Summer Class 2019: Introduction to book conservation and historical bookbinding

This course is taught over two 2-week modules. The first module covers the Introduction To Book Conservation. The theoretical component includes discussions on books, terminology, and book structure, structural and decorative components, active and passive environmental parameters, risk-based analysis of individual books and collections, and customized storage. The practical component includes making facsimiles of unsupported Islamic-style book-bindings, western style half leather bindings, limp parchment binding, and modern western case binding. The second 2-week module includes theoretical components of the craft of archival/stationary bindings, preservation and preventive conservation approaches, and pest and mold identification and intervention. The practical component includes making a facsimile of a full leather archival binding with flap and straps with leather sewing and ‘tacketed straps’, end-bands, and the execution of different typologies of conservation enclosures.

Course project

• Introduction to book conservation
• Book components and its terminology
•  Historical book structures/facsimiles
• Unsupported sewing structure (Islamic style)
• Western supported half leather style binding
• Limp parchment binding
• Modern western case binding, sewing on tapes

Who is the course aimed at?

The program is aimed at preserving professional books, and Those Who, Because of Their careers require better knowledge and insight into the care of books and bound material within libraries, archives or museums.

Report

The four weeks course was structured into modules, independent but organically linked. The students had the opportunity to journey through the history and evolution of the book in the ‘codex’ format, ‘crafting through’ the main fundamental historical variances of its physical construction. Through the making of various historical book sewing structures the workshop covered the progress and evolution of book making in the Mediterranean basin. Book structure terminology and documentation of historical book structures were covered in depth. The bookblocks made during the module one were used as base to practice endbands making during the third week, in module two, and enriched with the metal furniture realised during the last week (Module Three: The Recanati Manuscript). The students had the opportunity to practice endband and metal furniture making, using mock-ups provided by the tutors. All the bindings were realised following historical examples present within the Benedettucci collection and were owned by the students, particularly the Recanati Manuscript, a 15^th century parchment illuminated manuscript recently discovered, accurately and fully recreated by the students. All the exercises, both theoretical and practical were enhanced and supported by the unique opportunity given by the location and the facilities. Original historical bindings have been chosen from the Benedettucci collection and used as visual aid and learning tools. The unique environment offered by this amazing library and its historical building help in a unique way to learn.