No Leafcaster? No Problem! Using the suction table to fill large lacunae in an entire volume

Abstract

A seventeenth-century English herbal arrived in the conservation laboratory in poor condition. Most of the text block was severely mold- and vermin-damaged. The book consisted of over 150 folios, each of which required significant mending to repair large lacunae. The conservator determined that pulp filling might be an efficient and effective treatment for this volume, but no leafcaster was available. After experimentation borne out of necessity, a system was developed for pulp filling on the suction table. The equipment used included the suction table, a kitchen blender, pieces of blotter, pulp, a water sprayer, droppers, a Teflon folder, spun polyester sheeting, and a Japanese hake brush. The poster presentation followed the treatment of the volume, provided guidelines for using the pulp filling technique for large projects, and summarized the successes and challenges encountered during the treatment.