10 Years, 10 Treatments: An exhibit of conservation treatments from the Duke University Libraries Conservation Laboratory

Re-Use Case

Books in need of Repair

Before Re-Use Treatment

Books in need of Repair

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These are books from the general collections of Duke University LIbraries. These items are treated in order to retain cover information and retain original publishers bindings; the treatment is called a "re-use case".

After Re-Use Treatment

Re-use Case After Treatment

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These are the damaged books after they have been treated in the conservation laboratory.

The Magic of M.C. Escher

Before Treatment

The Magic of MC Escher

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Books by the artist M.C. Escher are popular, and this item is no exception. This particular book has circulated 21 times since it was acquired. After being handled so many times, there was bound (no pun intended) to be wear and tear. (har har...couldn't resist) Housed in Lilly Library as are many of the library's art books, there are not only items with fantastic images within the text, but the covers also often stand out, as can be seen here.

Catalog information: Lilly N6953.E82 A4 2000 c.1

After Treatment

Escher After Treatment

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The spine of this item was completely loose and the text block was separating from the case. Because of its unusual cover, the conservation technician decided to re-use the original case for treatment. The boards were removed and cleaned, the spine of the book was cleaned, endsheets were hinged onto the spine, the spine was lined with a Japanese tissue and paste as well as cambric. Conservation buckram was used to reconstruct a spine piece connecting the original case boards. The text block was cased in and pressed and the original spine was then adhered to the new case.

The Search for the Lost Flyers; or Ted Scott over the West Indies

Before Treatment

The Search for the Lost Flyers

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This book is one of the Ted Scott Flying Stories by Franklin W. Dixon, The Search for the Lost Flyers. The name Franklin Dixon might sound familiar as he is the author of the Hardy Boys mystery stories. Duke University Libraries holds other items from both series in our general circulating collection as well as special collection department.

Catalog information: PZ7.D644 Sc 1928 c.1

After Treatment

Flyer After Treatment

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The spine was coming off this book, the front board and first few pages were separating from the text block, and the item would have deteriorated further if it had continued to circulate. When possible, we try to save as much of the original material, especially if there is an interesting or unique cover such as with this book. The loose boards were removed, the spine was cleaned and lined using a Japanese tissue and paste, and new endsheets were hinged on to the text block, followed by a cambric lining. Next, conservation buckram in a similar color was selected to create a spine piece that would help in reconstructing the original case. The endsheets were adhered to the original boards, pressed, and the original spine was adhered to the reconstructed case.

Colección Crítica de las artes

Before Treatment

Lorca en Color

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Colección Crítica de las artes, this book contains both writings and drawings of Federico García Lorca. Throughout the book are segments of García Lorca's poetry and other writings along with color and black and white images. Furthermore, this has one of more eye-catching types of covers we see in the Conservation lab.

Catalog information: 861.6 G216ZPR

After Treatment

Lorca After Treatment

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The text block of this item was coming loose from the case. The joints of the book had become loose, causing the front and back board to then split away from the text block, exposing the interior of the book. If the book had continued to circulate, there's a good chance more damage would have happened. Because the cover is so distinct, the treatment involved re-using the original case. The conservation technician removed the original boards and spine, cleaned the spine of the book, hinged the fly leafs together to recreate the original endsheets, and sewed on new endsheets. The spine was lined with a Japanese tissue and paste, as well as cambric. Conservation buckram was used to create a spine piece connecting the original boards. The text block was cased in, the item was pressed, and the original spine was adhered.

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