Time and use have always adversely affected books, manuscripts, and photographs. This is certainly evident in some of the items donated by Dr. Struppa as part of the commemoration of the University Libraries acquiring its one-millionth volume. Over the centuries, some of the bindings on the books had given way because of heavy use by readers; intrinsic acid in paper had caused some to begin to crumble; and, inevitably, a bookworm or two had feasted with delight.

The Libraries adopted two approaches to remedy the problems. First, single-leaf items like manuscripts were evaluated, then repaired, deacidified, and encapsulated in acid-free Mylar polyester, all in accord with the best conservation standards. Subsequently, they were post-bound in a protective binder.

Second, all the books were evaluated for conservation needs. Those requiring work were restored: leaves were mended and extended; worm holes were filled-in, either individually by hand or by leaf-casting; surface dirt was removed; and one book was completely rebound in a sympathetic, period binding. In addition, books were housed in new clamshell boxes, taking into account the physical nature and "demands" of individual volumes. The boxes have six-panel brown morocco spines with oxblood lettering-pieces stamped in gold with linen-finished book cloth over boards.

All of the conservation work was performed at the Etherington Conservation Center in Greensboro, North Carolina. Bryan Draper supervised the Struppa conservation project. Kerry Methany rebound the Juvenal book (Satirae, 1515) in full vellum, and he and Stephanie Duval made the clamshell boxes. The University Libraries is grateful for their excellent work.

Below are some photographs and explanations of both "before" and "after" phases of conservation on particular parts of the Juvenal book and images and descriptions of the actual conservation techniques themselves. To view a larger version of an image place your cursor over the image and click the left-hand button of your computer's mouse.
Before
After
Original damaged vellum cover of the 1515 Juvenal.
New vellum cover for the1515 Juvenal.
Side view of original Juvenal.
Side view of restored Juvenal.
Original internal leaves of the Juvenal.
Restored leaves of the Juvenal.
Original internal leaves of the Juvenal.
Restored leaves of the Juvenal.
Close-up of damage to leaves and inner margin of the Juvenal.
 Conservators apply pulp fill to leaves of the Juvenal.
Close-up of pulp fill technique.
Finished pulp fill with Japanese paper overlay.
Bifolium sheet of the Juvenal in an aqueous solution to remove dirt and environmental acids. The brown tinted solution indicates a large amount of dirt in the leaves, accumulated over several centuries. Removing sheet of the Juvenal. Brown colored precipitate indicates dirt and residual acids.
Spine of textblock showing vertical linen tapes to which the signatures of the book are sewn in the Juvenal. Binder sewing an individual signature of the Juvenal to the linen tapes alligned vertically to the spine of the textblock. The sewing frame is also shown.