Monthly Archives: July 2025

A Wedge for a Wedge

This is a lovely leather-bound volume that came to us in need of a cloth-covered clamshell with some gentle compression. Unfortunately, it has a bit of an odd shape, meaning we had to solve the problem of the open space in the enclosure.

Image of a leather bound book that has deformed into a wedge shape.
Figure 1. The problem: a wedge-shaped volume

Our solution: a wedge to secure the volume and spread the pressure of the compression. We opted for mat board as opposed to book board, both to keep the enclosure from getting to heavy and to give the wedge a little bit of flex.

Thanks to a little math and a little mat board, this volume will be safe and secure and protected from temperature and humidity changes in its home on the shelf!

Image of wedge shape constructed of board and book cloth to support the deformed leather book.
Figure 2. The solution: a cloth-covered wedge to spread the compression and fill the empty space.
Cloth covered clamshell enclosure with leather book inside.
Figure 3. The completed wedge. A perfect fit!

Hyacinth Tucker – Conservation Technician and Bindery Processor