Applications Now Open for Renowned Book Conservation Scholarship
Conservation by Design Limited (CXD) is calling conservators and skilled book binders to apply for the 9th Annual Nicholas Hadgraft Memorial Scholarship.
The prestigious award covers the cost of attending the world renowned Montefiascone Book Conservation Summer School, a unique bookbinding course held each year in the medieval hill town of Montefiascone, situated next to the picturesque Lake Bolsena in heart of central Italy.
Offering £1,500 towards the course fees and travel, the scholarship offers a unique opportunity for students, skilled conservators and book binders to gain exclusive access to industry leading conservation professionals. Running throughout the month August, each week of the summer school features a different specialised course and tutor who will help attendees to hone their skills in a number of historically sympathetic bookbinding conservation techniques.
Conservation By Design managing director, Mike Brown, said: "The Nicholas Hadgraft Memorial Scholarship is now so highly regarded within the conservation sector that we receive interest from people all over the globe, who are keen to grasp this wonderful opportunity. Every year we are astounded by the quality of the applications we receive, and we expect that 2013 will be no different.
"The summer school presents a unique opportunity for its delegates to form new friends and share a love of precious books and bookbinding in a stunning setting. With such a prestigious prize on offer, we're sure we'll see more entries than ever before and encourage students, conservators and book binders to download the application form and submit it before the deadline on 28th April."
Shaun Thompson, a bookbinder at Cambridge University Library, who was last year's lucky recipient of the coveted scholarship, added: "The Montefiascone summer school is unique as it offers the chance to interact with people from across the globe on a level playing field, and you know that they are all their for one purpose - to share their knowledge and gain experience. Such a diverse group of people from such different disciplines creates a very dynamic environment in which to learn about what is going on around the world not just in one's own professional surroundings.
"My experience in Montefiascone was one of great joy and enlightenment, and I would rate the courses there as some of the best I have ever taken."
The scholarship is offered in memory of Dr Nicholas Hadgraft, a good friend of Conservation By Design who died tragically in 2004. Nicholas was a fellow of the University of the Arts London and a key collaborator on the "Squelch Drying" technique devised by Stuart Welch (the founder of CXD), the most effective way to date of drying valuable rare books. Nicholas was a regular tutor at Montefiascone and took great pleasure imparting his knowledge and sharing his love of books and bookbinding with like minded individuals.
Application forms are now available here
Completed applications must be received by 28th April 2013 and the successful applicant will be notified in June.
For further information on the Nicholas Hadgraft Memorial Scholarship, contact Conservation By Design on 01234 844 260
CXD Helps Preserve Medieval Deeds for Years to Come
Conservation equipment and display specialist Conservation By Design (CXD) have played a part in preserving historic medieval deeds dating back to the 13th century by producing storage folders to keep them intact.
Essex Record Office (ERO) houses thousands of the parchment documents, all of which feature delicate wax seals, presenting a storage minefield for its conservators.
Previously, the deeds were hung in boxes similar to a filing cabinet system, however it created problems such as old tape sticking to the parchments. It also posed several risks including plastic causing long-term damage to the documents. Furthermore, the hanging system meant documents were slipping out of place and the viewing experience was hampered through a layer of discoloured plastic.
The Record Office approached CXD with a solution which involved storing the documents in bespoke wedge-shaped folders. Specialists at CXD were able to mass-produce two different sized folders to the specifications developed by ERO staff, to store 1,000 documents to guarantee their preservation. The folders have been nicknamed 'Harris folders' after Grahame Harris, Senior Archive Assistant who came up with the original, handmade design.
Tony King, Senior Conservator at the Essex Record Office, said: "In general, storing these sorts of small parchment documents with delicate pendant seals presents a problem ã a common issue in record offices. There are lots of them so any solution needed to be affordable and quick to implement, but they are also very old and potentially delicate so the storage system needed to provide enough support for the parchment document and protection for the seal.
"These folders are a great solution to the problem. Not only are they simple to assemble, they look good and are cost effective. The wedge shape gives the seal at the bottom of the document space within the folder to accommodate them. The documents are much more usable and presentable as there in nothing obscuring the surface."
The documents are further protected by CXDs Lydamore flat packed ecophant boxes, which were also designed in collaboration with ERO, that the folders are kept in.
"This system also means the seals do not get crushed as movement is restricted, which is usually the most damaging problem,"Tony added.
Christopher French, for Conservation By Design, said: "This system of storing the medieval deeds has solved a somewhat tricky issue faced by many archivists. The protection offered by the folders is enhanced further by being placed in the boxes, which can ensure the documents can be stacked rather than hung to improve access and prevent further damage."
For more information and a detailed specification on the range of products Conservation By Design offers, call 01234 846 300
CXD Provides Showcases for Historical Building
Conservation By Design (CXD) has supplied bespoke showcases to Prittlewell Priory Museum as part of a £1.8million refurbishment of the 900-year-old building.
The historic site in Priory Park, Southend, houses a mix of the heritage items including monastic finds, natural history and wildlife artefacts, and items which relate to the Victorian inhabitants of the building.
The 11 showcases provided by CXD were designed specifically to conserve and protect the many important artefacts from the hazards posed by issues including varying temperature and relative humidity in the aging building. The cases also allow for the viewing public to enjoy an unhampered view of the exhibits from all angles.
For more information and a detailed specification on the range of products Conservation By Design offers, call 01234 846 300
Click here for more information on the story
Time Capsule For Britain's Oldest Dance Company
Conservation By Design (CXD) has helped Britain's oldest dance company mark a new era in its development by providing a time capsule for burial at its new headquarters.
Designed specifically to store, conserve and record memories for hundreds of years, the time capsule was created to give a sense of what everyday life is like at the London-based Rambert Dance Company as it prepares to move to brand new purpose-built premises on the South Bank.
Containing both records and objects such as toe tape, a foot-roller, a shaker for protein-based food supplements and a packet of Jelly Snakes, the capsule was buried in the footings of the new facility by past and present directors from the organisation in order to celebrate their contributions over the years.
More sentimental items buried included a lock of Marie Ramberts hair, a favourite pair of former artistic director Christopher Bruce's dance shoes, as well as programmes, personal correspondence and photographs.
Nadia Stern, Chief Executive Office of Rambert Dance Company, said: "Rambert has an excellent archive which charts the history of the Company, from our origins as the first British ballet company to the present-day. For our time capsule we wanted to create something a bit different; something that brings the working day of the dancers and staff vividly to life, and shows a more personal side to the Company's journey.
"Our Archive Team researched all the options and chose the CXD time capsule because we believed it to be the best quality, and we regularly source other preservation material from the company. With it, hopefully future generations of dance fans will have something very special that will remind them of our rich and varied history."
Constructed in 4mm stainless steel, marine grade (316 specification), CXD time capsules can protect and conserve objects stored within them by scavenging oxygen from within, thus preventing natural deterioration. Available in a number of sizes, the capsules feature a closed lid sealed via 18 x 10mm stainless steel bolts with gaskets to ensure a good seal.
Chris French, of Conservation By Design, explains: "Our time capsules are highly effective and can not only conserve the items in them, but protect them from harmful gasses within the capsule while also protecting them from corrosion due to the air purification system. It's an honour to provide one of our capsules to such a prestigious company."
The Rambert Capsule will be registered with the International Time Capsule Society, with a request that it is not opened for at least 50 years.
For more information and a detailed specification on the range of products Conservation By Design offers, call 01234 846 300
Catalogue
Conservation by Design Catalogue, click here to view online or right click and 'Save as' to download.