Restoration

[Gary Harding]

Book 1.jpg

Book 7 - new.jpg

I bought this Book "The Secret Key, and Other Verses" 1906 by George Essex Evans on Thursday at a local country bookfest for 20c.
Obviously the Hardcover had seen better days, in fact it was quite ratty as can be seen.
A new dustjacket courtesy of Microsoft Excel, a re-gilding of the top edge, some re- pressing of the frontice pieces, a fairly crude plastic outer added later and now it is a quite acceptable copy to be enjoyed.
Pages are subject to the usual foxing, but really not bad for 108 years old. I hope I look that good at that age.
The point is with little effort, a good book of bush verse can be rescued from the junk heap and given some dignity and longevity too.
As for George, well everyone likely has a different opinion of him as a bush poet. Who cares. The point here is Restoration, it CAN be done... and with no cost and minimal effort too.

[Maureen K Clifford]

I would never have thought of doing that but by golly you've made a good fist of it - well done.

[Bob Pacey]

I don't like BIG books

still have not worked out how to resize pictures Gary.

Bob

[Gary Harding]

Thanks Maureen. I am glad you really appreciate what I have tried to do here.!

Saving something of literary value.

I took the (great) trouble to photograph and post these before/after shots on the forum as I thought it might be of interest to fellow ABPA members who are equally enamoured with the Olde Poets.

A smart dustjacket conceals a lot of sins, as in this instance.

I have had old poetry books leather-bound for restoration but that costs a lot, whereas this technique may be not quite as good but costs nothing but time.

I hope it at least proves of interest.

[manfredvijars]

Well done Gary ...