Lecithin as a means of softening leather bindings

Restoring old leather is one of the most difficult tasks facing restorers, especially when it comes to restoring leather bindings of manuscripts and books. This is not only due to the specific properties and chemical composition of the leather, but also because old books continue to be used to this day. The main goal of the work is to search for new materials and methods for restoring leather covers of old manuscript bindings, rare books, and incunabula. We have chosen lecithin as such a material. Experience in using phospholipids for the restoration of deteriorated oil paintings, DPI objects made of fabric and leather, suggests that they can be effectively used for the restoration of leather covers of bindings. The causes of the destruction of binding leather were studied, and methods for its restoration were described. Before starting the experimental part of the research, we familiarized ourselves with the physico-chemical properties of lecithin and its use in the field of restoration. To assess the effectiveness and stability over time of this material, we conducted tests on experimental samples of old leather. The work used materials from the research of employees of the Department of Restoration of Manuscripts and Graphics of the State Institute for Restoration, conducted during the restoration of leather bindings of manuscripts and books. We also used data obtained from studying the department's archives. We express special thanks to Tatiana B. Rogozina, a highly qualified binder restorer, for her consultation on the use of lecithin.