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#1
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Cutting uncut pages - should I - shouldn't I
Hello all,
I was wondering what the general consensus of opinion is regarding uncut pages. I recently acquired a book where all the pages are at the top, uncut. This makes the book unusable, and I would like to use it. Should I cut the uncut pages or should I try and acquire another copy. If I cut the pages, what would be the best way to do this. By carefully sanding the top edge with fine sandpaper, or cutting the block with a gullotine type device, or use a razor blade on each individual page from the inside out. Be grateful for any opinions anyone may have. -Mark |
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#2
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Mark Usher wrote:
I was wondering what the general consensus of opinion is regarding uncut pages. Purely from a book-collecting point of view, there is a slight preference for uncut pages, but it doesn't make that big a difference. I recently acquired a book where all the pages are at the top, uncut. This makes the book unusable, and I would like to use it. Gasp! You mean...you want to *read* it?! Should I cut the uncut pages or should I try and acquire another copy. There are different opinions about this. One is that even collectible books were made to be read. The other is that you buy reading copies for reading and collectible copies for collecting. You have to weigh up the pros and cons and decide. If I cut the pages, what would be the best way to do this. By carefully sanding the top edge with fine sandpaper, No. or cutting the block with a gullotine type device, No. or use a razor blade on each individual page from the inside out. No. The closest you get is the last suggestion, but with a sharp blade there is a serious risk that the blade will slip and cut the page at the wrong place, not where the fold is. Use a blunter instrument. That way the paper will separate at the point of least resistance (i.e., along the fold). If your fist cut isn't complete, you might perhaps use a sharper blade to cut the last half-inch or so, close to the hinge. Of course, a sharp blade - when it doesn't slip - will give a cleaner cut than a very blunt blade, which will effectively tear, rather than cut the paper. You need to use something which is sharp enough to give a reasonably clean cut but blunt enough not to slip and cut in the wrong place. A credit card or table knife would be too thick, but a photocopy card or a blade of equivalent thickness would do a good job. It's worth taking some sheets of paper and folding them up and practising with them first, to get the feel of it, before embarking on the real thing. -- John http://rarebooksinjapan.com |
#3
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-- "John Yamamoto-Wilson" wrote in message ... Mark Usher wrote: or use a razor blade on each individual page from the inside out. No. The closest you get is the last suggestion, but with a sharp blade there is a serious risk that the blade will slip and cut the page at the wrong place, not where the fold is. Use a blunter instrument. That way the paper will separate at the point of least resistance (i.e., along the fold). If your fist cut isn't complete, you might perhaps use a sharper blade to cut the last half-inch or so, close to the hinge. Of course, a sharp blade - when it doesn't slip - will give a cleaner cut than a very blunt blade, which will effectively tear, rather than cut the paper. You need to use something which is sharp enough to give a reasonably clean cut but blunt enough not to slip and cut in the wrong place. A credit card or table knife would be too thick, but a photocopy card or a blade of equivalent thickness would do a good job. It's worth taking some sheets of paper and folding them up and practising with them first, to get the feel of it, before embarking on the real thing. -- John http://rarebooksinjapan.com I have heard that a playing card is just right for this job, though I have never tried it ~~ best, Denise |
#4
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"John Yamamoto-Wilson" wrote...
