Michael Keller - bindery ticket Michael Keller - bindery ticket Michael Keller / Bookbinding and Restoration

Buckram Grove Press


Revised September, 2024


Home      Printables      Gallery      Links      Faqs       Contact

A typical internal restoration with a new leather binding


worn, early 19th century full leather binding

As the state of overall decay was pronounced, the client requested a complete restoration of the text-block

and new 'half leather' binding with 'false raised bands' on the spine.

interior view, detatched cover, flylef, textblock     all parts disbound

After completely disbinding the text-block...

...the textblock was repaired and guarded with tissue as necessary, resewn, rounded, rebacked, new boards cut,

and all of the leather elements (spine and corners for a ‘half leather binding’) and decorative papers prepared.

restored text-block, pared leather & other spine elements

Note: the long narrow white strip (the 'spine liner') has had pieces of cord affixed across its width to simulate the raised bands along the spine.

new half-leather binding with decorative paste papers

The completed leather binding enclosing a fully restored volume.