Commission a Restoration, Rebinding, or Custom Case
Cedar Leaf Bindery repairs, restores, and rebinds books by hand in Brooklyn, New York. From a family Bible with a broken spine to a well-loved cookbook or a rare first edition, each book receives an individual assessment and the care it needs, with a preference for the least intervention necessary to achieve a lasting result.
We also make custom protective cases for books that don't need repair but deserve a little extra protection.
Prices below are starting points. Final quotes are based on photographs and, for most projects, an in-person assessment of the book. All prices are listed before applicable sales tax.
Restoration and rebinding
Basic Repair
from $200
Work may include:
Loose pages reattached with Japanese tape or adhesive, spine repair, and a protective mylar wrap. For sound books that need stabilizing.
Standard Restoration
from $450
Work may include:
Full rebinding with period-appropriate materials, page reinforcement and cleaning, cover restoration or replacement, and before-and-after photo documentation.
Premium Restoration
from $900
Work may include:
Complete historical reconstruction with archival-quality materials throughout, detailed documentation, and a custom protective housing.
Starting price reflects archival-grade materials; leathers, papers, and finishes can raise the final quote.
Cases and housings
You don't need a damaged book to commission one. A well-made case protects a book you love from light, dust, and handling, and it makes a beautiful gift.
Slipcase
from $125
A snug, hand-made case that lets the spine show.
Clamshell box
from $225
A fully enclosing drop-back box in cloth or leather, made to fit your book. The standard for protecting rare and valuable books.
Custom and novelty housings
from $400, quoted individually
Pop-up designs, ejection clamshell bookcases, and other one-of-a-kind pieces. Tell us what you have in mind.
Cases are made to measure, and the best fit comes from measuring the book itself, so we ask you to send it to us. Prices are for books up to 12 inches tall and about 2.5 inches thick; larger, thicker, or folio-size books are quoted individually. Send approximate dimensions with your inquiry for a free estimate, and we confirm the final price once the book is in hand. Your book returns to you insured, in its new case.
Rush service: +25% moves your project up the queue, subject to availability and limited to one rush project at a time. Hard deadlines under four weeks are quoted case by case.
How it works
1. Free photo review
Email us about the book with photos attached. We reply with a recommended treatment, an estimate, and a timeline, with no charge and no obligation.
2. Ship and confirm
Ship your book insured and tracked. Once we've examined it, we confirm the final quote, and a 50% deposit holds your place in the queue.
3. Restoration
We do the work by hand and document it. With your permission we photograph each stage.
4. Return
You pay the balance, and your book comes home insured.
Good to know
How long does it take, and are you taking commissions?
Most projects take about 8–12 weeks, and we confirm the estimate in your quote. Because each book is handled by hand, we accept a limited number of commissions at a time. We are now accepting commissions.
How do I ship my book, and who pays?
Please send your book insured and tracked, with a declared value, and cover the inbound shipping. Wrap it in acid-free paper if you can, and use a sturdy box with padding on all sides. We return every book insured and tracked, with return shipping billed at actual cost (carrier, insurance, and packing materials), estimated in your quote and collected with the final balance. If we decline a project after examining your book, we cover the return shipping. Local drop-off in Brooklyn is available by appointment.
What does the deposit cover, and can I get it back?
The 50% deposit covers materials and your place in the queue. You receive a full refund if you cancel within 72 hours of paying and before your book ships to us. After that, and before any work begins, the refund is reduced by costs already incurred, such as materials ordered and return shipping. Once work has begun, the deposit is non-refundable, and made-to-measure cases are non-refundable once materials are cut. If we decline or cannot complete your project, you receive a full refund.
Will restoration lower my book's value?
It depends on the book and the work. We follow conservation principles wherever the book's age and value call for it: reversible methods and materials where possible, minimal intervention, and complete documentation. For valuable collectibles, we'll tell you honestly when less intervention is better. We explain what we recommend and why before any work begins, and we never begin without your approval.
What kinds of books do you work on?
Antiquarian and rare books, family Bibles and heirlooms, cookbooks, journals, and well-loved reading copies, as well as cases for books in any condition. We take projects case by case, and if a book is outside our experience or too fragile to treat safely, we'll say so and suggest alternatives.
Where is my book kept while you work on it?
Books in our care are kept indoors in a climate-stable workspace, away from sunlight, moisture, and pets, stored in acid-free wrap, and handled only by the binder. We photograph each book's condition when it arrives.
Do you appraise or authenticate books?
No. We document provenance and condition, but we don't provide appraisals or authentication.
Can I see the work as it happens?
Yes. With your permission we photograph each stage, and we may share it on Instagram with your approval.
Ready to start?
Email info@cedarleafbooks.com with photos of the cover, spine, damaged areas, and title page, plus the book's title and author, a description of the damage or the case you have in mind, its approximate height, width, and thickness, your desired timeframe, and where it will be returned (state or country). We'll reply with a recommended treatment and an estimate.