Hi GB,
Starting at the high-end, the best protection for your book would be a
"clamshell box" but they are usually handmade and relatively
expensive. However, you may prefer a slipcase (closed on all sides but
one) if you use the book alot and require ready access. Steps down
from there would be just wrapping it up in several layers of bubble
wrap - not as elegant but it would work. Whichever method you choose,
size it to fit - you don't want the book sliding around inside. If you
buy a ready-made container which is slightly too large, wrap it in
some bubble-wrap first (the kind with small bubbles). Ofcourse for
free you can pick up a box at the grocery store (choose one with
heavier cardboard) and custom fit your own box or slipcase -
experiment until you get one you like. Lie the book flat on the
cardboard, trace the edges with a pencil and then push a scissor along
those lines to make a crease and then fold at the creases.
If the book is one that you often use and you have enough room on your
desk, consider putting it in an open tray flat on your desk. This box
could be made of anything (scout around in an office supply store),
about 9 x 7 x 2, and would be attached to the desk somehow to keep
from falling off.
If your book is heavy, it is better to store it laying down on its
side rather than standing up - this will take the weight off of the
spine and prevent the book block from sagging away from the binding.
However, do not pile alot of books on top of it while it is at rest!
Broken backs are a matter of handling rather than storage. Take care
not to open the book too far - you can buy an adjustable bookstand for
reading an open book (never put your open book down flat on the table,
face up or face down!).
If you decide to make your own slipcase, make it so that the open
edges have substantial thumb cut-outs so you can get a good grip on
the book for pulling on - do not pull on the spine or spine head, only
the boards.
If your book has a dustjacket, you can buy a clear dustjacket
protector which will protect it from tearing, soiling, etc. Ask at
your local bookstore for one (many call it "mylar covers").
PROTECTING BOOKS WITH CUSTOM-FITTED BOXES
by Richard Horton
Conservator
Bridgeport National Bindery, Inc.
"The two types of boxes appropriate for most books are the drop-spine
box, also known as the clamshell or double-tray box, and the phase
box.
Drop-spine boxes provide better support and protection from dirt and
light than do phase boxes. Phase boxes were originally intended as a
temporary preservation measure; books were housed in phase boxes while
they awaited conservation treatment."
"It is important that a box be accurately fitted to the book. A loose
fit does not provide the necessary support and allows the book to
shift inside the box, exposing it to the abrasion which the box was
constructed to avoid. A tight fit can cause damage to the edges and
joints of the cover."
http://www.nedcc.org/plam3/tleaf45.htm
NEDCC Book Shoe:
"The book shoe is in essence a slip-case without a top, fitted with a
text-block support. The shoe will hold the book closed, and the
support will remove much of the strain on the text-block of a
vertically standing book."
http://www.nedcc.org/plam3/tleaf47.htm
SOLANDER BOXES:
http://www.conservation-by-design.co.uk/ringbind/ringbind12.html
"If you have a fragile edition of a book, or a book that cost you more
than you want to admit. There are several ways to box your book. There
are professional custom made clam shell boxes, which will cost in the
$50 to $100 range, but look great on the shelf. There are also generic
clam shell boxes that are approximately the size of your book, these
will be $5 to $50. There is a very inexpensive alternative. You can
wrap your book in archival folders. These look like the paper that
file folders are made of, but are pre-scored with lines to make it
easier to fold. These can be ordered from the catalogue companies and
come with directions. But these are not pretty, and don't have add any
support to the book."
http://www.andre-norton.org/collecting/article5b.html
READY-MADE BOXES:
Solander Boxes:
http://www.conservation-by-design.co.uk/ringbind/ringbind13.html
Safekeeper Binder & Slipcase:
http://www.zettaflorence.com.au/newsite/show_product.asp?id=25
Lipped Clamshell Binder:
http://www.zettaflorence.com.au/newsite/show_product.asp?id=31
Solander Boxes:
http://www.zettaflorence.com.au/newsite/show_product.asp?id=26
CUSTOM BOOKBINDERS:
1) Custom Slipcases and Clamshell Boxes:
http://www.newavebooks.com/icases.html
2) Clamshell Box: 8 x 10 - $190:
http://www.taurusbookbindery.com/clamshell.html
3) Boxes and Slipcases:
http://www.currierbindery.com/boxes.html
4) Clamshell Box Conservation style box for a rare book.
Covered in an Italian linen, constructed and lined with acid free
materials. Gold stamped leather label.
http://world.std.com/~jaltepet/html/boxes.html
5) Clamshell-Style Book Box:
http://www.cattailrun.com/protective_book_boxes.htm
6) ARS OBSCURA Bookbinders makes archival clamshell book boxes &
slipcases, preserving books from scratches & environment.
http://www.arsobscurabookbinding.com/
7) "Using the same high-quality, archival materials we use for books;
leather or cloth for instance, a box can be made to the exact size to
snugly house the item. A snug fit helps to protect the object inside
the box if the box is dropped. The way boxes are constructed at Praxis
keeps harmful light and dust away from the item."
