Skip to content

The University of Iowa Libraries

Skip to content
Go to
InfoHawk+
University of Iowa Libraries University of Iowa Libraries The University of Iowa The University of Iowa Libraries

Conservation & Collections Care News

PLEASE NOTE



This post is more than two years old. Read it with that in mind. Thank you.
An original Burmese manuscript shows wear and tear around the edges. A model of the original sits below the original
Feb 13 2019

New addition to the Book Model Collection

Posted on February 13, 2019 by Abigail Evans
An original Burmese manuscript shows wear and tear around the edges. A model of the original sits below the original
The elaborate design on the original (top) was beautifully recreated in the model (bottom).

Christine Manwiller, former UI Center for the Book (UICB) student, created a facsimile of a Burmese binding for a historical binding class she took as part of her MFA degree. The original Burmese book was from Fritz James, the retired CEO of Library Binding Service, Inc. He acquired the manuscript during his travels and gifted it to the University of Iowa Libraries shortly before Manwiller was inspired to make the model. The original book is an accordion foldout. Its palm leaf style was typical of Burmese books from the late 19th century. Its ornate binding is covered in imitation precious stones, and this elaborate design was likely chosen to highlight the manuscript’s religious significance. Manwiller recreated the text block, emulating the white Pali script written on black paper. She constructed the outside boards, finding materials that would closely match those used for the original book. Conservator Giselle Simón said that this project was an “attractive prospect” for Manwiller, who finds joy in detailed work. Manwiller is now at Buffalo State University in their advanced conservation program.

The facsimile of the Burmese binding is part of the Book Model Collection (BMC), which is housed in the UI Libraries’ Conservation Lab. The BMC was able to acquire the model thanks to the William Anthony Conservation Fund. In 1984, Anthony founded the Conservation Lab and was its first conservator. The fund is meant to honor his achievements and support ongoing and special conservation projects. To view the facsimile in the BMC contact Simón at giselle-simon@uiowa.edu. More information about the original Burmese book can be found in the Iowa Digital Library and the object can be viewed in Special Collections.

The original Burmese manscript is open and displaying white Pali script on black paper.
White Pali script in the original Burmese manuscript
This picture shows the model folded open so that the elaborate cover is showing in addition to Manwiller's imitation script.
This picture features Mawiller’s replicated script and the model’s ornate cover.
Posted in Book & paper conservation, Main library, staff

Post navigation

Linda Lundy receives UI Staff Council Longevity Award
Nancy Kraft travels to Berlin for ISO meeting

Categories

  • 30th Anniversary
  • African American Museum of Iowa
  • Art library
  • Awards
  • Book & paper conservation
  • Book Intervention
  • Book Model Collection
  • Community, outreach, education, and events
  • Digital preservation
  • Digital reformatting
  • Disaster recovery
  • Disaster response
  • Flood Recovery
  • Grants, outside funding
  • Intergovernmental Oceanographic Data and Information Exchange (UNESCO, IOC)
  • Johnson County Historical Society
  • Main library
  • Materials, equipment and procedures
  • Mold, insects, and other agents of deterioration
  • Music library
  • National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library
  • News Archive
  • Oakdale campus
  • Object conservation
  • outreach
  • remote work
  • Resilience of Book Transmission
  • staff
  • Storage environments
  • Tips
  • Uncategorized
  • William Anthony Conservation Lecture

Archives

Meta

  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.org

More links

  • Preservation News via Email
  • More Library Feeds
  • Preservation Department
  • Flood of 2008 Slideshows
  • More Flood Recovery Photos
  • Link to Resources
  • Future of the Book
  • Library Preservation 2
  • What would Ranganathan do?
Proudly powered by WordPress | Theme: Zoia by Automattic.
University of Iowa Libraries University of Iowa Libraries The University of Iowa The University of Iowa Libraries
  • Contact the Libraries
  • Library locations & hours
  • News & Events
  • Help using the Libraries
  • Assistance for people with disabilities
  • Our diversity statement
  • Thank a Librarian
  • Web site/page feedback OR general suggestions
  • UI Libraries other links UI Libraries in the Internet Archive Use and reuse of UI Libraries web content - Creative Commons Staff SharePoint (authentication required)
  • UI Libraries on social media UI Libraries on Instagram UI Libraries on Facebook UI Libraries on Twitter UI Libraries on Pinterest UI Libraries on Tumblr UI Libraries on YouTube UI Libraries on Flickr UI Libraries blogs
  • 100 Main Library (LIB)
  • 125 West Washington St.
  • Iowa City, IA 52242-1420
  • 319-335-5299 (Service Desk)
  • ©2019 The University of Iowa
  • Give a gift to the Libraries!