Newsletter Volume 20 / No. 2 / 2016
Special Considerations for the Care of Miniature Books and their Bindings. BY JEANNE GOODMAN
any libraries by their size. (fig. 2) The image to the have examples right is an example of a souvenir dance of miniature card given to young ladies attending books in their “technician balls” with charms attached collections. representing each respective union: LikeM their full sized cousins, they can Fireman, Crane Worker, Boilermaker, come in a variety of structures, deco- etc. The books would hang from the rations, and materials, and share some ladies’ waist and contained “…a copy 1: Examples of ultra-micro-minis from the of the same issues for their care, such of the set list for the night right at “Miniature Bookbinding Workshop” hosted by as proper handling and environmental the front, so the guys would know Guild of Book Workers, Lone Star Chapter. conditions, storage, exhibitions, and which song they were signing up for. risk of theft or loss. In miniature It was like the Tinder of its day except books, however, some of these issues when you swipe right it means you get are exacerbated by their size or are married,” said Jesse Hunt, Conservator completely unique unto themselves. at the Bridwell Library at Southern Methodist University. What is a Miniature? Text is produced in letterpress, According to the Miniature Book hand calligraphy, lithography, Society of North America, a book photoengraving, and modern printing must be less than three inches in all by laser and inkjet printers. Binding dimensions (height, width, thick- structures reflect traditional binding ness) to be considered “miniature,” traditions of their time with alter- although outside the US, anything ations for their size: pamphlet sewing, under four inches is considered all along sewing, laced on boards, flat miniature. Collectors who specialize and rounded spines, accordion folded. in miniature books even have subcat- Binding and decoration can be as egories by size: macro-mini (3"″to 4"), intricate as full-sized books with full the miniature (2" to 3"), micro-mini leather bindings, hand tooling on the (1" to 2") and the ultra-micro-mini covers, and gilt edges. Or they can be (less than 1" in all dimensions). (fig. 1) utilitarian, with simple paper cover Examples of miniature books can and pamphlet sewing or cloth case 2: Deutschen-Techniker-Ball (German Technicians be found very early in the history of binding. Ball). 1895. Bridwell Library Special Collections, the codex, from Babylonian clay tablets Contemporary bookbinders, print- Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist to the earliest of printed books from the ers, and book artists today produce University. printing house of Gutenberg.1 Their miniatures to exercise and show off size can represent a very functional their skill in creating fine design bind- need for the user such as almanacs and ings on such a small scale; and some calendars, small prayer books to be artists will specialize in the miniature carried on your person and stay hid- scale. (fig. 3) den from prying eyes, smaller books for smaller hands of children, but can Considerations also be a product produced to be social Miniature books are susceptible to the and fun because of the charm imbued same kinds of damage as other books, 3: “Eluard” bound by James Reid-Cunningham.
1 Visit our web site at: www.archival.com such as light damage, (fig. 4) but the handling of a particular area, minia- care of miniature books can present ture bindings could show wear across a few quirks. Depending on how they all surfaces and at an accelerated rate. are cataloged, miniature book collec- (fig. 7) They are touched across all 4: Uneven light damage to clothcase of miniature book. tions can be shelved with average sized surfaces because the binding fits into books or with other miniature books. the palm of a hand; the width of a The risk to a miniature being eclipsed finger can touch the whole surface of by its neighbor should be considered a page as it is turned. in both cases. There are examples of Miniature books in circulation run books as small as 1/2" tall, in which a high risk of being damaged during case a neighbor of 3" tall is gigantic. transport, or by other items a patron Not fitting on the shelves correctly, may have with the books. For special becoming lost on the shelf with larger collections, these items could easily be books, or even being pushed back pocketed and stolen. and lost between shelves are common issues with books of these sizes. If Preservation miniatures are part of a single large Often the solution to minimize damage collection, there is the inclination to to higher risk materials involves 5: Collection of 80+ miniature books housed in store them all in a single box together. enclosures. For miniatures, this also same enclosure After all, space is at a premium and holds true. A common structure for these items are small. A collection of a an enclosure is the four-flap wrapper hundred miniature books could take with portfolio or case, the wrapper up as little space as a square foot. It is holding the item while the portfolio difficult to keep track of individual adds some strength and protection items with this type of storage. The for the overall package. When fitting items are often not put back properly items to these types of enclosures, in the box, and it is not easily detect- the fit should be not-too-tight at any able if something is missing. (fig. 5) one given dimension but not-so-large The choice of structure and mate- that the item is loose to move around rials used to make a book has a great inside and possibly cause be damage impact on how the book will function when in transit. A miniature can be 6: Examples of several miniatures exhibiting signs and hold up over time. In miniatures, enclosed in four-flap wrapper that is of warping and not closing properly. elements such as thickness and weight custom fit for its size and then fit into of materials are much more noticeable an outer portfolio case that is a com- than they might be on an average mon/average size of the smaller books size book. Inappropriate structure from the same shelving area.Now the or materials choices will have high item will sit on the shelf comfortably impact on how to take care of them in next to its neighbor, visible collections and could also be consid- to patrons and library staff, and will ered inherent-vice of the item, same circulate more safely if appropriate. as if the quality of the materials was For special collections, miniature poor. A common malady of miniature books requested for reading rooms books is “yawning” of the covers that should be treated the same as their could be because of the type of board larger cousins. Each book should be attachment, too much lining or glue requested individually and limited in on the spine, tightness of the sewing, number to how many are in use at a 7: Miniature book being handled and opened. or any combination thereof. (fig. 6) time. It is tempting to bring the whole Where a larger book might demon- set out, especially if they are housed strate over time uneven wear due to together in a single box, but they are
