Read Super Size Me: The Book Conservation Variety, Part 1 to learn about the first phase of this project.

The original endbands were no longer attached when this book was received, so an endband style appropriate to the time period of the original printing of the book was selected--a single-color primary endband sewn on a core of consolidated linen cord with a bead on the edge. (See pictures) The endbands are not integral in connecting the textblock pages together, but they can add additional strength and stability. 

Next, a series of linings were applied to the spine of the book. Each lining may serve multiple functions, but each will assist in consolidating the pages together at the spine edge and providing support as the book is opened and closed. In this treatment, three spine linings were applied. First, a release layer of Japanese tissue and rice starch paste was applied to consolidate the spine as well as provide a reversible layer for the rest of the spine linings. Second, an extension lining of Irish Linen fabric is attached to the spine and molded around the cords. This lining is called an extension lining because there are flaps of fabric that extend onto the textblock beyond the width of the spine. Those extensions will eventually provide extra strength for the hinges as the book is opened and closed. The third and final spine lining prior to covering in leather was a layer of thin leather pasted hair side toward the spine. The leather, once dry, can be sanded to disguise ridges.

After spine linings and sanding, cover boards were prepared. Two thicknesses of board were laminated to achieve a board thickness appropriate for the size of the textblock. The interior of the boards were lined with text weight paper. This inner lining of paper helps to counteract the pull of the shrinking leather that will be applied to the outside.

Once laminated and lined, edges of the boards are sanded to create more of a gentle slope from the center portion of the board to the edges. Likewise, the boards are placed in position and marked according to the location of the cords extending from the textblock. Holes are drilled along with some small channels from the holes to the edge of the board. In the photograph of punching holes into the boards, the pencil lines roughly indicate where the channels will be carved, which will accommodate the cords once they are laced through the covers.

The cords are frayed before lacing through the cover boards. The fraying allows the binder to flatten the cords into the channels as well as to the lay the ends flat on the inside of the boards so that there are no lumps under the leather on the outside or the endsheets on the inside. Once the cords are frayed, a bit of paste is applied to the ends and dried to shape them into points that can be threaded through the drilled holes. 

The photograph to the right shows the cords on the inside of the cover board before the pasted points have been trimmed off. The shorter tips extending from the boards are then repasted and smoothed flat to the boards, which results in securing the board as well as disguising the lump of cord. Endsheets will eventually cover the exposed, flattened cords.

Read Super Size Me: The Conservation Variety, Part 3 to learn how I finished this book.