Sender: Rare Books and Special Collections Forum <EXLIBRIS@RUTVM1.BITNET>
>I am looking for some advice on repairing a map that is attached to the inside
>of an old book in front of the title page. The map is almost comletely torn/
>broken into several fairly good sized pieces. Forntuately the end that is
>attached to the book is still intact. And since the map is in color, I would
>like to keep it in its original form if possible.
>
>At this point I could use archival tape on the torn/broken parts, but I
>understand that there is some way of using super of some lightweight fabric
>underneath the entire map. I would appreciate it if someone could tell me
>about this procedure.
You haven't said how old or how valuable this book is. My advice that
follows
is not intended to be that of a conservator, since I work with our
library's
general collection materials and don't deal with rare items.
If your map is not too brittle to work with, it might be easier to repair
it
by removing it from the book, putting all the pieces back together and then
tipping it back into the book. Again, without knowing the condition, or
size,
of the map in question, I will risk making a suggestion.
Assuming the map has broken along the fold lines, you can repair the breaks
by using strips of Japanese paper and a methylcellulose glue. The paper
may be
thin, but it is strong. When you have completed repairing the map, you can
make a hinge of the same Japanese paper and reattach the map to the book.
I can provide more specific instructions if you need them, or, better yet,
you
might be able to locate someone close by. E-mail me directly for more
details
so we won't clutter up the list with stuff that may not interest all the
readers.
Sue Davis
Preservation Librarian
Vanderbilt University
davissw@vuctrvax.bitnet
davissw@ctrvax.vanderbilt.edu