Binding

Preservation Binding in full Alum-Tawed Leather

Missal for the Use of Rouen

Identification

Reference Number: Ms325
Title: Liber missarum secundum usum rothomagensem studiose compositus
Date: 1450
Dimensions: 39 x 30 x 10 cm
Previous Binding: Full sheepskin leather, 19th century
Sewing Type: Sewn on five raised cords
Medium: 317 parchment leaves
Technique: Manuscript in ink, illuminated initials
Illustrations: Two full-page miniatures

Detail

This missal for the use of Rouen contains all the liturgical offices as they were celebrated in the church of Rouen in the 15th century, with prayers specific to this diocese.

It was rebound in the 19th century in a low-quality brown calfskin binding, whose boards had detached. Due to the significant degradation of this binding, it was decided to replace it with a “preservation binding.” The covering and hinges are made of full alum-tawed leather, and the sewing was done on six single strips cut from the same leather. In addition to the durability provided by the alum-tawed leather, this type of binding minimizes the use of adhesives and combines openability with mechanical strength.

Half-Leather Binding with Annonay Paper Boards

Recherches dans le Caucase, Tomes 1 à 4

Identification

Author: Ernest ChantreTitle: Recherches dans le Caucase, Volumes 1 to 4
Publisher: Charles Reinwald
Place of Printing: Paris
Date: 1885
Dimensions: 36.7 x 28.5 x 4 cm
Binding Type: Half brown morocco. Annonay-style marbled paper on the boards. Corners covered in green parchment.
Textblock: Typographic printing on vellum paper

Detail

Anthropologist specializing in the Caucasus, Armenia, and Anatolia, Ernest Chantre (1843-1924) conducted several missions in the Caucasus and published his Recherches dans le Caucase in 1885.

This set of four volumes underwent specific treatment according to the conservation state of each. Volumes I and II were recreated identically, while Volumes III and IV, which were in acceptable condition for consultation, were consolidated as they were. The production of identical marbled papers was entrusted to Marianne Peter.

Transformation of a Portfolio into an Album to Preserve Drawings

Porte-folio / Album

Identification

Reference Number: 2020-R.2
Document Type: Portfolio intended to preserve drawings
Date: 18th century (boards and covering)
Binding Type: Full tree-calf leather
Decoration: Framed with a gold-tooled roll and corner fleurons on the boards. Panels decorated with floral fleurons and gold lines. Red leather title label with gold titling.
Dimensions: 96 x 71 x 5 cm
Feature: This portfolio was originally an album, which was transformed into a portfolio during the 20th century.

Detail

The workshop has collaborated with the Custodia Foundation since 2017 on the project of restoring its drawing albums.

Frits Lugt, founder of the Custodia Foundation, gathered a collection of old drawings and prints dating from the 15th to the 19th century. To ensure their preservation, he chose to insert them into albums with blank leaves, as was customary until the 18th century.

Continuing the conservation policy of its founder, the Foundation entrusted us with the adaptation of old albums so that they could house new acquisitions.

The production of blank paper sheets was entrusted to Gangolf Ulbricht, and the marbled paper sheets to Marianne Peter.

For more information, see the video on the homepage of our website and that of the Custodia Foundation, and also see the article in Arts et Métiers du Livre, “Les Albums de la Fondation Custodia, une restauration exemplaire,” No. 344, 2021, pp. 28-33.

Full Cloth Bindings of Théâtre contemporain illustré

Théâtre contemporain illustré

Identification

Reference Number: TG 1022 (1-14) (A)
Title: Théâtre contemporain illustré (15 vols.)
Date: 19th century
Publisher: Michel Lévy, Paris
Binding Type: Half maroon leather
Dimensions: Approximately 31 x 23 x 5 cm

Detail

A series of fifteen volumes of Théâtre contemporain illustré, a journal specializing in 19th-century theater, showed advanced degradation, indicative of its intensive use. No specific provenance or ownership marks were noted.

Due to its open access, it was decided to create new durable bindings in full mixed canvas, equipped with leather labels indicating titles and volumes.