Csapodi, Csaba: Conservation of the Manuscript and Old Book Collections at the Library of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences. Methods and Results. 1949–1964 (A MTAK kiadványai 44. Budapest, 1965)

treatment. Our job is not restitutio in integrum, i. е., total restitution, but the saving and conserving of what was received from former ages for the future. 2. The second principle harmonizes with the first. The purpose of a book is primarily to preserve the spiritual products of man and — contrary to the fineness of its appearance — it is only secondarily a museum or exhibition piece. The purpose of the library is to collect these products, protect them and save them in a condition suitable for usage. As many books as possible must be put into the best condition possible. We do not desire to invest a great amount of work and money in the restoration of certain extremely valuable and fine pieces only, but the entire collection. Therefore the work is always directed toward certain collections: first to the manuscripts, then the old Hungarian books, the incunabula and recently on the books from the first half of the sixteenth century. 3. The methods applied must always be appropriate to the value of the volume we want to save. Books, literary monuments printed 500 years ago, the manuscripts of old Hungarian literature, our great writers and scientists, deserve first class material and processes for their conservation and a finished product which is aesthetical, smart and in harmony with the entire collection or certain groups of it. Defence Against Damage Caused by Animals The first problem in conservation — after assuring the proper arrangement — is the defence against damage caused by animals and fungi because this may mean a catastrophe for the collection. Of the animals, we can easily eliminate the mice burrowing into our collection. One skilled exterminator spreading poisoned food can destroy them. The various insects are even greater enemies of old books primarily because the damage they cause is more subtle, less obvious. The Italian libraries, for instance, consider termites an elemental calamity. Fortunately north of the Alps they are not a problem, but other insects — mainly the anobium — cause serious damage even in Hungary. The havoc caused by such insects in the collection of old books at the Library was shocking. Under the cut bindings a whole labyrinth of chewed passages were visible. In many instances the entire board was nothing but a crumbling skeleton (Plates 9-12). After thorough examination it was proved that these processes were completed a long time ago. Centuries ago, when these books were kept in a dark, neglected place and went untouched for decades — receiving no fresh air light — the larva or adult anobia lived and did their harm. Live parasites are rarely found. It seems that the Hungarian climate is conducive to preserving the good condition of the books. They are rather adversly affected by the damp climate of some of the Western countries and the humid heat of southern Europe. Those volumes in the Teleki and Vigyázó collections showing signs of great deterioration were, in most instances, acquired from book dealers abroad. According to our experiences in Hungary, the danger from various animals is relatively insignificant among normal storage conditions, frequent airing and cleaning. If traces of live parasites are found it is necessary to take special steps. It is also important that books of uncertain origin, especially if 11