Raw Craft with Anthony Bourdain - Episode Five: Arion Press

Anthony Bourdain & The Balvenie head to San Francisco, California to meet with Andrew Hoyem, master typographer and printer of Arion Press. One of the last of its kind, Arion Press has only a handful of members on its staff, all fellow craftsmen dedicated to this age old process. Each works meticulously to create the books in multiple parts, from the typecasters, to the proofreaders, to the printers and the bookbinders. All of these hands build a work of art through a process that must be seen to be believed, and can only, truly, be described as magic. Episode directed by filmmaker Rob Meyer.
The Balvenie Distillery alliance with craft is a result of the brand’s choice to embrace the old way. Balvenie is dedicated to the process of using the five rare crafts of Scotch whisky making to create The Balvenie’s distinctive taste and exceptional quality. It is the only distillery that still grows its own barley, malts in its own traditional malting floor, employs coopers to tend every cask, a coppersmith to maintain the stills and a malt master to ensure the resulting spirit is consistently excellent.
Warehouse 24 offers its members access to exclusive events, early notice of new product releases and insight & knowledge from The Balvenie’s team of craftsmen. Join here: us.thebalvenie.com/warehouse2....
All parties must be 21+ to follow, like or share. The Balvenie Single Malt Scotch Whisky ©2015 Imported by William Grant & Sons, Inc. New York, NY.

[@markcatanzaro9699]

When we lost Anthony Bourdain, we lost a national treasure! This man's appreciation for all forms of art was without equal. I'm still sad at the loss and its been years...

[@bensigl3766]

It's the same for me, and I cant think of any other "celebrity" that would elicit that. It's one of the few emotions I have that I truly dont understand.

[@apachedisco]

As a book maker(binding) This video made me happier than a puppy seeing snow the first time.

[@JR-yd6ug]

Anthony said he is sharp around the edges yet his storytelling and programmes were beautiful . I miss him.

[@UnclePG]

man this episode brought unexplainable emotions for me...perhaps because of the sheer beauty of the craft of book making

[@SuperPussyFinger]

The world needed Anthony Bourdain, and still does, now more than ever.

[@SuperPussyFinger]

@Chicano Seneca - Hardly. He was one of the last reasonable voices in journalism.

[@yzwme586]

Whoever can make a machine like that is a fucking genius. I looked at it and my mind was shattered that someone could put that together and have it function.

[@grnbn]

I found a book, in an abandoned house, when I was 13 years old. I later deciphered the roman numerals, and discovered that it was printed in 1715. I still have it. It has copper plate etchings, water damage, and even margin notes, in latin.

[@shaonicolas7255]

you discovered a treasure

[@christophedobbels8877]

Could be of serious value. Why not let it get checked?

[@TheJusnic82]

I like any show by Anthony Bourdain love his style

[@yusenye3075]

as a mechanical engineer, this is absolutely amazing

[@jenniferkleine4713]

The world needs more books! I love this series.

[@MrSanteeclaus]

jennifer kleine and story tellers like Anthony Bourdain

[@Stringman1950]

Love this. RIP, Mr. Bourdain. You are missed. Lovely video.

[@jakkiyk4484]

This show is beautiful. I am in love with Raw Craft.

[@raufshamsuddin4063]

This was beautiful. Miss you man

[@TheJusnic82]

I cant bring myself to use an e reader or read books on my tablet...I need a book. I need the nostalgia of it and the feeling of it between my hands. Some things technology just cannot replace and a well made book is one of them.

[@buddy8412]

This is beautiful. In dutch these professions are called nijverheid, which literally translates to industry. But with nijverheid there's a part in the word, nijver which tells you you are humbled from working by hand. We should have more of this please

[@rosesnewbeginning3547]

Vakmanschap is meesterschap i would say!

[@terrywbreedlove]

RIP Anthony we miss you already

[@jrew3569]

Terry Breedlove you gonna keep commenting this until you die too? Why do people feel the need to comment on a video that has nothing to do with his death. I’m sick of seeing RIP on every damn video the mans in. Move on with your life, we all miss him.

