Title: Nouvel atlas portatif…

Author: Didier Robert de Vaugondy

Published/Created: Chés le S. Robert (Paris), 1762

Owner: Harvard Map Collection

Dimensions: H 29.00cm x W 22.00cm x T 3.00 cm

Description & Condition

The book is bound in full calfskin leather, sprinkled with ferrous oxide. The spine has gilt decorations between the panels. The binding is a laced-boards structure with a tight back and tight joints. Each text page or plate is printed on a single bifolium, which is attached to a compensation guard. These guards are folded back and sewn through five single raised cords. A single folio of French curl marbled paper serves as the endpapers.

The front board is loosely attached due to a separating inner hinge and splitting leather joints at the head and tail. The back joint is also splitting at the head. The leather covering is heavily abraded, with significant losses along the corners and board edges. Previous water exposure along the top edge of the textblock has caused minor staining and left substantial powdery mold residue. Additionally, there is damage to the folds of the fold-outs and splitting along the joints of the guards. The front flyleaf is detaching from the textblock.

Treatment Note

As the second of three leather treatments, Asian papers were selected due to their thinness, strength, and flexibility, making them ideal for joint repairs. The book was first thoroughly cleaned in a fume hood to remove mold residue. The leather surface was then consolidated with Klucel-G in a mixture of isopropanol and ethanol.

The outer joints were repaired by inserting toned Japanese paper beneath the leather cover, while the inner hinges were reinforced with thin Korean paper. The endcaps were also reconstructed using Japanese paper. This treatment was carried out in consultation with Katherine Beaty.

Photo Documentation