Diwan (portions of) / Solomon b. Meshullam Dapiera
Author/creator: Solomon b. Meshullam Dapiera
Imprint/date: 16th-century
Owner: The Library of Congress, Rare Book Division
Condition Overview: Surface grime; losses; creases; galleries; tears; detached gatherings; broken supports; broken thread.
Treatment Justification: Collaborative treatment between Rare Book Conservator Katherine Kelly and Verónica for the rebinding of the manuscript into a conservation paper case for safe handling by digitization specialists. Katherine conducted the page repair and guarding of the manuscript; Verónica conducted the textblock resewing and paper case rebinding. The decision making behind the design of a conservation paper case is supported by the absence of the original binding, being the existing case a later rebinding, and the need to create a structure that would protect the textblock during digitization.
Opening view; before treatment. Photo Credit: Katherine Kelly
Note: Before Treatment (Photographed by Katherine Kelly)
Treatment Summary:
Textblock preparation: Disbinded textblock. Repaired pages that presented compromising insect damage, losses, and tears. Guarded gatherings. Re-sewed textblock with a two-hole link stitch over two linen tapes.
Recasing: Recased textblock into a conservation paper case for safe handling during digitization.
Photographic Documentation
1. (BT) Right board; media abrasion and loss normal light; three-quarter view.
2. (AT) Right board; conservation paper case; normal light; three-quarter view.
3. (BT) Left board; media abrasion and loss; normal light; three-quarter view.
4. (AT) Left board; conservation paper case; normal light; three quarter view.
5. (DT) Three-quarter view of spine after sewing removal and spine cleaning; normal light.
6. (AT) Spine view; conservation paper case; normal light; three quarter view.
7. (BT) Severed board to textblock attachment; normal light; overhead shot.
8. (AT) New pastedowns and fly-leaf; normal light; overhead shot.
11. (BT) Red colored paper; insect damage and water damage; normal light; overhead shot.
12. (AT) Red colored paper; repaired insect damage; normal light; overhead shot.
13. (BT) Severed board to textblock attachment; loose gatherings; normal light; overhead shot.
14. (AT) Re-attached page and stabilized losses; normal light; overhead shot.
17. (BT) Opening view; detached textblock; normal light; three quarter shot.
18. (AT) Opening view; conservation paper case; normal light; three quarter shot.
DURING TREATMENT (Photographed by Verónica Mercado and Katherine Kelly)
