Rune Works Rare Book Cases & Creations
Every piece of each of these cases and creations are hand-selected, from the wood, to the archival-safe materials selected, and each design, from the engravings to the stains, will always make each a one-of-a-kind work of art.
If you are interested in one-of-a-kind Rune Works Rare Book Case you can check out the process or head to The Wood Shop.
These are custom and hand-crafted, one at a time, to make the most of woodcraft and fiction, which are two passions of mine. ~R.J.H.
Rune Works Rare Book Cases & Creations
Every piece of each of these cases and creations are hand-selected, from the wood, to the archival-safe materials selected, and each design, from the engravings to the stains, will always make each a one-of-a-kind work of art.
If you are interested in one-of-a-kind Rune Works Rare Book Case you can check out the process or head to The Wood Shop.
These are custom and hand-crafted, one at a time, to make the most of woodcraft and fiction, which are two passions of mine. ~R.J.H.

THE STAND Rune Works Case: with licensed Bernie Wrightson art is officially available for Pre-order and the wait list is waiting for you to make your stand!

“The Trashcan Man” illustration by Bernie Wrightson for Stephen King’s UNCUT book The STAND has been rendered in a fully-fledged engraving in the wood of the TFF Rune Works Rare Book Case.
The use of the original piece was personally approved of by Liz Wrightson, as was the final carving of the art in the wood, so that the integrity of the art remains true to Bernie Wrightson’s original vision of the Trashcan Man. I am all about attention to detail, which is why I used a scan of an inscribed copy of The Stand to use to engrave Sai Stephen King’s signature in the front of the RW Book Case.
Rune Works Rare Book Cases Prototype Paperback First Edition:
THE LORD OF THE RINGS
Here is a RW Case for my favorite book of all time (tied with The Gunslinger): THE LORD OF THE RINGS BY J.R.R. TOLKIEN. For this one, I experimented by placing the glass within the door and I spent many hours engraving what is the most elaborate and detailed hand painted piece to date on the front and back of the wooden case. The First Edition ACE paperbacks of LOTR are legend and I wanted to secure my copies and their history in style.
Every piece of each of these RW Cases is hand-selected, from the wood, to the archival-safe materials selected, and each design, from the engravings to the stains, will always make each a one-of-a-kind work of art. These are custom and hand-crafted, by hand, one at a time, to make the most of woodcraft and literature, which are two passions of mine. ~R.J.H.
Rune Works Rare Book Case Prototype 4 First Edition Paperbacks:
THE BACHMAN BOOKS: RAGE, THE LONG WALK, THE RUNNING MAN, ROADWORK BY RICHARD BACHMAN A.K.A. STEPHEN KING
This is a RW Case for more of my favorites written by Stephen King under the pen name Richard Bachman. For this one, I use black velvet to drape, separate, and pad the four first edition paperback books – US editions – that fit snugly into the case horizontally. This is the PC for a limited edition 19, roman numeral XIX.
No Two Cases Are Alike!
Each design may be a limited edition, but if there are 19 created, no two cases will be alike. Each one takes into account its owners specific requests, comes from its own unique pieces of wood, and each is put together by hand in a way to accentuate the natural patterns of the wood and the overall art aesthetic. Some cases will have matching wood grain from side to side and some will have pieces shaped and honed to fit the hardware, the engravings, and the hand painting. There may not be one perfect case made . . . ever. And that is part of the beauty of the Rune Works case. ~RJH
HERE ARE MORE IN-DEPTH LOOKS AT THE TFF RUNE WORKS RARE BOOK CASES:
Rune Works Rare Book Cases Prototype Paperback First Edition:
THE LORD OF THE RINGS BY J.R.R. TOLKIEN
The infamous Ace Edition paperback trilogy that historically popularized the book.

Here is a case created for the historic American first pb edition of LOTR, which was unauthorized, but affordable and allowed the book to become enormously popular in a short time.

Ace would later pay Tolkien his royalties and he even admitted to preferring the ‘bootleg’ edition’s artwork better because, unlike the first official paperback edition of The Lord of the Rings, Ace’s actually had nice artwork that was reflective of the story.

Engraving such intricate designs and then hand painting them was quite tricky…
But well worth it, I think! You can actually feel the engraving with your hands and this kind of three dimensional use of 2-D art is truly incredible to behold in wood.

The darker wood color and grain is fantastic and if you look closely, you can see the wood grains are actually matched up from the door to the box portion of the case and all around.

The glass is UV-protected museum grade plexi and was added to the inside back of the door, as an experiment that I may use on more of my future projects.

Rune Works Rare Book Case Prototype:
THE BACHMAN BOOKS

This one measures about 19″ long x 8″ high and will be a limited edition roman numeral up to 19, XIX.

If anyone had a tall shelf (over 15″ of height) I can make an alternate of this case that has the books two atop two, so that one can fit the RW case easier on the shelf with the spine sticking out for those that want to save space and not face the covers out.

There is nothing quite like being draped in velvet. Here you see the matching wood grains connecting on the inside from the door to the case, inside and outside of it. And black velvet, velvet dividers, and satin ribbon to help to prop up each book should they need to be handled.

