Workshop 2009

The conservation workshop of the monastery hosted four 5-day long seminars at its premises, during September 2009.

The aim of running a program of workshops is to gradually extend the functions and character of the book conservation workshop and the library of the monastery into a centre for education and an international meeting point for book conservators, palaeographers, curators and librarians, which will promote research on bookbinding and the conservation of books, both for the specific collection as well as for the subject as a whole. A place where tutors, professionals and students will get together and will in turn offer their knowledge, advice and experience for the organisation of research and the projection, preservation and conservation of the collection of manuscripts and printed books of the monastic library and beyond

EARLY COPTIC BOOKBINDINGS

(Tutor: John Sharpe)
Date: 31August -4 September 2009 | Maximum class number: 12 | Course fee: 530 €

The course will cover the period of binding construction especially as evidenced in the archeological finds especially from Egypt from the earliest wooden tablets, papyrus codices, finely constructed Coptic bindings from the third through the fifth centuries to the end of AD 1000. We will examine the history of Coptic book making as seen in its various manifestations and transitions in the first millennium of the Common Era.

A PRACTICAL INTRODUCTION TO BYZANTINE BINDING

(Tutor: John Mumford)
Date: 14-18 September 2009 | Maximum class number: 8 | Course fee: 530 €

This 5 day course is an introduction to Byzantine bookbinding. The model that will be made is based on a 15th c. manuscript binding currently housed at the British Library, (Royal.1.A.xv - Bible, St.Nilos commentaries). The workshop will include all the stages for the completion of the model.

Through a series of practical demonstrations the student will gain an understanding of the construction of a Byzantine binding which will include sewing, board preparation, endbands, and covering with leather. They will then embellish their bindings with blind tooled decoration, drawing on the classic motifs used on historical Byzantine bindings, with finishing tools copied from the original impressions. Finally, they will construct the edge pins and laced leather straps.

Model based on the 15th century Byzantine binding of Greek manuscript Royal 1.A.xv (Bible, St. Nilos commentaries) from the British Library.

TRADITIONAL GOLD TOOLING

(Tutor: Trevor Lloyd)
Date: 7-11 September 2009 | Maximum class number: 8 | Course fee: 530 €

During this short course we will be dealing with all aspects of traditional gold finishing, from preparation of the leather to the correct use of a polishing iron, and everything in between. Participants can expect to complete several different projects during the week, from practice spines and boards to a full binding.

This course will be a unique opportunity to learn lots of tricks of the trade, many of which are rapidly disappearing and should result in participants being able to go away from the course with the confidence to tool bindings competently and quickly.

CONSERVATION AND REPAIR OF PARCHMENT

(Tutors: Mariluz Beltran de Guevara & Flavio Marzo)
Date: 21-25 September 2009 | Maximum class number: 8 | Course fee: 530 €

This course investigates the properties and history of parchment as a material in relation to manuscript and binding conservation. An overview of past and current techniques and materials used to treat parchment is provided. There will be an emphasis on practical sessions on the different techniques and the evaluation of old and modern adhesives and materials used for repairs, in view of current research and the long term preservation of parchment.

Time Table

Tutor	Course	Duration
John Sharpe	Early Coptic bookbindings (theory)	31 Aug-4 September
Trevor Lloyd	Traditional Gold Tooling	7-11 September
John Mumford	A practical Introduction to Byzantine bookbinding	14-18 September
Mariluz Beltran de Guevara & Flavio Marzo	Conservation and Repair of Parchment	21-25 September

Since 1970 John Sharpe’s research interests have been in the history, technology, and role of the book in society. He began his career as Curator of Rare Books, Duke University, Durham, NC, in 1967 where he was employed until 1998. The history of Coptic and Byzantine book binding has been the object of his research throughout his career. For the past 10 years, the materials, construction, & techniques of Coptic bindings from the origins of the codex to AD 1000 have been the focus of his research and writing. On the topic he has taught, lectured, and written extensively in the USA and abroad.

Workshops' organiser

Nikolas Sarris

Nikolas Sarris is the supervisor of the book conservation studio at the monastery of St. John Theologian, Patmos. He has worked as a book conservator at the British Library (2004-06) and at the UCL Strange Print Room. He collaborates with the Ligatus Research Unit on research related to the St. Catherine’s Library Conservation Project since 2001 and with the Thesaurus Foundation for the survey and conservation of the manuscripts at the National Library of Egypt, Cairo. He is currently also undertaking an A.H.R.C. (Arts and Humanities Research Board) funded PhD with the title: ‘Classification of Finishing Tools in Byzantine/Greek Bookbinding: Establishing Links for Manuscripts from the Library of the St. Catherine’s Monastery in Sinai, Egypt and collaborates