Mark Usher wrote: I was wondering what the general consensus of opinion is regarding uncut pages. Purely from a book-collecting point of view, there is a slight preference for uncut pages... And a strong preference for calling them "unopened"--"uncut" being something else altogether. -- Jon Meyers [To reply, lose your way.] |
#5
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Jon Meyers wrote:
Purely from a book-collecting point of view, there is a slight preference for uncut pages... And a strong preference for calling them "unopened"--"uncut" being something else altogether. Oops! Having followed a couple of threads in the Exlibris mailing group on precisely this topic I should have known better! I can no longer find that thread (which dates from just a year or two ago), but searching the Exlibris archives turns up basically similar stuff from over a decade ago: http://palimpsest.stanford.edu/byfor...993/10/threads ..html#00031 For those who don't want to plough through all that, the soundbite version is "uncut" means the page edges are rough (i.e., they haven't been trimmed smooth). -- John http://rarebooksinjapan.com |
#6
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Denise writes:
I have heard that a playing card is just right for this job, though I have never tried it ~~ Coated playing cards work really well; a business card will do in a pinch (sometimes better, if it's a small book --easier to manipulate the smaller card). Bob Riedel Print Matters! Used & Rare Books http://www.abebooks.com/home/printmat |
#7
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Many thanks to all for the advice regarding the "unopened" pages. I will
carry out a few experiments tonight. I have a few implements in mind - letter opener, blunt edge of a renewable craft knife, thin piece of plastic that is semi rigid etc. etc. I am also very interested in the restoration of books, cleaning aspects of pages and covers etc. I have a few books in the subject but would like to know if any knows of a good list / group to exchange information on this topic, or would they be on topic in this group? -Mark "John Yamamoto-Wilson" wrote in message ... Mark Usher wrote: I was wondering what the general consensus of opinion is regarding uncut pages. Purely from a book-collecting point of view, there is a slight preference for uncut pages, but it doesn't make that big a difference. I recently acquired a book where all the pages are at the top, uncut. This makes the book unusable, and I would like to use it. Gasp! You mean...you want to *read* it?! Should I cut the uncut pages or should I try and acquire another copy. There are different opinions about this. One is that even collectible books were made to be read. The other is that you buy reading copies for reading and collectible copies for collecting. You have to weigh up the pros and cons and decide. If I cut the pages, what would be the best way to do this. By carefully sanding the top edge with fine sandpaper, No. or cutting the block with a gullotine type device, No. or use a razor blade on each individual page from the inside out. No. The closest you get is the last suggestion, but with a sharp blade there is a serious risk that the blade will slip and cut the page at the wrong place, not where the fold is. Use a blunter instrument. That way the paper will separate at the point of least resistance (i.e., along the fold). If your fist cut isn't complete, you might perhaps use a sharper blade to cut the last half-inch or so, close to the hinge. Of course, a sharp blade - when it doesn't slip - will give a cleaner cut than a very blunt blade, which will effectively tear, rather than cut the paper. You need to use something which is sharp enough to give a reasonably clean cut but blunt enough not to slip and cut in the wrong place. A credit card or table knife would be too thick, but a photocopy card or a blade of equivalent thickness would do a good job. It's worth taking some sheets of paper and folding them up and practising with them first, to get the feel of it, before embarking on the real thing. -- John http://rarebooksinjapan.com |
#8
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"Mark Usher" wrote in message .telekom.at... Many thanks to all for the advice regarding the "unopened" pages. I will carry out a few experiments tonight. I have a few implements in mind - letter opener, blunt edge of a renewable craft knife, thin piece of plastic that is semi rigid etc. etc. I am also very interested in the restoration of books, cleaning aspects of pages and covers etc. I have a few books in the subject but would like to know if any knows of a good list / group to exchange information on this topic, or would they be on topic in this group? -Mark I have found the association of restorer's website a valuable reference point. They have a section on print restoration as well as links to suppliers and restorers. http://www.assoc-restorers.com/ cheers greg |
#9
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"Mark Usher" wrote
... If I cut the pages, what would be the best way to do this. Chainsaw, yeah that's the ticket - chainsaw! -- Bob Finnan The Hardy Boys Unofficial Home Page http://users.arczip.com/fwdixon New & Out Of Print Books, Books-On-Tape, Videos, DVDs, CD-ROMs For Sale http://users.arczip.com/fwdixon/hbsale.htm To reply: replace nospam with fwdixon .................................................. .................... |
#10
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"Mark Usher" wrote in message .telekom.at... Hello all, I was wondering what the general consensus of opinion is regarding uncut pages. I recently acquired a book where all the pages are at the top, uncut. This makes the book unusable, and I would like to use it. Should I cut the uncut pages or should I try and acquire another copy. If I cut the pages, what would be the best way to do this. By carefully sanding the top edge with fine sandpaper, or cutting the block with a gullotine type device, or use a razor blade on each individual page from the inside out. Be grateful for any opinions anyone may have. You are confusing "unopened" with "uncut." It is plain you are describing an unopened book. I don't really know what the safe way to make the cut is. I have a small Macmillan 1898 volume of French poetry with a handsome blue and gilt cover, and its pages are about 50 percent unopened. I leave it that way as a curiosity, one of those items it is fun to have one of, but which you don't particularly want two of. Mr. Palmer Room 314 -Mark |
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