Conservation of Books is the highly anticipated reference work on global book structures and their conservation, offering the first modern, comprehensive overview on this subject.
The volume takes an international approach to its subject. Written by over 70 specialists in conservation and conservation science based in 19 countries, its 26 chapters cover traditional book structures from around the world, the materials from which they are made and how they degrade, and how to preserve and conserve them. It also examines the theoretical underpinnings of conservation: what and how to treat, and the ethical, cultural, and economic implications of treatment. Technical drawings and photographs illustrate the structures and treatments examined throughout the book. Ultimately, readers gain an in-depth understanding of the materiality of books in numerous global contexts and reflect on the practical considerations involved in their analysis and treatment.
Conservation of Books is a quintessential reference work for book conservators and anyone working with books, such as collection managers, librarians, curators, dealers, collectors, historians, and related professionals. It is also an indispensable text for students to complement hands-on training in this field.
Author(s): Abigail Bainbridge
Series: Routledge Series in Conservation and Museology
Publisher: Routledge
Year: 2023
Language: English
Pages: 734
City: London
Cover
Half Title
Series Page
Title Page
Copyright Page
Dedication
CONTENTS
List of Figures
List of Tables
List of Contributors
Acknowledgements
1. Introduction
SECTION 1: Book Structure and History
2. The Birth of the Codex
3. Eastern Mediterranean Bindings
3.1. Coptic Bindings
3.2. Ethiopic Bindings
3.3. Islamic Bindings
3.4. Armenian Bindings
3.5. Byzantine Bindings
3.6. Syriac Bindings
3.7. Georgian Bindings
3.8. Samaritan Bindings
3.9. Jewish Bindings
Bibliography
4. South-Asian Bindings
4.1. Indic Bindings
4.2. Tibetan Bindings
4.3. Kashmiri Bindings
4.4. Sikh Bindings
Bibliography
5. East-Asian Bindings
5.1. Chinese Bindings
5.2. Korean Bindings
5.3. Japanese Bindings
Bibliography
6. Southeast Asian Bindings
6.1. Upper Mainland Southeast Asian Bindings
6.2. Indonesian Bindings
Bibliography
7. European Bindings
7.1. Manuscripts in the Pre-Printing Era
7.2. Printed Books
7.3. Stationery Bindings
7.4. Albums and Scrapbooks
Bibliography
8. North American Bindings (Present-day Canada and United States)
9. Latin American Bindings
SECTION 2: Bookbinding Materials and Their Degradation
10. Introduction to Bookbinding Materials and Their Degradation
11. Materials and Identification
11.1. Papyrus
11.2. Skin
11.3. Textiles
11.4. Paper
11.4.1. Introduction
11.4.2. East Asian Handmade Paper
11.4.3. Tibetan, Nepalese, and South Asian Handmade Paper
11.4.4. Handmade Papers of Central Asia, Western Asia (Middle East), and North Africa
11.4.5. European Handmade Paper
11.4.6. Machine-made Paper
11.5. Paper-based Boards
11.6. Wood
11.7. Birch Bark
11.8. Palm Leaves
11.9. Metals
11.10. Adhesives
11.11. Manuscript Media
11.12. East Asian Manuscript and Printing Inks
11.13. Pre-industrial Western Printing Inks, c.1450–1850
Bibliography
12. The Ten Agents of Deterioration
13. Polymers and Their Degradation
SECTION 3: Approaches to Conservation
14. Introduction to Approaches to Conservation
15. Decision-making
16. Conservation in Context
17. Previous Treatments
18. Social, Cultural, and Religious Considerations in Conservation Decision-making
SECTION 4: Preventive Conservation
19. Introduction to Preventive Conservation
20. Boxing, Storage, and Transportation
20.1. Preservation Enclosures for Books and Manuscripts
20.2. Storage of Books
20.3. Transportation of Books
Bibliography
21. Exhibition of Books
22. Digitisation
SECTION 5: Techniques of Conservation
23. Introduction to Techniques of Conservation
24. Conservation Documentation
25. Material-based Treatments
25.1. Papyrus Treatment
25.2. Parchment Treatment
25.3. Leather Treatment
25.4. Paper Treatment
25.5. Media Treatment
25.6. Conservation Treatment Concerns for Printing Inks on Paper
25.7. Board Treatment
25.8. Metal Treatment
Bibliography
26. Structural Repairs
26.1. Internal Features and Components
26.2. Board Reattachment and Spine Repair
26.3. Binding: Structure, Functionality, and Integrity
Bibliography
Index
