The Art of the Book

Concerning the Restoration of Ancient Manuscripts

It is of the utmost importance The author emphasizes the urgency of conservation during the late 19th-century revival of interest in medieval crafts. that the practitioner understands the delicate nature of the vellum. Unlike modern paper, the skin of the animal retains a memory of its former life, reacting to the moisture in the air and the warmth of the human hand.

When one encounters a page that has been ravaged by time or dampness, the first step is not to repair, but to observe. Observe the grain One must look for the "hair side" and the "flesh side" of the parchment to ensure any patches applied are harmonious with the original structure.

Always use distilled water for cleaning.

Table of Necessary Materials

The use of Isinglass A high-quality collagen glue used historically for its clarity and strength in binding and repair. is preferred over common hide glues because it does not yellow significantly over the centuries. As the ancients wrote in the original: "Codex Argenteus" Silver Book, the beauty of the word should be matched by the permanence of the medium.