On another forum, someone posted on their RPG books falling apart. I took some steps, back in 1980, to ensure my 1e AD&D books would last as long as I could make them: I covered them in Clear Contact Paper (self-adhesive, translucent vinyl shelf liner). Around 10 years ago, I added non-permanent book markers. I thought I would share these tools with you.
To start off, here are some photos taken, today, of my 1980-1988 1e books, all covered with Contact Paper. Here are the 1e PHB, DMG, and MM, all purchased in 1980, all covered in Contact Paper, in 1980: front covers, back covers, inside cover showing the Contact Paper seams covered with Scotch Tape. Note that neither the Contact Paper, nor the Scotch Tape, has yellowed, after 44 years… Neither have they peeled off the inside covers. The Scotch Tape may be overkill, but I wanted to make it difficult for the vinyl to peel away from the covers.
The spine joints have cracked on several of my books. This is to be expected, after years of flexing in use. Book Covers for the ages, and making page markers.
Note that those spine joints which have cracked vinyl, the vinyl has not peeled away from the rest of the spines, nor from the covers themselves.
Here are my 1989 purchased copies of my 2e PHB and DMG, photographed today, having received similar treatment with Contact Paper and tape: front covers, back covers, inside cover. Notice that the 2e books look worse, more worn, than the 1e books which are nine years older! My 2e PHB did suffer from a puppy chewing on the front, bottom-right corner, as I carelessly left it on the floor, where he could reach it -- that was my fault, not his. LOL! I believe that my 2e books were made with lower quality materials, but they are also much more used than my 1e books, which were supplanted by the 2e books, in 1989. My 2e books are still being used, today, so 30+ years and counting, compared to only nine years of regular use for the 1e books.
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Another craft project for your RPG books, or any books you want/need markers for, is to use ribbon strips for page markers. I used strips of cut cloth, and those are fraying, badly, as can be glimpsed in some of the photos. I need to replace mine with ribbon strips, which won't fray as quickly, nor as easily.
The ribbon strips can be glued together, at one end, into a bundle:
*Cut as many strips, of whatever colors desired, making them all the same length;
*Neatly stack the ends (one end only) together, on top of a sheet of wax paper;
*Apply PVA Glue to the ends, wetting all of the strip ends, together in a bundle;
*Place a second sheet of wax paper over the glued ends, setting a book on top of the wax paper (which will prevent the moisture from reaching the book, but use a book/flat weight you don't care about, just in case…), to press the whole flat, and let it dry overnight.
Once dried, you can either insert the glued ends in between the cover spine and the bound pages, or you can insert it between front, or back, pages, halfway down the page, to anchor it inside the books.
Alternatively, you can glue the ribbon ends to a small piece of cardboard, or matte medium chipboard. Once this is dry (press it between wax paper sheets, as well, to keep it as flat as possible), the cardboard tab can be inserted into the spine of the book, or between pages. DO NOT GLUE THE TAB INSIDE THE BOOK SPINE! If the ribbons wear out with use, are damaged in some way, they can be replaced. Cheers!
paints basic barrels!
