100+ Years of Silver Polish Removed from Leather Portfolio

In this video, I show how I removed the majority of silver polish and silver oxide from the leather under a decorative silver grate.
I discuss the internal structure of the cover and decisions that factored into selecting the cleaning product used in the restoration of this antique leather portfolio.
While this video focuses on cleaning the leather cover, I also discuss the French WWI era item before repair and show the results after the conservation treatment has been completed.
0:00 Intro
1:50 Disassembly
3:31 Product Considerations
4:22 Cleaning
8:56 Before & After
"100+ Years of Silver Polish Removed from Leather Portfolio" is the second video in the "Lab Shorts" playlist.
Kathryn Wright is the owner/conservator at Southern Book & Paper Conservation, LLC, a private practice conservation lab in Macon, Georgia.
Portfolio and other social: www.southernbnp.com/
🛠TOOLS & MATERIALS🛠
I am an eBay partner and therefore The Lab earns a commission on purchases made from the eBay links below (each time the link is clicked, there is a 24-hour commission window).
This commission expense is not passed to you - your price remains the same.
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
ARCHIVAL STORAGE
4-flap enclosure: tinyurl.com/rvdjhss6 (Gaylord site)
Polyester L-sleeves for photos & documents: geni.us/mZbn (Amazon). If you have a water incident and these get wet, carefully cut the two sealed sides and remove the top piece of poly so the item can have an opportunity to dry - otherwise, it will mold extensively in the plastic.
Boxes, various sizes: geni.us/dmN3h (Amazon)
Folders, A4 and legal available: amzn.to/3gZgmqY (Amazon)
Cotton tying tape for weak or detached book boards and covers: geni.us/l5f5U (Amazon).
SMALL BENCH TOOLS
Teflon Bone Folder Set: geni.us/NmPNb (Amazon)
Gingher 8" shears: geni.us/d694 (Amazon)
Iris scissors: I have the curved pair. geni.us/dxmMWT (Amazon)
Olfa Silver knife with refill blades (Art Blade, 30 deg): allows for more precise cuts than the original Olfa Silver. geni.us/nXN5itG (Amazon)
Starrett 12" ruler: geni.us/dTZoy (Amazon)
Starrett 3" dividers: geni.us/Ec4A (Amazon)
Glue brushes: geni.us/WfLaVXX (Amazon)
EQUIPMENT
I got pretty much all of my equipment used on eBay, and I’ve been happy with everything.
Paper cutter (Kutrimmer): ebay.us/BkjrJk
Nipping press. My dimensions: 10”x13” bed/2.75” of daylight: ebay.us/LLT3KZ
Laying/finishing press: I actually prefer a machinist’s press (a 6” Kurt) ebay.us/PQnDZq
Traditional wooden finishing press: ebay.us/XYSMbk
Lectrojog: ebay.us/CDfyxd
Tormek SuperGrind 2000: ebay.us/zHt0Uc
MATERIALS & SUPPLIES
The go-to company for conservation supplies in the US is Talas: www.talasonline.com/.
If you’re a hobbyist bookbinder, book artist, and/or practicing by conserving discard books, I’ll include links below to Amazon, and other vendors who provide materials that are perfect for those pursuits.
Japanese long-fiber paper from Hiromi Paper.
Tengujo: tinyurl.com/4yrepkx8
Senka-shi Thick: tinyurl.com/7za85uu2
Leather: www.pergamena.net/
Marbled and Decorative Papers: hollanders.com/
Book cloth: hollanders.com/search?q=cialux
Text and cover weight papers:
I usually use Mohawk papers: www.thepapermillstore.com/
Smaller Mohawk sizes: geni.us/tvS8VM (Amazon)
PVA: geni.us/uc8J (Amazon)
Wheat Starch Paste: geni.us/Mcdq (Amazon)
Klucel-G leather consolidant: geni.us/CAswqOY (Amazon)
Isopropyl alcohol (99.9% pure): geni.us/Y2vKHbD (Amazon)
Methyl Cellulose: geni.us/xXw8 (Amazon)
Vulcanized Rubber Sponges: geni.us/WNcTDa
Methyl Cellulose: geni.us/xXw8 (Amazon)
Vulcanized Rubber Sponges: geni.us/WNcTDa
video topics:
antique book restoration, antique restoration, old book restoration, book restoration, antique book binding repair, old bookbinding repair, antique book repair, old book, old books, paper repair, antique paper repair, bookbinding, book binding, binding repair, book repair, repairing books, restoring books, repairing old books, restoring old books, antique manuscripts, manuscript, manuscripts, narrated, MLB, MLB history, baseball, baseball memorabilia, baseball history, baseball collectibles, sports collectibles, MLB signatures
Intro music:
Comfortable Mystery 4 - Film Noire by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. creativecommons.org/licenses/...
Source: incompetech.com/music/royalty-...
Artist: incompetech.com/

[@franciscomartindelcampo6461]

A pleasure to see your videos again, thank you for all the work it takes to share your expertise, greetings from California.

[@gruesometwosome6098]

Absolutely amazing....
What a lovely job you made of that. Can't wait for more restorations, thanks for sharing your knowledge 👍

[@leestimson12]

Thank you for publishing your work on line. It is very interesting work. I am a sort of tinkerer and may give this type of restoration a try someday Hello from Michigan.

[@SouthernBookAndPaper]

Glad it was helpful!

[@marybarratt2649]

Super job. It must be so rewarding to refurbish something so beautiful. I expect the owner was thrilled. Enjoyed your video.

[@velchuck]

Absolutely beautiful!

[@SouthernBookAndPaper]

Thank you so much!

[@lloydd.haugeniii2679]

Beautiful work!

[@jodiewilcox6772]

What a transformation. Great work!

[@LucianoSilveira]

Amazing!! Perfect work! Thank you for share!

[@Winda25]

Very nice job!

[@joynewsome6913]

Incredibly satisfying. I’m looking forward to the ASMR!

[@rbeehner2]

I enjoyed this video but I am disappointed to not have been able to view the board & leather repairs and the reconstruction of the inner folders.

[@wpn03200]

너무 오랜만에 영상이 올라왔습니다.
보고 들을 수 있어서 감사합니다.

[@bigjarn]

This video was quite interesting though brief Have missed you of late !

[@safaa9654]

Why didnt you show the silver cleaning

[@thissideofrandom8800]

How do you get started in this? 'Cause I could totally get into this. Thank you

[@TgWags69]

Silver plating those screws should be fairly easy. If not would stainless be an option to match it better?

[@kayjones6147]

I'm interested in having a book restored that belonged to my late husband as a text book when he was a student at UGA 1945 to 1949.
A collection of writings by various authors, poets pre 1943.
The interior is in fairly good shape but the covers and binding need replacing or repaired.
Are there certain hours that would be convenient for me to call you for an appt to come to your studio?
Thank you.

[@SouthernBookAndPaper]

Hey! Sorry for the late response. I've been under the weather. If you want, you can text me for an appointment time! 478.283.8659