Talking leather

[Steve]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/160821625574? ... 1438.l2649

I was somewhat shocked to see how much an original leather elbow makes! But it has got me thinking and worrying about my leather elbows and other vital leather machine parts. The question I have is regarding the conservation of this material. Does anyone have any good suggestions how to keep the leather moist and free from drying out and going hard and crumbling away to nothing?

I have in the past applied leather "care creams" which are available off the shelf. However these appear to darken the leather and sometimes make it look new like a reproduction. They also dry the leather out! Any suggestions? If elbows are going to be this expensive to replace they need to be very carefully treated and preserved.

[saxymojo]

Hi

Just use a good quality leather dressing, it will darken the leather a bit.

Marcel
gypsyleather.com.au

[Nat]

I conserve a small library of 18th century books, all bound in leather. Go to a bookbinding supply site on the internet, and you will find a large number of products. Most will darken the leather a bit, but that's the price you pay.

A bookbinding site will usually have better products - some products out there contain various chemicals that will eventually harm the leather.

The best thing I've found is the British Museum formulation: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Mu ... r_dressing

[fmblizz]

Holy sh__

Wonders never cease

more money then brains

LOL

blizz

[Henry]

...more money then brains

blizz

How about "more brains, then money"? Or do you mean "thAn"?

[fmblizz]

got me

than

i'll have another...

blizz

[Henry]

Make it two (one for me).

[CarlosV]

There is this from a preservation store. I have never tried it.

http://www.preservationequipment.com/St ... onditioner

[HisMastersVoice]

I conserve a small library of 18th century books, all bound in leather. Go to a bookbinding supply site on the internet, and you will find a large number of products. Most will darken the leather a bit, but that's the price you pay.

A bookbinding site will usually have better products - some products out there contain various chemicals that will eventually harm the leather.

The best thing I've found is the British Museum formulation: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Mu ... r_dressing

Nat, I have several 18th century books as well, a few of them quite rare and valuable. Have you ever found the dressing to leave greasy marks on the endpapers or pages with careful application? I enjoy reading my books, but I'm always worried about the 200+ year old bindings cracking apart from use.