Hello CowboyColonel, thanks for replying. I used a 12"X24" piece of 7-8 vegtan which is the front/ back and spine all one piece. I added a stiffener over the spine. Then I used a 12"X24" piece of 4-5 vegtan for the inside glued together with the 7-8. After carving and stamping I stained it and sealed it with super sheen. I just found out if should have oiled it. I had nothing to lose at this point so I tried using Neats Foot Oil LIBERALLY. It did soften the leather enough to bend with no further cracking. This album is for my granddaughter and when I showed my daughter the cracks she did not want me to do another one. Believe it or not the cracks are barely noticeable. The info you have given me will be invaluable in making more photo albums.
Thank you very much,
whistlestop77