Meydenbach, Jacob

Mainz: 1491

 

CONDITION ON RECEIPT: The incunable was bound in a dark green leather gold-tooled and stamped binding signed by Riviere and Son. The binding was worn, particularly at the corners and joints. The spine was faded. The back board was detached. The front joint was partially broken and the front internal hinge was broken. The text block consisted of printed pages with initials and rubrics in red and blue. An additional layer of pigment in silver-gray was added on top of some of the reds. Leaves had been numbered in pencil. Only one of the many woodcut illustrations was hand-colored. It may have been colored with copper green as evidenced by staining that had bled through the paper. The pages appeared to have been water- and mold-damaged, with some of the damage having been trimmed away during the rebinding by Riviere. The paper in this area was very weak as a result of the water damage. Staining remained most notably at the head of the text block, but also along the foredge and bottom edge. Many leaves were torn along the top edge where water stains were most evident. Some tears had been previously mended. The inks tested appeared soluble in water. Flyleaves were severely discolored from contact with leather turn-ins. A Lownes bookplate was adhered to the front pastedown.

 

TREATMENT PERFORMED: Written and photographic documentation was provided. The volume was collated and disbound retaining the original sewing. The head, tail, and pages were surface cleaned where possible. Original flyleaves were washed in filtered water and alkalized (deacidified) in a calcium hydroxide solution. Tears were mended and weakened areas were reinforced where necessary with Japanese kozo paper and wheat starch paste. Previous mends were removed with local applications of moisture and were mended with Japanese kozo paper and wheat starch paste. A barrier sheet of polyester film was inserted between the pastedowns and the text block. pH neutral interleaving was placed on either side of the hand-colored woodcut.  The sewing was reinforced with linen thread. The binding was repaired by rebacking using airplane linen and Japanese paper toned with acrylic pigment. The volume was housed in a drop-spine box.