How to Assess a Book Before Restoration

Before you consider restoring an old book, it’s important to evaluate its condition and determine the appropriate restoration method. Here are some things to consider when evaluating a book:

An examination of the condition of the book is the initial phase of any restoration process. This is more than identifying if a page is torn or a spine is cracked. It is identifying the binding style, paper quality, and cover material. This examination will help you decide whether the book needs simple stabilization or whether it is ready for a restoration process. It will also help you to protect the book from further damage if you recognize a page is loose or a hinge is weak.

It cannot be stressed enough, but the second step is to record the state of the book. Taking photographs and notes before beginning the repair aids the conservator in remembering how the book was before, especially when it takes many sessions. Having these records also allows one to note what damage is to be expected with the age and use of the book, as well as see if any previous repairs have been made. This allows conservators to maintain the integrity of the original book, and make decisions consistent with the intent of the book when it was bound.

The second step is to find the most critical problems. If the paper is continuing to tear for example, or if the covers are coming off, then it would be best to deal with that first, otherwise the book might get in worse condition while you are fixing another problem. So, we stabilize the book, if necessary, before we start the actual restoration. If necessary, we might reinforce the paper a little, clean the surface, or reattach the pages. Once this is done, we can continue the restoration.

Once the book is stable, a treatment plan can be outlined, which is essentially a roadmap for how to proceed with the repair. The treatment plan should describe the sequence in which repairs will be made (first addressing the most important repairs, like structural issues, and then the more superficial, like cleaning, re-attaching loose parts, etc.), as well as which materials will be used (an attempt is made to replicate the original materials that were used to build the book. This is important, because adhesives and paper that are not compatible may, over time, damage the book). The treatment plan helps prevent blunders and makes the repair process smoother and more predictable.

Last, assessment continues even as the restoration project is carried out. As the restoration progresses, perhaps some tears or binding weaknesses that were not initially visible now become evident. Again, it’s necessary to go back and assess your decision to ensure you are proceeding on the correct course. By doing this you can ensure the project remains on track to restore the book while maintaining its integrity to create a long lasting and respectful restoration. Ultimately, proper assessment improves the restoration results as well as enhancing the skills and confidence of the restorer.