Needlework Copy Book for Ladies, 1850
This small book was housed in the open-air campus, Greenfield Village, and subjected to the high heat and humidity of the summer for years. Over time, the paper became increasingly brittle, and eventually, this book was retired from exhibit. Previous treatments on the book were beginning to fail, and attempting to work on the book caused bits of weakened paper to fall off each time. The acidic and broken sewing thread was removed, the book was placed in a Mylar sleeve, and it was housed in a four flap folder for storage.
Broken sewing led to detached pages
Evidence of previous repairs, including backing and tear repair
As I worked, pieces continued to flake off, which were collected and kept separated by page in an ice tray
The book in its enclosure
The four flap folder to house the book in storage
