At that time, the program required us to complete an internship in typography, and in printing; industrial binding concluded this introduction, and after three years I was able to specialize in library and art binding. During those days, I was given the opportunity to study with Lionel Jolicoeur, who had trained four students in art binding. Jean Larivière and I were the only ones who, in spite of many sacrifices, kept on going.

I was already working in different workshops during summer vactions and after classes during the year in order to gain more experience in my trade. In fact, from contacts with the craftsem who were my masters, I developed an irrefutable self-confidence and love for my craft.

It was in 1949 that Marcel Beaudoin and I opened our own binding workshop under the names Les ateliers de reliure Ouvrard et Beaudoin. In 1951, a fire destroyed everything, which caused us to put an end to our company a few months later. The replacement cost of the volumes lost in the blaze was too high for me (the Montreal Municipal Library alone was claiming $30,000 from us). Marcel taking everything upon himself, gave a commercial vocation to the workshop. Once again, I had to go back into the industry to ensure the survival of my wife, Armande, and myself; we had lost our first son in the fire. We were so poor that Armande would go and eat at her parents' place in Cartierville, since we did not have enough money to feed two mouths.