A book’s spine is often held together by some combination of sewing, glue, and linings of textile, leather, or paper. Usually, paper linings are made of solid-colored, text-weight paper. Occasionally, a surprising paper lining can shed light on the fast-paced, sometimes improvised nature of bindery work.
The Index to the Executive Documents of the Senate, 1859-60 presented a surprise when it came to the conservation lab. Opening the spine region for treatment revealed a bucolic scene:
Printed image caption text: “Short horned Cow Fidelle, and Calf, bred by Thomas Robinson, Esq., of Burton on Trent, 1848. W.H Davis Pinxt. T. Sinclair Philada.”
The paper lining seen here supports both the book’s spine and the back of its spine covering in a common structure known as a hollow tube. Though binderies typically stocked raw materials for their work, recycling was not unfamiliar, especially when circumstances, resources, or economy dictated its application. This lining, then, is likely a piece of binder’s scrap – unremarkable in its day, but more notable to discover 150 years later. The lithographic image looks similar to those from 19th century popular illustrated magazines, such as Harper’s Weekly.
This charming image must be covered once again in the course of conservation treatment for this book. However, our lab database allows a photograph of the paper lining to be attached to the book’s treatment documentation. In this way, the conservation process can return the book to working condition and document its hidden surprise along the way.