Condition, Condition, Condition: How to Spot a Repair

Join ​Natasha Herman | Proprietor, STILT® Book Cradle; Fellow, International Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works, for a talk on how to discern the condition of an antiquarian book.

Like the humans who make them, books begin aging the moment they’re made. Some aging—like a rich patina—can be harmless or even beautiful, while other forms are more problematic. To understand a book’s condition, we first need to know how it falls apart. This talk will guide you on where and what to look for to read a book’s traces of repair. Together, we will uncover the hidden material histories of books, exploring what kinds of damage truly matter to us as collectors, caretakers, and readers.

The Boston International Antiquarian Book Fair (BIABF) celebrates its 47th year November 7-9, 2025, at the Hynes Convention Center in Downtown Boston. This three-day event welcomes the top international dealers offering the most sought-after collections of fine and rare books, maps, illustrations, and ephemera on the global market.. For information, visit www.abaa.org/bostonbookfair or call 617-938-8879.

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