Bindings of rare books from the collections of the Romanian Academy Library - a multidisciplinary study

This paper presents an overview of the conservation state of the tawed white leather, parchment and reused parchment bookbindings from the Rare Book Collection of the Romanian Academy Library. The transdisciplinary study was jointly conducted by the researchers of INCDTP-ICPI and Manuscripts and Rare Book Department of the Romanian Academy Library. Over 50 bindings in alum-tawed (white) leather, parchment and reused parchment were analyzed in situ using specific non-invasive or micro-invasive analysis methods such as visual and microscopic analyses, thermal microscopy (imageMHT method), attenuated total reflection (ATR), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometry (XRF). Based on these results, conservation sheets have been drawn up including damage status, threats and conservation recommendations for each investigated bookbinding. Two conservation sheets are illustrated for alum-tawed and re-used parchment bindings. This is the first Romanian study dedicated both to the artistic and material aspects of rare book bindings so far.