February 2012
No. 117

Work in Progress

by Marilyn Mohr

For my AAB homework I favor well-worn 18th century books purchased from ebay---good paper, good prices, good grime.

In cleaning out my email due to the recent end-of-life of Alpha Mail, (thanks, Betsy) I came across a note from my supervisor from February, 2000. I had been at the library for two years, and was interested in getting more in- depth conservation training. Normandy encouraged me to seek out brief intensive trainings, and also look into short internships with Don Etherington, president of Etherington Conservation Services, in Greensboro, North Carolina.

I take the book apart and wash and size it.

Twelve years later I am still acting on that advice, and have benefitted greatly from the UO Libraries' support over the years as I have been putting together an education in conservation. In 2001 I went out to ECS for two weeks of training. Each year following I participated in at least one conference or workshop per year: Guild of Book Workers (GBW) Standard of Excellence Seminars, Paper and Book Intensives, regional workshops.

Tryals of High Treason is sewn on double raised cords in my home studio...

At a GBW conference in 2005 I learned that Don Etherington was initiating a conservation program through the American Academy of Bookbinding (AAB). Five or six sequential courses would be offered, and on-going work samples could be submitted to the instructor, culminating in a final set of 5 books and a research paper that would be evaluated by a jury of nationally noted conservators.

...and then is rounded and backed in my deluxe early 20th century job backer, my favorite piece of bookbinding equipment.
With the support of funding from the Library Staff Support Fund I jumped in: Introduction to Leather and Cloth Restoration, Telluride, spring 2006; Treatment of Textblocks and Sewing, Ann Arbor, fall, 2006; Forwarding and Covering, Ann Arbor, fall 2007; Finishing, Telluride, spring, 2008. In 2009 I spent another two weeks in Greensboro at ECC, conserving two of the UO's Burgess manuscripts under Don's supervision. And somewhere in there I took a box and enclosure making workshop.

Last spring I was encouraged to finally go for the diploma. I did four of the five required bindings, and they were approved by Don. But the grand finale, the full leather binding which is the ultimate project judged by the jury, had too many minor failings to be jury-ready. I decided I needed a serious review in leather work and covering, and signed up for the second half of Don's Forwarding and Covering class in Telluride, November, 2011. Ever-blessed with a supportive supervisor, and capable students to manage the labs everyday workflow, off I went.



See more photos from Marilyn's latest workshops here.


Marilyn Mohr took 8 years to get a Masters in Art History. She hopes to only take 6 years to get her conservation diploma.