Broken Textblocks

The thread and sewing supports holding this book together have broken, and the sections that make up the textblock are detaching. After a long life of several hundred years, especially with heavy handling, even high-quality thread and sewing supports can break.

A very old, frayed, discolored book.
Split Textblock on a 12th Century Manuscript

Nicolaus Gospels: manuscript, 1133. Special Collections Codex Manuscripts: alc Ms129.
Photo by Melina Avery
A thick book whose binding has separated from its pages.
Detached Cover and Broken Textblock in a 12th Century Manuscript

Nicolaus Gospel: manuscript, 1133. Special Collections Codex Manuscripts: alc Ms129.
Photo by Melina Avery