Restoring a 'limp' binding into a hardcover
TYPICAL CONDITION
Mid 20th Century small Bible in a 'limp binding'. These bindings are often made from a leather composite [leather pulp mixed with an adhesive and pressed into textured sheets] so their functional life-span is relatively short. |
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This volume shows the hinges already failed and overall deterioration of the covers.
In addition, having no rigid base for the covers makes restoration of the original binding style impractical. The solution is to create a new hard cover binding, - utilising all extant original materials. |  |
FIRST STEP
The text-block is completely disassembled;...
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SECOND STEP
The covers (or remnants) and spine are cleaned of all original backing materials and adhesive residues. |
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THIRD STEP
...Each individual 'signature' (section) is cleaned and restored with tissue or repair papers as required.
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FOURTH STEP
The restored signatures are then hand-sewn over cloth tapes; the spine is rounded and backed with cloth.
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FINAL STEPS
New boards are cut and a new 'hard-cover' binding is created with matching binding cloth. The new binding is then covered with whatever original cover materials were present. |  |