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New York Today: A Bookbinder’s Craft New York Today: A Bookbinder’s Craft
(35 minutes later)
Good morning on this lovely Thursday.Good morning on this lovely Thursday.
In the basement of the Congregation Sons of Moses synagogue on the Lower East Side, hulking iron machines rattle and clank amid rolls of colored paper and strips of dark leather.In the basement of the Congregation Sons of Moses synagogue on the Lower East Side, hulking iron machines rattle and clank amid rolls of colored paper and strips of dark leather.
There, a bookbinder practices a fading craft: stitching, slicing and pressing stacks of paper into books.There, a bookbinder practices a fading craft: stitching, slicing and pressing stacks of paper into books.
With the New York Antiquarian Book Fair starting today on the Upper East Side, we visited the Henry Bookbinding Company in Manhattan to see how books were made in our city’s past.With the New York Antiquarian Book Fair starting today on the Upper East Side, we visited the Henry Bookbinding Company in Manhattan to see how books were made in our city’s past.
Henry Alpert, 68, showed us around his workshop, where he has been binding books — including dissertations, Bibles and special edition books for artists — for 25 years.Henry Alpert, 68, showed us around his workshop, where he has been binding books — including dissertations, Bibles and special edition books for artists — for 25 years.
Books are squeezed together in large racks around the room. Clamps, hammers and what Mr. Alpert calls “the guillotine” (a paper trimmer) are scattered among buckets of glue, some of which are stuck in place.Books are squeezed together in large racks around the room. Clamps, hammers and what Mr. Alpert calls “the guillotine” (a paper trimmer) are scattered among buckets of glue, some of which are stuck in place.
Mr. Alpert is not a stickler for tidiness.Mr. Alpert is not a stickler for tidiness.
“This is bookbinding,” he said. “I’m not cutting diamonds.”“This is bookbinding,” he said. “I’m not cutting diamonds.”
When we visited, he was rebuilding an 1893 edition of “A Tour Around New York and My Summer Acre” by John Flavel Mines.When we visited, he was rebuilding an 1893 edition of “A Tour Around New York and My Summer Acre” by John Flavel Mines.
To make a book, he uses a collection of tools. One machine, which looks like a weaving loom, stitches spines onto stacks of papers. Another slices through paper with the press of a pedal.To make a book, he uses a collection of tools. One machine, which looks like a weaving loom, stitches spines onto stacks of papers. Another slices through paper with the press of a pedal.
The equipment has been around for more than 50 years, ever since one of Mr. Alpert’s relatives opened the business.The equipment has been around for more than 50 years, ever since one of Mr. Alpert’s relatives opened the business.
Creating a book takes about a day, but Mr. Alpert can make multiple books at a time. And he enjoys filling special requests, like creating a leather-bound tome with embossed gold lettering starting from a stack of loose papers. Creating a book takes about a day, but Mr. Alpert can work on more than one at a time. And he enjoys filling special requests, like turning a stack of loose papers into a leather-bound tome with embossed gold lettering.
“This is my world,” he said. “I take from nothing, and I make something.”“This is my world,” he said. “I take from nothing, and I make something.”
Here’s what else is happening:Here’s what else is happening:
Another week of wonky weather we’re having.Another week of wonky weather we’re having.
Today: sunglasses and spring pastels.Today: sunglasses and spring pastels.
Tomorrow: scarves and snowboots.Tomorrow: scarves and snowboots.
We’ll see sunshine and a high near 56 today, followed by a good chance of snow tomorrow. Temperatures are expected to flip-flop between the teens and 20s all weekend.We’ll see sunshine and a high near 56 today, followed by a good chance of snow tomorrow. Temperatures are expected to flip-flop between the teens and 20s all weekend.
Spring: Are we there yet? Not quite.Spring: Are we there yet? Not quite.
