Serious question, is it wrong to mix old and new leather on a restoration?

I recently fixed a family bible and used new leather for the spine but kept the original covers. Some say this ruins the book's value, others think it keeps the history alive. What do you all think?

2 comments

2 Comments

simon_mitchell883h ago

That part about handling it without falling apart really hits home. @anderson.jason's story makes me wonder, does the "ruined value" idea mostly come from people who see books as display items? For something used often, a solid fix seems like the only right choice.

anderson.jason11h ago

Actually, a buddy of mine went through something similar with an old farm ledger from his grandpa. He had to replace the entire back strip with new leather because the old stuff just crumbled. Some book collector told him he'd "destroyed" it, but his mom got teary-eyed because she could finally handle it without it falling apart. It really comes down to whether you see it as an artifact or a family piece. For something like a bible that gets touched and read, making it solid again is more important than keeping it perfect for a shelf.