The Pie and the Patty-pan

Identification and bibliographical details

Title/descriptive signifier:  The Pie and the Patty-pan

Author: Beatrix Potter

Dimensions (mm): 181(h) 141(w) 11(d) 

Collection/client details: Dr Matthew J Eve

Provenance.  

The object has been stored at Marchpane in Soho.

Existing conservation documentation: N/A

Historical context and details of research:

The Tale of the Pie and the Patty-Pan (originally, The Pie and the Patty-Pan) is a children's book written and illustrated by Beatrix Potter, and published by Frederick Warne & Co. It was first published in October 1905, in a larger format than was normal for Potter's children's books.

Before treatment photodocumentation:

Description

Covering & board:

• Case binding with the original blue paper cover, with even margins of turn-ins. 

• The borderline, title & author are blocked in white on the left board and lettered in white on the spine. 

•  A small pictorial cat label is laid over on the left board with a decorative panel blocked in white.

• It is showcased on a strawboard. 

• The spine lining (mull) attaches the board. 

Textblock:

• Flat spine with a slight shoulder.

• Mottled lavender endpapers (single folio) tipped on. 

• 10 full-page colour plates, and several black-and-white in-text illustrations. 

• The text block comprises 51 printed pages. 

• The interior joint of both boards is in good condition, but the exterior joints are broken. 

Gatherings & sewing: 

• The text block is composed of 4 gatherings with 3 folia.

• Structure (figure. 1): endpaper - 4 gatherings (3 folia) - endpaper 

• The text block is machine-sewn without any additional supports. 

• 4 sewing stations.

• The main body of the text block is sewn all-along.

Text support & Media:

• The paper of the text block is white, medium-weight, machine-made woven paper.

• The text medium is black printer ink. It includes several coloured and black-and-white illustrations. 

• The text medium is black printer ink. 

Condition

Fair - conservation needed

Boards:

• The boards are well attached to the text block by the pastedown and the spine lining material; however, half of the spine material is lost, so in danger of cover detachment in the future. 

• The outer joints of the left and the right boards are 50% broken from the bottom, and also 10% broken from the head. 

• All board corners are abraded and frayed. 

Cover:

• There is a crayon stain around the pictorial label on the left cover. 

• Surface dirt and discolouration along the spine cover. 

• The cover on the head corner of the right board is peeling.

• Some white marks are sprayed on the left cover. 

Spine:

• The 1/3 bottom spine cover is lost, exposing the top and bottom of the textblock.  

• The head cap of the spine is cracked.

• The right outer joint is broken, so the spine is intact only by the left outer joint. 

Endleaves:

• The left flyleaf is detached from the title page and lost. 

• Yellow-coloured discolouration overall, presumably from the board of the book on the right flyleaf. 

Text-block

• Sewing is intact and generally in good condition, although three gatherings are slightly loose. 

• Heavy ingrained dirt and fingerprints throughout the text block.

• Several children’s handwriting.

Endbands

• There is no evidence of the existence of endbands.

Treatment description

1. Dry surface cleaning: Initially, it was carried out using a soft Japanese brush to remove loose particles on the text block, especially along the joints. Then, a smoke sponge was used to remove any further surface dirt. This was done throughout the whole text block.

2. Colour matching: The selected choice of Western paper with a similar texture and thickness to the object was colour matched to the colour of the original cover using acrylic. 

3. Cover lifting: The cover of the book was lifted using the lifting knife so that the new spine material could be inserted.

4. Re-backing: Toned paper that is wider than the width of the spine was adhered to the spine of the book using wheat starch paste, and the remaining margin was inserted between the book cover and the board

5. Re-attach the original spine cover: The original spine cover was adhered on top of the new spine cover with wheat starch paste.

6. Recreate the lost endleaf: For the missing endleaf on the left board, acrylic and a sponge were used to recreate the original pattern.

7. Re-attach the endleaf: The new endleaf was adhered with a strip of Japanese paper (28 GSM) and wheat starch paste. 

8. Inner joint consolidation: Several loose inner joints were consolidated with a strip of Japanese paper and wheat starch paste.

9. Corner repair: The abraded corner of the book was consolidated by injecting wheat starch paste between the delaminated boards. The exposed boards were toned using watercolour. 

10. Lettering: Missing letters on the spine cover was retouched with acrylic.

After photodocumentation

Requirements/future recommendations:

Storage 

• The book should be kept away from direct sunlight to prevent fading or discolouration. 

• The relative humidity should be between 45-55% RH to prevent mould growth. 

Handling 

• clean, dry hands are recommended for handling the object.

• When referencing the book, it can be held in a position that supports the spine.   The book can be open at most 120 degrees.

• If needed, a book cushion can be used to support the book, using light weights to keep the book open to the required page.