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Preservation
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Preservation
Repair a Book

Spine Repair

This treatment is appropriate for circulating books with average to heavy use. Used in conjunction with internal repair and reinforcement, it provides a strong cover repair for the critical areas of wear at the spine with a minimal amount disruption to the original binding components.

Tools:

Materials:

Procedure:


BOOK PREPARATION

  1. With scalpel and straightedge, make a uniform incision through the bookcover material 1/8" inside the inner board edge (for both front and back boards). Be careful not to slice through the outer hinge.
  2. Carefully continue the incisions over the board edges onto the inside squares. Each cut should then continue along the endsheet 3/4" toward the foredge, then back up and over the board edge. When complete, the cut portions of the square be can lifted followed by a one inch flap of the cover material at the inside edge of each board. The microspatula is very useful in lifting this material.
  3. Now remove the spine and joint material. This should come away easily, although some additional small cuts at the inside board corners may be necessary. Do not discard.
  4. Remove any loose linings on the book spine that can be scraped away with a dull knife. Be careful not to damage the sewing.
  5. Gently pry the boards slightly away from the joint area: are there any unadhered areas between the board and the endsheet at the inside edge? If so, add PVA at those points with the spatula and press (or weight) the book until the PVA has set.
  6. Now open the book to the middle and look at the spine arch: Does it form a gentle curve, or a sharp "V"? If a "V" is formed add an acid-free spine liner. The spine liner must have the grain going long and be the exact length and width of the spine. (If the joint appears weak, consider using an extended bond liner- see instructions). Apply adhesive to the spine, moisten the liner, position and rub down thoroughly. Some large, heavy books may require two. The result (after its dry) should be a spine arch with a gently curve (segment of a circle).

NEW SPINE CONSTRUCTION

  1. Cut a strip of Hollinger stock (grain long) exactly the width of the book spine by the same height as the cover boards.
  2. Select a matching or compatible color bookcloth. Cut a strip that is 1 1/2" taller and 1 1/2" wider than the Hollinger strip.
  3. Glue up the Hollinger spine strip, center it on the cloth strip and rub it down well with a bone folder.
  4. Now cut a very narrow wedge at the center of each end- not quite reaching the creases. The widest part of the wedge should not be more than 1/8".
  5. Fold the ends of the cloth carefully over the Hollinger strip and crease. Unfold them and cut triangles off of each cut as far as the crease. (This reduces bulk at the joint when attached). See next page for illustration.
  6. Glue up the ends and fold over the Hollinger strip, closing the wedge to produce a slightly curved crease. The resulting corners should be a little below the Hollinger strip ends. (This facilitates a good fit under the flaps on the boards). Rub down.
  7. Gently curve the new spine by rolling it around a dowel rod is makes the new cloth spine fit the shape of the book spine better.
  8. Bending inward the sides of the new cloth spine, fit it snugly the spine of the book. While in position, carefully lay the book down on the bench. Crease through the cloth into the hinge area, forming the shape of the groove into the cloth spine. Repeat on the other side, then remove the cloth spine.

ATTACHING THE CLOTH SPINE

  1. Glue up one side of the cloth spine (do not allow PVA to touch the Hollinger strip). Accurately reposition the cloth spine to the book, place the glued side on the cover board under the lifted flap of material. Immediately crease a groove at the hinge with a folder, then rub down the cloth on the cover board. Repeat for the other side to finish the attachment.
  2. Brush a thin coat of PVA under the lifted flaps of the boards and press down with your fingers. Then bone carefully- watch for glue squeezing out. Also add PVA at the lifted squares and tuck neatly back in place.
  3. Trim the original spine so that it is at least 1/8" narrower and shorter than the new cloth spine. Glue up, center and rub down well on the new spine. (Be sure that the book is right-side-up).
  4. Apply a little PVA at frayed edges and corners of the cover to prevent further wear and fraying.
  5. Leave book to dry in the press for at least 15 minutes between brass-edged boards.