Bible Restoration saves and restores Family Bibles and old Bibles with detached, taped or missing covers, spines and pages
Each year, we perform Bible restoration for hundreds of older Bibles that come to us taped together or with detached parts. Many also have missing or torn pages. We restore Bibles using most of the techniques outlined on this page.
Our Bible Restoration restores Bibles, including circa 1800 and early 1900 Family Bibles.
Old Bibles can be saved with our Bible Restoration service
Some of the most stunning Bibles we receive are old Bibles and decorative antique Family Bibles. These have gorgeous, elaborate and ornate original leather covers and spines. The pages are usually torn or damaged. Some are missing genealogy pages. Due to the passage of time, these Bibles need special attention.
To learn more about our bookbinding techniques to restore a Bible, then continue reading. If you are ready to send us your Bible to be restored, click on ORDER NOW. If you have any questions, please Contact Us. We are here to help!
Bible Restoration techniques we use to restore Bibles
The Bible restoration process used depends on the age of the Bible, the thickness of the original exterior front cover and its condition. Here are some examples of different methods we use in Bible restoration.
Restore Bible with "Splice" method (The Large Cross Bible example)
The "Before" photo shows a Family Bible with a detached cover with the spine being held together with Scotch tape. Despite this type of significant damage, our bookbinders employ what we call a "Splice Method". The original spine is carefully removed, trimmed and glued to the newly constructed spine. The bookbinders create a notched space and the exterior cover and the new spine is carefully spliced together. We restore most large Family Bibles with this technique. The new spine, together with the spliced cover give the Bible renewed functionality. This photo shows how our bookbinders salvage a seriously damaged and torn original spine. The "After" photo shows the restored Bible with an optional condition and sealant service, transforming the Bible to display a marvelous deep color.
Restore Bible with a "well" method technique (The detached Bible cover example)
The "Before" photo shows a Bible with a completely detached cover and partially detached spine. Our goal with this project is to save as much of the original as possible. Our bookbinders inspect the Bible and determine that the exterior is too thin for splicing and therefore elects to create a new spine and frame "well". We trim and attach the original exterior to the "well" frame. The spine is carefully removed, trimmed and attached to the new spine portion of the "well" frame. We foil stamp our customer's name onto the front of the cover. See the "After" photograph.
Restore Bible with other techniques for disintegrating covers (the crumbling Bible cover example)
Sometimes, the full extent of damage to a Bible is unknown due to extensive taping, especially if the taping completely conceals the edges. When this happens, our bookbinders may have to adapt to another bookbinding technique. Also, if a front cover's edge is too disintegrated or uneven, it could prevent the bookbinder from slicing into it and joining it with the spine. Also, sometimes, if the original exterior cover is too thick, placing it into a well is not practical. Our bookbinders may use a technique where they create a new thicker spine and integrate the cover into this new spine.
Restoring soft covers with "Well" method and applying hot foil stamping to personalize a name on the cover
This 1950s era soft cover small Bible with zipper is a great gift to a granddaughter when its converted to a wonderful hardcover. For this type of restoration, our bookbinder selects any goatskin or cowhide plonge material for a cover and spine. The bookbinder creates a special frame to receive the carefully removed and trimmed original cover and spine. The look is completed by attaching the original cross to a new ribbon marker. We gold foil stamp the granddaughter's name under the customer's name. Great gift!
Bible restoration saves portions of original Yapp hardcovers with a "well" method
Yapp extension covers are popular on Bibles but because their flaps extend over the pages, we often see these types of Bibles for repairs or restorations. Most often, we find these extensions become brittle over time, especially at the edges and need to be replaced. When these Bibles have sentimental value, we can use the "well' method to save a substantial portion of the original cover. Our bookbinders create a matching leather frame and spine and place the trimmed original cover into the recessed well. This technique needs to be used when an original cover is too thin or fragile. We can add a ribbon marker or two if you want. A great solution!
Our multi-step process in a Bible Restoration
The primary goal to restore a Bible is to restore its functionality. Our bookbinder will typically perform the following tasks and steps for Bible restoration:
- Meticulously separates the original cover and spine from the book block
- Meticulously cleans the binding edge of the block, removes the old glue and prepares the block for hand groove stitching.
- Repairs pages (if a customer elects these services)
- Inserts any repaired or new pages
- Hand sews and/or reinforces block
- Attaches End sheets
- Trims pages (in the discretion of bookbinder or if requested) See Face Trim below
- Sets book block in job backer machine and plies edge by hand
- Attaches ribbon book markers (if requested)
- Attaches new headbands and applies "super" (a linen type of gauze material) to the binding edge
- Builds a new spine and makes it ready to receive the original old Bible cover.
