The conservation of leather, skin and related materials is an area that, until now, has had little representation in book form. Marion Kite and Roy Thomson of the Leather Conservation Centre have prepared the first text of its kind which is both authoritative and comprehensive with contributions from leading specialists. This book covers all aspects of skin and leather preservation, from clothing to cuir bouilli and taxidermy to bookbindings. It discusses the tools and equipment needed to transform and preserve a wide range of products including fur, feathers, parchment, fish and reptile skins. It outlines the history and development of leather manufacture and what makes each combination of skin type and production technique suitable for a particular purpose. Most importantly, it describes how to recognise the animal species and the processing methods employed. There is significant coverage of the mechanisms of deterioration and the technical and chemical elements necessary for conservation as well as care, storage and display. Case studies round out this informative reference work.

Book jacket.