The homiliary of varlaam: Scientific investigation of the leather bookbinding

Abstract

This paper presents a comprehensive deterioration profiling of the leather bookbinding of Cazania lui Vaarlam printed in 1643 and owned by the National Museum of Romanian Literature. A complex analytical approach encompassing spectroscopic techniques and thermal analysis methods was set up for the leather bookbinding to investigate collagen structural changes induced by ageing and assess the conservation condition of leather before the book restoration. The results’ correlation at various structural levels brings out a detailed damage picture. The presence of gelatine was identified on the bookbinding surface through ATR-FTIR and MHT method while bulk / depth profile analysis such as micro DSC and NMR MOUSE indicated the decrease of the hydrothermal stability and collagen matrix rigidity mainly due to de-tanning.