Cloth "rebacks" are implemented on cloth covered books which are damaged in the hinges where the spine connects to the cover boards. The process involves putting new cloth underneath the existing material to span the spine and reattach the cover boards. When the spine can be salvaged, it is remounted to the new cloth. A reback may also involve repairs to the pages and sewing.
CLOTH REBACK {BEFORE}
This collection of Heines Werte needed cleaning and repairs to the spines and corners.
The spine was stripped of its original backing and mounted to a piece of Japanese tissue with paste.
The fabric corners were lifted in order to solidify the boards with paste. A piece of Japanese tissue added for strength.
CLOTH REBACK {AFTER}
The original spine was then mounted to a new piece of cloth, similar in colour to the original binding and the books were cased in.
The corner cloth was re-glued securely.
Cleaning the cloth with a specially formulated solvent brought back most of the original colour and the lustre of the gold. Using water colour pencils, all new materials used in the repair were dyed to match the original.