Is it possible to re-bind a book?
It's not uncommon to find an accomplished bookbinder who acquired their skill set hands-on by apprenticing for an established binder. If rebinding your book is the right decision, you will need to work with your binder on the binding type. You must decide what binding best fits your needs and the book itself.
Is it worth it to rebound bind a book?
That cost may well be worth it, but the other important consideration is the value of the book you are considering having rebound. As a general rule, rebound books do not have as high a value as a book in it's original binding. Remember that in general, book collecting tends to be a striving for the original.
What happens to a book when the binding is destroyed?
If the original binding of the book is destroyed, affecting its overall value, a professional book restorer can rebind the book, preferably using materials contemporary to the book’s publication. Whew, that was a lot of information to take in!
What is the difference between rebinding and rebacking?
Professional book binders can match the original material of a binding with a substantially similar or complimentary material, keeping the majority of the original binding material. Often costing less than a full rebinding, rebacking preserves the majority of the original book material.
What is pristine book?
Does the binding matter when selling a book?
Does rebinding a book increase its value?
Can you rebind a first edition book?
Does restoring a book decrease value?
In most cases however, where a high spot is in bad shape, restoration actually has a positive effect on its value, unless the book is in fact considered to be an artifact. In such case, preservation rather than restoration is more appropriate.
Should you rebind old books?
Repair vs rebinding Almost without exception, repair is preferable to rebinding. Keeping the original material and original appearance is the best option. Paper conservationists can perform small miracles with torn paper. They can even replace pieces that have gone missing.
How much is it to rebind a book?
What is the cost to restore, repair, or rebind my book? Most book repair projects run anywhere from $165-$235 with the exception of family Bibles, which typically include an additional cost due to the large size and intricacy.
Can someone rebind a book?
Yes! You can bind just one book. You don't have to be anyone special, or a publisher, or a library. You can be just the person that needs a book rebound because it's falling apart, or because you want to print & bind a story that you wrote for your 5 year old daughter.
Are books with printing errors worth more?
One of the most common misconceptions about books is that misprints make them rare or valuable. Unfortunately, while certain types of errors can contribute to a book's collectability, these alone will not increase the value of an otherwise inexpensive book.
How do you fix a 100 year old book?
5:347:42How 100-Year-Old Books Are Professionally Restored | RefurbishedYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou're going to be gluing all of those materials you're going to glue that mull and that littleMoreYou're going to be gluing all of those materials you're going to glue that mull and that little hinge and you're gluing that decorative end sheet back and then you're going to close the cover.
What is the cheapest way to bind a book?
Plastic GBC Combs. The least expensive punch-and-bind document binding is going to be plastic comb binding. Also called GBC combs, these plastic binder spines are incredibly affordable as consumables, and very easy to bind with.
Can I bind a book myself?
To bind a book, start by folding your pages in half and stapling them together at the folded crease. Then, cut a piece of binding tape that's about 2 inches longer than your book and lay it sticky-side up on a flat surface.
What is the best glue to rebind a book?
Polyvinyl Acetate (PVA) Glue For bookbinding or repairing books, the best glue for bookbinding is good PVA glue, not only is it very effective, but it can also be found in any craft or art supply store.
What do I need to rebind a book?
ToolsXacto Knife, or Razor Blade.Ruler.Cutting Mat.PVA/Book Binding Glue.Heavy Object.Utility Scissors.Paintbrush.Pencil.
What do you call someone that binds books?
bookbinder. / (ˈbʊkˌbaɪndə) / noun. a person whose business or craft is binding books.
Can you bind a book with single pages?
The Perfect Binding method is one of the most well-known for single sheets or pages. This technique binds pages at the spine using adhesive. Modern paper back books and notepads use this method.
What to do with old books that are falling apart?
Donate them to your local library: Books that are in good condition can be donated to your local library. Some libraries also accept educational magazine donations. Donate them to a local charity: Donate your used books to a Goodwill, Salvation Army, or other local charity.
How do you keep old books from deteriorating?
Preserving BooksStorage — Store books away from sources of heat and moisture. ... Shelving — Store small- to medium-sized books upright (vertically). ... Handling — Handle books gently to avoid separating covers and spine pieces from the binding. ... Making Copies — Do not place books face down on a photocopier or scanner.More items...•
Are old books better than new ones?
Classics can give you a new perspective on an old idea. Reading an old book helps you understand references and conversations, no matter how high-brow or low-brow they are. In fact, old books can provide a huge sense of inspiration, and you don't necessarily have to be a writer to be inspired.
What to do with books that are falling apart?
