Retaining pressure sensitive tape

Has anyone worked on an item where pressure sensitive tape was
applied by the creator, rather than as a repair? I have a manuscript
containing both modern and late medieval paper, as well as some
parchment. The manuscript is made up of single leaves hinged
together with Sellotape into a book format, and each leaf is used to
mount a manuscript fragment, sometimes with gummed tape but often
with Sellotape. The tape has become sticky and is dicoloured, as
well as the 'binding' having broken down. But to remove all of the
tape would be to interfere with the compiler's intention. Does
anyone have comments or suggestions on the ethics of this?

Nicole Gilroy
Conservation and Collection Care
Oxford University Library Services
Conservation Bindery
Bodleian Library
Broad Street
Oxford OX1 3BG
+44 1865 277080
Fax: +44 1865 277182


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 19:35
                 Distributed: Monday, February 6, 2006
                       Message Id: cdl-19-35-032
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