PREVENTIVE CONSERVATION BINDINGS
Although we always try to keep books in original bindings, this may not always be possible. Some times books have just lost their original binding, or they are covered in left-overs of a prior binding, sometimes they have been rebound with inappropriate materials or using unsuitable techniques. Rebinding the book with a cover that may look like the original is often not a preferable solution.
In those cases and when the book is eligible because of its characteristics, a limp vellum binding may be used. This type of binding was developed by Christopher Clarkson while he was helping rescuing books after the Florence flood in 1966.
The binding is made of unsupported vellum. It is laced onto the book. It is lightweight and shows good structural properties. It is completely reversible, the bond between book and cover being the alum tawed thongs the book is sewn onto.
This is what we do:
Our preventive conservation bindings are similar to Christopher Clarkson’s limp vellum binding. We had the chance and opportunity to learn the technique from the master himself. The bindings are made to measure to the specific book. Clients often want a conservation box to protect the limp vellum binding, which is a beauty in itself.