Just sand it away! Use fine sandpaper to even pages after repairing spines. If you have a book that will not be kept forever and the spine breaks, I find that a hot glue gun can fix it in a hurry and get it back into circulation. If you want to keep the book, then use liquid plastic to hold it together.
Book Restoration: Good or Bad? — Rare Books Digest
Sotheby’s sold Fitzgerald’s masterpiece The Great Gatsby New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1925, at an auction last month for $377,000 including buyer premium. The lot was traded at the high end of the estimated value, signifying the fact that rare book investors and collectors will pay premium prices to acquire top quality books.
Book Binding: Repair, Rebind, or Recase? | Book Collecting Guide - Biblio
Join us October 7–16, 2022 for our upcoming virtual antiquarian book fair!
How much does it cost to rebind a book?
Rebinding can cost less than USD $100 for an unadorned binding up to hundreds of dollars and more for a binding designed by an artisan. That cost may well be worth it, but the other important consideration is the value of the book you are considering having rebound. As a general rule, rebound books do not have as high a value as a book in it's original binding. Remember that in general, book collecting tends to be a striving for the original. Book collectors value the earliest form of the book the highest. Alterations tend to devalue a book.
Why rebind?
The impetus to rebind tends to arise from two related but different sources.
How to preserve an antique book?
One technique for preserving the originality and market value of a rare antiquarian book is to recase it in a binding of a vintage contemporary to the book. "Recasing" describes the process of replacing the outer portions of a hardcover book. It does not involve modifying the textblock. Recasing a book in a contemporary binding is almost always going to be a costly process. To maintain the proper aesthetic, it will use the binding of another antiquarian book of lesser value as the donor for the materials. If the value of a volume is largely related to the appearance of the binding over the contents of the book, it may be a perfect source of a fine binding for a more valuable text. A binding of a similar age to the rest of the book can drastically improve it's market value over a new binding.
What is artistic binding?
Artistic binding is a niche of the bookbinding craft. It elevates the binding of the book to be equal to, or in some cases, more important than the contents within. Bookbinding is a one-of-a-kind work of artistry executed by a skilled professional. To engage a binder is to commission an original work of art.
Why use bindings in antiquarian books?
To maintain the proper aesthetic, it will use the binding of another antiquarian book of lesser value as the donor for the materials. If the value of a volume is largely related to the appearance of the binding over the contents of the book, it may be a perfect source of a fine binding for a more valuable text.
What causes a book to tear?
It bears the years of flexing as a book is opened and closed. The stress from careless pulling during improper removal from shelves and the occasional fall to the floor can cause the spine of a book to weaken and tear. When the front and back covers of a book (referred to as boards) are still reasonably solid but the spine and hinges (the joints that allow the cover to open and close) are damaged, it may be a good candidate for rebacking. Libraries often use a utilitarian rebacking process, using a specialized cloth tape to cover the spine material of a book which joins the front and back boards firmly. While practical, this is not the most aesthetically pleasing option.
Do rebound books have a high value?
As a general rule, rebound books do not have as high a value as a book in it's original binding. Remember that in general, book collecting tends to be a striving for the original. Book collectors value the earliest form of the book the highest. Alterations tend to devalue a book.
How many mistakes were made in the printing of Huckleberry Finn?
Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn : This book had over seven documented (and corrected) mistakes during the printing process. When certain books are evaluated, the number of “mistakes” that occur in the printing process could elevate their value.
What should a book appraiser know?
A book appraiser should also know the types of repairs that should and should not be performed on your book. They should also know and advise you as to whether or not the proposed repairs, rebinding or restoration work we may do should be performed at all or offer other advice.
Does bookbinding affect the value of a book?
Bookbinding performed on a rare or historical book could negatively affect the market value of a book or Bible. Our work on the book could affect the market value in the book collecting world. Your experts should be able to advise you of the potential effect on the book's market value if we perform any work on it.
Is a book adorned with gold leaf valuable?
Is the book adorned with gold leaf? A beautifully leather-bound book with gold leaf on the cover could make it valuable. We use gold foil and not gold leaf on new replacement covers. If you are interested in keeping a gold leafed cover, there may situations where we could try to save all or a part of the existing cover by embedding it into a new cover. Its an option so let us know.
Is the Tales of Beedle the Bard a new book?
The Tales of Beedle the Bard: Sometimes it is not old books that are valuable, but new ones. In the final Harry Potter book, Albus Dumbledore bequeaths Hermione with the first edition of The Tales of Beedle the Bard, a book about wizarding bedtime stories and folklore that lead to the discovery of the Deathly Hallows.
How much did the Great Gatsby sell for?
