My book press in Portland slipped and crushed a 1920s poetry collection I was restoring.

I had to carefully steam the pages flat and redo the spine with new linen tape, but has anyone else saved a project after a total press failure?

4 comments

4 Comments

emmahayes1mo ago

Did your press have a personal beef with 1920s poetry or something? That's a brutal fail, but honestly, steaming the pages back is next level save. I would have just stared at the crushed mess and cried. Total props for not giving up and getting the linen tape out. Makes my DIY projects look like a toddler's craft time.

robin6281mo ago

Used to think old books were hopeless once damaged.

brooke_wells201mo ago

Did anyone check if the paper itself was acidic and just gave up under pressure? @emmahayes, that steaming trick was smart because heat can relax the fibers. Honestly, saving old paper is a whole science most people don't even think about.

wilson.joseph7d ago

Wait, the paper itself was acidic and just gave up?