The Vespiary Book Binding & Book Conservation

Hooo, it’s been a busy month, but we’ve finally topped out the workshed. Our contractor Anne told us about the ceremony of topping out, called richtfest in Germany, a traditional event that occurs when the framing of a building is complete.  Western Folklore has a long article that explores the various permutations of the ceremony through cultures and building traditions.

“Topping out” is the term used by ironworkers to indicate that the final piece of steel is being hoisted into place on a building, bridge, or other large structure. The project is not completed, but it has reached its maximum height. To commemorate this first milestone the final piece of iron is usually hoisted into place with a small evergreen tree (called a Christmas tree in the trade) and an American flag attached. The piece is usually painted white and signed by the ironworkers and visiting dignitaries.

We didn’t hoist an evergreen bough or flag, as is traditional, but we have instinctually been enscribing our names and little drawings of protective spirits along the way, which is one of the less common practices of topping out.

Below you’ll find links to photos of various stages over the course of the last month.

Set 1

Set 2