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NARRATIVE TREATMENT REPORT

Author: Barry, Alfred
Title: Memoir of Sir Charles Barry, Architect
Imprint: London 1870

Treatment Purpose:
The intention of the treatment was to stabilize the deteriorating text block while leaving the case intact. The text block needed to be removed from the case pulled and re-sewn then re-attached. The integrity of the original item was maintained as much as possible.

Materials:
(Colophon) Precipitated wheat starch paste mixed at a ratio of 4 to 1 and cooked 20 minutes.
(Talas) Elvace PVAc 45675
(Fisher 4000cps.) Methylcellulose 2.5% dispersed in hot then cold distilled water
Paste mix of 60% WSP and 40% MC1
Gaylord Kisukishi
(Best Blake) 25-3 Cotton thread
Horomi HM-10
(Talas) Lascaux 498 HV
Permalife

Treatment Process:
•  The text block was mechanically removed from the case and the width of the spine was measured so that later re-sewing could be kept at the same width.
•  The existing deteriorated sewing was removed and each individual signature was separated.
•  The rounding and backing folds of the original text block were removed by separating the signature into groups of 10 and putting them under slight pressure.
•  Signatures with tears and losses in the gutters of the bifolia were repaired with Kizukishi and paste.
•  The text block sections were repositioned and put under weight for an hour to press out the swelling from any guarding that was performed.
•  A sewing frame was set up with three cords. The signatures were sewn together mimicking the original recessed cord structure. However, the sewing passed around each cord fully providing extra strength.
•  The book was given a slight round by hand and pasted. When the paste was just dry the book was placed in a backer and the existing rounding and backing was repeated as closely as possible.
•  While in the press, the excess paste was removed and a sheet of Kizukishi was attached to the spine with a light layer of new paste. The paste was allowed to set and the book was removed and dried between boards in order to maintain the backing.
•  The frontice piece and rear fold out map were hinged into place using a ½ inch piece of Kizukishi that was pasted ¼ inch onto the item and ¼ inch onto the spine of the volume.
•  Two pieces of Horomi were cut to the height of the book and about 1½ inches wider than the volume. These pieces were sized with methyl-cellulose.
•  Once sized with methyl-cellulose, the sheets of Horomi were hinged onto the spine with paste at the front and back of the volume. The sheets were molded over the shoulders. Once in place, the sheets were trimmed to size at the foredge.
•  The original decorative endsheets were lined with heat set tissue.
•  The original endsheets were tipped to the Hiromi support sheet with Lascaux at their foredge and spine edge.
•  A 1 inch piece of Hiromi was pasted on the spine at the front and back of the volume overhanging the shoulder about ½ inch.
•  The spine of the text block was lined with a sheet of Western paper.
•  The endsheets on the inside of the boards were lifted mechanically approximately 1 inch at the spine edge of each board.
•  The detached cover was reinforced along the weakened inside joints with Kizukishi adhered with a 1 to 1 mixture of paste and methyl-cellulose running up over the edge on the inside boards and pasted down under the lifted material.
•  The spine of the cover was supported with a Western paper insert the width of the spine adhered with PVA.
•  The textblock was cased in using the overhanging Hiromi lining.
•  The joint material was adhered to the boards under the lifted pastedowns using PVA
•  The paste downs were re-adhered with paste,

November 26, 2003

FOR CONDITION / DESCRIPTION REPORT, PLEASE SEE SEPARATE FORM

SIS/PCS BOOKLAB 3 FALL 03 INF393C.3 Temp. ID PCS#: PCS 03-114

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