Our Story.
All about us, our quality & heritage.
Bookbinding has been part of our heritage since Frederick Farrant established Nottingham-based FF Allsopp in 1901. And with associate company Sisson & Parker; the business became one of the largest school exercise book suppliers in the city and county of Nottinghamshire. We are very proud of our heritage and our family values including our meticulous attention to detail and concern for high standards of customer care. We believe each one of our clients is as individual as our custom made products and with more than a century of handcrafting behind us, we know how to create quality books and photo albums that are made to last.
Our skilled bookbinders & finishers have over 750 years of experience between them....
A truly bespoke service
We offer a range of professional high-quality and beautifully handcrafted photograph albums
We take great pride in offering a truly bespoke service with every album and guest book handmade to order. Crafted from the finest materials, our photo albums are made with archival quality paper and include acid-free glassine dividers to protect and preserve your precious memories. With our well-established reputation for excellence we will help you create family keepsakes to treasure down the generations.
Visit our online store for our handmade photo albums & guest books→
The art of bookbinding
At The Bespoke Album Company we are proud of all our craftsmen and women who are carrying on the great tradition of handcrafted bookbinding. Read our profile of artisan binder Gary Orange who tells us why he thinks you can judge a book by its cover.
PROFILE: Artisan binder Gary Orange
Our artisan binder Gary has more than 40 years’ experience having completed an intensive five-year apprenticeship back in the 1970s. This saw him working in the bindery, and attending college and night school, as well as weeks at a time studying in Leicester. With a period of education longer than many degree courses you can see why Gary is now at the top of his tradecraft.
-
There isn’t anything that Gary can’t turn his hand to in the bindery whether its frame-sewing book leaves together or getting the pressure right on the vintage presses to bind the covers. Gary explains:
“I love what I do and the best part is making one-off books and albums. The really special thing about them is that you know that every single one is going to be slightly different, there’s never going to be another exactly the same.“
Have an idea for something unique & bespoke? We’ll help create something to treasure - talk to us→
"I learned the basics right away. It was drummed into us from day one to keep everything spotlessly clean, including our hands. I was taught that top-notch quality was the only standard and I believe that taking pride in your work always pays off. I can’t work any other way.”
“Handcrafted is always going to be better quality than machine made, I can always tell the difference…I think you can judge a book by it’s cover.”
GARY ORANGE - ARTISAN BINDER
Witness a little piece of history...
By watching one of our artisan bookbinders personalising the cover of a luxury leather wedding album using the hot foil blocking process. Why not watch our video of Gary at work carrying on the great tradition of hand binding and finishing a clamshell presentation box for one of our luxury leather wedding albums.
10% off when you sign up→
Living History
Keeping precious memories alive is at the heart of what we do at the Bespoke Album Company.
We are so proud of our heritage that we wanted to share it with you by naming our photograph albums after key figures and locations in our history.
The Reuben
Named after deliveryman Reuben Clarke, a lifelong loyal employee of FF Allsopp who joined the firm in 1915 aged just 13. Reuben left us his wonderful hand-written memoirs of working at the Granby Street factory. Here is a touching extract of his first day at work, ‘I remember being a bit weak at the knees as I went up the stone stairs to a door marked ‘enquiries’. I was rather a small boy and my head was only just above the counter.’
The Allsopp
Named after company founder Frederick Farrant Allsopp in recognition that FF Allsopp is where our bindery began and still makes beautiful books today. Walter Samuel Sisson and Joseph Parker joined Frederick in 1903 to expand the business beyond stationery. They steered the company through difficult times during the First World War that saw Frederick working by night at the Chilwell Ordnance Factory as part of the war effort.
The Loach
In 1944 FF Allsopp saw John Loach join the firm. John progressed to become the company’s managing director with his son Bob keeping up the family tradition by following in his footsteps. Over many decades both father and son steered the firm through major changes and developments in the industry whilst growing its reputation for reliability and excellence.
The Granby
The Granby commemorates FF Allsopps 1904 expansion and move from 166 Alfreton Road to Granby Street in Nottingham, the factory purchased for just £4,160 in 1919. This remained the bindery’s home until 1961 when the street was demolished to accommodate the widening of Maid Marian Way.
The Gisbourne
In 1917 FF Allsopp became an incorporated company, Walter Samuel Sisson & Joseph Parker were invited to become directors and joint owners of FF Allsopp. They also owned the Sisson & Parker bookshop on Wheelergate, Nottingham in the 1960s and 70s. The late 1920s saw Gerald Gisborne - nephew of Walter Samuel Sisson join the firm, becoming managing director in 1944. Gerald lived to the grand age of 101, passing away in October 2013.
Shop our range of handmade photo albums & guest books→
This album is absolutely gorgeous. I searched high and low to find something brand new with handmade, classic appeal.
C. Wiseman - Nashville USA.
-
The guestbook arrived and I'd just like to say thank you very much. It is exactly what we had in mind. Such lovely quality. We're really happy with it and can't wait to use it at our wedding. Great service too - lovely staff. My questions were answered promptly and the service was extremely professional. Thanks so much.
Tracy Marsano - NSW Australia
-
I was thrilled with the service and prompt arrival of the two classic albums that I ordered. They are even lovelier in the flesh. Thank you for the way they were beautifully wrapped and arrived safely in Australia within a week.
Jane L - New South Wales, Australia
-
Recently purchased the linen cloth gust book in ivory. It was delivered to me in Australia so quickly and it is beautiful and elegant. Exactly what I wanted for our wedding. The linen cloth is a great texture and the personalised touch is a fantastic addition. The quality of the paper looks great and feels fantastic. Would definitely reccommend to anyone and will be purchasing again for future events.
Rachel Clark - South Australia