It is a family tradition in many circles to pass a family bible from one generation to the next. Bibles were the books where family records were listed for births, deaths, baptisms, and marriages. Often these bibles were the only accurate records of family history, and were treasured and loved. Over time, the bindings of books become worn though. If you own a family treasure like this, you should consider investing in new Bible book binding that is done by an expert hand book binder.
An excellent hand book bindery will accept a bible, evaluate its current condition and then give you a solid estimate for restoration work. You will be involved in the decision making process when it comes to choices of papers and leathers. The bindery can accomplish much in the way of restoration work if necessary. It does take several weeks and it is not cheap. But this investment is actually not only for the bible itself, but for your family members who will use and care for it during their lifetimes.
Book bindings for new books are mass-produced, and this includes your average everyday bible. But family heirloom bibles often are works of art. Nothing is so wonderful as restoring these art pieces to their former beauty. Allowing your bible to be hand bound will care for the book in a way that it was originally created.
The craft of hand bookbinding has existed for over five hundred years now, with tools that have been the same for equally as long a time. It takes talent and love for books to be disciplined enough to do this work correctly. When you see the artistic work that often appears on the covers of bibles, then you can understand how difficult it is to work with these bindings and make them as beautiful as needed.
Leather styles and colors must be matched when binding any book. But bibles often have a level of quality that is far superior to an average book. Family bibles in particular may have been covered with rare leather that is difficult to match. This is part of skill needed when any bible is in need of a new spine and covering.
The craftsman must also make decisions about the interior pages of the bible. How much paper is available to properly construct the spine? How much damage is done to facing pages, and interior linings? Can the majority of the bible be saved, or must some be sacrificed in order to save what is possible? These questions can only be answered after the bible receives a full examination by the trained eye of the bookbinder.
The cost for having a bible bound is not cheap. It can range anywhere from $35 to $75 or more depending on the amount of work needed, and the prices for the various papers and leathers that are chosen to bind it. There are also imitation leathers that are available for binding bibles that are damaged but new, or are mass-produced and of little historical value. Binding of this type is not as expensive as it would be for a bible that is a family heirloom.
Once you make the decision to have the bible bound, then it will take about four to six weeks for the work to be done. Every step is done with great care in an excellent book bindery. Nothing is rushed, and everything is done with precision. This is work that is done with an eye towards long lasting quality. There is nothing that delights a bookbinder more than being able to bind a bible that will hold up for future family members to be able to enjoy it.
Looking to find the best quality for Bible book binding, then visit www.yeoldebookbinder.com to find the best book binder for your needs.
categories: books, bible, book repair, book binding, christian