Mounting an 1864 Medical Book in a Shadowbox

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copleyframer

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Oct 6, 2006
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Copley, Ohio
Hello Everyone -

I have a customer that wants me to shadowbox a medical book that has been in her family since 1864. She will be giving this to her son, the 7th generation doctor in their family.

She is requesting that the book be able to be removed from the shadowbox and returned once its been looked at.

I have no problem creating a shadowbox that can be opened but am a bit perplexed on the mounting. Easy removal and replacement has me stretching my "little gray cells"!!

The book is small, roughly 5x7 and condition is good considering its age.

Looking for suggestions from you Grumblers!!
 
You need to get yourself a copy of Grumbler Jim Miller's book on shadowboxing. He describes several approaches to books.

Part of your approach will depend on what kind of shape the book is in - is it crumbly around the edges or healthy and intact?
 
Another idea...

You could have an acrylic holder fabricated with face, top, bottom wrapped behind and attached to your backing. Leave the sides open for removal of the book.

Have the frame assembly hinged so it opens like a cabinet.

John
 
Thanks Framar, I do have Jim's book and will check out that section!!

Framar said:
You need to get yourself a copy of Grumbler Jim Miller's book on shadowboxing. He describes several approaches to books.

Part of your approach will depend on what kind of shape the book is in - is it crumbly around the edges or healthy and intact?
Click to expand...
 
This might be a good candidate for the Removable Clear Film Book Mount. Essentially, it is clear film box, open on the back, folded from a single sheet of Mylar-D/Melinex 516. The open side has flanges intended to be bonded between recto-verso mats. The frame (or simply a door) opens from the back and the book falls out. Illustrated instructions are on pages 22-23 of Mounting Objects With Clear Film. If you are into origami, you'll love this mount.

Note that in this mount, the book stands on its bottom side. If it is a hard-bound book with covers that exceed the page size, you would have to include a spacer block in the bottom of the mount to support the pages. That would also be true if you build a traditional sink mount for it.
 
Thanks Jim!

Your book is a "wealth" of valuable information. I will post some photos once I begin the process!! I am really looking forward to the "challenge"!!

Jim W.


Jim Miller said:
This might be a good candidate for the Removable Clear Film Book Mount. Essentially, it is clear film box, open on the back, folded from a single sheet of Mylar-D/Melinex 516. The open side has flanges intended to be bonded beteeen recto-verso mats. The frame (or simply a door) opens from the back and the book falls out. Illustrated instructions are on pages 22-23 of Mounting Objects With Clear Film. If you are into origami, you'll love this mount.

Note that in this mount, the book stands on its bottom side. If it is a hard-bound book with covers that exceed the page size, you would have to include a spacer block in the bottom of the mount to support the pages. That would also be true if you build a traditional sink mount for it.
Click to expand...
 
Here's an example ... this one holds a signed Brahms score, signatures include Yo-Yo Ma.

The score is a little floppy so I used a custom acrylic support top and bottom; this provides 1/4" standoff adding a nice drop shadow effect; score slides in & out to the right when case is open.

2011-04-30091602.jpg


2011-04-30091751.jpg


Here's another example ... in this case the book is more rigid ... It stands on a mini shelf - fabricated from black acrylic - the acrylic is angled so the magazine doesn't tip forward - the acrylic support is like an upside down 'T' - the long part runs most of the height of the book - 2 screws at the top into birch ply backing - the cross piece of the 'T' creates both the shelf and the angle effect.

IMG_2736MOD.jpg


IMG_2735MOD.jpg
 
Another great example! Thanks Andrew...

CAframer said:
Here's an example ... this one holds a signed Brahms score, signatures include Yo-Yo Ma.

The score is a little floppy so I used a custom acrylic support top and bottom; this provides 1/4" standoff adding a nice drop shadow effect; score slides in & out to the right when case is open.

2011-04-30091602.jpg


Here's another example ... in this case the book is more rigid ... It stands on a mini shelf - fabricated from black acrylic - the acrylic is angled so the magazine doesn't tip forward - the acrylic support is like an upside down 'T' - the long part runs most of the height of the book - 2 screws at the top into birch ply backing - the cross piece of the 'T' creates both the shelf and the angle effect.

IMG_2736MOD.jpg
Click to expand...
 
That looks like a very good design, Andrew -- attractive and fairly easy to construct. I like the slide-out feature of the mount.
CAframer said:
The score is a little floppy...
Click to expand...
If the cover is too floppy to remain flat over time, you could give the book overall support by overlaying a loose sheet of thin acrylic, or glass with polished edges. Slide it out of the mount with the book and then lay it aside.
 
Jim Miller said:
If the cover is too floppy to remain flat over time, you could give the book overall support by overlaying a loose sheet of thin acrylic, or glass with polished edges. Slide it out of the mount with the book and then lay it aside.
Click to expand...

Or if you have something that is exceedingly floppy, as in this ROTK example on my blog, you can build an acrylic case to fully support it. Removal from the opening shadowbox is then a two step process; first remove acrylic case, second remove object from within case.
 
Andrew,

Very nice work. Who makes your custom fabricated acrylic supports?
 
We can offer you another option and if you will call me with your email address I will send pictures for a frame we did for a first edition "Gone with the Wind" signed by the Margaret Mitchell.
 
I would recommend a desk top display case to avoid stress on the book. Use one of Lois' acrylic tops or build one out of frames like below but smaller and shorter.

DollCaseemail.jpg
 
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