Sotheby’s sold Fitzgerald’s masterpiece The Great Gatsby New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1925, at an auction last month for $377,000 including buyer premium. The lot was traded at the high end of the estimated value, signifying the fact that rare book investors and collectors will pay premium prices to acquire top quality books.
Is the workmanship of a restorer guaranteed?
The workmanship of the restorer is guaranteed to be above average.
Does restoration affect the value of Great Gatsby?
As the Sotheby’s auction of The Great Gatsby proved last month, any type of restoration can have a negative effect on value, especially when a poor job or even an average one is performed. In most cases however, where a high spot is in bad shape, restoration actually has a positive effect on its value, unless the book is in fact considered ...
Why do antiquarian books depreciate?
The desirability of a rare book greatly depreciates if it is in poor condition.
What is condition grading in antique books?
Book condition grading. There are general standards used in the antiquarian book trade which help to differentiate levels of condition among antique books. Properly grading a book’s condition is no simple task and is best left to an expert or rare book dealer if the book is one of great value or importance.
Why do books have dust jackets?
This eye-catching artwork meant that readers would no longer have to open a book to quickly identify what it was. Dust jackets allowed for great marketability which helped to boost book sales and made advertising and promotion of new titles much easier.
What does "mint" mean in antique books?
“Mint” is a term used for grading the condition of coins, not books, yet many people have adopt ed the use of the word for describing the condition of anything they’re selling . The commonly used terms used in the book trade ...
What does it mean when a library stamps a book?
In doing so, the library will often stamp the book in one or more places to indicate that it is a discard . Such ex-library books are often sold at local book sales and are wonderful for the casual reader or to stock an ordinary home ...
What is a reading copy?
Reading Copy – Used for reading only; the condition here is so poor that it is not desirable or collectable at all.
What does "fine" mean in a book?
Fine (F) – Much like As New in condition, except that the book has been opened or (carefully) read.
Why are old books thrown away?
Old books are often recycled or thrown away because of wear that causes the binding to fall apart. This guide will show you how to repair your old books and extend their shelf life. For this fix, you'll need book cloth, chipboard, and endpaper.
Why do you keep dust jackets on books?
Your book is now rebound and for reading! Keep the dust jacket on the book to protect the new book cover from harm.
How to fold a book cover?
Fold the corners of the top margin to meet the top edge of the book covers. Press on the corners with your fingers until secure. Fold the top margin over the covers and spine. Repeat these steps on the bottom margin.
Where to put new bookcloth?
Put the new bookcloth on the worksurface with the back side (paper side) up.
How to cut endpaper along crease?
Use the Xacto knife to cut the existing endpaper along the crease.
What is pristine book?
The understanding of “pristine” is that the book is as published, perfect in every way. There is no way that even a moderately worn copy of such a book will ever be that. So the value of that particular book starts with the condition of the copy. A worn copy is what it is–a worn copy.
Does the binding matter when selling a book?
Sometimes the binding really should not matter that much, but when it comes to selling the book, it really helps to have a cover that looks nice. When it comes to owning a book … ditto!
Does rebinding a book increase its value?
That works! It’s always best to start with the best edition you can find–in other words, quality paper, a sewn binding, maybe even a first edition, or perhaps a signed copy. Rebinding something like this will always increase its value, assuming the value was originally low.
Can you rebind a first edition book?
It’s generally not a good idea to rebind a rare modern (20th -21st century) first edition. While they’re few and far between, this particular field of collectability could include books with values in the six figure range. However, a missing dust jacket, a torn dust jacket, or even a fly speck in the wrong place can be devastating to the value. People that collect these are very particular. A dust jacket on a rare first edition could actually be worth many times more than the book itself. But some of these copies with major flaws and no dust jacket would make good candidates for rebinding.
Why rebind?
Repair vs Rebinding
- Almost without exception, repair is preferable to rebinding. Keeping the original material and original appearance is the best option. Paper conservationists can perform small miracles with torn paper. They can even replace pieces that have gone missing. That level of skill comes with a cost, but it’s especially worth the investment for maps, illustrations, and other items that carry th…
Choosing A Binder
- Bookbinding is a traditional craft that has become somewhat uncommon in recent years, but there is a chance that you can find a book binder near you. One of the best ways to start your search is to consult local booksellers. They would be the most likely to have firsthand knowledge of professional bookbinders in your area. The process for choosing a bookbinder includes the s…
Choosing A Binding
- If rebinding your book is the right decision, you will need to work with your binder on the binding type. You must decide what binding best fits your needs and the book itself. A simple buckram or leather binding is the perfect remedy for aging and ailing bindings, or you may choose something that is more elaborate. One technique for preserving the...
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