Re-using a set of Encyclopedias?

Make a great book safe or stacked for an end table base.

https://www.pinterest.com/explore/old-encyclopedias/?lp=true

If the covers are in tip top shape they would make a beautiful lamp base, stacked... or cut out the inside to form a 'hollow' and use for a gift box if you know someone who would appreciate the box as much as the gift inside; bookends;

Since it is a complete set and since they are no longer being printed, I would make them the focal point of the room -- on a shelf with very few other items. Look at this complete set as artwork that needs to be featured.

You could stack them to make side tables, or remove the pages and use the leather to Cover drawer fronts/damaged furniture

You could use the insides as : Frames some pages as PIcture Art - Decoupage, Paper Mache, - Wallpaper -etc. The Spines cut down to cover a Cabinet a wall of books - The whole cover use as parts of boxes with sides added. Offer the Whole Set for Sale or Charity or Sell or give away individual Volumes to appropriate Plus my original thoughts as posted by the above .....................

Build bookshelves with them! (I have never done this but I would if I had your Encyclopedias!)

I would use the encyclopedias as legs with the binding facing forward.

I would use all thread round stock for the legs. The all thread would go through the corner of each shelf with a nut and flat fender washer on each side.

For the front legs I would use the books. The books would be hardened with a glue water solution and then drilled in the center of the pages near the binding edge.

For the back legs I would use metal tubing that slides over the all thread. On either end of the tubing I would use decorative wood pieces that are center drilled to cover nuts and washers.

I would attach feet to the bottom shelf, attach all thread through each of the predrilled corner holes. Slide the books over the front all thread, (adjusting the drilled holes as needed to accommodate the nuts. And fitting the tubing and decorative wood to cover the nuts on the back all thread.

Repeat for all shelves until you reach the top and cover allthread ends with decorative wood.

Just an idea thats not fully worked out but maybe you could run with it and create your own plan

: )

Oh shoot, I forgot to give you the glue water solution directions! Here they are!

Mix a solution of white glue and water.Make the consistency just enough for the glue to be runny, and more easily absorbed through the edge of the book's pages. 50% to 70% glue (30% to 50% water)

start at a page near the front and (you can be sloppy) paint soulution thickly on a page, a handful of pages later repeat and continue through the book, with book closed paint the edges with solution so that it soaks in and allow to dry well.

I was in some model homes last week, and the new thing with decorating with old books (like on a coffee or end table) is taking off the covers, stacking and tying with raffia. Or take a book, take off the cover, turn back batches of pages so it looks sort of like a fan and then tying with raffia. Nice look, if you can make yourself deface old books. I'm going to try it.........

My idea is simple to make a coffe table or side table. Stack a few of the books with the leather bindings to the outside, not staggered but straight on, glue them with very strong glue and use leather belts to further hold them together with the buckles facing out, place a glass top on top. I think this would look pretty and would be easy to do.