The Vespiary Book Binding & Book Conservation

Fixin’ books in the Wild West

Archive for April, 2008

palimpsest, n. - parchment designed to be reusable after any writing on it has been erased.

Lately, I’ve been reading the Archimedes Codex - How a Medieval Prayer Book is Revealing the True Genius of Antiquity’s Greatest Scientist. I can’t remember how I originally came across it, but if there was ever a Holy Grail of conservation work, this was it. This may be old news to some [...]

shoddy, n. - Worthless material made to look like what is of superior quality

It’s been a little hectic, but I’ve posted up some links on the side to the suppliers I referenced in my workshop at MLA. I personally like Talas for their friendly customer service and wide selection of supplies and tools. At the library I work at, we order quite a bit from Gaylord, [...]

volatilisation, n. - the action or process of making volatile.

My kind coworker, Kate, has sent me a photo of us presenters from Thursday’s MLA workshop. Also, check the nasty powdery residue flaking off the old book tape! Can you believe Gaylord Supply co. is still selling this stuff? That lovely smell of books nesting on their shelves? To most denizens [...]

ephemera, n. - something which has a transitory existence.

I was dreading the early morning departure for Great Falls from Missoula on Thursday morning, but I had the perfect storm of exquisite coffee, guilty-pleasure fast-food breakfast, great conversation, and spectacular scenery (we drove 200 the whole way - highly recommended). I was kicking myself that I forgot my camera, because some of the [...]