Turning Over a New Leaf Conservation Work Has Started on Some of the Earliest Known Books to Have Been Used and Read in New Zealand
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Spring 2014 HERITAGE SUCCESS Turning over a new leaf Conservation work has started on some of the earliest known books to have been used and read in New Zealand. Work on the first 13 volumes has been completed, and these restored books are back in their home at Te Waimate Mission in the Bay of Islands. AN EXHIBITION of the conservation work carried out by Auckland-based company Te Waimate Mission Visitor Host Ianthe Garrett with one of the recently restored books. Spiral Path Book Studio Ltd (comprised of Paul (CREDIT: HERITAGE NEW ZEALAND) Taylor and Terry Bowden) is due to open at Te Waimate Mission in December. According to book and paper conservator “Damaged or missing leather spines have been In New Zealand Paul has worked on historic Paul Taylor, restoration work has included repaired or replaced using new calf leather. volumes such as a 13th Century breviary that surface cleaning to remove loose particles, cv We’ve also used high-quality Japanese paper had been cut down into single pages by an mould spores, dust and dirt. Damaged areas and starch paste to repair and consolidate antique dealer, and a mid-15th Century Bible of the pages – predominantly the edges and damaged board edges and corners.” from the Sir George Grey collection at the spine folds – have also been strengthened and Auckland City Libraries. In the UK, Paul has Book and paper conservation is a time- repaired using archival tissue and starch paste. worked on the preservation of items such as consuming craft involving a rare set of skills, Sumerian clay tablets and silk seal bags that “Other conservation work has included with each volume presenting different are over 2000 years old. re-sewing damaged or deteriorated sewing challenges to the conservator. Each book structures, using new linen threads as well as requires an individual treatment plan, and regluing some of the textblock spines with may take anything from several hours to many authentic animal-based glue,” says Paul. days to complete. CONTINUED OVER > heritage.org.nz 1 > CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Contents “The first 13 volumes that we have worked on from the Te Waimate collection are considered to be the most important items from an historical viewpoint and because of their connection with the work of the Mission House,” Paul says. 1 HERITAGE SUCCESS 13 SOUTHERN REGION The collection is an exceptionally significant library of books owned by Turning over a new leaf Earthquake Strengthening Roadshow early New Zealand missionaries and their ready to tour South Canterbury 2 CONTENTS families, and represents the largest- NORTHERN REGION known single collection of Church 3 EDITORIAL Sweet Pea Festival coming up Missionary Society and missionary- owned books in New Zealand. Heritage New Zealand Board Chair Wyatt Creech 14 CENTRAL REGION Many were donated by missionary University and Council partnership descendants when Te Waimate Mission 4 NATIONAL FOCUS extended in heritage study was acquired by Heritage New Zealand Identifying and protecting maritime (then the New Zealand Historic Places heritage 15 NORTHERN REGION Trust) in 1959. Taonga unveiled at Kemp House “The damaged volumes in the collection 5 CENTRAL REGION SOUTHERN REGION have suffered typically from a combination Restored gravesite befitting a Princess of insect, water and mould damage over Timeball’s return a step closer the years. Some volumes have had further 6 NATIONAL FOCUS 16 NORTHERN REGION damage caused by inappropriate repairs – Heritage New Zealand appointed particularly to the joint areas of the boards A ton of reasons to celebrate fund trustees and textblocks,” he says. SOUTHERN REGION 17 NORTHERN REGION “Of the books we have worked on, the Junction Hotel façade to be saved Top honour for munitions factory Geneva Bible is probably the rarest item that I encountered in terms of its origins 7 CENTRAL REGION NORTHERN REGION and the date of its printing – which Hutt Town Hall continues to serve Bakery remnants an archaeological would have been early 17th Century.” delight A chance encounter with an old school 8 CENTRAL REGION friend on a train in the UK about 30 years Antrim House to feature during 18 SOUTHERN REGION ago set Paul on the path of specialised heritage showcase New life planned for religious building book conservation. 9 SOUTHERN REGION 19 HERITAGE HAPPENINGS “He talked about the skills required for a book and paper conservator, and Mawheraiti Railway House a real Events and updates they seemed to be a good match for standout 20 SOUTHERN REGION my existing experiences and interests 10 NORTHERN REGION Hole in one for Heritage New Zealand Mair’s gift a window to the past 12 SOUTHERN REGION Members of Heritage Te Wai Pounamu Ngāi Tahu Marae New Zealand can visit its Film Tour properties for free, visit www.heritage.org.nz. 2 heritage.org.nz EDITORIAL “I FEEL FORTUNATE AND PRIVILEGED TO HAVE BEEN OFFERED A Heritage importance recognised PART IN THE PROCESS By Wyatt Creech, who was appointed Chair of the OF ENSURING THAT Board of Heritage New Zealand in May. WYATT CREECH THESE VOLUMES WILL BE PRESERVED FOR IN MAY of this year Parliament passed the Built heritage is an important historical, social FUTURE GENERATIONS new Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga Act and cultural marker, valued by communities TO ENJOY.” 