Micro-Chemical and Spectroscopic Study of Component Materials in 18th and 19th Century Sacred Books

The Cyrillic books Menology for May (1705), The Bible (1822) and Mirror (1816) were consigned for conservation to the Conservation Laboratory at the National Library in Skopje. The first two books were printed in Moscow, while the third book was issued in Vienna, although it originates from the territory of the former Ottoman Empire, present-day Republic of Macedonia. In order to design a conservation protocol, papers and inks used in the books were characterized and their condition was assessed. Micro-chemical tests were used in order to identify the type of paper fibres and materials added to the paper pulp. FTIR was applied to confirm the findings for the sizing and fillers found in the paper support. Inorganic pigments were analysed by micro-Raman spectroscopy. The original paper in the Russian books was made of rags with less than 5% lignin content present, whereas the paper in Mirror was made of raw and unbleached hardwood. Distinct types of sizing have been identified: gelatine/alum in Menology for May and Mirror and gelatine/rosin in The Bible. The pigments identified are lamp black, vermilion, Prussian blue and calcite. The study elucidates which internal and external factors could cause further decay of the books and will help in making informed decisions concerning the further preservation of the objects.