About Blanks Notebook from an Old Book Cover | Medium | no.2

About Blanks makes notebooks out of the cover of an old book. The text block is taken out and the cover is refilled with blank sketch paper. An old book that would otherwise be thrown away is reused and given a new purpose. Because every cover comes from a different book, there is only one of this copy — in size as well: this one measures 21 by 13 centimetres and is 2 cm thick.

The cover of this copy is grey cardboard with a small publisher's device on the front: Nimmer Dralend, the motto of the publisher Nijgh & Van Ditmar — founded in Rotterdam in 1837, the same city About Blanks works from today. The spine reads De goede moordenaar by Antoon Coolen, the Dutch novelist best known for Dorp aan de rivier.

From an old book to a new notebook

Old books nobody reads any more are taken apart: the text block comes out, the cover stays. It is rebound with blank sketch paper in a light cream shade, from responsible sources (FSC). The paper is blank, without lines, so it works as a notebook to write in just as well as a sketchbook to draw in. The traces of its first life and the memory of the novel it was stay visible.

Made in a sheltered workshop

About Blanks notebooks are made in a sheltered workshop, where people with a disability or poor job prospects are employed. Each book is bound there by hand. That also means no two books are exactly alike, and small irregularities come with the product.

Specifications

• Brand: About Blanks - View the entire collection
• Cover material: reused grey cardboard book cover with the publisher's device
• Paper: blank sketch paper, light cream (FSC)
• Dimensions: H 21 | W 13 | D 2 cm
• Made in: the Netherlands

Every book is one of a kind

Every cover comes from a different book, so no two About Blanks are the same. The first two photographs on this page are of this very copy, so you can see exactly what you are getting.

About Blanks

About Blanks comes from Rotterdam and turns on a single idea: reuse what is already there. Old book covers get a second life as a notebook, filled with paper from responsible sources. The brand sees the scarcity of raw materials as a reason to be more inventive with the materials we already have, and the books themselves as a reason to start something new — an idea, a note, a drawing. No two books are alike, and that is the whole point.

We aim to deliver your order quickly. Orders placed on weekdays before 4 PM will be shipped the same day, unless otherwise stated. Sometimes delivery may be delayed, for example if a product is out of stock. In that case, we will inform you as soon as possible and you can cancel if you wish.

Within the Netherlands, shipping is free from €49,-, otherwise it costs €4,95. Returns cost €3,95. In Belgium and Germany, shipping is free from €69,-, otherwise it costs €4,95, and returns cost €4,95.

Returns within the Netherlands cost €3.95. You can cancel your order up to 14 days after receipt without giving a reason via the email from our shipping partner Sendcloud. This email contains a link to the return portal, where you can create a return label.
After cancellation, you have another 14 days to return the product at a PostNL point. You will receive the full order amount back, excluding any shipping costs to the customer. The product must be returned with all accessories and, if possible, in its original condition and packaging. We will refund the amount within 14 days of receiving the return shipment. For other European countries, a return fee applies, calculated via the Sendcloud link.