2014 without a single dissenting vote. That as we know, but it is the owners who manage, – PAUL TAYLOR not only shows very wide cross-party support care for and make most decisions about the in the House, it gives us a very up-to-date future of these places. Our organisation’s role is expression of what Parliament and the public to work constructively to inform and support expect of our new organisation. The clearly those who make decisions about significant and simply stated purpose is to promote the heritage, offering advice and information and, in chemistry and three-dimensional identification, protection, preservation, and where possible, financial support. conservation of the historical and cultural construction – as well as my general Financial support is always a challenge. I have heritage of New Zealand. inquisitiveness for taking things apart and been involved in government activities across putting them back together again.” Our cultural and built heritage – both historic the board for many years and whether it is Paul is very aware of the heritage significance and more recent – not only informs and health, education or any activity really there of Te Waimate’s book collection – and the reminds our population today of where is never enough to do everything one wants. importance of the books as being among the we came from and what our predecessors The key is to get the priorities right and to first collections of printed volumes to arrive in achieved; its identification, protection, find win-win solutions that give the optimum New Zealand. preservation and conservation is vital to inform outcome for every dollar we have available. and enlighten future generations of New I’m particularly pleased to be part of “As such they deserve to be preserved and Zealanders to our past. There is an old saying: this organisation as it works to develop protected,” he says. “if you don’t know where you have come the National Historic Landmarks policy. from you won’t know where you are going.” “I feel fortunate and privileged to have been Throughout human history, landmarks have Recent surveys show 57% of New Zealanders offered a part in the process of ensuring that done what the name suggests – providing say they are very interested in protection of these volumes will be preserved for future certainty about both where and who we our built heritage, up from 49% in 2012. So it generations to enjoy.” are. I have travelled widely and experienced is not surprising that both central and local Conservation of the books at Te Waimate different cultures, all of which has reinforced government fund activities which serve to Mission has been funded by the Stout Trust that our significant heritage – our landmarks protect and promote our identity. – together with a fascinating short video – help to define what it means to be New showing Paul Taylor at work on some of the During the legislation’s final reading, Minister Zealanders. for Arts, Culture and Heritage, the Hon. collection. Follow the link at www.spiralpath. I appreciated and was pleased to accept Christopher Finlayson said the Act balances co.nz/heritage-books-video/ n the role of Chair as it reflects my long- the considerations of heritage protection, held personal interest in our heritage. My public safety and landowners’ rights. While commitment to heritage is fuelled by the the new Act builds on the framework of the thousands of like-minded supporters of 60 years of Historic Places Trust experience, Heritage New Zealand including the many NEWSFLASH: one new general direction in the legislation is volunteers who give their time, generous the stress placed on collaboration. The third donations and bequests to help make a Heritage New Zealand has been principle of the principles section notes that difference. I look forward to the future; granted $20,000 from the ASB there is value in central government agencies, working collaboratively as the new Act Community Trust to carry out local authorities, corporations, societies, requires to enable us all to make a difference conservation work on another tangata whenua and individuals working in this important activity. large group of books. collaboratively in respect of New Zealand’s historical and cultural heritage. Thank you for your ongoing support. n heritage.org.nz 3 NATIONAL FOCUS says. It also shows that significant heritage “The site contains three rare maritime sites are not just found on land – they also artefacts, a possible 1873 diver’s pump, the include sites underground or at sea.