Title: Storia della letteratura italiana nel secolo XVIII
Author: Antonio Lombardi
Published/Created: In Venezia: Co’ tipi di Francesco Andreola, 1832
Owner: General Collection, University of Chicago
Dimensions: H 14.5cm x W 10.0cm x D 4.8cm
This book is a paper-covered case binding with a red and blue stamped pattern on the covers. The spine features gold-tooled leather labels on the upper and lower sections, and a printed waste was used as the spine inlay. The spine piece is completely detached from the covers, likely due to the combination of a stiff spine and the hollow-back case binding structure. Despite the detached spine piece, the book is structurally sound overall.
The detached spine piece was reattached using toned Japanese paper (Okawara, machine-made). Due to the thickness of the spine piece and the presence of printed waste on its interior, strips of Okawara were adhered to the interior rather than fully covering the spine.
The paper covers on the boards were carefully lifted at the joints to insert a new paper flange beneath them. The front cover was treated first to ensure the stamped pattern aligned seamlessly on the more visually prominent side. This treatment was completed in consultation with Melina Avery.