[@jeray16042]

How am I such a fan of Bourdain but I never knew this show existed

[@soonyanaidu7875]

I worked in my father's printing press. I could hand compose and also use a treadle. The smell of inks, the creation of new colours and the sounds, I vividly remember. There was this old gentleman exceptionally diligent proof reader, good at English and Telugu. Our senior Telugu composer would even correct spelling errors of an amateur writers while composing 😊. The composing with each letter, on a galley it was fascinating. We had binding too, and a process called compositing where the forms (folded sheet 4 or times) and putting them together before binding. The smell of fresh paper was better than scotch.

[@nakamakai5553]

This series is FABULOUS. This is like Jimmy Diresta scattered across a myriad art forms, skills, crafts, and hidden gems. Wonderful!

[@MrEazyE357]

This is absolutely beautiful. There are few things on Earth that I respect more than books and authors.

[@tompugh730]

To go to a place and time where quality is everything, what a special moment. Wish there was more of them, and more people who truly appreciated what it is. Thanks for this very special series.

[@andrewlloyd1198]

Andrew Hoyem was an apprentice of my grandfather's. It's great to see the appreciation for this craft carry forward.

[@christopherspringmann]

It's magic, I agree with Mr. Bourdain. The music is so perfect, low-key but very present. Such extraordinary work, creativity and dedication to quality. I feel blessed to share this moment with a great team and Mr. Bourdain. What a privilege!

[@akuskis]

Wonderful! - a joy to watch, and topped of with launching a beautifully hand-crafted edition of Don Quixote with a wee dram of one of The Balvenie, one of my favourite scotches.

[@hero2006]

Wow, respect. I'll never look at a book the same again. Thank you for sharing.

[@amarbaha]

I love this episode and their craft. True skill and love is required. There is NOTHING like holding a book and opening it.

[@stevensedit]

Can't stop watching this series. Beautiful.

[@gregbrightwell662]

I know.. I flippin know.

[@alexhuxley4399]

I used to love going to press approvals back in the day. The smell of printers ink and the craftsmanship it took to operate a press. Varnishes, foil stamping and embossing. Now typography is an afterthought.

[@wayneduff3699]

What a fantastic series with a very genuine man. RIP Tony.

[@mediumstudio]

"Smells good too ...' - yes - print shop smell is the best!

[@AMPcreativemedia]

This series is excellent. Thank you

[@TheEndamasta]

This "Art Form" needs to be revived. Truly amazing.

[@QuiChiYang2]

This was 1 of my favorite as a teen I got a job at a book factory stacking books. My personal library is vast. Watching Anthony Bourdain in this explaining his love of books & cooking utensils connected my soul. I miss that man.

[@bjoernlubetzki]

I got goosebumps, as they read parts of the books aloud.

[@Daveyjokes]

This is without a doubt the most beautiful 10 minutes and 42 seconds of KZbin that has ever, and likely will ever be uploaded.

[@danielelkadi3499]

However made the soundtrack is purely genius! it made me feel all the emotions together! fascinating!

[@tenkerr]

I truly loved how much respect each of these episodes gives to each craft, and I hope that there will be more episodes in the future.

[@robbie3068]

I smiled so much to the point of tears watching this. I only wish this was longer!

[@vitasbutkoon]

This is Simply Amazing. New found respect for this Art

[@chetrok1]

Keep this alive,, so much resect, books have soul, I adore this art

[@bonniehughes5688]

How wonderful to see all the steps of bookmaking. Thank you Andrew and Diana. Hope to see you soon.

[@MrJohnylompoc]

I love old books and classics, I read on a computer and I do not remember what I have just read. I open a book and they type becomes cemented in my minds eye. I love this series and miss Mr. Bourdain and his unique outlook on things. Sad he could not still be with us.

[@sonocide6]

Doesn't matter what time of day it is, all of these damn videos make me want to drink whiskey immediately after watching. Mission accomplished.

[@yujishinohara1uponatime]

The internet seems chaotic frenetic fractal in your face scream therapy vs books zen like soothing analog. An in hand page flipping visceral clash where east meets west, stories meets wood pulp to create magic which wisk you away to another world..Really happy to have stumbled upon the Raw Craft series which are internet jewels, thx Anthony!

[@AlanHope2013]

Slightly ironic that you're getting all romantic and nostalgic about something you found on video on the internet. Had it not been for a digital online delivery, you'd have been none the wiser.

