Bell Book & Conservation

This binding had a detached back board that caused serious tearing in the back endpapers when the board pulled away from the textblock. The treatment involved both reattaching the board and repairing the tears. View more information about the conservation of this book. Property of The Folger Shakespeare Library, Washington, D.C. Image credits - Adrienne Bell

Harangue, Faite au Consistoire Sixtus V Paris, 1589 This four signature pamphlet was housed in an acidic pamphlet binder using acidic hinging material. The original stab sewing was also causing damage to the paper at the folds and limiting openability. The decision was made to sew the pamphlet into a new cover. View more information about the conservation of this book. Property of The Folger Shakespeare Library, Washington, D.C. Image credits - Adrienne Bell

The binding on this incunabula had begun to deteriorate and both boards were detached along with the endpapers. A version of board tacketing at two sewing stations only was performed and the joints were otherwise repaired using airplane cotton and Korean tissue. View more information about the conservation of this book. Property of The Folger Shakespeare Library, Washington, D.C. Image credits - Adrienne Bell.

This Bible is known to have belonged to Prince Henry, the son of King James I. The binding was executed by the "Squirrel Binder." Real name unknown, this binder is known as such due to the inclusion of at least one squirrel in each of his bindings. He is also known for incorporating a number of garden insects such as earthworms and bumble bees into his designs. This binding had previously been rebacked and the original spine remounted. The repair has since failed but the repair materials could not safely be removed without harming original materials. All modern repairs were therefore performed with the historic repairs in place. View more information about the conservation of this book. Property of The National Cathedral, Washington, D.C.; on loan to The Folger Shakespeare Library. Image credits - Renate Mesmer and Adrienne Bell.

The Novi Testament was printed in Switzerland in 1570. Prior to acquisition by the University, it became badly mold damaged. The textblock was pulled and treated. The original front board and vellum were reused to help create a new binding. View more information about the conservation of this book. Property of Boatwright Library, University of Richmond, Richmond, VA

Illustrations of the work required to prepare a piece of vellum to be used in a binding and of a particular technique for incorporating vellum into a reconstruction of an original binding.

Medical text dating from 1523. View more information about the conservation of this book. Property of Duke University Medical Center Library, Trent Collection, History of Medicine Collections, Durham, NC

A field guide to wound care printed in 1551; all colors are contemporary to printing date. Originally bound in a stiff board vellum binding that had shrunk at the fore edge, causing damage to the textblock. The textblock was rebound in alum-tawed calf and tooled in a period appropriate manner. View more information about the conservation of this book. Property of Duke University Medical Center Library, Trent Collection, History of Medicine Collections, Durham, NC

Medical text dating from 1543. Oil stains on the pastedowns were reduced, the leaves were mended, and the spine was rebacked in calf. View more information about the conservation of this book. Property of Duke University Medical Center Library, Trent Collection, History of Medicine Collections, Durham, NC

Medical text printed in 1543. The textblock was treated and rebound in a period binding. View more information about the conservation of this book. Property of Duke University Medical Center Library, Trent Collection, History of Medicine Collections, Durham, NC

Printed in 1616. The textblock was treated and rebound in a period calf binding. View more information about the conservation of this book. Property of Anonymous

Printing date of 1599. This particular printing was a "Breeches Bible." The textblock was pulled, treated, and rebound in a period binding. View more information about the conservation of this book. Property of Kellenberger Library, Northwest Christian University

Religious commentary printed in 1551. The textblock was treated and the current binding was rebacked in calf with the original spine being remounted. View more information about the conservation of this book. Property of Kellenberger Library, Northwest Christian University

Medical text from 1568. Italian style stiff board vellum binding. Minimal intervention in areas of damage to the textblock. Restoration of binding was restricted to only that necessary to protect original components and was not intended to alter appearance in any way. Property of Duke University Medical Center Library, Trent Collection, History of Medicine Collections, Durham, NC

Walter Ryff, 1541 Minimal intervention in areas of damage to the textblock. Restoration of binding was restricted to only that necessary to protect original components and was not intended to alter appearance in any way. Property of Duke University Medical Center Library, Trent Collection, History of Medicine Collections, Durham, NC

Johannes Gerson, 1470 Textblock was disbound, resewn, and rebound in a limp vellum binding. Property of Duke University Medical Center Library, Trent Collection, History of Medicine Collections, Durham, NC