Strange Question... anyone have a recommendation for a book binder?

**jrm** · 06-13-2012, 07:52 AM

Hello all,

This may be an odd question, however, it seems that this might be a smart place to ask it.

Recently we had a housefire. Surprisingly, the firefighters were able to recover two bibles... one is my wife's and the other is mine. Her bible was stacked on top of mine and took most of the damage from fire, smoke, and water. Mine, being underneath was spared from major damage. The cover is a little burned, the bible is a little smokey, and there's very little water damage (again, my wife's took most of the water). I think the fact that we had them sittin gon a stone mantle helped keep them from going up in flames....

Anyway, I'd like to get my bible re-bound. Ideally a nice soft leather (calf skin, kangaroo, goat, etc...). Does anyone have a book binder that they might recommend?

-jon

**Mike H** · 06-13-2012, 08:52 AM

I have used the Trappist, but not sure they do leather. You might contact Grimm. Be aware, the binding may be more than a new bible.

**jrm** · 06-13-2012, 08:59 AM

Thanks for those links Mike! I'll check them out.

Yep, I'm fully assuming that getting a bible rebound/restored will be many times more expensive than buying a new one outright. But, this is a book I've had longer than anything I own (especially now), is full of my personal reflections/notes/markings, and has lots of sentimental personal value. Of course, I'm not into throwing money after sentimentality, but, if the price is reasonable there is a value returned to me in the restoration.

Thanks again for the links. I'll see what they are all about!

-jon

**mcmulvaney** · 06-13-2012, 10:06 AM

I got interested in this topic when my pastor was debating buying a new bible or re-binding and old friend. It lead me to a site on Bible Binding design (yes, there's a web site for just about everything) http://www.bibledesignblog.com/, and that eventually led me to this site: http://www.leonardsbooks.com/. From a number of reviews that I've seen, his work appears to be outstanding, and according to his web site, his entry-level prices are quite reasonable. Also, once rebound, you probably won't need another Bible unless you wear out the pages. (Which I hope that you do.)

**Mike H** · 06-13-2012, 10:28 AM

Thank you Mike, those are very interesting links.

**ouch** · 06-13-2012, 10:33 AM

A crazed man once threw a bible at me and it hit me right on my heart. The medics said I would have surely died if the blow wasn't deflected by the bullet I had in my shirt pocket. True story.

**JPDyson** · 06-13-2012, 01:07 PM

While I have not personally used them, a very particular person I know has and was very impressed:
http://www.acebookbindery.com/

**Go West Young Man** · 06-13-2012, 02:00 PM

Originally Posted by ouch

A crazed man once threw a bible at me and it hit me right on my heart. The medics said I would have surely died if the blow wasn't deflected by the bullet I had in my shirt pocket. True story.

Ouch!

**jrm** · 06-13-2012, 03:23 PM

Thanks fellas! These links look great. I appreciate it.

**crowdog** · 06-14-2012, 07:19 AM

Also Jim, if you have a university close with a decent size library, you may be able to find someone in their restoration department that could just contract with you for the service. Or their art department as well. Just an idea.

Marty

**jrm** · 06-14-2012, 11:07 AM

good idea crowdog. I dont think we have a university in the area with that kind of capabilities, but I'll ook around Denver too. Thanks!

**oc_in_fw** · 06-14-2012, 03:13 PM

Originally Posted by jrm

good idea crowdog. I dont think we have a university in the area with that kind of capabilities, but I'll ook around Denver too. Thanks!

I would think a public library could help you out. It is worth a shot.

on edit: it is too bad that privately owned bookstores have been replaced by Barnes and Nobles, etc. If you do have any small bookshops around, you might check there, also.

**Doc4** · 06-14-2012, 04:44 PM

I had thought of libraries, too, but they tend to go for the cheaper buckram bindings rather than fancy leather ones.

**txinsk** · 06-19-2012, 10:49 PM

You can still ask. Just because libraries use buckram does not mean that they have no access to leather, moreover, if the binder does their own binding on the side they may have leather on hand.

rick

**xraygun** · 06-19-2012, 10:55 PM

I'd like to get my ancient copy of Larousse Gastronomique rebound. It's totally falling apart. The new ones are missing half the good stuff. Please keep us informed on this project.