Metal furniture on bookbindings

I am interested in the conservation of metal furniture on books, as
it is generally treated by book, rather than metal conservators. I
am researching the possibility of writing a set of notes aimed at
book conservators covering best practice for handling metalwork,
discussing common conservation issues such as corrosion of copper
alloys in contact with leather and, possibly, a glossary of alloys
and techniques most frequently found in metal furniture.  This would
be intended as a basic practical guide with some suggestions for
further reading, not a detailed treatise on metal conservation or
historic bookbinding.

I am not aware of such a work already existing, but if there is I
would be grateful to be pointed in the right direction.  This is an
embryonic concept and any thoughts or opinions, negative or
positive, would be gratefully received.  I am most interested in
hearing from any book conservators who have treated bindings with
metal furniture. Are there any issues with metal furniture which you
have encountered repeatedly and/or would be worth discussing?  Do
you generally treat metal furniture in any way, or just leave it as
it is?  Would a set of notes on the subject be useful to you?

Scarlett Hutchin
Metals conservation graduate student
West Dean College
Chichester
West Sussex, England


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 24:50
                    Distributed: Monday, May 2, 2011
                       Message Id: cdl-24-50-024
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