Stabilizing Original Sewing | Book of Hours with Parchment Textblock

See how I stabilized the original sewing on this partial book of hours (circa late 1200s - early 1400s) without disturbing the original sewing.

I discuss the problems and opportunities presented by the condition of this parchment text block. I explain why this minimally invasive method redistributes stress away from the original sewing, providing some protection.

I also show the fancy, custom housing I made for the item.

Chapters for "Stabilizing Original Sewing | Book of Hours with Parchment Textblock"
0:00 Intro
0:07 Discussion of Structure/Issues
1:11 Sewing Conservation Treatment
7:22 Finished Treatment
7:42 Custom Housing

Kathryn Wright is the owner/conservator at Southern Book & Paper Conservation, LLC, her private practice conservation lab in Macon, Georgia.
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Portfolio, contact info, and other social: https://www.southernbnp.com/


🛠TOOLS & MATERIALS🛠
I am an eBay partner and therefore The Lab earns a commission on purchases made from the eBay links below (each time the link is clicked, there is a 24-hour commission window).

This commission expense is not passed to you - your price remains the same.

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.


ARCHIVAL STORAGE
4-flap enclosure: https://tinyurl.com/rvdjhss6 (Gaylord site)

Polyester L-sleeves for photos & documents: https://geni.us/mZbn (Amazon). If you have a water incident and these get wet, carefully cut the two sealed sides and remove the top piece of poly so the item can have an opportunity to dry - otherwise, it will mold extensively in the plastic.

Boxes, various sizes: https://geni.us/dmN3h (Amazon)

Folders, A4 and legal available: https://amzn.to/3gZgmqY (Amazon)

Cotton tying tape for weak or detached book boards and covers: https://geni.us/l5f5U (Amazon).


SMALL BENCH TOOLS
Teflon Bone Folder Set: https://geni.us/NmPNb (Amazon)

Gingher 8" shears: https://geni.us/d694 (Amazon)

Iris scissors: I have the curved pair. https://geni.us/dxmMWT (Amazon)

Olfa Silver knife with refill blades (Art Blade, 30 deg): allows for more precise cuts than the original Olfa Silver. https://geni.us/nXN5itG (Amazon)

Starrett 12" ruler: https://geni.us/dTZoy (Amazon)

Starrett 3" dividers: https://geni.us/Ec4A (Amazon)

Glue brushes: https://geni.us/WfLaVXX (Amazon)

EQUIPMENT
I got pretty much all of my equipment used on eBay, and I’ve been happy with everything.

Paper cutter (Kutrimmer): https://ebay.us/BkjrJk

Nipping press. My dimensions: 10”x13” bed/2.75” of daylight: https://ebay.us/LLT3KZ

Laying/finishing press: I actually prefer a machinist’s press (a 6” Kurt) https://ebay.us/PQnDZq

Traditional wooden finishing press: https://ebay.us/XYSMbk

Lectrojog: https://ebay.us/CDfyxd

Tormek SuperGrind 2000: https://ebay.us/zHt0Uc


MATERIALS & SUPPLIES
Talas is the go-to company for conservation supplies in the US: https://www.talasonline.com/.

If you’re a hobbyist bookbinder, book artist, and/or practicing by repairing discard books, I’ll include links below to Amazon, and other vendors who provide materials that are perfect for those pursuits.

Japanese long-fiber paper from Hiromi Paper:
Tengujo: https://tinyurl.com/4yrepkx8
Senka-shi Thick: https://tinyurl.com/7za85uu2

Leather: https://www.pergamena.net/

Marbled and Decorative Papers: https://hollanders.com/

Book cloth: https://hollanders.com/search?q=cialux

Text and cover weight papers:
I usually use Mohawk papers: https://www.thepapermillstore.com/
Smaller Mohawk sizes: https://geni.us/tvS8VM (Amazon)

PVA: https://geni.us/uc8J (Amazon)

Wheat Starch Paste: https://geni.us/Mcdq (Amazon)

Klucel-G leather consolidant: https://geni.us/CAswqOY (Amazon)

Isopropyl alcohol (99.9% pure): https://geni.us/Y2vKHbD (Amazon)

Methyl Cellulose: https://geni.us/xXw8 (Amazon)

Vulcanized Rubber Sponges: https://geni.us/WNcTDa

Methyl Cellulose: https://geni.us/xXw8 (Amazon)

Vulcanized Rubber Sponges: https://geni.us/WNcTDa



keywords:
antique book restoration, antique restoration, old book restoration, book restoration, antique book binding repair, old bookbinding repair, antique book repair, old book, old books, paper repair, antique paper repair, bookbinding, book binding, binding repair, book repair, repairing books, restoring books, repairing old books, restoring old books, antique manuscripts, manuscript, manuscripts, narrated, Illuminated manuscript, medieval, book of hours, parchment, book sewing

Intro music:
Comfortable Mystery 4 - Film Noire by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/...
Artist: http://incompetech.com/