Received

One volume in a full leather binding, sewn over five raised cords. 20.5 x 16 x 3.5 In fair condition.

 

The front board is detached, while the back board remains attached. The back inner joint is torn. The spine has been faced with tissue and lifted in preparation for repair; the leather along the spine has also been lifted. A tissue spine lining has been added, and appears to be in the process of being removed. The leather has been worn off the corners, and they are all bumped.

 

The text block is of a medium (2) weight paper, cream (3) in color, and slightly textured (1) [Print Council of America 1996]. The text block has been decorated with a solid vermillion edge. Page 153 has some paper loss on the lower corner. There is a Boston Athenaeum stamp on the title page. Light surface dirt throughout, concentrated along the gutter. The text block overall is in good condition.

 

Plain, single folio endsheets of the same paper as the text block were sewn in; medium (2) weight paper, cream (3) in color, and slightly textured (1) [Print Council of America 1996]. Discoloration from contact with the leather has occurred. Two Boston Athenaeum plates are affixed to the front pastedown, and a library pocket is affixed to the back pastedown.

 

Sewn two-on. The sewing appears to be intact.

 

The book has been rounded and backed. Single core, front bead endbands were sewn with white thread.

 

Treatment

 

Spot tested leather with red rot cocktail.

 

Surface cleaned with latex sponges, as necessary.

 

Removed tissue lining with methyl-cellulose poultice. Patch lined spine with thin hanji, and wsp. An extended keyed spine lining of 1601 hanji was put down with wsp, and threaded from the back board, up onto the spine, and put down under the lifted pastedown of the front board with pva. The back extended lining flange was put down onto the pastedown with wsp and toned with acrylics. The Front inner hinge was reenforced with Hanji 1301 toned with acrylics.

 

The dyed leather was put onto the spine with wsp, and the lifted leather on the covers adhered onto the new leather with pva. The spine was then spot toned with acrylics. The original spine piece facing was removed with ethanol, was then backed with klucel-G and thin Hanji, and was trimmed to fit between the raised cords. The original spine pieces were adhered with pva, and once dry, a thin layer of red rot cocktail was applied.

   

Date Completed:     10/22/14