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

Buckram Grove Press


Revised September, 2024


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A complete restoration to an exlremely damaged folio

Owner found this family heirloom, a large 1907 Atlas,

under drift snow in an abandoned barn.

large folio showing extensive external damage

As one can still see, the original binding
was 'half leather' with gilt printed cloth covered boards.

another view

The text and numerous plates were complete.

The entire text-block was disbound, repaired as necessary, and rebuilt...

interior view

Amongst other challenges, the 'pastedown' portions of the original endpapers had to be lifted and reinforced.
Note: the strip of cloth along the top of illus. is one of the original cloth inner hinges which were also able to be salvaged.

pastedown being lifted from board

The fully restored endpapers, including original cloth inner hinges.

interior view of fully restored endpapers

The fully restored binding includes the original leather spine and corners,

and the gilt printed cloth covering the new boards.

front exterior view of fully restored atlas

A new cloth spine was created, over which was placed the original leather.
Note: the place-ribbon was included at the owner's request.

spine and front view