Restoring Old Bible Covers

[swampboy]

Wasn’t sure where to post this, but it pertains to bibles so hopefully this is the correct place…I was given a copy of the “New Catholic Edition” Confraternity Bible dated 1949…I have been wanting to pick up one of these for a while but they are hard to find…fortunately for me I was in a Catholic bookstore one day buying a few things and I was mentioning how I liked to read different translations…the woman working there went and brought this one out and told me to take it!!

I have become quite fond of this bible, but the leather cover is beat and it shows some hard use. However, I would like to continue using it without having to duct tape the whole thing together. Are there any good ways to recondition the leather cover…it wants to crack along the spine but hasn’t quite gotten there yet. Is it worth it to have it rebound? Or should I just use it until it falls apart and tape it together? I really like the translation and would like to continue using it, but am afraid it will disintegrate. Any ideas??

 

[puzzleannie]

make a cover with sturdy fabric like denim or canvas, the way we used to make paper schoolbook covers. Cut a strip long enough to wrap around the bible and tuck in and wide enough to fold down a couple of inches along each edge. Place the bible on the folded fabric, fold the edges inside the cover, then tuck the cover into the folds. I can’t describe it but if you go to an office supply store you can buy paper book covers which will have directions. You can tack the folds so the cover stays in place. This will last longer than a paper cover–my JB cover was literally shedding and the cover has stayed in place for over 10 years of pretty frequent use, likewise my paperback NAB.

 

[swampboy]

thank you for your help…i may try that if i can’t find a way to recondition the leather. Luckily my JB is still in good shape, although i can definitely see the cover on that one disintegrating as well which would definitely be a shame.

 

[AmbroseSJ]

thank you for your help…i may try that if i can’t find a way to recondition the leather. Luckily my JB is still in good shape, although i can definitely see the cover on that one disintegrating as well which would definitely be a shame.

Leather binding usually requires an expert to repair, and that can cost well over $100. However there are plenty of good sound Confraternity editions of the Bible still available for less than that. I have an old Douay/Confraternity version from 1950 myself handed down from an Aunt that is still in excellent condition, and it didn’t even use real leather.