Re: [BKARTS] Japanese Paper for Leather Board Reattachment

[Lee Churchill <leec@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

>>> jcpratt@xxxxxxx 05/06/2006 10:23 pm >>>
This was a good project.  I think you probably learned a great deal  
by doing it, and I don't see anything to criticize.  I'm impressed.

Sadly Matt and Carol,
I see lots to criticize. I wasn't going to respond but in hopes of keeping Matt from doing this to anyone else's materials (or more of his own) I felt I had to speak up. The first issue is propagating mistakes. Carol is right that far to often people learn about leather 'burn' from it happening to them, but this does not excuse potentially destroying the rest of the spines for a "consistent" look. I acknowledge that Matt only paid ~$2 per book, but that really isn't the point. If I did this somewhere I worked, I'd expect to be - at the least - severely reprimanded. As for functionality once the leather is fried opening the book fully will cause it to pop off the spine and/or crumble and flake.   
Also there are lots of books and articles  out there on infilling a spine in less obtrusive ways, Andrew Honey's article in "The Paper Conservator" vol 27, 2003 is one that pops immediately to mind. But I'm certain BCIN could find more.  
The glassy look caused by the SC6000 is also disturbing, coatings should be applied so that they do not interfere, as much as possible, with the original appearance of the object. These books now look like they were plastic coated.  
I would respectfully suggest that if restoration/conservation is something you care to pursue that you take some more time and possibly apprentice or train with someone qualified to talk you through treatments. Conservation and Restoration are professions that take literally years to learn and perfect skills in, trying to do it on your own is bound to lead to serious disasters.
With pain and sorrow,
Lee. 



Ms. Lee Churchill
Paper Conservator
Glenbow Museum
130-9th Ave S.E.
Calgary, AB
T2G 0P3
Ph: (403) 268-4183
Fax: (403) 265-9769
leec@xxxxxxxxxxx 

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