It would seem this Richard Bachman, once a semi-famous author and recluse, may he rest in peace, left some checks lying around all over the place. His signature is as famous as he is, and it is featured, prominently engraved, in the front of the wooden RW case.

Skulls are fun. A lot of people die on The Long Walk, so I felt it was only appropriate to use an antique skull knob.
Rune Works Rare Book Case Prototype:
THE LONG WALK

Though the original design would have held two books, this still has a nice emphasis on the actual round sticking out of the RW case, and the other loose round that holds the latch closed.

Want a hand painted signature of a fictional author carved into the case and glossed over like Richard Bachman’s here?


Rune Works Rare Book Case Prototype:
I AM LEGEND
I hope to acquire a first edition hardcover to make a similar case for – one with a wooden framed plexi-glass UV top – in the future.

Here we have an antique hinge that fits the vampire apocalypse aesthetic very well.

This is a hand carved wooden stake, and it is sharp enough to help with the neighbors.

The Limited Edition Handmade Wooden Pen Holder Is Available
I have decided that the RW Cases should include a pen holder and sign marking their roman numeral #’d limitation and the title of the book engraved on a hand made wooden apparatus. I will make an additional 80 for those who are book enthusiasts and just want a cool pen holder. Reach out to me here on the Contact page to inquire if you want one.
These pen holders have a nice deep engraving that you can feel even after the clear coat is applied. It is a fun texture, especially the Slinger’s bullet-blasted title!
Each will match the case, be sealed safely with clear coat, and be I of XIX for the case owners and roman numeral 20 – 99 – so that is XX / XCIX- for everyone else who wants a first edition themed pen holder.
Pictures In Progress [PIP] Section
The PIP Section will show the thing I love the most when seeing art: the creative process! I will be adding pictures of my newest creations and peaks into the process, as well as finished product overview shots I take for quality control! More pictures may find their way to the Facebook photo albums, including the “In The Wild” album where RW Cases that have found their way out in to the world are shown in all their glory, so be sure to tune in here too for even more PIP [Works in Progress WIP): https://www.facebook.com/theforgottenfiction/.
Enjoy!
~R.J.H.
Rune Works Rare Book Cases Are An Offshoot of The Forgotten Fiction
As my love for writing and reading books extends to many other forms of art, including woodworking, being a gear-head, and the collecting of rare books, this RW Cases seemed a natural pursuit.
Here you see my first completed prototype that I made for my first edition of The Long Walk By Stephen King’s alias Richard Bachman.
I wanted to do two things differently:
I wanted to use UV protective archival plexi-glass to show the book cover without taking the book out or even opening the case, and I wanted the book protected, not just from bumps and bruises, but to be completely archival-safe.
One thing to keep in mind is not just the book encased in the acid-free padding and all that, but also the other books on your bookcase that will be around this case.
By properly sealing the entire case, built of a low-acidity wood, in the right types of clear-coat, what some call shellac, though there are resins, epoxies, and polyurethanes that can fit that “clear coat / shellac” description, you ensure the safety of all the books around this from the acidic book aging and deteriorating fumes.
My first RW case for The Long Walk leaves a lot to be desired in terms of little adjustments I would do differently, though I will always love having it on my shelf, as it is my first and my own Rune Works Case.
My next one for I Am Legend By Richard Matheson is inspired by the great case-makers of yore, Dolso (often using maple – a great selection, as one of the lowest acidity ratings for wood), Paul Michael Kane (whose custom intricate and gorgeous paper case designs, often with marbling, are incredible), many of the rare Stephen King Limited Editions’ cases from fine press publishers out there, and specifically Paul Suntup’s lettered design of Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451 for the UV glass idea and his idea to put a real stake on the lettered edition of I am Legend that I yearn to own (and all of Paul’s creations are an inspiration).
Paperbacks are some of the coolest covers and were the true first editions of some great works of literature and they rarely get their due, except from book slipcases, which hide their unique and often wild cover art.
That is why my first few selections for my own collection will be of historic paperbacks, like The Long Walk, I Am Legend By Richard Matheson, Neuromancer by William Gibson and The Lord Of The Rings (which would not have grown popular in the US without the aid of the bootleg, or copyright skirting ACE first editions of Tolkien’s great work, and then some great hardcovers, like The Gunslinger, my signed Revival and Carrie to name three of Stephen King’s first edition hardbacks in need of casing.
This particular case for The Long Walk I would make again, if someone wanted one, but would suggest a less wide design (originally I planned on two books being in there), possibly two vintage hinges and more prominent side and top engravings to match the engraved signature that is so cool.
I am open to ideas too, as the creative process is one to be ever-evolving!
I would also offer up a suggestion as to alter this design to feature a less glossy tone, like the one I did for IAL, on the wood too, though I do kind of like the flowing rain effect I built into it to show the rain and hail storm hitting The Walk.
All of that said, it is a love of mine, as the design can and will work with near limitless possibilities in terms of customizations.
Though I will consider making these cases for others, if there is interest I will limit each design to maximum of 19, in a Roman Numeral limited edition, engraved in the base of the case.
Each one I make will always be hand crafted, hand painted, utterly unique.
They are truly a one-of-a-kind collectible due to the hand-crafted building, including the customization of the wood used – each piece’s grain will be different and selected for its beauty – and more design nuances will be brought in as each one is made.
For instance, this piece I tried a glossy finish with ripples in places down the sides to show The Walk in the rain/hail. But in so doing I lost a bit of the wood feel I love so much.
These wooden cases are archival-safe, using methods studied from the Library of Congress and other sources I have studied and compiled over the years.
Here is a great read: “Love your books? Keep them safe with good shelving.”
Ideally you would not want a book near wood, which naturally breaks down over time and those gases affect the book’s materials. That said though, sealing the wood itself, to prevent such off-gasing, and this does need a 30 day cure period for the sealant to fully cure before it is safe to house the book is what I am bringing to the book case community. I am designing my own library bookshelves to be made with the same process, as right now I have wood and all of the sides and parts of the shelves that touch the books are covered in mylar for temporary protection.

