Questions about Book Restoration

What type of repair does my book need?

We can think of books as being made up of two main parts: the cover and the text-block. Usually repairs are needed when the cover is no longer protecting and supporting the text-block or when the sewing has broken within the text-block.

Recasing: when the text-block of a book has separated from the cover. This problem is often seen on very large or heavy books bound by machine as well as 19th century books with a cloth or paper binding.

Reconstructing a book cover. You have the cover boards and spine and either parts of or all of the cover has separated from the text-block.

Reattaching covers: my preferred method of reattaching the covers on small leather books uses Japanese tissue.

Rebacking a book or replacing a spine: In the example at right, the covers are held onto the book by the black cloth tape. To repair this book the black tape is removed from the covers and spine. Then the old leather spine would be removed. The binding would be reconstructed with the original cover boards and a new spine. The old spine would be reattached onto of the new spine. The new spine would only be seen along the edges where the front and back boards meet the new spine and at the head and tail of the spine where the old spine was damaged by the black tape.

Rebinding by adding a new spine or replacing a missing front or back board. Sometimes a part of the cover, such as the spine has been lost. It's possible to replace the missing part in a style similar to the original. The example at right is missing a spine and also needs to be resewn.

New binding in a period or modern style. When only the text-block has survived, it could be housed in a protective box or it could be given a new binding to allow it to be used.

Can my leather book be repaired with other, less expensive materials?

Should I consider replacing my book rather than having it repaired?

Do you repair Bibles?

McSpadden Book Bindery

How long will the repairs take?

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Recasing: when the text-block of a book has separated from the cover. This problem is often seen on very large or heavy books bound by machine as well as 19th century books with a cloth or paper binding.
Reconstructing a book cover. You have the cover boards and spine and either parts of or all of the cover has separated from the text-block.
Reattaching covers: my preferred method of reattaching the covers on small leather books uses Japanese tissue.
Rebacking a book or replacing a spine: In the example at right, the covers are held onto the book by the black cloth tape. To repair this book the black tape is removed from the covers and spine. Then the old leather spine would be removed. The binding would be reconstructed with the original cover boards and a new spine. The old spine would be reattached onto of the new spine. The new spine would only be seen along the edges where the front and back boards meet the new spine and at the head and tail of the spine where the old spine was damaged by the black tape.
Rebinding by adding a new spine or replacing a missing front or back board. Sometimes a part of the cover, such as the spine has been lost. It's possible to replace the missing part in a style similar to the original. The example at right is missing a spine and also needs to be resewn.
New binding in a period or modern style. When only the text-block has survived, it could be housed in a protective box or it could be given a new binding to allow it to be used.