http://www.praxisbindery.com/book_binder.htm
8) Protective Enclosures from Praxis Bindery;
http://www.praxisbindery.com/book_binder.htm
BOX MAKING:
US National Park Service "Conseve O Gram" Listing:
Instructions on how to make a Phase Box:
19/23 A Phase Box for the Protection of Books (links are to .pdf)
http://www.cr.nps.gov/museum/publications/conserveogram/cons_toc.html
Box Making Kit:
"Based on the popular "Box-making" course by the Northern States
Conservation Center, this kit is designed as a training tool to teach
staff how to construct acid-free, archival boxes. The kit constructs a
12"x12"x 6" box and lid. The box base is made of corrugated plastic
board and the box lid is made of corrugated acid-free cardboard. An
interior padded shelf is made from acid-free foam core, polyester
quilt batting and washed muslin. The box-making tools, instructions
and more advanced designs are included. Box-Making Kit $80.00"
http://www.collectioncare.org/cci/ccisb.html
Additional Links:
Making lipped clam-shell boxes:
http://palimpsest.stanford.edu/byform/mailing-lists/bookarts/2000/03/msg00221.html
NEDCC card stock enclosure ("tuxedo box"):
..more appropriate for books 1/2" or less but may offer some ideas.
http://www.nedcc.org/plam3/tleaf46.htm
New Wave (John Shinnick):
Examples of slipcases and book repairs:
http://www.newavebooks.com/alb.html
Tippecanoe County Public Library: Book Care and Repair Resources
http://www.tcpl.lib.in.us/tech/bookcare.htm
Book Arts Web:
http://www.philobiblon.com/
CoOL: Conservation/Preservation Information for the General Public:
http://palimpsest.stanford.edu/bytopic/genpub/
Tips on Protective Enclosures:
Helpful tips for preserving your precious documents & memorabilia by
Nancy Kraft, for the Iowa Conservation and Preservation Consortium:
http://www.library.uni.edu/speccoll/icpctip4.html
EmoryU Libraries Preservation:
http://web.library.emory.edu/preservation/xconservation.html
Solinet directory of preservation vendors:
http://www.solinet.net/preservation/ConsPres_vendors.cfm
Preservation Do's and Don'ts: BOOKS:
x Don't pull a book out by its headcap as this can cause damage.
- Do pull a book out by pressing books on either side in or by pushing
out from behind.
- Don't rest books sideways on their foredges.
+ Do rest books that must go sideways on their spines.
- Don't photocopy damaged books on regular copy machines.
+ Do copy damaged books if necessary on customized copy machines and
reduce access to the book until it is treated.
- Don't leather-dress books.
+ Do protect leather covers with polyester film book jackets or book bands.
- Don't expose documents to unnecessary light, since this can cause
fading and/or darkening;
- Don't allow light to come close to documents since this can cause
heat and curling.
+ Do control light intensity, proximity, and duration; keep documents
in the dark or in folders and closed boxes or closed drawers.
- Don't place elbows or extraneous materials on top of documents.
+ Do make sure to have plenty of space to use, examine and rehouse documents."
http://www.si.edu/scmre/relact/paper_handling.htm
Hopefully somewhere in all that you will find a suitable solution
(have we actually answered your question or did we lose track of it?).
Sorry if we ran on a bit but we have a particular interest in the
conservation of books and we wouldn't be able to sleep tonight if we
thought your book might meet an untimely end. Some of the people I
live with are rather fanatical about the preservation of books ;)
Somewhere, we have instructions for making a slipcase but it has
alluded us so far. If we find it, I'll post a clarification.
Thank you and happy reading,
hummer
Google Search Terms Used:
solander box
clamshell boxes books
"book storage" boxes
drop-spine box
slipcase books
phase box
"book shoe"
"tukxedo box"
Most of our time was spent searching our own bookmarks. |
Request for Answer Clarification by
badabing-ga
on
23 Jan 2004 13:18 PST
dearest hummer,
these are quite lovely but *way* out of granny's price range. if I'm
understanding you correctly, you can't purchase these in stores? I
would surely think someone had this market 'covered.'
I would like the protector to be on at *all* times as granny's peanut
butter fingers soil the beautiful book which came sans book jacket,
BTW.
looking around, I didn't find much either. this do-it-yourself
project is along the lines of what I need. inside the cover, I could
stuff some bubble wrap, as you suggest, for impact protection.
granny, however, is a klutz and would end up glue gunning herself to
the ceiling.
http://www.hgtv.ca/home/project/project50.asp
I once covered an Omaha Steaks box top with black satin for a geisha
girl Halloween costume and it looked like I had the ottoman empire on
my head. it looked okay unless got 'under' me (so to speak). granny
must stay far, far away from those kinds of projects.
any other suggestions? if you say they can't be purchased, I'll
believe ya. just wanted to know what my options are.
muchas gracias for all the work so far,
GB
|
Clarification of Answer by
hummer-ga
on
24 Jan 2004 06:35 PST
Thank you, BG, I'm happy we finally managed to arrive on the same
page! Please don't worry yourself over sending me on a wild goose
chase, although I must admit your description, "want to protect it
dearly from crashing off my desk as they are wont to do", sent me off
in the box direction. However, your very first sentence, "so I'm gonna
take it there are no sock shoppers amongst you?", should've clued me
in.
I'm glad we finally met...
but what's with this fetish you have with socks?
hummer
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