St Cyril of Alexandria – Super Genesim. Italy (probably North-East) 15th century. Donated by Robert Fleming.

Treatment:

• Spine leather lifted and the bulk of the 17th century proteinaceous glue removed with a methylcellulose poultice.
• Left endpaper spinefold repaired using Japanese paper adhered with wheatstarch paste.
• Tail endband secured with linen thread.
• Spine lined between supports with Kozo paper, then aerocotton, extending onto the outer faces of the boards and adhered with wheatstarch paste.
• Where left joint leather was broken or splitting, Kozo paper toned with liquid acrylics was adhered with wheatstarch paste to cover the repair material before the original leather was replaced.
• Small tabs of hidakawashi tengu tissue were used to stabilse the parchment right endleaf where it had been pierced and damaged by a copper chain staple.