I am always looking for ways to make conservation more accessible - using video footage to demonstrate conservation repair techniques. The following video was produced during the conservation of the Beadnell Album for the Charles Dickens Museum in London.  The repairs were part of a programme of work which was made possible by the National Manuscripts Conservation Trust.  It demonstrates the complexity of the repairs to return the pop-up elements to working order, whilst trying to keep as much of the original structure as possible.  It was also an excellent opportunity to promote conservation work in action.

​PROJECTS

Here is a selection of images illustrating the works undertaken showing both before and after images which demonstrate the exquisite craftsmanship and sensitivity of the projects carried out in the workshop.  These images illustrate conservation treatments undertaken on both private and institutional collections and demonstrate possible levels of finish for differing binding formats, materials and types of degradation.

All projects have accompanied by full documentation, including collation and sewing diagrams where required, copies of which are held both by Codex Conservation and the item's owners.

A Japanese Fukuro-Toji Binding - Repair, Reconstruction and Storage in a Shiho Chitsu 

Before

After

​This privately copy of Hokusai's "Dochu Gafu" was severely worn and the binding dysfynctional.  After documentation and consultation with the owner, the conservation treatment involved the careful deconstruction of the binding, and repair of the pages so that they could be digitised.  The pages were then rebound into the traditional format as sympathetically as possible, reusing the covers. The "chitsu" box provides excellent long term protection for this beautiful volume.

Modern Manuscript Conservation for the Liberal Jewish Synagogue

Before

After

Conservation treatment of 2 volumes of modern manuscripts that were made in by children at the Liberal Jewish Synagogue between the wars.  The bindings were made from improvised materials and had very restricted openings, meaning that the contents could not be safely accessed.  After separating and repairing the pages, they were digitally photographed before reconstruction.  The images are available online and a facsimile was bound to accompany the exhibition of the manuscripts.    All repairs are fully functional, match the aesthetics of the bindings and they are well preserved for the future in bespoke drop back boxes. 
Please note that any issues regarding the copyright of the manuscripts are welcomed by the Synagogue, please contact them directly.

Conservation of a Parchment Stationery Binding

Before

After

Conservation treatment of a half parchment account binding with book cloth covered sides. The binding featured the remnants of a handling strap in brown calf skin held in place with parchment tackets. Previous repairs with brown self adhesive tape and PVA glue had left the binding in unusable condition. The spine linings were detached and the covering materials had suffered significant tears and losses, including the exposed and collapsed head caps.  After dry cleaning and the removal of the previous repairs, the binding was opened up and the spine cleaned.  The linings were replaced with archival leather and the existing spine piece repaired.  The binding was rebacked with new parchment and the book cloth replaced with aerolinen toned to match the original. This binding is owned by an archival institution and all parts were reused in the repaired binding.

Conservation of an Early Seventeenth-Century Syriac Binding

Before

After

Stabilisation of a an early seventeenth-century Syriac binding which had been bomb-damaged in WWII.  The pages were dry cleaned and then repaired in situ.  The sewing was supported and consolidated and the binding was put into a limp paper binding.  For long term storage a bespoke drop-back box was made.  By applying the tenets of minimal intervention this book can now be safely handled but has not lost any of the layers of its cultural significance.