Index Volume to the Works of William Shakespeare, 1902

This 116 year old book was purchased at a library book sale in pretty rough shape.

Clear packing tape had been applied across the spine and both covers, keeping the spine attached but also risking further irreparable damage.

Peeling back the spine piece reveals the sewing in great shape.

To repair, the cover is completely separated from the textblock, and the spine piece is trimmed from the cover boards.

The spine pieces are recovered, worn sections are carefully trimmed, then backed with dyed kozo paper and methyl cellulose.

The completed reback, showing the new dyed cloth at the hinges.

Original spine piece is adhered to the new cloth with PVA.