2 Visit our web site at: www.archival.com more easily tracked and accounted for As you go smaller, it is much more when they are individually processed. difficult. An alternative to sewing is to consolidate the broken sewing thread Conservation into place with paste so it is no longer Often the first head-scratching loose, and secure the disjointed folios dilemma for conserving miniature with v-hinge repairs, making the books is how to perform some of the textblock still function properly for treatments without equipment in the opening actions. On a much larger miniature sizes. book, a v-hinge might not be struc- The options are familiar to most turally sound as the only attachment conservators: of the folios to each other, but on a • Invest in a new specialized piece miniature, it is possible. of equipment. Where will this be When choosing paper or tissue for stored? Will it be used again? spine lining or board attachments, Who is paying for this? (fig. 8) choose for very long fibered material • MacGyver something from materials in lowest weights. The long fibers will 8: Miniature book in miniature finishing press. on hand or those easily found at the provide torsional strength without hardware store. adding bulk. Many times, there will be only enough room to add a single Whichever path is taken, it should be layer of lining to a spine of a textblock, noted that the textblocks do not sit still if it is going back into its original case. or line-up with the same ease as larger If reattaching a board, an under-the- books when using the equipment and pastedown attachment is still possible may take quite a bit a fussing to get (and in most cases the most feasible), just right. The time should be taken to but there will likely be only enough do so and time estimated accordingly; room for one layer of material. (fig. 9) miniature books do not mean minia- ture treatment times. Jeanne Goodman is the Conservator for Whenever choosing materials for the University Libraries of Texas A&M University, who specializes in book mending, a balance must be made for conservation and is a formally trained strength, durability, and aesthetic. For bookbinder. She can be contacted at 9: Miniature textblock being prepared for spine a miniature, any material added could [email protected]. lining change the functionality of the book dramatically. Uneven sewing tension, 1 “Miniature Books - History.” Miniature mending tissue or spine lining paper Books - History. Curators of the University of Missouri, 25 Mar. 2011. Web. 6 May slightly too thick, paste too strong— 2016. https://library.missouri.edu/exhibits/ small changes that might be unnotice- minihistory.htm able on a larger book—will stand out aesthetically and functionally on Selected Resources a miniature. “Small Talk about Miniature Books.” Resewing of textblocks is possible AbeBooks:. N.p., n.d. Web. 6 May 2016. but thread matching must be exact to www.abebooks.com/books/miniature- miniaturization-tiny-prayer-bindings/ account for the original swell of the small-books.shtml> spine and is often not feasible unless an extensive variety of thread is on Bromer, Anne C., and Julian I. Edison. Miniature Books: 4000 Years of Tiny hand or it can be made in-house. For Treasures. New York: Abrams, 2007. a macro-mini, it is more likely to be able to tie-in to the original sewing or to resew and match the original swell.
3 Visit our web site at: www.archival.com Janice Comer Honored In what may be an unprecedented move, the Board of Directors of the Association for Library Collections and Technical Services (a division of the American Library Association) voted to approve a resolution honoring recently retired Archival Products Division Manager Janice Comer. Resolutions honoring vendors are virtually unheard of, and this one serves as a testament to Janice’s career- long dedication to the field of preservation and conservation.
Resolution to Honor Janice Comer for her Contributions to Preservation
Whereas Janice Comer is retiring from her position as Division Manager at Archival Products, a division of LBS in May 2016 after 23 years;
Whereas Janice Comer has been highly supportive of preservation activities in the field, including such contributions as the Archival Products NEWS Newsletter, and donations of supplies for community preservation workshops;
Whereas Janice Comer has promoted Preservation Week since its inception in 2010 through social media, Website, and articles in the Archival Products NEWS Newsletter;
Whereas Janice Comer has made all issues of Archival Products NEWS available searchable and freely available online;
Whereas Janice Comer has worked with ALA members to develop new solutions to housing unique and valuable collections;
Whereas Janice Comer has provided excellent service as a provider of high-quality products to preserve library and archival collections;
Whereas Janice Comer has consistently attended ALA conferences and Preservation and Reformatting Section events; Call for Whereas Janice Comer has provided support for new professionals entering the Participation preservation field; We encourage you to send Therefore, be it resolved that the Association for Library Collections and your papers about your Technical Services recognizes and appreciates the contributions of Janice Comer to the special projects, labs, Association, especially the Preservation and Reformatting Section, and congratulates challenges, what you do her on her retirement. and how you do it. Share
Approved by the ALCTS Board of Directors, April 29, 2016 your valuable experience with others who need to know how you handle similar challenges. Do you have something to contribute to the Archival Products Newsletter? Please contact Bill Paxson, 866.518.1081 or [email protected].
4 Visit our web site at: www.archival.com Contact Us
Phet Louvan Call or email today to discuss Account Representative preservation solutions for [email protected] your collection. 866-658-1083
Bill Paxson Division Manager [email protected] 866-518-1081
Visit our web site at www.archival.com LBS/Archival Products P.O. Box 1413 Des Moines, Iowa 50316-1413 800-526-5640 515-262-3191 Fax 888-220-2397 [email protected]
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