The Preservation of Leather Bookbindings, H. J. Plenderleith — 1967 New Edition

£19.99

The Preservation of Leather Bookbindings, H. J. Plenderleith — 1967 New Edition

Name: The Preservation of Leather Bookbindings, H. J. Plenderleith — 1967 New Edition
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 4690
Price: 19.99 GBP
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Publication: London, The Trustees of the British Museum, 1967

Formatting: Small 8vo, pp. 32.

Condition Report: Very Good. The binding remains tight and structurally sound, with the quarter red cloth spine exhibiting excellent colour retention and unrubbed edges, save for negligible bumping at the extreme head and tail. The gilt tooling on the spine and front board remains remarkably bright and unoxidised. The cream paper-covered boards are largely clean, though they present with the light, even surface soiling and minor handling smudges that are entirely typical of this pale, absorbent binding material. Internally, the book is pristine; the pages are bright, crisp, and completely free of foxing, internal markings, or any signs of reading wear.

Catalogue Note: Originally published in 1946, this edition represents the 1967 "new format" reprint issued by the Trustees of the British Museum. The work serves as a foundational text in book conservation, authored by H. J. Plenderleith, the former Keeper of the museum’s Research Laboratory. It famously introduced scientifically grounded methods for treating deteriorating leather bindings and provided a highly utilised leather dressing formula.

Bound in an attractive quarter cloth over paper boards, this specific edition is relatively uncommon in such neat condition, as it was frequently subjected to heavy workshop use by bookbinders and librarians. It remains an essential reference for the working antiquarian or the dedicated bibliophile concerned with the preservation of calf, morocco, and other traditional leather bindings.

A quintessential text on book conservation, The Preservation of Leather Bookbindings provides a fascinating and highly practical look into the science of halting the decay of historical bindings. Written by the esteemed former Keeper of the British Museum's Research Laboratory, H. J. Plenderleith, this concise volume delves into the causes of leather deterioration, such as atmospheric pollution and chemical breakdown, while offering proven, scientific methods for cleaning, protecting, and reviving antique leather. Whether you are a dedicated collector looking to protect your library or an aspiring bookbinder, this classic manual offers timeless wisdom from one of the mid-20th century's leading conservation experts.

Book Condition: Very Good

Book Authors: H. J. Plenderleith

Book Publisher: The Trustees of the British Museum

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Non-Fiction

Genre: Education

Book edition:

Signed: No

Book Pages: 32

Book Publication Year: 1967

Book Publication Date:

Book Binding: Quarter Cloth Hardcover

Illustrator: N/A

Book Series: N/A

Country/region of manufacture: London, United Kingdom

Book Dimensions:

Book Condition Guide

We stock thousands of books in a wide range of conditions. To make things clear and to help you know exactly what to expect, Please refer to these condition categories to understand the condition of the book you will receive.

Condition	Description
New	A brand-new, unread and professionally handled book. Carefully preserved from publication to purchase, these books are offered in the best attainable condition. This grade applies to recently published titles that have not entered long-term storage.
As New	The book is in pristine, original condition as if just published. No signs of use or handling. The dust jacket (if present) is equally flawless. This grade applies to any book that has remained untouched in storage for years.
Fine	The book is close to As New. It remains bright and attractive, but could show minor imperfections to the boards and/or dust jacket (if present). Its pages are typically clean and unmarked.
Near Fine	The book has a number of small flaws, i.e. slight rubbing to the edges, or tiny chips or creases to the dust jacket (if present). Its pages may have faint marks, or creases that are barely perceptible — nothing that detracts from their overall condition.
Very Good	The book maintains its structural integrity, and has no major flaws such as tears to its binding or pages. It may, however, show signs of careful use, handling, or storage — small marks and creases, light foxing. Its dust jacket (if present) remains fully intact, but small tears may be present.
Good	A book that remains intact and readable with complete text pages, but shows moderate signs of wear and use to both the book and dust jacket (if present). It may have noticeable creases, nicks, or stains, and the spine likely shows fading, bumping, and rubbing. There could be writing, underlining, and other marks on some pages, though the majority will be clean and tidy.
Fair	A book with significant wear or damage. The text pages will be complete, but there may be heavy underlining, highlighting and staining throughout, and the book’s endpapers, half-title, and copyright pages could be damaged or missing. The binding could be loose, and the dust jacket (if present) may have notable scuffs or tears. These copies are usually of interest for content, signature(s) or scarcity.
Poor	A heavily worn book whose value lies in its complete and legible text. A poor book will have substantial defects — loose joints or hinges, detached covers, loose and/or missing pages, and could be heavily soiled. A poor book is also known as a reading copy, and although compromised, can hold historical or bibliographic significance.