Tag Archives: book

The Art of the Title

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Materials in our state library and archives collections typically bear matter-of-fact titles like Senate Journal of the 28th Legislature or Executive
Documents of the House of Representatives.  But occasionally, one title stands out from its expository neighbors.  I take special note of the following cantankerous title, especially during this season’s contentious state legislative session:

"Unconstitutional Laws Exposed" by Chas. B. Pearre, 1872
“Unconstitutional Laws Exposed” by Chas. B. Pearre, 1872
For more information, we visit a prime example of a typeface-rich, 19th century title page:
"A Review of the Unconstitutional Laws of the Twelfth Legislature of Texas, and the Oppressions of the Present Administrations Exposed," by Chas. B. Pearre, Attorney at Law, Waco, Texas

"A Review of the Unconstitutional Laws of the Twelfth Legislature of Texas, and the Oppressions of the Present Administrations Exposed," by Chas. B. Pearre, Attorney at Law, Waco, Texas

 I wonder what Mr. Pearre’s website would look like today.

Canvas Covers

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A great many of our bound Texas government materials have an accompanying canvas cover.  These covers are frequently seen on oversized, hand-inscribed stationer’s bindings, and many have not fared well.

Early 20th century Texas court index, with a typically battered canvas cover.

These covers seem to have had mixed effects on their books over years of use.  While they do provide protection from light, they can also abrade delicate leather surfaces.

The canvas cover's footprint is visible around the edges of the board. Notice the faded leather at the bottom edge, as well as the abraded suede in all areas except the foreedge.

The pervasive nature of these covers seems to suggest that their use was systematic, or perhaps mandated, by certain state institutions.  There’s even evidence that the covers were contemporaneous with the bindings.

Inside the boards, we see that the canvas cover was made with doublures to match the binding's marbled pastedowns.

Addressing these covers appropriately is a challenge within a conservation treatment.  Despite their contemporaneous appearance, it is difficult to justify the time needed to formulate and execute a treatment for the cover when so many similar items need extensive attention to more fundamental issues.  The right conservation approach to these covers is an open issue on which I’d welcome comments.

I’d also love to learn more about the use and construction of these canvas covers.  Do they appear in other state or government archives?  Who made them and when?  Who decided they should be made?  What types of items received them?