Fine Bindings and Book Restoration

Restoring an ancient book is a complex craft. The priority is to preserve as much of the original cover material as possible while restoring the book's mechanical structure as well as its external appearance. Complete restoration of a book begins with its disassembly and includes cleaning the paper, repairing holes and other imperfections, and re-sewing the sections, applying the original method and materials.

The cover boards also require extensive work on strengthening and completing missing parts, reconnecting them to the text block, adding locks under those that have been broken or fallen, and reconciling the missing leather cover to the original cover. All work must be carried out according to the specific characteristics of the particular book.

​I adjust the type of work and the scope to the client's wishes and the budget available to them, accommodating for the specific book in question. A book, like any object made of organic materials and used in one way or another, is subject to wear and tear and requires proper care. Many of us possess books of value – be they valuable or sentimental – and it is important to store them correctly and maintain them so that we can pass them on to future generations.