Alberto Sangorski (1862 - 1932)

Alberto Sangorski

Alberto Sangorski is a British artist, illustrator, calligrapher and bookbinder.

As a young man, Alberto showed promise as a painter, but began working as a secretary for a jewelry firm in the City of London. When his younger brother Francis Sangorski founded the bookbinding firm of Sangorski & Sutcliffe in London in 1901, Alberto often visited the workshop and helped the firm with its bookkeeping. Around 1905 he became interested in this work and after a little technical training from his brother, he became an accomplished calligrapher and illustrator.

The firm of Sangorski & Sutcliffe was known in the 1920s for its luxurious gem-embellished bindings, with real gold and gemstones used in the covers. This bindery was considered the leading bindery in London and was highly successful, surviving both wars and economic depressions.