Conserving an Endeavour Journal: paper and binding treatment in concert

Abstract

The State Library NSW’s copy of Captain James Cook’s Endeavour Journal was prioritised for treatment in preparation for the 250th anniversary of Cook’s landing at Botany Bay. One of four known copies, it was hand-written on the voyage by Cook’s clerk Richard Orton and signed in Cook’s hand. Written in iron gall ink, the journal is made up of four sections of approximately 22 bifolios each, bound after the voyage into a full leather case binding. The deterioration of the ink, combined with the stress of the binding structure, caused extensive damage, including cracking and losses throughout the text. A risk assessment framework was used to select a paper treatment and binding method that worked in concert. The manuscript was washed, deacidified, resized and repaired to slow the deterioration of the iron gall ink and return strength to the paper. The existing case binding was inappropriate for rebinding the manuscript. A new custom conservation binding was designed. The sections are sewn onto four vellum concertina folded guards packed out with paper to compensate for the thickness of the sections. The guards are sewn onto vellum supports and laced into a limp vellum cover. The spine of the structure is strengthened by Japanese tissue.