Old book cleaning - gilt lettering?

Question

I have an old book with some golden lettering on the front that is looking dull and worn. Does anyone have any ideas how to bring back the golden shine to the lettering?

Many thanks

Matt

Answer 1

The way they repair them at the Library of Congress is to lay a gilt sheet (which is sold in craft areas in stores) over the area & rub it into the indentions. I saw it on television once.
I am not brave enough to try it myeslf, but there are aslo several books on the subject of restoring antique books. One of my favorites is "The Care and Feeding of Books Old and New: A Simple Repair Manual for Book Lovers" by Margot Rosenberg & Bern Marcowitz (ISBN: 0312300670).
There is another entitled "The Booklover's Repair Kit: First Aid for Home Libraries by Estelle Ellis. It provides step-by-step instructions and everything you need to clean, patch, preserve, repair, and restore the books you love, in your own home and with no previous experience. Includes guide book, document-cleaning pad, transparent mending tape, red cotton library tape, binder's board, archival mat board, brushes, clamps, etc.
The best place it purchase it is from Edward R Hamilton, Bookseller (refer to link below)

http://www.edwardrhamilton.com/titles/3/2/5/3256774.html

(ISBN: 0375411194)

Answer 2

You would need to take the book to a restorer, or to someone who knows how to lay gilt. Your lettering is worn, not just faded. In the beginning, the letters were probably rubbed from gilt -- a very, very thin piece of gold -- or stamped with gold paint or gold-tone ink. What method was originally used depends on when the book was printed or bound, and how expensive it was when it was made.

Real gilt on leather tends to last. Much of the gold-toned ink tends to fade. You should check out the value of the book before you commit to having the lettering redone; if the book is rare and valuable, any repair may actually reduce the value. If it has little value, you may not want to spend funds on it. If it has family value, restoration may be your choice at any cost.

Good luck!

Answer 3

Broken corners were reinforced with Japanese paper dyed to match the cloth. She used museum wax to polish the books, bringing out the gilt lettering on the covers.

"That makes the light catch the gold," Balloffet said

Answer 4

Edwardrhamilton.com

Answer 5

take it to a restorer ,,, or an antique shop would have poeple come in to restore your old stuff

Answer 6

Thank you all for your replies and opinions!

Answer 7

This is good