Adhesives and Leather Symposium
September 29, 30 and October 1, 2003
Speakers:
Roger Barlee, J. Hewit & Sons Ltd.
Jane Down, Canadian Conservation Institute
Toby Raphael, National Park Service
Roy Thomson, The Leather Conservation Center
Panel Moderator:
Dianne van der Reyden, Library of Congress
About the Symposium:
The Library of Congress Preservation Directorate in co-sponsorship with the Folger Shakespeare Library and the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress presented an Adhesives and Leather Symposium.
The three-day symposium focused on adhesives and leather as used in book and paper conservation. The speakers addressed the latest research in adhesives, recent advances in the theory and practice of leather conservation. Participants engaged in practical exercises, lecture sessions and panel discussions defined in breakout sessions. This meeting was hosted by the Library of Congress and the Smithsonian Center for Materials Research and Education.
Day One’s topic was adhesives and bonding with a brief introduction following by CCI’s research on polyvinyl acetate and acrylic adhesives (PVAC), the effects of modifiers on the stability of vinyl acetate/ethylene (VAE) copolymer emulsion adhesive and the parameters for adhesives and backings for skin and leathers. The afternoon was devoted to the practical application with Cellulose Ethers and heat-set backings following by questions and a panel discussion.
Day Two was devoted to leather: its history, the science of turning skin to leather, common causes of deterioration of leather-bound books, and the scientific examination of leather. Current research now underway into archival leathers was discussed in addition to examination of currently available leathers, development of objective physical testing, and identification of common species, lesson learned and insights gained as well as current leather conservation practices. The end of the day was devoted to panel discussion.
Due to space limitations, lectures were open to 65 participants, the practicum was limited to twenty-five participants.
