<> Have you considered having the book rebound by a professional to preserve its historic value to whatever degree you have established that, and donating it to a historical society in a city where that family had roots? Then have a copy made for yourself to use for research. In that way you would have a tax deduction, make a historical society happy, and have a sturdy book for reference purposes. After all with rare exceptions the value of a book is the contents. Carol Hubbell Boggs