- Incorporates the spine and the old Bible cover using a "Splice method", "well method" or other bookbinding methods
- Cases in the book block into the cover
- Places the Bible into one or more book presses for pressing
Restore Bible with a "Face Trim" for a clean look
Many Family Bibles and old Bibles have very rough used dirty edges. After any page replacement or repairs, some customers want their Bible to have a fresh clean look on the edge of the pages to match the new look on the exterior. We use a professional hydraulic paper cutter that uses special shape blades and thousands of pounds of pressure to get a razor clean cut. We believe the restore Bible process should include attention to these edges.
Please know that trimming the page edges may affect any notes on the edges of the pages. Please let us know if you do not want the restore Bible process to include a "Face Trim". We typically do not trim the page edges if a Bible has gold gilding edges unless requested.
There are available Options and Extras to enhance the Bible Restoration
We have great "Options and Extras" that you may want as part of your Bible Restoration. We can discuss these with you after we receive your Bible and inspect it. For more information about what is available, we encourage you to go to Options and Extras.
- Do you want to preserve a thin or brittle exterior hard or soft cover with a "Well"? We have a special technique that creates a new spine and frame with a recessed "well" to receive the old exterior cover. It is a way to save sentimental Bibles. However, it does cost more to save portions of the original Bible exterior. Before deciding, you may want to consider a NEW cover. See Bible Rebinding (NEW cover)
- Material Upgrades: The Bible Restoration price includes a very high quality bonded leather. There is an option to upgrade to beautiful and durable goatskins and cow plonge leathers.
- Page Marker Ribbons: Customer selects color(s) and the up to three ribbons. Plenty of colors.
- Foil Stamping: Spine foiling text, names or images are popular on new spines. For more information see our Bible Personalization page.
- Spine bands and Rule lines: Raised bands on a new spine add character and dimension while the rule lines can look great by themselves or used to make the spine bands stand out.
- Marriage, Birth and Death genealogy inserts: We have a great selection of genealogy inserts.
- Upgrade End sheets: The Bible Restoration price includes an end sheet choice of ivory, white or black stock paper, but we have beautiful and more durable upgrade options and can replicate existing end sheets using graphic design techniques. We can also "repair" damaged end sheets and reproduce them.
- Repairing torn or damaged pages: Are there torn or damaged interior pages? Do the page edges have "dog ears"? For more information see our Page Repair page.
- Missing text or pages replaced: If missing a portion of the text in many cases, we can recreate the missing text. If pages are missing, we have sourced other similar Bible translations and bound them into the original. This is our Research and Replace service.
- Leather Cover Treatments: When saving an original Bible exterior, it may need Conditioners, Sealants or a Red Rot Treatment.
Testimonials
Amazed
"Trusting a four generational heirloom to folk unknown leaves one with feelings between anxiety and stark fear. No need for all the drama. The book in question was resurrected from near falling apart to a splendid tome destined to survive for another couple of centuries. Aside from the exemplary restoration and Gina and the crew are absolutely delightful - blessings all. The bottom line: Bella Becho has my unrestricted recommendation as well as my gratitude."
Philip Terry
Perfect family Bible restoration
"They not only lovingly restored our family bible that was falling apart, but they also created a gorgeous photo album to compliment it. We were completely blown away by how meticulous the repair was and we are so grateful for their expertise and quality craftsmanship."
Brian and Sara Planz
Family Bible (late 1800s)
"What an amazing experience! I thought my family bible (late 1800s) was beyond repair! Bella Becho performed a miracle! ... I am very pleased with the results and know that now my grandchildren can pass it on to their grandchildren! Thank you Bella Becho!"
Kim Heacock
Family Bible
"I am really satisfied with the job that Bella Becho did on our vintage family Bible. The Bible was falling apart and seemed very fragile. Once the job was completed, I was no longer afraid that it would turn to dust in my hands. The rebinding process was worth it to preserve a part of our family history. You can now turn the pages without fear!"
Karen Attaway
See amazing Family Bible restoration by hovering on Bible below!
Top 10 Essential "Options"
We have a large selection of leathers, skins and other materials to rebind your Bible with a beautiful NEW cover
Can repairing books affect its market value?
There are times when a book repair could negatively affect the market value of a rare or historical book or Bible. Click to Learn more