Had to pick between a flat-back and a rounded spine on my last rebind

I was working on a 1940s copy of The Grapes of Wrath that had a completely busted spine. Couldn't decide if I should go with a flat back for easier shelving or a rounded spine to match the original style. Ended up going rounded because the book felt better in the hand that way. The rounding went smooth with a hammer and backing board, but man it took me three tries to get the shoulder right. Anyone else struggle with this choice on older books?

2 comments

2 Comments

benbrown8d ago

Rounded spine was absolutely the right call for a 1940s book.

kaimiller8d ago

Used to think flat spines were the way to go for older books, figured it kept them cleaner on the shelf. But you're right, a 1940s book with that rounded spine just feels right in your hands, like it belongs in a reading chair. I tried putting one flat on a stack and it looked all wrong, like it was trying to be a modern paperback. Something about that curve makes it feel lived in, like it's been passed around a family. You changed my mind on this one, seriously.