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Larousse Spanish-English Dictionary (1996): Re-Back

Before Treatment			After Treatment

During Treatment

Date Examined:	February 15, 2006
Date Completed:	April 26, 2006
Conservator:	Melissa Straw
Instructor:	Chela Metzger
Owner/Custodian:	Perry Casteñeda Library, University of Texas
Author:	Larousse (Firm)
Title:	Larousse English-Spanish, Spanish-English Dictionary
Imprint:	1996
Binding Dimensions (cm):	H: 23.7 W: 16.9 T: 6.2
Text block Dimensions (cm):	H: 22.6 W: 15.0 T:  5.5

DESCRIPTION AND CONDITION SUMMARY

The book is a large dictionary bound in heavy plastic book cloth.  The case-to-text attachment (overhanging paper lining and endpaper) is intact, but the case-covering material is ripped away at the top of the spine leaving the spine lining exposed and spine label damaged.  The damaged spine material is likely a result of improper removal from a shelf. The sewing and text block are intact, and the book opens and functions properly. 

TREATMENT OBJECTIVE

To stabilize the book for general circulation purposes. 
Treatment performed was indicated by supervising conservator from the General Libraries.

TREATMENT PROPOSED

Re-back with a cloth spine replacement adhered to boards and under pastedowns at turn-ins, as recommended for use in circulating collections. Treatment also includes trimming and re-adhering the original spine label.

TREATMENT PERFORMED

1. Without disturbing the case-to-text attachment, cut through covering plastic at the spine edge of the boards and carried this cut to the edges of the pastedown.  Removed and retained original spine label.  Additionally, cut through the covering material, from the head and tail edges of the board to the interior pastedowns, 3cm from the spine edge.
2. Lifted plastic covering material from the board support at the spine edge approximately 3 cm in. Removed a little board by scraping with a micro spatula to accommodate additional thickness of new acrylic cloth on head and tail, front and back.
3. Measured spine and shoulder widths and constructed a replacement cloth spine piece using acrylic-filled C cloth of a similar color.  Cut a cover weight spine insert to the width of the text block spine and to the height of the boards.  Adhered the spine insert to the cloth with PVAc.
4. Attached the cloth spine replacement to the book boards with PVAc, under the lifted paper, one board at a time. 
5. Using a PVAc and methyl cellulose mix, adhered the turn-ins under the pastedowns; re-adhered the pastedown using PVAc applied with Mylar strips inserted under the pastedown. 
6. Re-adhered lifted plastic covering material using PVAc.  Emphasized the grooves with a Teflon bone folder.
7. Trimmed original plastic spine label and re-adhered it to the new cloth spine with PVAc. 

MATERIALS USED

Acrylic-filled C cloth
Mohawk cover weight paper
PVAc
Methyl cellulose