That is a facsimile signature of Richard Matheson and a microscope engraved in the bottom front of the wood.
To provide the most protection for the book in each aspect of the Rune Works cases we only use materials that will not degrade the book, from the use of low acidity woods, like the poplar shown here with The Long Walk case, to the use of specific clear-coating with protective epoxy to eliminate book aging and paper degradation via off-gassing found in traditional wood stain polyurethane clear coats, to the acid-free padding, satin, rust-resistant hardware, and then the use of 100% UV Protective Plexiglass and is Non-glare (museum-grade) on the front of the case to display the book and its cover art in a setting that is nearly as creative and artistic as the book design itself.

When you see a piece of Poplar this sexy, you not only buy her and stick her out the top of the convertible because she is nearly as long as the car, but you show her off too. Zoom in on that grain, baby!
Wooden book cases, for example, are not used in most libraries, including The Library of Congress and the Vatican’s archival safe library, because of the breakdown of the wood with off-gassing damaging and aging the paper and other book materials over time – the closest we can get to a powder-coated steel book case is a sealed wood surface and proper temperature and humidity conditions.
Detailed engravings and personalizations can be added to the side, or spine, of the Rune Works Case too – just as Mr. Bachman’s signature (may he rest in peace) was added to the front of the case above – to save shelf space if one wants to put it in between other books the narrow way, versus book cover side out.
Many more pictures and stories and cases are coming to this page, so be sure to sign up for the emailer if you want updates when something new pops up.
Best,
R.J. Huneke
P.S. Dedication:
The Rune Works Rare Book Cases R.W. Shop are dedicated to John “Da Wolf” Gersic for his great friendship and his invaluable insight and training, as well as helping me to secure some exceptional tools, including my former behemoth of a work bench and the colossal Patchogue-Electric Motors drill press after she closed down (and he helped me lug them across the island and down some stairs).
And last, but not least, The Rune Works Shop and Cases are also dedicated to the memory of Opa, whose wisdom and thirst for knowledge knew no bounds, even at 95 years, and who he gifted me with some of the finest quality tools you could hope to work with – oh man, his table saw from the 40’s or 50’s, is a thing of beauty and invaluable to me now – and I hope I make him proud, wherever he is now, as I learn and hone my craft, as he had.
P.P.S. My History:
I have worked on cars since I was a teenager and was a motor mechanic to put myself through school and achieve an honors degree in English at SBU. I have been a published author for 15+ years and continue to write non-fiction and fiction daily.
Back to my handiwork though! I worked at Patchogue Electric Motors for five years doing all kinds of custom fabrication on many types of motors, including some ancient devices that were irreplaceable – some of these we did for The Brookhaven National Lab – and so they needed machining and custom work to make the parts or pieces that could not be gotten for some decades. Here is one such irreplaceable motor that I filmed shorting out and exploding a bit (that is me laughing) while in the shop – under controlled circumstances and with help, of course: CATASTROPHIC Electric Motor Failure – A Winding Shorted FIRE.
This is the drill press that was acquired in 1954 or 1955 for Patchogue-Electric’s founder shortly after the shop opened and was generously given to me when the shop was closed by its owner (it is about six feet tall, weighs a ton and is now integral in my work).
I was very fortunate to learn some woodworking skills from my wife’s grandfather, Opa, who was a skilled wood worker and even worked on some of NASA’s rocket parts at Republic – he was an Air Force Veteran who was in the Battle of the Pacific (and his father was an extremely skilled metalworker) and did woodwork for all kinds of things, including one of his passions model railroads, before he passed at the age of 95.
He gifted me his many tools, some of which are close to 100 years old as they came from his father, and his table-saw is likely from the 40’s or 50’s and is invaluable to the craft as I partake in it.
I continue to learn and work at the craft as I have for many years, and though the archival rare book case side is relatively new to me, my months of practice will soon be years of work as I build up my own book collection’s cases.
Cheers!
~RJH

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