Ragingsun,
Can you link to some images of books that look similar to what you would like yours to look like? It helps to have some visual references.
It sounds like you want this book to feel like it has a history. If that's true, then the best place to start is to define the specifics of its origins.
- Who made it?
- Was the creator a skilled bookbinder?
- Why was the book made?
- How was it stored over the years?
A book cobbled together by a mad wizard to protect his secrets will have a very different look from one made by a master bookbinder for a wealthy client.
If you are going after an authentic old book look, you are going to need to use heavier, courser paper with a stitched binding. You will also need to age the paper with discolorations and tears and worn spots (which will be most prominent on pages which were frequently read - or pages that were open when a specific event occurred that damaged the book. Maybe the original owner had a habit of setting his drinking glass down on the pages, because his workspace was cluttered, leaving many dark rings on the pages.)
This article has some ideas for
distressing the paper.
These
Paper Distressing Pads might help you get the look you are after.
The cover you choose will also depend on the 'story' behind who made the book. An amateur might use whatever materials were available - wood, cloth, leather, etc. Whichever you choose, focus on how you image the book was handled and stored over the years to give you a sense of how to distress the cover.
I hope this gives you some ideas of where to start. Sounds like a really interesting project.
Andrew
