spinal separation

Easy breezy repair and a most important one.  In hard covers the text block likes, on more occasions than the book-brother authority would like to admit, to make a break for it now and then.  We have no idea why text blocks feel the need to break free of what protects them from a hard wear world, but the burden of the cover just seems to become too much all of sudden and they lean out, unclenching the glue attachments and list toward all out freedom.  If you can catch them in this partially escaped state, you can save yourself a lot of work.  Pleasurable work, but work non-the-less. 

Get your glue ready, in a little puddle on a plate or some such item.  Get your glue brush ready.  This is a paint brush that is either in retirement, or was crafted by people who believe paint brushes should be disposable in quality.  Make sure your glue brush has a long handle and is not very big in the bristle department.  A size one is a good bet. Not too big and not too small for the job.  Just like porridge.  Spread the spine and cover open as in the picture, exposing the areas in need of fresh glue.  Swipe up a dollop of glue on the brush, hold it over the opening with your hand near the brush, and, with practiced timing, let go, then just before it lands on the desk below, catch the handle again and paint the glue all up the inside edges of the spine where the boards and the end papers should be attached.*  Put the glue brush in water.  Lay the book on its spine with the covers flat on the desk and gently press the end papers back into place.  Close the book, lay it flat and drop a brick on it. Gently. Leave it until the glue dries.  Done.

*I have tried the method where you pour the glue down inside the book along the edges of the spine, but that generally ends up with smears of glue along the shaft of the glue brush.  If you don't mind cleaning that up, or don't care if your glue brush is caked with dried glue, go for it.  Not that I would admit to being fastidious in anyway.  And not that anyone who has seen my work station while I am in the middle of a project would think it.  But I generally do it the other way.