G9 with a wide angle lens

Posted on May 2, 2011 by max

Recently I picked up a G9 wide and telephoto lens. Not really a fan of the ad ons, but this wide really smokes doing closeups. (Note detail of Family Bible below) I’m feeling this can get me right in on the details shots I want to share with you.

I use this lens setup with my Joby Gorilapod and a couple of Ott lights for fill-in.  It’s definitely a notch up in my being able to present this material. Caution: The Gorillapod just barely can manage the weight of the G9 and lens. I always put a leg out underneath the lens. 

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Posted in closeup, documentation, odd stuff, photography | Leave a comment

Nuther Family Bible

Posted on May 2, 2011 by max

These are the before shots of a Family Bible in for restoration. It’s a leather binding with so so paper. The boards are detached and the spine is relatively intact. In the detail shot you can see how a section at the front has torn out and caused lots of edge damage to the paper. This will be corrected with some mending paper and I’ll show a closeup of the repair in the after shots. Other than the first section the binding is fairly solid. Time to lock it up, lift the spine and remove the packing and old glue. Stay tuned!

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Posted in bible, embrittle paper, family bible, genealogy, leather, paper, paper mending, reback, spine | Leave a comment

Buffalo Bill’s Wild West 1896

Posted on May 2, 2011 by max

Fun, fun. Here a cloth binding with an early clay coated paper to show the images better. The glue separated from the binding over time and the job was to rebuild the spine and rejoin the contents to the cover. The pasted fly lifted easily between the cheesecloth mull and board. I placed a thin linen mull to form the hinge to this repair. A hollow tube was added and the contents were rejoined with the cover. One of the flys had to be lined with paper because there was loss and it was brittle. Just a touch of watercolor to the cover.

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Introducing Bookbinder’s Dressing

Posted on April 27, 2011 by max

For years I have made this 500 year old formula for the treatment of the leather books. Now I am offering this dressing to the public for use not only on books, but all fine and working leathers. Whether it’s a Family Bible or catcher’s mitt, motorcycle apparel or horse tack, Bookbinder’s Dressing is the perfect food for preserving leather items. Please visit Bookbinder’s Dressing and purchase the very best leather care product available today.

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Posted in bible, cleaning, conservation, family bible, leather | Leave a comment

Cigarettes and Art

Posted on April 11, 2011 by max

This print has been through the Mill. Its initial appearance was dim. The client had placed it into two construction plastic bags and sealed it with tape. On opening the bag my bindery smelled like a hundred year old saloon. I found the best solvent for cleaning and mopped the floor. Its canvas like edging, gold trim and wood frame took time, too. It smells, but not as bad as before. Next the frame will be finished in a special furniture oil that will clean and mask the odor.

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Posted in cleaning, painting, paper, print | Leave a comment