Condition, Condition, Condition: How to Spot a Repair

Sponsor: ABAA Boston International Antiquarian Book Fair

Natasha Herman | Proprietor, STILT® Book Cradle; Fellow, International Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works
 

Like the humans who make them, books begin aging the moment they’re made. Some aging—like a rich patina—can be harmless or even beautiful, while other forms are more problematic. To understand a book’s condition, we first need to know how it falls apart. This talk will guide you on where and what to look for to read a book’s traces of repair. Together, we will uncover the hidden material histories of books, exploring what kinds of damage truly matter to us as collectors, caretakers, and readers.