[@apachedisco]

Tony B. An amazing life. I can't wait for the movie.

[@dippiddydoda417]

What a beautiful episode! Thank you!

[@josedacunhafilho]

I love that the expressions "uppercase" amd "lowercase" came from typsetting shops because the cases on the upper part of the shelves contain the set of capital letters, and the cases down lower contain the so called miniscule letters

[@TheJDS2041]

I love how Mr. Bourdain approaches all of his projects! The writing the music the tone! Brilliant!

[@acesul8811]

+Josh Sammy Well of course. Don't forget that this whole series is basically an advertisement. There's an entire marketing company for Balvenie behind this trying to get people to associate craftmanship with their shitty booze. Anthony Bourdain is just a hired hand in this venture. Balvenie is an old man's drink, but those old men are dying out. This web series is trying to recruit a whole new generation of drinkers. While a book printing company makes its best customers wiser and more knowledgeable in worldly matters a booze manufacturer is killing their best customers. Balvenie are trying to tap into the youtube generation to replace the generation that their product has been slowly killing.

[@TheJDS2041]

+Ace Sul I am not sure how my comment which relates to Anthony Bourdains production style has anything to do with the sponsor of the show, the products ability to kill its users and how it is recruiting a new generation of drinkers. I looked at all the episodes of this show and never once felt the need to drink, obviously it is put in your face, it's the order of any of media today . Last time I checked I make my own decisions and no product has ever forced me to use it.

[@acesul8811]

+Josh Sammy Since when does advertising force you to use a product, dummy? The point is they spent all this money to create brand awareness. They didn't do it to impress some random youtubers with their production style. By casting as big a net as possible they'll catch plenty of fish. Maybe not you because nobody tied you down and forced you to buy the product, but then that's not the aim of marketing. The point of marketing is to create the illusion of something positive in the hope that they can convert as many people into customers as possible. The future is a long time, and there's plenty of time for the imagery in this production to sink in and influence your purchasing decisions.

[@TheJDS2041]

+Ace Sul The way I see it you are on some sort of "anti" agenda, whether it is anti Balvenie or anti alcohol I don't know however feel free to share. I feel it was unnecessary for you to call me "dummy" seeing as you were the one who expressly stated that this company is using the KZbin medium as a smokescreen to ensnare future drinkers. My rebuttal was simply that while this is definitely the case (because that is the reason you are sponsoring the show) the onus is still on the consumer, hence the product is not forcing itself on you. Now that being said none of this has anything to do with my comment. My comment was showing my appreciation of the production style Anthony Bourdain uses across all of his work from my first viewing of No Reservations on the Travel Channel to this 12 minute KZbin short. Feel free to create your own comment sharing your apparent begrudged feelings, where the point you are trying to make can be properly appreciated.

[@JoeGomez1]

+Ace Sul I JUST enjoyed the Video showing a Craft which is slowly going away I appreciate such things ,Old School things, Film Cameras , Vinyl Records and if it takes Balvenie to sponsor these videos so what , and no this video does not make me want to have a drink : Maybe a couple of good tokes , Peace Out .

[@JanetteHeffernan]

I worked for time for Peter Goodwin who was one of the last journeyman bookbinders. He had a 7 year apprenticeship and 64 years in the craft. In 2007 I filmed him and edited it on iMovie 2 as I knew that his craft would soon be lost. This became a DVD series that sold on Amazon but now sadly DVDs have gone the same way as printed books. I could not stream it because it need audio subtitles. You can watch Peter gluing a book the traditional way here on KZbin. There is a knack to this and a special brush called a Turks head. You sort of stab at it! Makes a wonderful sound. I miss it! No book defeated him and he looked after the wonderful First Folio editions of Shakespeare held by the Auckland City Libraries which has all the editions. For my video the Librarian put out all five in a row. It was a memorable moment. I am so lucky as I can bind books to this standard but to do this properly one needs the equipment which I no longer have and the know how. Now this type of book other than for restoration is not needed because of Brittle Book Syndrome and acid paper.

[@PatriciaJimenez-td6ee]

Cool! I love watching this! Thanks for sharing this knowledge and craft process! Wonderful!

[@warofages4498]

Seeing all these episodes this is the only one we’re u truly see his love for a raw craft as much Ashe loves cooking

[@tooljunkie555]

that process is really amazing! i ts hard to believe this is how it was done for 100s of yrs! now thats what I x call hand crafted.

