ruined origami books

[gordigami]

@ eric_son :
Thanks for the heads up about potential shrinkage .
The plastic sheets/poly film that I use comes in 3 or 4 foot rolls, and is fairly thick and stiff .
I generally leave about 1/8 " to 3/16 " extra room , but , by history , really don't anticipate much distortion.
I would doubt that the humidity in your country is the source of shrinkage, probably more potential for problems if the covered book is left out in the sun for any great length of time or left near a heat source or left inside a hot car etc .

[eric_son]

@gordigami
When I buy a fresh roll, the plastic is very supple and transparent.
But as the years go by, the plastic becomes leathery, less pliable, dull and gets a slightly amber tinge.
You're right. It might not be the humidity or the heat. I guess it's just age.

[ahudson]

I have hardbound books by Harbin and Randlett that have definitely seen better days. They're considerably older than most of you.

Yes they are. I've got two of Randlett's books; they're wonderful. Recently I managed to find a copy of "Best of Origami" that could sell as new, except that the dust cover is brittle from age and has started to flake off at the corners. Nothing lasts forever I suppose.

Bragging rights: I have 130 origami books and not a single one has damage attributable to me. (a few were damaged when I bought them). Some of these books I've had since I was 8, and at least two dozen are ones I've used regularly.

[polistes]

Bragging rights: I have 130 origami books

130 wow thats a lot of books

[eric_son]

Do you ever lend your books to others?
I used to.
But I stopped after I had my Origami for Connoisseurs returned to me with DOG EARS where the diagrams of the Kawasaki Rose were.

[malachi]

130 wow thats a lot of books

I recently crossed over the 200 mark for origami books/publications. I know others have much larger collections, though.

Back on topic, as I general rule, I take good care of my belongings and, in particular, books. I am the kind of person who will usually read a paperback book without breaking the spine. However, many of my origami books have seen harder days the the rest of the books in my library. In particular this is because I often carry them around so that I can fold when I am not at home. This usually causes some minor scuffing to the edges of the cover.

I have books that have had harder lives, though. The first one that comes to mind is Montroll's Animal Origami for the Enthusiast, which I have had since the mid 1980's and which eventually separated from its cover, in addition to some small tears. It is still serviceable, however, and I have not replaced it because it holds the distinguished position as the first real origami book I ever owned.

I had a few books that had their covers mangled by my dog about 10 years ago, when he was a puppy (RIP, Torgo). Those included the Dover Folding the Universe, which I recently traded away when I found a first edition copy in good condition at a local bookstore, and my copy of The Complete Book of Origami.

Those are all books that I have had for a long time, but a more recent casualty was my copy of Origami Kit for Dummies which was poorly handled by a stranger causing some pages to come out. I paid about $5 to have it rebound with a spiral binding at the local Staples. I have considered having that done to books that are in good condition just so that they will lie flat, making them easier to use.

malachi

[ahudson]

Do you ever lend your books to others?
I used to.
But I stopped after I had my Origami for Connoisseurs returned to me with DOG EARS where the diagrams of the Kawasaki Rose were.

Only to people I see regularly (so, not very often!). Forum user kevin89 goes to the local origami group, he's got my copy of Licence to Fold right now...

Malachi, Montroll's "Animal Origami for the Enthusiast" was my first origami book too! I still think it's one of his best books.

[godnomis]

hey hey , i love origami books, so this is what i do, i carry mine every where , if you want some thing too last , get it rebound too a hardcover, its worth it , other wise that origami omnibus book i got for 80$ 20 years ago i can get for 16$ on the internet , goto love that. and origami for the connoisseur, that fyi is out of print , and impossible too buy in Australia. is easy and cheap to get online. even second hand. its limited , so if you want it i would get in. since both books are the same size , you can rebind both paperbacks in one hardcover, if your willing to pay. if your books are in good condition then quite franky you dont use it enough lol. glue wont last forever, opening just slowly degrades it, and if you like me , put half folded models in there , then you can shorten its life alot. a book is a book , as long as it stays together, and i can read it, no coffee stains, im happy. its ment too be used. normaly i give mine 20 years, life, before they fall apart. i use it every day.

imo, dont lend any one your books, unless you dont want it any more.