Visited the big library in Springfield and saw something that bugged me...

I was checking out their rare book room and noticed they had a bunch of old volumes with new, bright white endpapers that looked totally wrong. The librarian said they were 'preserved' by a local binder who thinks all old books need fresh, clean linings. I think that ruins the character... am I the only one who prefers to keep the original, even if it's a bit stained?

3 comments

3 Comments

phoenix_grant342mo ago

My friend collects old field guides and found a first edition with foxed pages and a torn spine. She took it to a conservator who suggested replacing the original marbled endpapers with plain ones. She said no way, the stains and wear are part of its story. Now it sits on her shelf, a bit beat up but totally unique. That binder's approach would have made it look like a cheap reprint. Some people just don't get that the flaws are what make old things special.

the_grace2mo ago

Used to agree with that binder until I saw a perfectly preserved book that felt completely dead. Now I'd take the stained original every time.

parker1832mo ago

My buddy found a water-damaged cookbook with his grandma's notes, and that messy thing is his most prized possession now.