I find many book binding services within driving distance, but the only ones that seem to specialize in bible repair require I ship out of state. Anyone with any knowledge of this? I need a new leather cover but feel uneasy about shipping it off and uneasy about a bindery that does not specialize in heirlooms.
Don't use the us mail. Use UPS or FedEx. They don't lose or tear things up as often. I would wrap it in bubble wrap, making sure it can't slide around in the box. I would also enclose it in a ziploc bag just in case.
I had to ship mine for the same reason. Also, let them know it is coming and make them sign for it $7 more if you are really worried.
I had my bible damaged by people who broke into our car..and I really didn't want to give it up because it had so many years of notes and other things in it....I took it to my local Christian Book Store to see about getting a new book cover put on it....it was so expensive that I never had it done...this wasn't an heirloom..merely a personal bible that I had for about 25 years. I would think that any established Christian Book Store take good care of your precious bible and would tell you if they didn't think they could do the work for you.
Re:the other post about not shipping it in the mail...just something to think about. I was contemplating shipping a largish diamond once (via a local jeweler that I made an inquiry with about cutting it to get rid of a small chip). I was nervous about shipping it to NY, and the jeweler told me that the ONLY way to ship something so valuable was via the US mail...pack it really well to protect from accidental damage, but it is a FELONY to steal Us Mail so something is much less likely to be stolen when traveling via that method vs UPS or FEDEX. You can track and insure the US mail too.
I realize San Clemente is a ways from Fullerton at opposite sides of the county, but "House of Bibles" on Commonwealth is where I would check. (They're closed right now, it's late, or I would have called to ask about what they'd recommend about repairs.)
I lived in Fullerton for years (still live close enough to go) and spent a lot of time there, the owner is very knowledgeable, and I'm sure could answer questions you have about the repair needed, advise if you should send it out of state, etc., so why not give them a call in the morning? Hopefully you can get some additional information.
Personally, I would be hesitant to send an heirloom Bible anywhere, I'd have to know where it was.
House of Bibles
123 East Commonwealth Avenue
Fullerton, CA 92832-1907
###-###-####
Hours: Sun Closed; Mon-Fri 11am–7pm; Sat 10am–6pm
Why not keep the original cover and do it yourself? It's not as hard as you think. Here are two tutorials...
http://planetgreen.discovery.com/home-garden/repair-damag...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HhCLB7v2QWA
There are tons of other tutorials on youtube. Just check around if these don't work for you.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JUnlQqfm5xw&feature=re...
After reading JL's post, I found this repairman who seems to be pretty knowledgeable. Still not in California.
