Leather Use in Treatment: A U.S. and European Panel Presentation on the Impact of Conservator's Choices
Friday, 7th October 2022
9:30 am to 12:30 pm EST
via Zoom

Leather users face many choices regarding leather treatment and there is little guidance regarding the ways these choices and subsequent actions could affect leather's longevity.

The Leather Discussion Group, formed in 2016, wants to continue the discussion among leather users and conservators. How do conservators across disciplines use leather in conservation? Do these use practices affect leather's longevity? The primary focus of this panel discussion will be on the treatment of leather added to the object during treatment, rather than conservation of deteriorated leather.

Leather has been a stable, reliable material in common use for many generations. However, leather production, including tanning practices, animal husbandry, and available tannins, dyes, and fatliquors have all changed since the Industrial Revolution. The available materials to treat leather and underlying philosophy behind leather use has also changed. Conservation techniques are regularly reevaluated and leather use is no exception. Some historic and modern leather treatments differ significantly, and naturally aged samples indicate some treatments may affect leather's longevity more than others. Do these changes affect leather use across disciplines?

Tanners and research scientists are willing to work with conservators to achieve ideal leather qualities. Even when starting with a quality leather, end users' choices may also have an impact on a skin's longevity. How are conservators affecting the leather when choosing water, adhesives, dyes, dressings, and finishing techniques? Are these choices regional or generational? In some conservation practices, the lines between tradition and science are blurred. Approaches to leather use in conservation vary widely, with more regular leather use in Europe than in the U.S. How does leather use fit into the future of conservation?

The Leather Discussion Group would like to continue investigating these activities globally and welcomes further input to the conversation. The goal is to build on the May 2021 panel discussion and continue comparing both modern and historic practices to determine a holistic interpretation of leather use, treatment, and selection. This year the conversation will focus on tanners' and scientists' evaluation of the impact of procedures and treatment techniques that conservators use when working with leather.

What can we learn from each other? Let's talk! Join us for a cross-disciplinary dialogue with perspectives from many different leather users. For this meeting members of cultural heritage organizations worldwide are invited to join us virtually for the discussion. To guide the conversation, the group created a survey which is available on the AIC wiki's Leather Research page.

Register for free today for this webinar at us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/...

*Guild of Book Workers, Standards of Excellence Conference
Atlanta, Gerogia
20th-22nd October 2022

Speakers:
- Béatrice Coron - Art in 1000 Cuts - the Path of the Blade
- Dr. Cathleen Baker - Adhesives for Book Artists and Conservators
- Erin Fletcher - Stitching through History - Embroidered Bindings from the 14th C. to Today
- Monique Lallier - My life in Bookbinding: Fifty Years of Creativity, Challenges, Experimentations, Frustrations & Pure Joy

Tours:
- Emory Universities Libraries
- The Robert C. Williams Museum of Papermaking
- Center for Puppetry Arts

*Trade Fair Vendor Room

*Ludlow Fine Book Fair
Clive Pavilion, Ludlow Race Course, Ludlow
29th-30th October 2022

- Free Event
- Traditional crafts and associated artisan supplies
- Beautiful Books for sale
- Save the date

The fair will be held over the weekend 29-30th October at the Clive Pavilion, Ludlow Racecourse, SY8 2BT. It is free to attend. The fair is a celebration of books, printing, engraving and traditional craftmanship. It will appeal to all who love books, both new and old, and would like to meet the people practicing these artisan skills. The fair is a fun day for all the family. You can buy beautiful gifts, cards and artwork, handmade stationary, and marbled paper.

If you are looking for a something unique you can commission a bespoke leather-bound book, buy special titles from regional book dealers and publishers, or personalise a photo album for any significant occasion. Beautiful leathers will be on display and for sale, as well as printing equipment.

The venue opens at 10.00-17.30 on Saturday 29th and until 16.30 on Sunday 30th. There is a café on site, toilets, and free parking. No RSVP required. Why not make a weekend visit to the historic market town of Ludlow in the Welsh Marches. For all who love books, arts, and crafts this is an event for your diaries.

*The Society of Bookbinders Education Seminar, Newport, Shropshire
31st August - 2nd September 2023

The Society of Bookbinders Education and Outreach Seminar will be held at Harper Adams University in Shropshire.

The seminar will be hosting a Suppliers fair, Promenade, Auction and of course, an extensive choice of presenters.

The Society's Annual General Meeting will also take place during the event.

Further details and registration information will follow as they become available. In the meantime, Save the Date!

J. Hewit & Sons will have a stand at the event(s) marked '*'. If you would like us to bring specific items for you to purchase, please let us know at least 4 weeks in advance of the event.