Book Care

Standard Edition

The Standard Edition requires very little care to ensure its longevity. Since this edition is wrapped in synthetic leather, it does not need any conditioning and should be resistant to most of the effects of aging. To clean the book, use the included microfiber cloth. Simply store the book in a dry place, avoid prolonged exposure to humidity and direct sunlight, and your book will last for years.

Magnus Edition

The Magnus Edition is bound in genuine calfskin leather which is extremely durable and should last generations. Be sure to store the book in a dry place and avoid prolonged exposure to humidity and direct sunlight. Simply clean the book with the supplied microfiber cloth. Do not use any abrasive cloths or leather dressing on your book.

After around 5 years, if your book begins to show signs of aging, we recommend a combination of lanolin and neat’s-foot oil for general maintenance of the leather. This will help revive and restore the leather to its original beauty, luster, and suppleness.Avoid generic leather dressings that contain wax which coats the leather and prevents it from breathing.
If signs of aging become evident, follow these procedures:

1. Use the included microfiber cleaning cloth, or a soft cotton cloth, to clean the surface of the leather thoroughly before application. Otherwise, surface dirt or dust will almost inevitably be worked more deeply into the leather.
2. Test the product first in an inconspicuous place, especially on the editions bound in light-colored leather, as they will have a tendency to darken.
3. Give special attention to the moveable parts of the binding - that is, the joints and the heads and tails of backstrips. These areas will typically experience the most severe damage.

Leather products, no matter how good, are ultimately only as good as they are cared for. Use leather dressings sparingly. The application of excessive amounts, or too-frequent applications, may result in a tacky surface or penetration through the boards to the endpapers, and possible stripping of the gold foil which has been embossed in the leather.

Opus Americana, Inc. is not responsible for any damage to a book through the application of leather care products and makes no warranty to the longevity of natural leather.