CONDITION ON RECEIPT: The half leather and decorated paper binding was worn and abraded particularly at the corners, endcaps and joints. Most of the spine and the label were missing. The boards were detached. The text block was sewn through the fold. The pages were dirty, discolored, acidic and foxed. Endleaves were severely foxed. The volume was housed in a drop-spine box.

 

TREATMENT PERFORMED: Written and photographic documentation was provided. The volume was collated and disbound. The pH was recorded before and after treatment: before 3.5, after 5.5. The inks were tested for solubility. The head, tail, and pages were surface cleaned. The pages were washed in filtered water and then alkalized (deacidified) in a calcium hydroxide solution. The pages were sized with a 1% solution of methyl cellulose. Tears were mended and folds guarded where necessary with Japanese kozo paper and wheat starch paste. The volume was sewn on flattened cords with linen thread. The binding was repaired by rebacking using goat leather and was titled using a gold stamped leather label. The volume was housed in a drop-spine box.