willow cover. The design reproduced here is taken from a panelled skirt called a mamianqun, or “horse face” skirt, a garment worn by Han Chinese women in the traditional dress style known as Hanfu. An ancient form of Chinese clothing, Hanfu dates back more than three millennia to the Song and Liao dynasties, when it became popular due to both its functionality and its aesthetic style.

Originating in the Qing Dynasty (1850–1900), the variation of mamianqun on our cover is called a langaqun, a style characterized by its sharp pleats, often trimmed in black. Shown here is an example made from delicate pale blue silk damask, embroidered in golden silk thread and edged with silk satin.

Hanfu style has shaped the traditional clothing of many cultures including the Korean hanbok and the Japanese kimono. The mamianqun in particular has undergone various changes throughout history, surviving multiple dynasties and going on to influence style in the Western world by finding its way into the pages of Vogue and onto fashionable British royalty.

The mamianqun represents an important aesthetic and cultural concept in the life history of Chinese women. The choice of colour, pattern, and ornamentation on the mamianqun reflected situational and social contexts and could communicate relationship standing during weddings, as well as the hierarchy between women in a household.

The construction of the mamianqun reflects its roots in practicality as well as style. Traditionally made for horse-riding, the unique overlapping of the garment allows for greater ease of movement when both riding and walking. The latter was particularly necessary for Chinese women who had bound feet and walked with small, shuffling steps. This delicate movement and the fall of the mamianqun’s pleats compelled Chinese poets to liken the effect to a “waving of the willow.”

Today this Blue Willow design can be found in the Victoria and Albert Museum’s East Asia collection. By reproducing this wonderfully intricate and vibrant embroidered traditional Chinese clothing, we hope to share a piece of the rich history of the Han Chinese and celebrate the depth of Hanfu’s aesthetic and cultural influence that endures to this day.

Andrew Lang (1844–1912) was a Scottish poet, novelist, literary critic and anthropologist, though he is best remembered as a collector of folk and fairy tales. Lang was greatly passionate about folklore, mythology and religion, and especially fascinated by mystical tales from other cultures.

It was this passion that led him to compile a collection of books known as Lang’s Fairy Books, which featured illustrations by Henry Justice Ford (1860–1941). Ford, a prolific and successful English artist and illustrator, captured the imagination of children around the world through his collaborations with not only Lang, but J.M. Barrie (Peter Pan), too.

Lang and Ford’s Fairy Books became a sensation among British schoolchildren and were sold internationally. Lang selected and edited 25 collections in total, beginning with the Blue Fairy Book in 1889 and ending with The Strange Story Book in 1913. Of those 25 books, 12 became a special series known as Andrew Lang’s Fairy Books of Many Colours, with each book named for the colour of the featured fairy.

Our Violet Fairy journal reproduces the front cover of Lang’s Violet Fairy Book. Published in 1901, his Violet Fairy Book includes stories such as “The Story of the Wonderful Beggars,” “The Lute Player” and “The Princess Who Was Hidden Underground.” The stories were gathered from places like Romania, Japan, Lithuania, Portugal and Russia. Here, Ford’s Violet Fairy illustration has a classical and timeless quality, perfect for a book that continues to be loved by young and old alike.

May the Violet Fairy bring a hint of vintage whimsy to your writings.

My Neighbor Totoro Journal showcases gorgeous concept art from Hayao Miyazaki's animated film My Neighbor Totoro.

This captivating notebook features full-color artwork on the front and back covers.

Additional spot illustrations from the Studio's beloved film are sprinkled throughout the journal.

• Features 4 full spreads of concept art
• A must for fans of Totoro
• Flexi-bound with a ribbon marker

This paperback journal provides note-taking inspiration for Studio Ghibli and Totoro fans of all ages.

• Perfect for Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli fans, collectors, animation enthusiasts, and fans of Japanese art, stationery, and pop culture
• A wonderful gift for art and design enthusiasts
• Great for those who loved My Neighbor Totoro: A Novel by Tsugiko Kubo and Hayao Miyazaki, The Art of My Neighbor Totoro: A Film by Hayao Miyazaki by Hayao Miyazaki, and My Neighbor Totoro Picture Book by Hayao Miyazaki

My Neighbor Totoro © 1988 Hayao Miyazaki/Studio Ghibli

Enter the enchanting world of legendary director Hayao Miyazaki's My Neighbor Totoro. Including 30 different hand-drawn final frames from the film, this collection of postcards (to keep or send) celebrates the beautiful art and story of Totoro. A true delight for Studio Ghibli and animation fans!

