This is a special, rugged, unique, and gorgeous one of a kind whole Shell Cordovan A5 notebook cover. Made in brown from one whole piece of textured shell cordovan from Italy. It comes with 2 pockets one for cards and one to fit either a field notes notebook or pens and pencils. It fits a hard or soft cover A5 size notebook. I built it around the Leuchtturm 1917 hardcover but should fit most A5 size notebooks such as Hobonichi, Rhodia webnotes, Nanami, Midori, Life, and Apica
This notebook cover has sturdy brass snaps and brass vinymo polyester thread for a lifetime of use.
About this unique leather:
In 1786, while en route to the Mediterranean with Russian goods, including leather, the Metta Catharina ship sank. Despite the crew's safe landing, the ship and its precious cargo vanished. Fast forward almost two centuries, and underwater explorers were able to locate the ship and its cargo, including 200-year-old leather. A tannery in Slovakia went digging into this tale a few years ago and embarked on a quest to uncover the secrets of the leather associated with the Metta Catharina. After delving into century-old books, they extracted ancient tanning methods and experimented extensively.
The result? A partial recreation of this lost treasure. Metta Catharina isn't an exact replica but embodies key tanning elements: specific tannins, animal fats, natural oils, and crucially, natural wood tars. This imparts a resilient, smoky aroma and robust protection against pests and bacteria.
This leather boasts a unique tanning process, materials, and finishing touches. It exudes an authentic "old-world" feel, thanks to its distinctive aroma and high oil and fat content, offering a soft, yet dense and supple texture.
The shell used is from Conceria Il Ponte, a tannery adorned with gold from LWG audits and a leader in the Consortium Pelle Conciata al Vegetale in Toscana.