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CLASSIC BOOK BINDINGS

Sometimes with classic books, the hinge that keeps that book together gets stretched. Whilst doing repairs to classically bound books is possible, beware that with books of great value, you do get professional help because you can diminish the value of the book if mistakes are made. The tools needed in the mending of classic book bindings are simple ones, and are as follows:

1.PVA Glue preferably in an upright squeeze type container
2.Knitting needles.
3.Boning tools. These are flat plastic tools which are obtainable at craft shops.
4.Waxed paper
5.A press of some kind and here improvisation is simple.

The hinge on a classically bound book can be mended by standing the book on end and with the use of a knitting needle inserting PVA glue in between the paper that holds the cover in place and the cover itself. It's quite a delicate operation, and wise not to try to apply too much glue at a time. What is important is that you turn the needle in order to spread the glue evenly over the surfaces on both sides.

Before closing the book flat at which time glue will ooze from the crevice where you inserted it, place a piece of waxed paper to protect the contents of the book from excess glue. Now you are safe to close the book and the purpose of the boning tool which is in effect a long slender piece of plastic, you can place this against the cover of the book along the seam which joins the book end to the front cover and press, giving sufficient pressure to keep everything in place, at the same time making sure that everything within the block of book contents is straight.

It doesn't take a great deal of thought to get things straight although often people forget this and what results is a book that looks untidy and home repaired. With a bit of thought, you really can mend the book efficiently.

Whilst professionals use a press to keep the book together, you can get away with two metal plates against the back and front of the book and sufficient weight to keep it all in place until it dries.

CLASSIC BOOK BINDING SPINES

When the actual spine of a book has totally come away from the cover, and pages are loose, it is time to stitch the binding together. Here you must be careful that the needle you use is sufficiently fine so as not to damage the pages, and strong, with a fine eye. The kind of cotton used for bookbinding is usually a strong waxed cotton, because its strength is superior to normal cotton and the waxed finish allows it to slide through the papers easily.

On a book of little value, the neatness of stitch is a personal thing because it is going to be hidden behind the cover once completed. Having sewn the pages together, follow the procedure above to finish the repair.

SPECIAL BOOKS

If you have books where the leather cover is tarnished, or gold lettering worn, there are ways to mend this, and one of the easiest that I found was with the use of letraset, transfer letters which are rubbed onto the surface of the book. I don't actually use the standard letters, but cut the transfers into small pieces, piecing in the gold work that is missing, and then buffing the cover with a suitable polish.

SPECIAL WARNING

First editions, classical books of historical value, and those that you know nothing about should be checked for value before doing repairs yourself, since badly performed repairs can detract from the value of the book.

Keep the written works alive, and your books in order.

Learn more about this author, Rachelle de Bretagne.
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