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| − | This page provides information about the Winterthur Poison Book Project, an investigation initiated in April 2019 to identify potentially toxic pigments coloring Victorian-era bookcloth.
| + | [[File:RBR_T690_L84t_3vols.jpg|right|frame|Emerald green bookcloth on an 1852 imprint. Courtesy, Winterthur Library, Printed Book and Periodical Collection]] |
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| − | Analysis of decorated, cloth-case, publisher’s bindings at Winterthur Library revealed starch-coated bookcloth colored with “emerald green,” or copper acetoarsenite, an inorganic pigment known to be extremely toxic. This pigment’s popularity in England and the United States during the Victorian era is well documented. While the colorant was known to be widely used in textiles for home decoration and apparel, wallpaper, and toys, its use specifically in bookcloth has not been formally explored. Successful bookcloths were a closely guarded trade secret during the nineteenth century, limiting our current understanding of their materiality and manufacture. Conservation staff and interns at Winterthur Museum, Garden and Library conducted a survey of bookcloth pigments in order to correlate the presence of emerald green and other potentially toxic pigments with specific publishers and date ranges. The project initially focused on the library’s circulating collection, which poses a greater potential risk to patrons, and then expanded to include the rare book collection.
| + | The Poison Book Project has moved to a new site. Please visit us at https://sites.udel.edu/poisonbookproject/. |
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| − | ==General Handling Tips for Nineteenth-Century Cloth-Case Bindings==
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| − | Nearly 40% of the nineteenth-century cloth-case bindings analyzed for this project, to date, contained lead in the bookcloth colorant. No matter what pigments or dyes may be present, it is best practice to wash hands after handling books, especially before eating or drinking.
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| − | ==Safe Handling Tips for Arsenical Books==
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| − | ==Arsenical Books List==
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| − | ==Methodology==
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| − | ==Further Reading==
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| − | ==Disclaimer==
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| − | <div style="background-color: #CCCCB2; border: 1px solid black; padding: 1ex; margin: 1ex">
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| − | Copyright {{CURRENTYEAR}}. This article describes conservation procedures and is meant to be used as exchange of technical information among trained cultural heritage conservators, and the procedures described herein should not be performed by anyone who is not a trained professional. Further, any advice, graphics, images, and information contained in this page is presented for general educational and information purposes, and to increase safety awareness in connection with the storage and handling of aged books that may contain toxic chemicals, such as arsenic. The storage, handling, and other safety tips included in this page are suggestions only and have been collected by the Poison Book Project of The Henry Francis du Pont Winterthur Museum, Inc. after consultation with scientists and other experts in the conservation field. None of the content in this page has been subjected to a formal peer review and is not intended to be medical or other expert advice or services, and should not be used in place of consultation with appropriate professionals. The information contained in this page should not be considered exhaustive, and the user should seek the advice of appropriate professionals.
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| − | In no event shall The Henry Francis du Pont Winterthur Museum, Inc. or its trustees, officers, affiliates, and employees, be liable for any liability, loss, injury, or risk (including, without limitation, incidental and consequential damages, personal injury/wrongful death, lost profits, or damages) which is incurred or suffered as a direct or indirect result of the use of any of the material, advice, guidance, or services on this site, whether based on warranty, contract, tort, or any other legal theory and whether or not The Henry Francis du Pont Winterthur Museum, Inc. or any of its trustees, officers, or employees is advised of the possibility of such damages. THE HENRY FRANCIS DU PONT WINTERTHUR MUSEUM, INC., TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, STATUTORY OR OTHERWISE, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, NON-INFRINGEMENT OF THIRD PARTIES’ RIGHTS, AND FITNESS FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSE.
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