Bible restoration

The most common problem with these heavy Bibles is the boards becoming detached. A new leather spine is used to re-attach the boards and with any luck the original spine can be re-laid over the top keeping the original appearance.

Small sections may have come loose or maybe the whole text block needs re-sewing. Usually the spine folds need strengthening with a fine archival tissue before any re-sewing can be done.

Poor storage conditions can lead to the leather becoming damp and then dry which can cause the leather to become hard and brittle. We have various lotions and potions which can revive damaged leather.

This damage is remedied with various rejuvenators and conditioners along with leather dyes to restore the colour.

A lot of Bibles end up being stored in the loft. This can lead to the boards getting damp and warping. With patience, warped boards can be flattened before the main restoration is started. This usually entails removing end papers, making the boards damp again and leaving them in a press for a couple of days. Repeated as necessary until they are perfectly flat again.

Damaged spines and detached boards go hand in hand. When the leather splits along the joint the spine becomes loose. Usually on one side only, but sometimes it comes off completely. In the time it is separated from the rest of the book it can get damaged in all sorts of ways. Most of the time we are able to refurbish and save original spines. If not then we re-tool the spine to match the original as closely as possible

Attempts to re-attach boards with sticky tape both on the outside and on the inner joints can do more harm than good in the long run. When removed it can damage the surface of the leather. Internally it can damage pages and almost certainly leave a stain on the paper. We can remove tape and any remaining residue, but the yellow staining left behind on paper cannot be removed. It is best to avoid using any kind of adhesive tape.

Loose pages are a common sight when a Bible arrives. They are usually at the front of the volume or between the old and new testaments where the family history is found. These can be repaired and re- sewn.

Quite often the family history is written up which makes the Bible of great sentimental value. We can scan the pages, digitally empty the boxes and print some new pages to put in to allow the family history to be continued.

When paper turns brown and becomes brittle this is the acid content in the paper. It can be so bad that the paper can crack and tear at the slightest touch. Other than extremely costly treatment to neutralise the acid and strengthen the paper not much can be done. Occasionally we source a replacement copy with better quality paper and use this along with all the important pages from the original. Frontispiece, title page, family history, maps, plates etc. can all be removed from the original and put with the new text block. Keeping the original boards and spine.

We rarely have a Bible come in to the studio without some damage to the pages. Any tears are repaired with a fine archival tissue. Pages are pieced back together, folios are made up and the sections re-sewn.

When a book has split in two the sewing needs catching up in the middle. The original spine could still be refurbished and laid over the new leather with both halves carefully butted together. Alternatively the new spine could be tooled to match the original.