• As Mayor Bill de Blasio’s plan to address homelessness starts to take root in neighborhoods across the city, public scrutiny in Brooklyn illustrates the uphill battle. [New York Times] • As Mayor Bill de Blasio’s plan to address homelessness starts to take root in the city, public scrutiny in Brooklyn illustrates the uphill battle. [New York Times]
• Black and Latino students make up 68 percent of the city’s school system, but they received 10 percent of the offers from eight specialized, competitive high schools. [New York Times] • Black and Latino students make up 68 percent of the city’s school system, but they received 10 percent of the offers from eight competitive high schools. [New York Times]
• Two dozen people have been accused of bringing 200 guns to New York. [New York Times]• Two dozen people have been accused of bringing 200 guns to New York. [New York Times]
• More than a dozen women were arrested outside the Trump International Hotel and Tower on International Women’s Day. [DNAinfo]• More than a dozen women were arrested outside the Trump International Hotel and Tower on International Women’s Day. [DNAinfo]
• The career con man Jeremy Wilson, who has used more than two dozen aliases, has been convicted in an impersonation scheme. [New York Times]• The career con man Jeremy Wilson, who has used more than two dozen aliases, has been convicted in an impersonation scheme. [New York Times]
• Last year, the Bronx was left without one general-interest bookstore. Here’s what the new bookstore trying to come to the borough will need if it is to succeed. [DNAinfo]• Last year, the Bronx was left without one general-interest bookstore. Here’s what the new bookstore trying to come to the borough will need if it is to succeed. [DNAinfo]
• The Upper West Side community responds after anti-Semitic symbols and words appeared on the doors of the Fourth Universalist Society. [West Side Rag]• The Upper West Side community responds after anti-Semitic symbols and words appeared on the doors of the Fourth Universalist Society. [West Side Rag]
• And in case you missed it, here’s the story behind the “Fearless Girl” now staring down the “Charging Bull” on Wall Street. [New York Times] • And in case you missed it, here’s the story behind the “Fearless Girl” now staring down the “Charging Bull” near Wall Street. [New York Times]
• Today’s Metropolitan Diary: “A Nice Way to Start the Day”• Today’s Metropolitan Diary: “A Nice Way to Start the Day”
• Scoreboard: Hawks descend on Nets, 110-105. Bucks toss Knicks, 104-93.• Scoreboard: Hawks descend on Nets, 110-105. Bucks toss Knicks, 104-93.
• For a global look at what’s happening, see Your Thursday Briefing.• For a global look at what’s happening, see Your Thursday Briefing.
• Mr. de Blasio will meet with the elderly at the Mirage Diner in Brooklyn to discuss the proposed “mansion tax,” at 1:30 p.m. He’ll also host a town-hall meeting at P.S. 23 in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn at 7 p.m. • Mr. de Blasio will meet with older adults at the Mirage Diner in Brooklyn to discuss the proposed “mansion tax,” at 1:30 p.m. He’ll also host a town-hall meeting at P.S. 23 in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, at 7 p.m.
• Here are five shows to choose from this week, if you only have an hour. [Prices and times vary] • Have a free hour? Here are five shows to choose from this week. [Prices and times vary]
• Learn how to salsa and join a dance party at the Brooklyn Museum. 6 p.m. [$16]• Learn how to salsa and join a dance party at the Brooklyn Museum. 6 p.m. [$16]
• Celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Hell Gate Bridge with a discussion of its history — and cake — at the Greater Astoria Historical Society in Queens. 7 p.m. [Free]• Celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Hell Gate Bridge with a discussion of its history — and cake — at the Greater Astoria Historical Society in Queens. 7 p.m. [Free]
• A discussion with Frank Bruni, a New York Times columnist and co-author of the cookbook “A Meatloaf in Every Oven,” at Hill Country Barbecue Market in Midtown, 7 p.m. [Free, reservations required]• A discussion with Frank Bruni, a New York Times columnist and co-author of the cookbook “A Meatloaf in Every Oven,” at Hill Country Barbecue Market in Midtown, 7 p.m. [Free, reservations required]
• The Big East men’s basketball tournament continues at Madison Square Garden. [Prices and times vary]• The Big East men’s basketball tournament continues at Madison Square Garden. [Prices and times vary]
• Rangers at Hurricanes, 7 p.m. (MSG). Devils at Avalanche, 9 p.m. (MSG+). Islanders at Canucks, 10 p.m. (MSG).• Rangers at Hurricanes, 7 p.m. (MSG). Devils at Avalanche, 9 p.m. (MSG+). Islanders at Canucks, 10 p.m. (MSG).
