[BKARTS] Previous state

[Neil Wynes Morse <morse@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I am preparing a number of 18th and 19th century volumes for public 
display which are acceptable in overall condition, but are defaced 
with late 20thc library stamps. These, invariably, have been placed 
on the title page, opposite the plate/frontispiece.

I'd like to remove these stamps, but should I?

What protocols are there for 'cleaning up' books?

If, in the course of restoration, these are removed, is the volume 
diminished?

What about removing bookplates?

What is the 'original state'?

Should we care?

But to get back to the primary issue; what can I use to remove the 
stamp ink?

Neil Wynes Morse
The Canberra Curmudgeon

BTW, A great source of fine leather for book artisanry is old masonic 
aprons. I saw a beautiful example produced by the President at the 
last meeting of the Canberra Craft Bookbinders Guild.

                                    
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             ***********************************************
                                    
Pre-order your GBW "Marking Time" exhibition catalog before August 1, 2009
     to save $5 off the $35 regular price. For more information see:
<http://cool-palimpsest.stanford.edu/byorg/gbw/exhibit/2009exhibit.shtml#catalog>
                                    
       NOW ONLINE, Volume 5, No. 2, Spring 2009 of The Bonefolder
       <http://www.philobiblon.com/bonefolder/vol5no2contents.htm>
                                    
For all your subscription questions, go to the Book_Arts-L FAQ and Archive.
         See <http://www.philobiblon.com> for full information.
                                    
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