Book Restoration Question.

[Robby Raccoon]

For what is called a "20% time project," in which we learn a new skill we've never attempted before, I chose to restore this 146-year-old Deutsches Gesangbuch. I'll provide before, during, and after photos, but I need to know where I can find black tooling leather? I was only able to locate a tan-coloured tooling leather. I have the rest of the materials. From there I need to know, is it easier to use the gold acid-free marker for multiple materials, or try to use gold foil (we got both, albeit we'll take one back once I discover which is best) to put color into the designs and words? I know what the original spine looked like, from the impressions in the paper which I will also include if photos will load, and what was left of the spine cover... Overall, the book turned out okay.... it no longer falls apart in my paws, and the materials I used will not cause damage to the book in future years. Both covers were detached, the spine mostly gone (but the book was mostly bound, thankfully,) several pages torn out (page 15/16 is still missing,) most of those torn, and the list of issues goes on.... They gave me it free (where I volunteer,) as I was the only one who could prevent further ruin.
Photo one: The pieces laid out. Hmmm. I can only do one photo here...at a time... forgot. Many of you know I have a issue of liking to post a trillion photographs.

 

[Robby Raccoon]

First I tackled the covers-- in the end, the back was in better shape than the front, and identical, so I switched them; also, I cut away the original mesh-like stuff where the horse hair it was bound to the book with was once connected. Removing that, I set the fabric edges in and attached the fabric, then covers, then a piece of paper that had gone in front of them previously, now used to hide the fact it's been redone-- you can't tell it's not the original backing. This is a photo showing what was once a detached cover, and now looks (fooled mom with it) like it's always been there thanks to good old acid-free Rubber Cement and a Q-tip.

 

[Robby Raccoon]

Although the book is in full German, a stylized version at that, it was printed in America, as is told on the publishing page, and shown on the spine here.

 

[Robby Raccoon]

The new spine is for now plain black fabric, attached with acid-free rubber cement and a little acid-free cloth glue. The pages were reattached with the cement. This spine will be covered up with leather I hope. I hope to make it look original.

 

[Robby Raccoon]

As I haven't lately been able to stop trembling, the picture is blurry... this was the back cover, which was also bowed, now mostly flat and functioning as the front.

 

[Robby Raccoon]

It might be hard to see, but this is my very rough drawing (guideline for me) of what I could see from the impressions of the original designs, as well as what was left of the spine-cover, now taped only to show me the details that were not shown in impressions. Basically, it translates to Methodist Hymnal on the spine, but is titled inside as German Hymnal.

 

[Robby Raccoon]

Some of these same pages are now reattached.

 

[bottlerocket]

Very cool book Bear. What is the title? This would make a great display piece.

 

[Robby Raccoon]

You can see what the edges of some of the now reattached pages look like there... It turned out pretty well; but when I was having it pressed to keep the glue-bonds strong, using books, somehow it shifted or I didn't do it right and the front cover is just barely crooked unless you make it straight. I do not desire to undo then redo it all over again, so I am contented enough with what has become of it. This is the 5th book I've redone. It is nearly complete, but redoing the spine will be the most difficult--if I can find tooling leather, otherwise it's gonna be plain black leather as it has to be black!

 

[Robby Raccoon]

Bottle Rocket: