Identification of a white substance on 20th century leather bindings

Abstract

The aim of this investigation was to identify a white substance visible on the spines of leather-bound volumes titled Victorian Law Reports and address any issues of concern. Initially it was thought that it was a mould outbreak. However, preliminary examination using visual and microscopic methods ruled this out. An analytical path which involved Environmental Scanning Electron Microscopy with Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (ESEM-EDS), micro-chemical spot testing and Fourier Transform Infra-red (FTIR) spectroscopy determined that the white substance was composed of one or more fatty acids and possibly their respective calcium salts. In addition, this investigation provides a review of the a..