Last week the University of Iowa Library’s Preservation and Conservation Department were please to host Dartmouth College’s Collections Conservator Deborah Howe as part of the William Anthony Endowment lecture series. On Thursday, October 4th Howe gave a lecture at the Main Library titled Old Books, New Books, and In Between Books: a Brief Look at a Path in Bookbinding and Conservation. The William Anthony Conservation Lecture Series has grown out of an original gift from Julie Scott and Jim Fluck, both University of Iowa colleagues and friends. In 2001, their generous gift established the William Anthony Endowment, which honors our first conservator here at the libraries. He was also the first bookbinding instructor at University of Iowa Center for the Book. The fund has allowed for various conservation treatments of rare materials, conservation equipment and now, supports this lecture, which we hope will continue for many years to come. The William Anthony Conservation Lecture Series, hosted by the University of Iowa Libraries Conservation Lab, invites Book and Paper Conservators and Bookbinders to share their experience and work with the UI book arts community and beyond. More about information about the endowment and William Anthony can be found here.

In addition to Thursday’s lecture Deborah held an informal workshop in the Conservation Lab with students to demonstrate the French-style endband. It’s always great to see other techniques and methods for sewing endbands and this is one of Deborah’s specialties.

For more information on Deborah from Dartmouth College.