Max Marbles/Bookbinder

Joy of Cooking

max — Sat, 17 Oct 2026 17:29:11 +0000

I know I must have restored a couple dozen of this same cookbook. They will be passed down from generation to generation. I always enjoy seeing the pages that are splattered with batter, sauces and juices, you can tell what recipes were visited again and again.

Repair of First Edition H. G. Wells

max — Sat, 17 Oct 2026 17:17:40 +0000

A movie production company’s prop department wanted me to restore this original first edition and recreate five more for use on the set. Some exciting challenges, like scanning the original and laser printing on linen for the replicas.

A Personal Bible

max — Sat, 17 Oct 2026 17:12:41 +0000

I have always enjoyed mending and restoring a loved and worn out personal Bible. These Bibles are very cherished by their owners and almost always amazed at how strong and useful they become after the process.

17th Century Velum Bible

max — Sat, 17 Oct 2026 17:06:26 +0000

Lots of work restoring the pages and rebuilding the spine. The most challenging was recreating some of the lost brass medallions. I had done very little relief replication of brass and I loved the new skills developed.

Andersen’s Fairy Tales

max — Sat, 17 Oct 2026 16:59:09 +0000

Lots of page repair and fortunately all the lovely illustrations were there. Rebacked in cloth with cosmetics.

Daguerreotype case repair.

max — Sat, 17 Oct 2026 16:39:39 +0000

Repairing old daguerreotype cases are mostly requiring new hinges and cosmetics.

Love Victorian Cookbooks

max — Thu, 23 Mar 2017 19:47:09 +0000

This cookbook has so many pasted recipes and advertisements. Like the page above it fun to see the worn, food droplet favorite recipe pages throughout the book. Oh yea, and it needs restoring, too!

Portrait Civil War Lieutenant in Gilded Frame

max — Mon, 02 Jan 2017 21:23:49 +0000

This young officer was killed at the Battle of Seven Pines, also known as the Battle of Fair Oaks or Fair Oaks Station, it took place on May 31 and June 1, 1862, in Henrico County, Virginia, as part of the Peninsula Campaign of the American Civil War.

The painting needs some relining of the edges, hole repair and cleaning. The gilded frame is a mess and needs cleaning and some recasting and gilding of plaster that is lost.

As the saying goes… “bird by bird…”

SOS: Bible Needs Assistance!

max — Fri, 30 Dec 2016 19:54:18 +0000

Wait till you see the “after” shot of this Bible.

As bad as this looks, for me, it is a welcome challenge. Just take it piece by piece, step by step, and this little guys gonna be all fine!

Scribe: Antiquity Theft in the Maya Ruins

max — Fri, 30 Dec 2016 19:50:19 +0000

Working on the cover design for “Scribe.”

Get ready for “Scribe.” The Glue Pot Press’ next book. Read this page turner about antiquity theft in the Maya ruins. Awaiting proofs and then the big release. Glue Pot Press (my baby) releases books from local and distant authors that need that last push in getting their books published.