This is a one-day workshop which will introduce various soft paper binding structures which are particularly useful as reversible conservation bindings. You will learn how to adopt the method for various situations and available materials.

Two days before the class, on May 24 at 6pm, Sonja will give an online lecture to go over the background of where these structures came from and how they can be used, and she will discuss the ethics of rebinding & the decision-making that comes with it. You will automatically be registered for this lecture, which is also open to other people not taking the class. This will give us more time in person on the day of the class, May 26, to work on the bindings, and allow people too far away to participate in the class to access the lecture portion. We will record the lecture and have it available to you until the morning of the class in case the timing doesn't work for you to participate live.

On the day of the class, May 26, depending on time we will attach a soft paper cover to a textblock that has no cover, and bind loose sections into a soft paper cover using link- and long-stitch sewing.

We will discuss:

• Ethics of rebinding

• Materials for paper bindings

• Preparation of historic textblocks

• Choice of conservation binding style

You will:

• Prepare a textblock to be rebound in paper

• Measure, fold and in some cases line paper covers

• Attach a soft paper cover to a historic textblock

• Sew individual sections into a paper cover

This course addresses these Icon Professional Standards:

Standard 3: Conservation measures a. Communicate appropriate practice in the care, protection and treatment of cultural heritage. b. Implement conservation measures. c. Ensure that measures and advice follow recognised conservation standards. d. Monitor and evaluate the effect of conservation measures. e. Document conservation measures. f. Recommend appropriate sources of further analysis, treatment or prevention

Standard 2: Conservation options and strategies a. Identify and evaluate conservation options. b. Develop advice, recommendations or policies relating to the different options available. c. Develop or negotiate a considered course of action for implementation.

Experience

This is a professional class for practicing conservators or students in relevant specialisms (paper, book, archive, photographs). Basic bookbinding skills are strongly recommended. Maximum 6 participants to make sure everyone gets attention.

Preparation

Each participant should prepare the following if possible (let us know in advance if it will be a problem and we can help):

• One dummy textblock: 8 pressed sections of 4 bifolia each, 10x15cm, with 80–100gsm paper.

• One sewn textblock of a similar size: this can be a real one or make a second textblock as above and sew together on raised cords, and round and line the spine. We will treat this as a book in need of conservation binding.

You should also bring a basic toolkit—we will send details to registered participants in due course.

We will offer tea or coffee and homemade cake; you can either bring a lunch or purchase something locally (cafés and supermarket in short walking distance).

Instructor

Sonja Schwoll ACR FIIC has worked in book and archive conservation for over 20 years in the private sector as well as in public institutions. With an MA in Book Conservation and in Art History, she ran an independent book conservation studio in South London working for the Wellcome Trust, Natural History Museum, UCL Special Collections, Royal Academy of Music and many more clients. For 10 years, she was an associate lecturer for the MA Book Conservation programme at Camberwell College of Art as well as at West Dean College. Today she is Head of Conservation and Treatment Development at the Collection Care Department at The National Archives in London. Conservation education in theory and practice, especially book conservation, has remained one of her specialist areas.

Studio

Bainbridge Conservation is in Forest Hill, Southeast London, a short walk from the Forest Hill train/overground station. We offer accredited conservation of books, paper, furniture, and decorative objects.

Accessibility: there are two steps up then two steps down to access the studio.

Allergies: We have a cat; although we can keep him out of the studio on the day, he may have been in recently.