[@arielsolomon5645]

The funny thing is, THIS is automation, not hand crafting. That machine is 100 years old and it's design comes straight out of the industrial revolution. It's high quality workmanship no doubt, but it's not spending years hand writing a single bible.

[@ritajohnson2208]

It wasn't done exactly like this for hundreds of years. The wonderful machinery is "only" about 100 years old. Before then it was even *more* hand-crafted! But the sewing and binding techniques are ancient. Gorgeous.

[@leslielivingonabudget2840]

As a book lover I got emotional watching this. Always favored books over e-books

[@MrSanteeclaus]

As a young high school student- type setting and casting was taught to boys in the vocational classes. I loved working in those classes. My old man thought I was stupid talking about pursuing that interest. These days he maybe right. Not then though. This shop is amazing. I love the way Bourdain tells a story. It is too bad he had so many demons. RIP

[@Gady]

This series is incredible. Congrats!

[@daviswendye]

Dang bet that shop smells like heaven. I hoped for ASMR but fell asleep regardless.

[@TLip1980]

Truly beautiful work!!!!

[@ronaldneehao9723]

Thanks for the great video take care everyone big love from New Zealand

[@ewbeyer1104]

Beautiful process and art!

[@paulocontente9993]

Another awesome video,please carry on.

[@gabbar51ngh]

yhis show is good will binge watch some day

[@johnroystonlawrence4553]

Wonderful crafts and wonderful talented people.

[@julesmpc1314]

this men was a true modern gentlemen!!!

[@RedSpiralHandTV]

I was the first female (at 17 years old) to run the big bindery equipment at the print shop I worked for (in the 1970s.) I LOVED working with paper and ink and as a graphic designer later on really fell in love with cotton papers and hand bound volumes... This stuff is amazing and btw, people would laugh because I always stop and smell the paper and ink and binding with such books.... Laugh but I can tell a lot about a book or any printed matter by sniffing it!

[@camdendrive1672]

books are alive and your the voice

[@cnl1213]

As beautiful as this typesetting/bookmaking process is, the cinematography needed to be just as good to do the process justice. I can see their precision and detail and care the put into putting this piece together. Thank you for sharing. *toasts*

[@CesarSilva-dk8ct]

wow!!!!! Beautiful

[@samplerstitcher]

There is nothing like a hand bound book...it stands up to a lot of use. Particularly for reference books.

[@danielc3453]

I think that there will always be books there just won't always be billions of books.

[@pamhull6335]

Brilliant !

[@NicCageForPresident2024]

As somebody that is work years is e aerospace Machinist, what's my first job being that I work in the Press Room at a newspaper at the end of the nineties and beginning of 2000, I love things that are done the old way and the newspaper company I work for went out of business shortly into the 2,000s because of the internet and that was even before smartphones. All these young people don't realize how good they have it compared to how much work it took to make things happen back in the day

[@Darltornjacket]

I learned this when I was an industrial printing major in the early 1970. I have always loved it I became very allergic to all the solvents my senior year. So I couldn’t go on

[@aaronposcovsky2385]

Every good video. The digital world can be fast, and CHEAP, but will NEVER have the craftsmanship of real printing!

[@namelesswarrior4760]

How come this show has never made it on to Australian tv when the man was still alive!

[@lilliankunz7346]

Most interesting! For the Magic! About printing on machines 100 years old!

[@thomasburke7995]

The printing press standardized the way humans ingested information... it was books that were able to allow humans to carry ideas and thoughts thru regions and countries and classes and generations... this is probably the most important episode of this series.. electrons only last seconds...books last for generations

[@markd1810]

Went on line to see what these awesome books cost....the thin books start at around 500. They had a scroll book it was 2500. Pricy for sure however these are some of, if not, the best books ever made and will last many life times which is the idea you are paying for. Amazing

[@mkivy]

This may have been Anthony’s new endeavor. I think- he was tired of eating. Now he could view all the things he may have been so interested in and bringing back old world crafts. I had my fathers “1944, 82nd Airborne “ annual and I had it redrafted bc the spine had disintegrated and so a business in NY replaced the spine and made a 80+ year old leather bound book, look new...