• Set of 30 postcards of illustration artwork from the Japanese movie My Neighbor Totoro
• From one of the most popular animated films from Japan ever made

Fans of The Art of My Neighbor Totoro and The Art of Spirited Away will love these postcards.

This postcard set is for:

• Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli fans of all ages
• Fans of Japanese art and anime
• Animation enthusiasts
• My Neighbor Totoro movie fans

My Neighbor Totoro (Tonari no Totoro) © 1988 Hayao Miyazaki/Studio Ghibli

William Morris (1834–1896) is one of the most renowned figures in the decorative arts. As a textile designer, he developed an original style that charmed his contemporaries and has since become a point of reference for all those interested in design and decoration. His creative approach was characterized by his pronounced views on what constitutes beauty and a firm belief in the essential value of art and handicraft. The Arts and Crafts movement, inspired by the ideals of Morris and the social theorist John Ruskin, had as much of an anti-industrial ideological component as it did an aesthetic teaching.

Studying Classics at Oxford University, Morris developed an interest in the history, social values and art of the Middle Ages. His appreciation of the medieval theme found its way into his designs, with patterns often replicating the “millefleurs” style of the 15th and 16th centuries. Characterized by an abundance of small decorative flowers and plants used to fill the background space, this style is most closely associated with the tapestry-making traditions of France and Belgium.

Morris was also an influential writer and staunch social activist and was aghast at the effect that industrialization was having on human productivity. New methods of production eroded the value of individual skill and a sense of accomplishment that came with the process of handiwork. He perceived medieval crafts guilds to be an ideal arrangement, where everyone contributed according to their own skill, and art and creation were a lived experience for both craftsmen and consumers. When he founded an interior design business together with a few like-minded associates, it followed the guild model and relied on traditional labour-intensive methods of production.

Ultimately, Morris believed that traditional crafts ensured higher-quality products, and so he made his furnishings using traditional weaving and the old technique of hand woodblock printing. For motifs, he looked to nature as his primary source of inspiration, which for him had an added element of defiance to the corrosive Industrial Revolution.

This Morris Pink Honeysuckle design, a reproduction of one of his printed cotton patterns, reflects his abiding interest in naturalism. Morris’ fabrics, like his wallpapers, were available in different colour schemes to match his clients’ personal decorative preferences. In the past we have reproduced a honeyed brown version of this Honeysuckle design and were so pleased to discover this pink and pastel variation.

William Morris (1834–1896) is one of the most renowned figures in the decorative arts. As a textile designer, he developed an original style that charmed his contemporaries and has since become a point of reference for all those interested in design and decoration. His creative approach was characterized by his pronounced views on what constitutes beauty and a firm belief in the essential value of art and handicraft. The Arts and Crafts movement, inspired by the ideals of Morris and the social theorist John Ruskin, had as much of an anti-industrial ideological component as it did an aesthetic teaching.

Studying Classics at Oxford University, Morris developed an interest in the history, social values and art of the Middle Ages. His appreciation of the medieval theme found its way into his designs, with patterns often replicating the “millefleurs” style of the 15th and 16th centuries. Characterized by an abundance of small decorative flowers and plants used to fill the background space, this style is most closely associated with the tapestry-making traditions of France and Belgium.

Morris was also an influential writer and staunch social activist and was aghast at the effect that industrialization was having on human productivity. New methods of production eroded the value of individual skill and a sense of accomplishment that came with the process of handiwork. He perceived medieval crafts guilds to be an ideal arrangement, where everyone contributed according to their own skill, and art and creation were a lived experience for both craftsmen and consumers. When he founded an interior design business together with a few like-minded associates, it followed the guild model and relied on traditional labour-intensive methods of production.

Ultimately, Morris believed that traditional crafts ensured higher-quality products, and so he made his furnishings using traditional weaving and the old technique of hand woodblock printing. For motifs, he looked to nature as his primary source of inspiration, which for him had an added element of defiance to the corrosive Industrial Revolution.

This Morris Pink Honeysuckle design, a reproduction of one of his printed cotton patterns, reflects his abiding interest in naturalism. Morris’ fabrics, like his wallpapers, were available in different colour schemes to match his clients’ personal decorative preferences. In the past we have reproduced a honeyed brown version of this Honeysuckle design and were so pleased to discover this pink and pastel variation.