Rebinding projects...
I recently picked up two books with the express intent to have them rebound. One is the limited edition of Beowulf illustrated by Rockwell Kent and the other is a first edition of Watson's, Double Helix. Both have Fine text blocks, but the Kent was rebound (nicely) by a university library (though, interestingly and pleasingly, there are no other library marks) and the boards of the Watson shows silverfishing damage. That is, I have no ethical problem having them rebound...
I know a binder who does some of the best work I have ever seen and he has said he would be very interested in doing the Watson. I have yet to ask him about the Kent...or I may try to find someone else for that, as I think it will do something simplier and more understated on Beowulf. Double Helix, however, appears bound to be bound (sorry) in black leather with an inlaid multi-colour leather DNA strand. I am curious to see if I can take a "damaged" tome and turn it into something exceptional.
On a related note, I have a longer term rebinding project as well. I have a very neat two volume set called, "The Victim of Magical Delusion; or The Mystery of the Revolution of P___L: A Magico-Political Tale," (P. Will, 1795). Again, the text blocks are in Near Fine condition, but they are effectively disbound (spine intact, boards split front and rear). It is a great, early gothic horror piece and *needs* to be saved. It is going to be harder to do this as I have a real image of what I want for it and it will take some time to find someone able/willing to execute it. I plan to have them bound in really good vellum with the title and an image (e.g. mist through trees or the like) *backpainted* on the vellum. This is a really cool technique that plays on the near transparent/transulcent quality of good vellum. They should look exceptional when they are done...we shall see.
Books are fun in every aspect.
I know a binder who does some of the best work I have ever seen and he has said he would be very interested in doing the Watson. I have yet to ask him about the Kent...or I may try to find someone else for that, as I think it will do something simplier and more understated on Beowulf. Double Helix, however, appears bound to be bound (sorry) in black leather with an inlaid multi-colour leather DNA strand. I am curious to see if I can take a "damaged" tome and turn it into something exceptional.
On a related note, I have a longer term rebinding project as well. I have a very neat two volume set called, "The Victim of Magical Delusion; or The Mystery of the Revolution of P___L: A Magico-Political Tale," (P. Will, 1795). Again, the text blocks are in Near Fine condition, but they are effectively disbound (spine intact, boards split front and rear). It is a great, early gothic horror piece and *needs* to be saved. It is going to be harder to do this as I have a real image of what I want for it and it will take some time to find someone able/willing to execute it. I plan to have them bound in really good vellum with the title and an image (e.g. mist through trees or the like) *backpainted* on the vellum. This is a really cool technique that plays on the near transparent/transulcent quality of good vellum. They should look exceptional when they are done...we shall see.
Books are fun in every aspect.
Labels: bookish
posted by LuxMentis @ 9:23 PM
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1 Comments:
I'd be curious what your criteria are for rebinding. What do you look for? What kind of economic rules-of-thumb are you using (if any). I have a a few volumes that are candidates, but have never vetured in this direction before. Recommendations for binders? General advice? Would love to see another post on this.
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