Visible storage for books with separated spines

Purpose

The separation of book spines from books, whether through natural deterioration or through treatment intervention, is commonly encountered in collections containing bound materials. Oftentimes – especially if the spine is leather – the replacement of the spine on the book is impractical or unsafe, as it can cause significantly more damage through continued use. As a result, there is a need for a storage solution that allows separated spines to be stored with their books. This can be achieved by modifying the design for a clamshell box to add a compartment to hold the spine. The compartment is located at the spine of the book, and has a Vivak window, allowing the leather spine to be visible while the box is closed and shelved. Not only is the spine material protected from the physical strains of being reattached to the book or flattened for traditional storage methods, but it remains intellectually and visually connected to the book from which it has physically been separated. This solution is best for books that are 1 inch or thicker. This storage method requires the detached spine to stand upright, and therefore may not be appropriate for very weak or soft spines.

Author(s)

Emilie Duncan
Charlottesville, VA
(203) 240-1604
emiliehduncan@gmail.com

Photo and Illustration Credits: Figures 1-15: Emilie Duncan

Publication: 2018

Description

This is a basic drop spine clamshell box which has been modified to house a detached book spine within a small windowed compartment located on the spine surface of the box (Figure 1). The window into the spine compartment is Vivak, providing physical and UV protection while allowing visibility of the title/decoration on the original spine. The box can be made from various materials to suit specific aesthetic or structural needs.

Figure 1: Modified clamshell box with windowed compartment for detached spine

Materials, Tools & Supplies

.40 point archival quality board
Hot glue or PVAc adhesive
Double sided tape
Vivak 2099 (polyester terephthalate glycol sheeting) 1mm thick
Tyvek tape or Tyvek sheeting
Polyethylene foam – high or low density (optional)
Velcro dot (optional)

Board Shear
Board creasing machine
Ruler
Straightedge
Utility blade
Binder clips or clamps
Metal spatula
Bone folder

Construction

Figure 2: One layer of board cut to fit the detached spine

Measure the detached spine covering and determine appropriate internal dimensions for the spine compartment (it works best with a snug fit with about 2mm play in each direction).
Add 10mm to the internal length and width to find the outer dimensions for the spine compartment (this will produce a compartment with walls that are 5mm thick).
The walls of the spine compartment will be created by laminating several pieces of board to achieve a hollow of the correct depth to accommodate the curvature of the spine. If the spine is flat, only one layer of board may be needed. Determine the number of layers needed by measuring the height of the spine’s curve at the apex and stacking board until this measurement is reached.
Cut the appropriate number of board pieces, plus one extra for the spine compartment cover, to the outer dimensions of the spine compartment. Measure 5mm in from each edge to find the inner dimensions and use a utility knife to cut out the rectangle (figure 2). Repeat on the rest of the board pieces (except for the extra one cut for the spine compartment cover).
Laminate the layers together using double sided tape, PVAc or hot glue (Figure 3). Dry under weight to ensure complete adhesion. Don’t worry if the edges are slightly rough or misaligned, because the walls will be covered with Tyvek to provide protection from the cut edges.
Figure 3: Several layers of board laminated to accommodate the curvature of the spine, forming the walls of the spine compartment
Cover the spine compartment with Tyvek as shown (figure 4) or by wrapping with Tyvek tape.
Figure 4: The walls of the spine compartment covered with Tyvek to protect the spine from rough cut board edges
Create a hinge from a strip of Tyvek or from two layers of Tyvek tape along one of the long edges of the spine compartment cover (figure 5). The hinge should be long enough to wrap around and secure on the bottom surface of the spine compartment. Adhere the hinge to the bottom surface of the spine compartment (figure 6). If desired, a Velcro dot can be added to keep the spine compartment cover in place.
Figure 5: Spine compartment cover with a Tyvek hinge attached
Figure 6: Spine compartment with cover adhered to bottom surface
Measure and record the height (CH), width (CW), and thickness(CT) of the completed spine compartment (when measuring the thickness, add 1mm for the Vivak window). Measure and record the width of the book (foredge to spine) (BW).
Cut a piece of board using the guide in figure 7. The total length of the board should equal: 2BW + 2CT + 3CW. The total width of the board should equal: CT + 2CW.
Figure 7: Guide for measuring and cutting the board for the body of the box. CH=spine compartment height, CW=spine compartment width, CT=spine compartment thickness, BW=book width (spine to foredge)
Mark the board as shown in figure 8 to determine the location of cuts and creases for flaps and walls. Be sure to add the appropriate allowance for board thicknesses (t) before cutting and creasing the flaps and walls for the lid (outer part) of the clamshell.
Figure 8: Guide for marking board for cutting flaps and creasing walls. t=one board thickness. Be sure to add one board thickness to the width and two board thicknesses to the height of the outer tray dimensions so it will fit over the inner tray
Cut along the lines as shown in figure 9 to create flaps and to remove the areas at the top and bottom of the spine panel (marked with an X in the diagram). Separate the layers of the board on each flap with a metal spatula and cut away the central layer, leaving the outer laminating layers (figure 10).
Figure 9: Cut along the dotted lines to create flaps for securing the box walls and to remove the areas at the top and bottom of the spine panel
Figure 10: Separate the board layers and remove the central layer to reduce bulk created by flaps at corners

Figure 11: Crease along the dotted lines and fold with a bone folder
Crease the board along the lines as shown in figure 11. Fold along the creases with a bone folder.
Secure the walls of the box at the corners using the flaps. Apply adhesive to the inner faces of the two laminating layers of the flaps and sandwich the end of the adjoining wall where it meets at the corner. Smooth each side with a bone folder and secure with a binder clip to prevent slipping while drying.
Close the box to ensure the lid fits over the base snugly.
Reopen the box and cut a rectangular window from the spine panel with dimensions slightly smaller than those of the inner dimensions of the spine compartment (figure 12).
Figure 12: Cut a window slightly smaller than the inner dimensions of the spine compartment into the spine panel of the box
Cut a piece of Vivak sheeting to the outer dimensions of the spine compartment. Remove the protective film from the Vivak. Secure over the rectangular window cut into the spine panel of the box (on the inside surface) using double sided tape.
Adhere the spine compartment directly over the Vivak using hot glue or PVAc (figure 13). Dry under weight to ensure complete adhesion.
Figure 13: The spine compartment in place within the box
Because the dimensions of the box were made to accommodate the spine compartment, and not the book itself, the book will likely be loose when placed in the box (figure 14). The extra room can be filled with inserts made of laminated board covered in Tyvek (figure 15), or from polyethylene foam. Note that if the inserts required are large, creating them from board will add a significant amount of weight. Do not fill the extra space along the width of the book, as this space is needed to accommodate the spine compartment when the box is closed.
Figure 14: The box will be too large for the book, due to the need to accommodate the larger dimensions of the spine compartment
Figure 15: Extra space on the height and thickness of the book can be filled with laminated board covered in Tyvek or polyethylene foam (not shown)