[@johnlasley9384]

My most memorable was a weekend camping with a female friend at at the night amongst the camp fire as we read Into The Wild to one another . The Mose romantic experience a soul can experience.

[@SandraNelson063]

These people should be honoured as gods! Our civilization rests on a foundation of books.

[@shaunpearson7905]

I was going to complain about how expensive Arion books are. Coincidentally I encountered their website while perusing a Folio Society fan forum just a day ago and found this video watching a Bourdain food show not looking for Arion; anyway, back on track: I won't complain now after seeing this. You're clearly buying a handmade work of art that also carries within its body a work of literature or a thing of beauty. Still, the prices, wow! haha

[@jasymann4826]

Good episode

[@xman870096]

There is something about the tactile feel of an old school well made book, it speaks to you before you even open it to the first page, it tells me that the words contained inside are worthy of being read....As for the art that it takes to produce said book, the vast majority of people today don't know or have forgotten what the printing press has done for mankind. It made it possible for the masses to LEARN!!....Way back when the printing of books was in it's infancy; they were printed by hand, one at a time, making a book a very valuable thing, both in the information it contained and the price of the book it's self; at that time only the very wealthy could afford a book, any book. The printing press changed that and allowed books to be mass produced and made it where more and more people could afford to buy a book. Thusly spreading knowledge and taking us from knuckle dragging, shit flinging Troglodytes to the fine upstanding citizens most of us are today....Technology is great, most of it does what it does very well; and in today's society it has become essential for the production of just about anything. But 'old school' still has it's place, and being a bit of a 'dinosaur' myself; I still love and respect 'old school'........

[@CoachCabrera]

The powerful Anthony Bourdain

[@TheJusnic82]

Balvenie whisky good choice Mr. Bourdain good choice indeed.

[@Herodollus]

Its always gonna be so sad to see anthony bourdain now

[@timothystrampp7131]

@Sheridan Isashitstain well said Sheridan!

[@machtschnell7452]

Yet joyfully recharged and aesthetically fulfilled, also.

[@dholtzjr1]

I feel sad too, but I love to hear his voice and see his face

[@davidweston9115]

my dad used to do this work. I was so amazed when he used to describe to me how it was done. I wish I could have understanded it exactly. Hes gone now.

[@TheMorganMonroeShow]

It’s good. Indeed

[@73BigMC]

Great TV, I feel like saying 'shut up and take my money' but I like the Balvenie anyway and have been drinking it for 20 years.

[@tj-kv6vr]

Yes you are sir!

[@ghod666]

Its funny how at the end of each episode he pours a shot of whiskey for the people they are filming. You can see the cringe from the ones that don't drink lol. Subtle yet perfect product placement. Thumbs up!......Cheers!!

[@wendybabendy]

+Oz M. Well, they are paying for the episode... They don't HAVE to be involved if they don't like it.

[@metahz2491]

magnificent

[@gaslitworldf.melissab2897]

I can completely related to Bourdain's feeling about how seductive a book is: smell, tactile qualities, appearance, font chosen, etc. We curl up with a good book by a fire and even though I can hold a kindle just the same way, due to small size, I won't have the material experience one gets with a book and don't forget that space where you might see the words: Ex Libris, inviting you to make your mark of ownership. Ah yes. Mr. Bourdain, you could have kept doing this show and I think you would have been a much happier man, feeling that passion from artists to artists. Long live the memory of Tony Bourdain, who had a soft spot he kept hidden from most of us.

[@harmandros]

Congratulations.

[@BenRangel]

Most of the time I get the unique beauty that comes from handcrafting. When it comes to books... not so much. This just seems like a more mechanical and cumbersome way, not better, more charming or even that unique. (It's not like you want your pages to have unique marks or anything, like you would on a piece of handcrafted wood or leather)

[@VC-Toronto]

I'm assuming the "type" gets re-melted after use to be used again?

[@RCallahan592]

They do this at Greenfield Villag. It's a historical exhibit though...

[@add1cc]

This is what grandparents and our ancestors did it..... and got there books...

[@raymundnieves5589]

Me gustó mucho! Pero a la ves me da mucha tristeza!

[@phillipsmom6252]

Reminds me of the movie, “ Book of Eli” they used this method to print the Bible.