Back then he mostly worked with library Medveščak, he restored old books, made different leather bindings and foil stamp boxes for artists, bound master’s, PhD and types of theses. Zlatko Firšt had plenty of work as a lot of Official Gazettes and business documentation was bound at the time. Having spent her childhood playing in the workshop, she would cut out papers, glue cardboard, models. Without even knowing it, she learned the trade just by observing her father. The logical next step was enrolling into the Graphic School after which she joined her father’s business.
After she had worked with her grandfather Stjepan Firšt for a while, the business slowly started taking off. They’re investing in machinery that will replace people: a sewing machine for books, a sheet folding machine, a paper cutting machine and various other machinery. Andreja’s husband Josip and mother Vera Firšt are slowly getting involved in the business. In 1996 they moved to a new business premises in Remetinec where they live and work to this very day. Andreja took over the business in 2000 and she proudly emphasises that her two sons are interested in taking over the business: “My eldest son Karlo Jukičić graduated from the Graphic School this year and he’ll be joining our business this fall, while my younger son Mislav Jukičić will enrol into the Graphic School this fall so the tradition will be preserved, which has made my husband and I very happy”. The bookbinding shop Firšt has had a traditional craft certificate since 2014.
Photo: Borna Filić/PIXSELL
Andreja Jukičić, who’s in charge of the craft today, describes working as a bookbinder as an interesting and creative job. They work closely with printing houses and designers who come up with projects. In doing so, bookbinding shop Firšt provides its know-how and input when it comes to how the project is implemented technically, which part is to be handmade and, finally, they make the idea model followed by printing and finishing touches. They still do repairs and restoration, but not as much as they used to because they’re focusing on publishing and new editions.
Handicraft still plays a large role in their line of work, while machines greatly expedite and make their work easier. As far as their future plans are concerned, they plan on investing in new machinery in order for their production to be smoother and faster. However, they point out that handicraft will always take precedence in the bookbinding business.
