Treatment Examples
Conservation of the Nuremberg Chronicle:
An illustrated report
Japanese Paper Reback
This is a relatively recent addition to the repertoire of the book
conservator. Using Japanese paper the conservator can repair joints,
headcaps and corners with a minimal of amount of effort. The repair
is then touched up and refurbished with acrylic paints and an acrylic
wax. This is quick and simple, yet aesthetically pleasing, repair that
works well on almost all bindings in leather, vellum, cloth or paper.
Full Conservation Treatment
This example shows a full treatment on an 18th century French history
of the Catholic Church. There was extreme mold damage to approximately
the last 50 pages and the rear board. The leather covering was removed,
the boards consolidated and repaired, the paper repaired using a "pulp-fill"
technique and Japanese paper. It was then resewn as needed, new endbands
sewn, and then recovered with calfskin. Finally, the original covering
fragments reapplied.
Vellum Rebacking
This two-volume set of full vellum bindings from the early 19th century
had been previously rebacked and was once again, in need of a rebacking.
In order to complete the rebacking, the endsheets needed to be lifted,
the spine cleaned and lined with linen. The case was reconstructed using
new vellum.
Wooden Boards Binding
This early 16th century binding, while in essentially very good condition
had a cracked front cover, weakened paper inner joints and was missing
its clasps. The clasps on many bindings of this type are often missing
or damaged because they were either removed over the course of time
or because they simply wore out. In this instance, the front endsheet
was carefully lifted, and the board partially drilled. A dowel was then
inserted and sanded down till it was flush with the board. The endsheet
was lined with Japanese paper because of other damage, and reapplied.
At this time the joints were also repaired. New clasps, based on an
impression/shadow of the original, were made of brass stock in a manner
compatible with what might have been there.
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