Condition when received

There was a later cover of parchment over rope-fibre boards(17/18th cent), attached by cords glued and sunk in deep saw-cuts across the spine. Original sewing supports were 7 split tawed leather thongs. There is a fragment of 13th cent. parchment MS as right pastedown. Splits to leaves parallel with inner margins associated with damage caused by later saw-cuts. Damp staining with associated cockling. Endbands were primary sewing with linen thread with multiple tie-downs, fragments of secondary decorative sewing of green and pink silk thread pierced through corners of gatherings.

Work carried out

Following disbinding, split section fold were guarded with japanese papers and splits to leaves mended with remoistenable tissue based on gelatine. New endpapers of parchment with tawed pigskin joints. Resewn on 4 double flax cords using unbleached linen thread through existing sewing holes. Spine shaped and panels lined with japanese paper using paste. Endbands sewn of unbleached linen thread. Boards prepared from quarter-sawn oak, shaped and planed to fit the profile of the textblock. Boards laced on securing cords with tawed leather wedges. Covered in full alum-tawed pigskin, with silver peg and ring foredge closures and tawed leather and vellum straps.