Michael Keller - Bookbinding & Restoration

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Family Bible - fully restored but for missing original spine

Custom made 'Folding Case'

A quarter cloth case binding with acid-free flaps.
Contents remain completely independant of binding.
NOTE: folding cases MUST be made with the physical contents present; written dimensions only are not sufficient.

Slipcases

These three examples would be described as 'quarter cloth' with decorative paper covered boards.

Each is custom-made to the item's exact dimensions.

Another example (multiple volumes)

ENDPAPER RESTORATION (1)

Unless specifically instructed otherwise, every reasonable effort is made to salvage original endpapers if present.

ENDPAPER RESTORATION (2)

When rebuilding the original binding, this is usually accomplished by carefully lifting back a portion of the 'pastedown' (inside cover) along the spine edge and after respining is completed, attaching the guarded 'flyleaf' (first page) directly to the underside of the boards, then reattaching the pastedown flap over it.

Folding Boxes

Also known as 'nested boxes' and 'clamshell boxes'. For a perfect fit, each must be custom built using the physical item itself for dimensions.
The interior is normally lined with acid-free paper.

Note: the open-sided design allows full access for removing the item safely.

The 'quarter cloth' style gives the spine maximum durability. When closed, a properly made box can be shelved and handled as one would any book in sound condition - regardless of the frailties of the item inside.

An example of a respining.

This ornately stamped Victorian binding had detatched boards and the original spine was in pieces.
After restoring the text-block, a new cloth spine was created to match the colour as closely as possible.
Then the spine remnants were pieced back together to recreate the original aesthetics.