Today, I've been following Tony Reinke's article on the cover of volume 4 of Herman Bavinck's Reformed Dogmatics with great interest. I've bemoaned the general switch I've seen in past years from clothbound to more and more paperbound hardcover books. Now, it seems that there may be some cases of misrepresentation occurring.The problem is that each volume is noted as having a "cloth" binding. Normally this bit of information is displayed when the work in question has been published in various formats (a paperback edition, or even an audiobook edition). For instance, a while back, I posted a review of House by Frank Peretti and Ted Dekker and took note of the different ISBNs given for each different format. Here is a list of the various ISBNs for the various formats in which House has been published:
ISBNs: 1595541551 / 9781595541550 (Hardcover); 159554156X / 9781595541567 (Trade Paper); 1595541578 / 9781595541574 (CD-Abridged)What is curious is the fact that Baker did not publish Bavinck's Reformed Dogmatics in various formats; only in hardback. It turns out that some volumes have a cloth binding and others have a faux cloth (or paper) binding. It is a bit misleading, and would be disheartening to have expected a cloth binding only to receive something of inferior quality. Normally, I would have expected that these volumes would have been labeled as hardback. I took a stroll through my library and found a couple of examples that listed the ISBN followed by either (hardcover) or (hc). Each of these volumes had non-cloth bindings. Maybe, it was Baker's intention to cover all four volumes with book binder's cloth. I don't know. I'm very curious to know why they used two different cover materials.
All in all, whereas the paper used to cover book bindings is not as durable as is cloth, the addition of a dustjacket should help to increase the lifespan of these volumes if the dustjacket is retained and cared for properly.
further ramblings...
Most publishers are moving from graphic-laden dustjackets to graphic-laden, paper book covers. I prefer the graphics to appear in the form of a dustjacket. Of course, many people seem to disdain dustjackets, even to the awful extent of throwing them out. But there is a valuable use for dustjackets and there is a simple solution to preventing them from becoming a tattered nuisance--DUSTJACKET COVERS (just like the ones used in public libraries). A dustjacket spares a book from a lot of wear, tear and soiling. A decent dustjacket cover is a cheap way to preserve the dustjacket and to increase its ability to protect the book.
I began covering my dustjackets about 8 years ago and have reaped the rewards of, not only a tidy looking library, but also a well-preserved library. Dustjacket covers can be purchased online from Brodart or Vernon Library Supplies (there may be others). Brodart offers top quality materials and would be preferred if my books saw more activity (say, as much as a public library would), but Vernon Library Supplies fits the bill for the amount of usage my books see and for the price.conclusion...
- We need publishers to continue (or return to) producing key reference works with quality bindings. Not all books need to be smythe-sewn and clothbound. But key reference works that owners will want to keep for years to come should be produced with quality materials. (Another set that was too cheaply reproduced is Calvin's Commentaries published by Baker, 1999. It pales in comparison to the previous printing as far as quality and durability go.)
- DON'T THROW OUT YOUR DUSTJACKETS! Retain them, cover them, and use them. (I've done this with my copy of The Literary Study Bible: ESV. The signatures are sewn, which is good, but the binding format is a non-cloth hardcover. Thankfully they offered a dustjacket. I've got it well-protected and it is in great shape after a lot of use.)
Thanks for the post, Jason. Hey, can you send me alink for the particular dust jacket protectors you use? (Like that roll we shared years ago back in Greenville.) Thanks
ReplyDeleteI'm currently using the following Book Jacket Covers:
ReplyDeleteI am currently using the following Easy Fit Covers from Vernon Library Supply
item# 1210 Easy Fit 1.5 mil Sheets (10" x 20 1/2" 50/PKG)
**This size fits most books. You can get the same thing in a roll by choosing item# 2210.
item# 1209 Easy Fit 1.5 mil Sheets (9" x 19" 50/PKG)
**This is another common size, but it's always to have a larger size than one that is too small. For general use, purchase the 10". If you have a good many smaller books, purchase either the 8" or 9" size. The 9" Roll is item# 2209.
item# 2208 Easy Fit 1.5 mil Sheets (8" x 300' Roll)
**I'll probably have this roll around for a long time. I should have purchased one of the larger sizes in a roll.
The sheets are precut and will save time if you have a lot of books to cover in a short period of time. If you will only be covering a few books at a time, I would purchase the rolls. This way you can cut the covers to size and minimize waste.
NOTE: Be sure that you cover the entire dust jacket, at least 1/2" over on each end. The more you cover the dustjacket, the more you protect it and help it stay tucked in the book.
Thanks for asking.
BTW, there is no minimum order requirement. However, they are currently offering free shipping on orders over $50.00.
Hope this helps!
Jason, you have hit on one of my own pet peeves and given it a broadside. But it's not only the move from "clothbound to more and more paperbound hardcover books." It's also the move by publishers from any kind of hardcover, clothbound or paperbound, to paperbacks. A case in point is Baker Book House's decision to stop publishing all of Boice's works with a hardcover binding and reissue them with a cheap paperback cover. That was aggravating....
ReplyDeleteYes, and I might add that many of these new paperbacks cost nearly as much as you would expect to pay for a hardback.
ReplyDeleteI realize that there are a number of issues at play; for instance, the rise in the cost of materials, the increasingly sluggish book market, the boom of digital books, etc.
I recently read where one publisher is making plans to trim its production by being more selective in choosing new books to publish. As I have been receiving review copies from various publishers over the past year I've been amazed at how much light material is being published. The market is flooded with books not worth the paper they were printed on. I'd like to see better selection from the top publishers.
(Kudos to publishers, such as The Banner of Truth, Reformation Heritage Books, Dust & Ashes Publications--to name of few--for continuing to offer excellent selections along with high quality bindings.)
In all fairness, Baker does a great job, especially when comparing the kinds of works they are publishing with those of other publishing houses. I would like to see them, as well as the other major publishers, return to quality covers on textbooks and major commentaries and key reference works.
(I would also like a raise so that I can afford to buy more high quality books.) :)
This is one of my pet peeves, too. I've been complaining about inferior quality content and bindings for a long time. I'm glad to see some famous bloggers like Jason Button and that other guy drawing attention to these problems. ;-)
ReplyDeleteSeriously, publishers should at least give us a choice to buy good books in more durable bindings.