Below are a few examples of recent book and archive conservation work completed by Karen Vidler. Karen's studies in Leather Technology and part completion of a PhD into bookbinding leather decay has informed the conservation work she undertakes in the conservation of leather bindings.
Leather Bookbinding Conservation
Before:
Six volume set early 19thC full leather bindings. All boards
detached, caps damaged, discoloured leather dressing on spine promoting
leather hardening | After:
Old leather dressing reduced with solvent treatment, caps humidified
and dyed-tooled cap repairs, suture board reattachment, Etherington joint repairs |
Before: 19thC Stationery Binding with detached spine, broken sewing and detaching boards
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After: Front and spine view showing boards reattached, new spine leather under original spine leather
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Cloth Binding Conservation
Before: Detached spine of gold blocked cloth-case binding with acidic spine linings |
After: Replaced spine with handmade paper linings and spine repaired with toned aerolinen spine piece
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Tortoishell Binding Conservation
Before: Victorian Tortoiseshell cover with detached back corner piece
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After: Reattached corner using Fynebond Conservation adhesive - See article about this project here
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Vellum Bookbinding Conservation
Before: Discoloured previous repair to gap and split joints at head and tail
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After: Removal of repair with Methyl Cellulose poultice, attached aerolinen joint repairs laminated with toned Kozushi 23 gsm repair paper attached with Lascaux 498HV
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