This repair had three parts and several challenges. The silk threads had broken at both ends of the book. Although I have done the Noble Binding sewing pattern when making new books, I didn't want to disturb these 112-year-old pages, bound in 1904. The pages would probably have expanded, so then the brocade fabric headcaps wouldn't have fit... and so on. I tied on silk threads and re-sewed just the head and tail sections, tucking the knots into the holes. The folding case had done its job--protecting the book--but was showing the signs of wear. (Also, the red sun and black ravens seemed harsh compared to the delicate and beautiful silk-screened covers.) I replaced missing ribbons, re-made the loops for the bone clasps, and inserted new Moriki hinge strips under the original paper at the joints. Then I made a new slipcase, with an inset photo of the repaired cover.
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| Repaired book and folding case, with new slipcase. I lined the interior of the folding case with acid-free tracing paper, which protects the fragile silk covers from further acidic deterioration. |
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| Before repair: Folding case with bone fasteners taped to the cover, missing ribbons, and book with frayed silk threads. |
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| The new slipcase protects the restored folding case and displays the clasps. The silk-screened cover of the book is fragile, so the photo inset into the slipcase displays its beauty without extra handling and wear. |