• For more events, see The New York Times’s Arts & Entertainment guide.• For more events, see The New York Times’s Arts & Entertainment guide.
• Subway and PATH• Subway and PATH
• Railroads: L.I.R.R., Metro-North, N.J. Transit, Amtrak• Railroads: L.I.R.R., Metro-North, N.J. Transit, Amtrak
• Roads: Check traffic map or radio report on the 1s or the 8s.• Roads: Check traffic map or radio report on the 1s or the 8s.
• Alternate-side parking: in effect until Sunday.• Alternate-side parking: in effect until Sunday.
• Ferries: Staten Island Ferry, New York Waterway, East River Ferry• Ferries: Staten Island Ferry, New York Waterway, East River Ferry
• Airports: La Guardia, J.F.K., Newark• Airports: La Guardia, J.F.K., Newark
Twenty years ago today, Christopher G. Wallace, also known as the rapper Notorious B.I.G., was gunned down in a drive-by shooting in Los Angeles. He was 24.Twenty years ago today, Christopher G. Wallace, also known as the rapper Notorious B.I.G., was gunned down in a drive-by shooting in Los Angeles. He was 24.
His killing, like that of the rapper Tupac Shakur who died about six months earlier in a drive-by, remains unsolved. His killing remains unsolved, as does that of the rapper Tupac Shakur about six months earlier in another drive-by.
Mr. Wallace, who grew up in a townhouse in Bedford-Stuyvesant on St. James Place, often rapped about selling drugs in the Brooklyn neighborhood. His debut album, “Ready to Die,” offered “perhaps the most balanced and honest portrait of the dealer’s life of any in hip-hop,” The Times wrote in 1994. Mr. Wallace, who grew up in a townhouse on St. James Place in Bedford-Stuyvesant, often rapped about selling drugs in the Brooklyn neighborhood. His debut album, “Ready to Die,” offered “perhaps the most balanced and honest portrait of the dealer’s life of any in hip-hop,” The Times wrote in 1994.
This weekend, a three-day art show in Bedford-Stuyvesant will mark the anniversary of Mr. Wallace’s death.This weekend, a three-day art show in Bedford-Stuyvesant will mark the anniversary of Mr. Wallace’s death.
The event will feature local artists, an auction and a film about New York rappers.The event will feature local artists, an auction and a film about New York rappers.
It kicks off Friday at 6 p.m. at the Bishop Gallery at 916 Bedford Avenue.It kicks off Friday at 6 p.m. at the Bishop Gallery at 916 Bedford Avenue.
New York Today is a weekday roundup that stays live from 6 a.m. till late morning. You can receive it via email.New York Today is a weekday roundup that stays live from 6 a.m. till late morning. You can receive it via email.
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What would you like to see here to start your day? Post a comment, email us at nytoday@nytimes.com, or reach us via Twitter using #NYToday.What would you like to see here to start your day? Post a comment, email us at nytoday@nytimes.com, or reach us via Twitter using #NYToday.
Follow the New York Today columnists, Alexandra Levine and Jonathan Wolfe, on Twitter.Follow the New York Today columnists, Alexandra Levine and Jonathan Wolfe, on Twitter.
You can find the latest New York Today at nytoday.com.You can find the latest New York Today at nytoday.com.