To restore or not to restore, That's the Question

The craft of book restoration has a long and layered history, dating back to the medieval monasteries of Europe. In those times, monks were not only scribes but also early conservators, tasked with preserving sacred texts. As books evolved from hand-copied manuscripts on parchment to mass-produced items on paper, so too did the methods of their repair and preservation. By the 19th century, book restoration had begun to take a more scientific and ethical shape, focusing on reversibility, historical integrity, and minimal intervention. Today, it is a profession that balances deep material knowledge with cultural responsibility (Pickwoad, 1994).

When people think of book restoration, they often imagine the revival of a centuries-old tome: fragile parchment pages, a crumbling leather binding, and dented metal clasps. Rarely does one think of restoring a book published in the post-war era. This is understandable. Most modern books were printed in large quantities, using cheaper materials, and are neither valuable nor rare enough to warrant restoration. As a result, there is little market for the restoration of modern books—and even less expertise (Barclay, 2017).

Yet there are exceptions. Sometimes, the restoration of a modern book is not only desirable but necessary.

Take, for instance, the original English editions of the Harry Potter series. First published from late 1997 onward, these books were printed on inexpensive, acidic paper that contains lignin—a substance that leads to paper becoming brittle and yellow over time (British Library, 2020). While most copies were intended as casual reading material, some became incredibly rare. Early printings, signed copies, and editions owned and read by young fans—many of whom devoured the books without any thought of future collectibility—now show significant wear. Their very popularity has led to their damage.

Preserving these unique copies for the future is a worthwhile effort. In such cases, restoration becomes not just a cosmetic enhancement but a form of conservation. It helps stabilise the book's condition, prolonging its life and safeguarding it for future generations of readers, collectors, and scholars (Baker & Silverman, 2005).

Unfortunately, due to the lack of demand, finding experts who specialise in the restoration of modern books is a challenge. Few restorers are trained in dealing with the materials used in recent decades—glossy dust jackets, machine-made paper, synthetic adhesives (National Archives UK, 2018).

Some years ago, I experienced this firsthand. As a bookseller, I acquired a first edition hardback of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone—a landmark title of which only 500 copies were printed. My copy was internally in excellent shape, but the cover had suffered significant damage. Determined to restore the book to its former glory, I searched high and low for a suitable restorer. I travelled halfway across the country, only to be met repeatedly with hesitation. Each professional I consulted admitted they lacked the experience to restore a modern book with confidence.

Eventually, I found a paper conservator who did have the necessary expertise. To my amazement, her studio was located less than a kilometre from my own front door.

The decision to restore a book is never easy. Books carry the marks of their journey—dog-eared corners, faded spines, coffee stains and torn dust jackets. These blemishes often speak to a book's history, its life in the hands of readers. Restoration, therefore, should focus not on erasing the past but on preserving the future. Any intervention must be carefully considered, documented, and ideally, reversible. In this way, the essence of the book remains intact, while its physical form is protected for generations to come.

References

Baker, N., & Silverman, R. (2005). Preservation: Issues and Planning. American Library Association.

Barclay, R. (2017). "The Challenges of Conserving Modern Materials." Canadian Association for Conservation Bulletin, Vol. 42.

British Library. (2020). "Preserving Modern Collections." https://www.bl.uk/about-us/our-research/preservation

National Archives UK. (2018). "Preservation Guidance: Modern Book Materials." https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk

Pickwoad, N. (1994). "Book Conservation and the Historian." The Book Collector, Vol. 43.