The inside of the upper board showing the fragile insect damaged endpapers and the missing, presumed eaten, corners
The inside of the boards; here, the reconstructed corners before they are recovered can be clearly seen, as can the vein-like insect channels
This devotional text had spent a greater part of its time in humid and inadequate storage, and had become a feast for insect pests. The pages of the textblock were effectively a web of thin paper strands, and needed extensive support to allow them to be handled. The conservation of the binding was also challenging but the end results were very pleasing, keeping the original elements of the cover but making it aesthetically and structurally sound.
Before and after treatment. The upper image shows the condition of the binding before conservation, with extensive insect damage and losses. The lower image is of the book after conservation, showing the new spine, reconstructed corners and corner pieces and the infilled area of previously missing area of the green siding textile
Victoria Stevens ACR 
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