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<\/a>Early 20th century Texas court index, with a typically battered canvas cover.<\/p><\/div>\n
These covers seem to have had mixed effects on their books over years of use.\u00a0 While they do provide protection from light, they\u00a0can also abrade delicate leather surfaces.<\/p>\n
<\/a>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.<\/p><\/div>\n
The pervasive nature of these covers seems to suggest that their use was systematic, or perhaps mandated, by certain state institutions.\u00a0 There’s even evidence that the covers were\u00a0contemporaneous with the bindings.<\/p>\n
<\/a>Inside the boards, we see that the canvas cover was made with doublures to match the binding's marbled pastedowns.<\/p><\/div>\n
Addressing these covers appropriately is\u00a0a challenge\u00a0within a conservation treatment.\u00a0 Despite their contemporaneous appearance, it is\u00a0difficult to justify the time needed to formulate and execute a treatment for the cover when so many similar items need extensive attention\u00a0to more fundamental issues.\u00a0 The right conservation approach to these\u00a0covers is an open issue on which I’d welcome comments.<\/p>\n
I’d also love to learn more about the use and construction of these canvas covers.\u00a0 Do they appear in other state or government archives?\u00a0 Who made them and when?\u00a0 Who decided they\u00a0should be made?\u00a0 What\u00a0types of\u00a0items\u00a0received them?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
A great many of our bound Texas government materials have an accompanying canvas cover.\u00a0 These covers are frequently seen on oversized, hand-inscribed stationer’s bindings, and many have not fared well. These covers seem to have had mixed effects on their … Continue reading