The leather specimen book by La Croix (1917)

La Croix, F. W.; The leather specimen book, Milwaukee (1917)
URL (Internet Archive)


Preface:

The many requests for information about leather that are constantly received by the advertising department of the Pfister & Vogel Leather Co. from merchants of leather goods and teachers and students in schools and colleges prompted the publication a few years ago of "How Leather Is Tanned." This pamphlet in a few mimeographed pages undertook to tell in a simple, concise fashion the essential facts in the manufacture of leather and to fill in some measure the almost total lack of descriptive, non-technical works on tanning.  Though a great many copies of "How Leather Is Tanned" have been supplied to interested persons, it has been evident that it went only part way with regard to instruction in leather and its manufacture. 

The common experience seems to have been that it is difficult to get a clear grasp of the subject without the opportunity of inspecting typical samples of leather in connection with the reading. It is as an aid in this respect that "The Leather Specimen Book" has been prepared. Used in connection with "How Leather Is Tanned" it aims to give a knowledge of leathers and the process of tanning sufficiently complete for all purposes not connected with practical tanning. 

On account of the almost unlimited variety in methods of finishing leather it has been possible to show only the most common and representative types of finishes. In using this book to identify leather it should be kept in mind that a tanned skin may be embossed and finished so as to have its true nature totally disguised.

Anchorage Loan Conservation Project: conservation case studies - NMNH kayak

Anchorage Loan Conservation Project: Conservation Case Studies  

NMNH kayak: Revising Cultural Attributions and Monitoring Change

URL

"The use of thermal analysis methods for authentication and conservation state determination of historical and/or cultural objects manufactured from leather" by Budrugeac et al (2011)

Budrugeac, P.; Cucos, A.;  Miu, L.; “The use of thermal analysis methods for authentication and conservation state determination of historical and/or cultural objects manufactured from leather”, Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry 104(2) (2011) 439-450 

DOI: 10.1007/s10973-010-1183-0  (restricted access)

Abstract:

Leather products have been useful materials since the dawn of human history. Many leathers objects are valuable treasures due to the history they represent, and their preservation challenges museum custodians and private collectors alike. In this article, the applications of thermal analysis methods (Micro Hot Table (MHT), thermogravimetry/derivative thermogravimetry (TG/DTG), dynamic scanning calorimetry (DSC), differential thermal analysis (DTA), and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA)) for the characterization of the recently manufactured and old leathers are presented. These methods can be used for the assessment of deterioration degree of leathers, and, therefore, the data obtained by these techniques could be useful for achievement of the suitable preservation procedures as well as the effects of conservation treatments. In addition, it was pointed out that these methods are suitable for qualitative distinction between the recently manufactured leathers and heritage items.

"Characterisation and evaluation of the environmental impact on historical parchments by DSC" by Badea et al (2011)

Badea, E.; Della Gatta, G.; Budrugeac, P.; “Characterisation and evaluation of the environmental impact on historical parchments by differential scanning calorimetry”, Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry 104(2) (2011) 495-506

DOI: 10.1007/s10973-011-1495-8 (restricted access)

Abstract:

Our recent developments concerning the assessment of parchments deterioration using DSC are reported. Measurements performed on samples in excess water conditions, in static air and gas flow provided qualitative and quantitative information on parchment ageing and deterioration at microscopic and mesoscopic level, when assembly of fibres/fibrils is weakened, partially and eventually completely lost, and at molecular level, when triple helix uncoiling occurs. A damage ranking scale based on a large collection of DSC parameters obtained by investigating artificially aged samples was set up. Deconvolution of the DSC thermal denaturation peaks in excess water enabled evaluating and discriminating stability of parchments with similar damage levels. Further experimental evidences such as softening of the crystalline fraction of collagen, thermal-oxidation and collagen gelatinisation were detected by DSC measurements in gas flow and static air, and related to specific deterioration patterns. DSC measurement of wet samples provided an objective and reliable method for evaluating parchment shrinkage temperature overcoming the limitations of conventional methods.

 

"An easy-to-build museum saddle mount" by Shevchuk (2009)

Shevchuk, Paul; "An easy-to-build museum saddle mount", Conserve O Grams 9/2 (2009)
PDF

From the introduction:

This Conserve O Gram provides guidance on how to build a mount to support and store a large saddle with component parts (straps, stirrups) in the way it was intended to be used. This mount is strong, light-weight, and easy to move or transport, and uses cabinet space efficiently.