Torn through the printing may be mended as follows:
(1) Use ungummed, transparent mending paper, cutting it the size and shape of the tear, and about one-half inch wide. Apply a thin coat of paste to the strip and fit it carefully over the tear, having first placed a strip of waste paper under the torn leaf to absorb extra paste.
(2) For finer or better class of books, upon which more time and care may profitably be spent, rub a very little paste on the torn edges, place torn edges together, then take a rather large piece of ordinary tissue paper and rub it gently along the tear so that the tissue paper will adhere to the torn edges.
Put under press, and when dry the superfluous tissue paper should be torn off, using care to pull always toward the tear and from both sides at the same time. The delicate fibre of the tissue paper acts as an adhesive and it is almost impossible to discern the way in which the mending has been done.
Torn in the margin
Use thin, firm mending paper, preferably a tint to match paper of the book.
Cut a strip one-half inch wide corresponding to the size and shape of the tear, apply paste and trim even with the edge of the leaf.
When these processes are used, place books in press or under a weight, until thoroughly dry.
There are gummed papers for this purpose but care should be taken in their selection as some are likely to darken and discolor.
LEAVES
When loose leaves are replaced the greatest care should be taken to make sure that they do not extend beyond the edge of the book. If this occurs, it shows careless or inexperienced mending.
Loose leaves may be inserted in several ways:
(1) If the leaf fits exactly into the book, it may be tipped in by applying paste to one-eighth inch of its inner margin.
Place the loose leaf in the book, the outer edge even with the book, and rub down the pasted inner margin against the next leaf with bone folder.
Put the book in press until dry.