Opening up new books

I am currently reviewing a booklet which advocates "breaking-in" new
books.  This "breaking-in" entails opening the book on a flat
surface and  systematically, pressing five or ten leaves down at a
time over the board.  One normally works from one board to the
center of the book, and then repeats with the other board to the
center.  Haven't seen this described in years and wondered what the
rest of the book conservation community thinks about this procedure.
I appreciate your opinions.

    **** Moderator's comments: Roberts and Etherington describe this
    as "The process of "opening" a newly bound book (other than an
    edition binding), in order to improve its flexibility. The usual
    method is to hold the book fore edge up, then by regular,
    uniform motions, a few leaves at a time, pressing the leaves
    down, first at the front, then at back, and then repeating,
    until the center of the book has been reached. "Opening up"
    helps avert strain on the binding and also permits freer opening
    of the book. See also: BREAK (1)"

Susan Lunas
Book Conservator
Editor
Eatontown, New Jersey


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 14:12
                  Distributed: Friday, August 11, 2000
                       Message Id: cdl-14-12-016
                                  ***