The Currier Bindery specializes in the
restoration of antiquarian books. Our restoration methods
are designed to preserve as much of the original book as
possible and practical, using minimally invasive rebinding
techniques. Even the most hopeless looking book can usually
be restored (see photos below).
Goals of book restoration:
- Make the book 'useable' - able to be handled and read!
- Retain as much of the original cover as possible
- Use historically appropriate rebinding methods and materials
- Ensure the book's longevity with the use of archival
materials
- Recognize those books whose value would be increased by
restoration work, and those that should not be touched (see
How do I decide if my book should
be restored?)
When we restore a book we may:
- Resew or reglue loose pages or 'signatures'
- Mend torn pages
- Repair broken hinges
and joints
- Recase the book (reattach the text
block to the cover)
- Reback the book (create a
new spine to replace one broken beyond repair, keeping the
original front and back cover...and, if possible, gluing
the original spine over the newly created one to retain
the look of the original book)
- If the original cover is entirely unusable (or absent),
create a new binding
in paper, cloth, or leather
- Color paper or scan images to match the original endpapers
or hinges
- Install marbled, silk,
or handmade endpapers
- Dye the cover to touch up lost color
- Rebuild or recover the corners
of the cover
- Oil the book
- Create a slipcase or clamshell to protect the book (see,
Boxes and Slipcases)
